Chapter 24 (740-747)

Religious beliefs and practices declined as globalization and the modern world arised. The enlightenment and socialist intellectuals were on the road to extinction. However, some religions such as Buddhism and Christianity spread. Christianity spread to Asia, Africa, and Latin America as did the ideas of meditation and yoga in Buddhism. Fundamentalism took a great part in the involment on religions such as the bible and at the end of World War Two opposed political liberalism, homosexuality, abortion rights, and secular humanism.
Political independence arised in Egypt, Iran, and Algeria and generated nationalism, socialism, and economic development. However it led to problems such as a widespread in unemployment, over crowded cities, corruption, slow economic growth, and difference between rich and poor.

Arab Spring

WLP stands for women's learning partnership which dedicated women leaders who's goal was to empower women and transform their families communities, and societies to improve effectiveness in feminist movements. WLP tried to stop violence against women, promoted volunteering, stop drug abuse, child abuse, sexual harassment, domestic violence and many others.  It also, provided workshops with technical knowledge and practical skills that allowed women to participate in the regions dialogue on rights, development, and peace. They also created a campaign that allows women to participate to be active equal members in their countries.

Chapter 24 (734-739)

Liberation ideas and civil rights arised as globalization continued. In 1968, new communist party started a reform focused on creating socialism with a human face and censorship ended. Feminism began in many countries and focused on suffrage. It organized efforts to help address the concerns of women around the world. It involved issues on sexuality, free love, lesbianism, celibacy and the equal right as heterosexuals. In the 1960s feminism was revived in Western Europe and United States. In 2006, nation ratified the discrimination against women. This promoted legal equality, ended discrimination, encouraged the development of women, and protected human rights.

Chapter 24 (723-734)

Re-globalization was a process that accelerated the circulation of goods, capital, and of the people which increased world trade by trillions. Goods were distributed from all parts of the world in many stores and markets. Money was distributed in three ways by foreign direct investment, money in motion, and personal funds of individuals in a form of capital. Transnational corporation was one of the global businesses that took part in the globalization in many countries. In 1970, countries joined together to try and create new international economic order that would help the poor. Economic globalization effected the nations not just on a global level.

Chapter 23

At the end of world war 1 many countries arised as a result of empires ending. Colonial rule was now being seen by political order. The people wanted their independence and did not view colonial rule as they did in the past. This allowed them to make profitable economic interests in Africa and Asia. The process included elections, writing constitutions, investments, and political reforms. As counties started to declare independence, poverty also arised.
In 1910, South Africa gained independence from Britain. South Africa was and industrial economy and based on diamond/gold mining. The white minority had the control at this time and majority of the Africans worked in the mines and for the white people. The Africans had a hard time achieving economic development as well as new independent countries. Economic development represented a rise in global culture modernity.

chapter 22, cold war

In the cold war the Soviet Union and the United States were the major political and military powers that took place of Western Europe.  It began with the heavy fortified border between Western and Eastern Europe.  This was called the Iron Curtain.  Communist victories opened the door to communist expansion in Asia and the rest of the world.  In 1953, the Cuban Missle Crisis happened. The Soviet Union sent nuclear missiles to Cuba.  For 13 days American forces blackaded the islands and got ready for an invasion.  John F. Kennedy help relieve this situation and promised the Soviets they would not invade.  The United States was a strong inperial and national security state.  The intelligent agencies had great power in the government.  The middle class society increased at tis time and allowed for high advancements.  In the 1990s the growing market of movies and McDonalds grew. 

chapter 21

Fascism arose between 1919 and 1945 and was a authoritarian and nationalistic type of government that seeked to revitalize and purify the nation.  In Germany Hitler was the ruler and suppressed all other political parties, abolished labor unions, controlled the press/radio, arrested thousands of people, and had the control.  The majority of the population was on Hitlers side because his ways brought Germany out of the Depression.  This was similar to Japan during the 1930 because Japan had an authoritarian government and denied democracy.  The countries compteted for power and that in turn lead to the second world war.  Around 60 million people died.  Technology of warfare contributed to these casualties for it was more advanced than in the first world war.

chapter 21

In the beginning of the twentieth century the balance of power was portrayed by the Triple Alliance and the Triple Entente.  The Triple Alliance was Germany, Austria, and Italy and The Triple Entete was Russia, France and Britain.  The great war was started and began when Arch Duke Franz Ferdinand got killed in June 1914.  The war lasted more than four years and nationalism, competition and the expansion of militarism were the factors that contributed to it.  As the war continued the phrase "total war" began to arise which needed mobilization of the contries populations.  People involved themselves in propoganda, campaigns and signs to try and benefit the war. The treaty of Versailles ended the war.  Germany lost and needed to pay reparations and accepted sole respinsibility for the start of the war.  Germany then later on had resentment and wanted pay back. 

Putins Challenge

This article is based on a project on centre/periphery on the people of the Ciracassin community who's based mostly in New Jersy.  They use the metaphor from the novel Last of the Mohicans in relation to the last person in the tribe of the Ubykh, Ciracassin. This tribe no longer exists neither does their language. I find it sad that this can happen.  People can lose importance of their heritage because of what happens in our world of colonization. People are either forced to migrate or even killed and have to adapt to what is culturally accepted and lose their own heritage and where they come from.  1.5 million Circassians were liked or died from disease and the rest of 90% of our world of 5-6million are split between the Russia's. Now after reading this article it made me mad to think people would even consider to hold the Olympics there knowing the history and deaths that occurred there. For Putin to ignore the history and deny the heritage of the Circassian people is shameful and makes him a weak character. He will be doomed if he chooses that route and he will be known as Putin the terrible. 

Dolores Huerta

Dolores Huertas is an inspirational woman who has accomplished so much to be thankful for. From being the cofounder of the united farm workers, civil rights avtivist, feminists to being a key speaker in word of action to believe in the philosophy of non violence. She has dedicated her self to the right and belief of human right. I enjoyed her speech a lot and aside from being knowledgable she is of good strong character and very humerous. She covered a lot of interesting points and facts in her speech and one was how economic and political powers triggers many issues we struggle with today. It's amazing how she puts things and makes you really question what's going on. Just like how we depend on other countries for there natural resources because the United States is the only developed country that does not own it's own. She also talked about the violence of poverty. Our wages do not let us keep up with the cost of living. She states we are helpless but what can we do about it? If we are fed up with the system we need to vote. For us to be a democracy we need to vote in order for change. She inspires for you to want to make change. It takes faith but non-violence is transformative.

Chapter 20 (607-614)

In this second wave the European conquest was focused on Asia and Africa and it changed these societies. It was influenced by education and religion. Education was based on missionary schools. The means of being able to read and write held the status of knowledge which was stated to have some kind of magical powers. This power meant that they can get ahead in life by better pay and escape from colonial power. Education is important and holds true to society around us now. Education does allow the promise to a better future. So I guess it does hold some type of power in regards to getting ahead in life and we should be so thankful that we have that opportunity compared to those colonial days where it was not as easy to obtain. Religion transformed new identities and Christianity spread in places such as New Zealand, Pacific Islands, and non-Muslim. Christianity was associated with the modern education and in Africa they found new opportunities and freedom in the missions.

Thomas Massaro, Living Justice

In society today we are inflicted upon the rationalism of what we believe we deserve and what we hold true to right and wrong. We believe we deserve the best and demand respect from others, but yet can we truly say we do that upon others as well? It's a question that we all rationalize to ourselves. This segment of reading explains the dignity of every person and human right. What does this truly mean? Massaro thought to believe if Catholics followed certain guidelines there would be a balance of equality between different classes. It stated "all humans are made in the image and likeness of god," god is our creator, so we should as well be seen with high standards and be respected as we do with god, but in reality people do not follow this. People rationalize this to make them believe what they deserve, but yet there actions speak differently, it is in ones nature to be selfish. The church sees human equality very significant in the connection with god and how it reflects on how we treat one another. The importance to this is that no matter what god sees us all as equals. But we can't hold this completely true with the church for there are still major controversies on certain rights that churches disagree with making it a contradiction of what they say and the equality of human right.

Women And The Colonial Economy

The lives of African women were altered by colonial economies in many ways. Women had a lot of responsibilities aside from child care and household duties, they were almost equal to men in labor plus more. There was a lot of expectation for women and duties they needed to fulfill. This does not surprise me at all because till this day women still carry the amont of responsibility and roles that men do not give women credit for. It surprised me to read how women working hours increased from fourty six hours per week in pre colonial times to more than seventy hours per week by 1934. That's crazy! While men took advantage and profited off of cash crop agriculture they took no consideration to the women who helped make things work. Women took care of things at home and even took care of the men who worked in the cities and who earned low wages. This time in South Africa basically seperated married couple, men were in the cities while woman took care of life at home. Women learned how to get through these tough times and took certain opportunities in economic enterprising. Beyond the roles woman played during this time European and African men still tried to control woman, which is not a surprise because women till this day are still fighting for their equality.

The French Revolution

The French revolution had its great influence from the American revolution, but differed in certain ways.  The French revolution started with the conflicts it had within its own French society.  French government was in the brink of bankrupcy and so what did they do? King Louis called the estates general which consisted of three estates.  They wanted to raise taxes on the people opposed from the privilaged.  But these three estates composed of two percent of the first and second estate, the clergy and the nobles.  The rest consisted of the common people in the third estate, which the first and second estate tried to control.  This lead for the majority of these commoners to start the Nation Assembly, which gave the authority to make the laws for the country.  This resulted in the declaration of the rights of man and citizen.  The French revolution had justified the rights of the common people.
This reform in France was much needed, but I also think they came about it wrong.  I do agree with the commoners that it is not fair for the rich people to try and make the poor pay taxes, but their was a lot of violence and just becuase they were aristocrats some were innocent, but still got there heads cut off by the guillotine.

North American Revolution

     The American Revolution is what defines the United States.  Thirteen colonies in North America joined together to break free from Britain's grasp.  Although they were all under British rule, each held its own and organized an assembly ran by wealthy land owners.  These assemblies were the colsest to a self-government.  In 1776, the Declaration of Independance gave proof that these thirteen colonies became one.
     However, as Americans they still tried to hold on to their old European customs.  In politics great figures such as the Washingtons and jeffersons wore powdery wigs and kept up with the latest styles.  Unlike Europe, the United States had more opportunity men and women were treated with equal status, democracy ruled and natural rights were ensured.  Becoming Independent from Britain made customs that make what the United States is today.  Democracy and rights of everyone makes the Unites States different from all other nations.

The Protestant Reformation

     The Protestant Reformation transformed European society, culture, and politics in many ways.  As said in the book, it expressed a variety of political, economic, social tensions, and religious differences.  Martin Luther started the Ninety Five Theses which dramatically changed the mind set and rebel against the Catholic Church.  It is remarkable how one mans word changed and started this conflict between the Protestant and Catholics.  It peaks my curiosity to learn about the Protestant religion and how it differs from the Catholic beliefs because I am a Catholic myself.  The Protestant reformation brought awareness to many of the people and questioned the social order and the ways of the Pope.  I guess if I lived in that time period and I was classified in the lower ranking, it would make me question as well in regards to the authority of the Pope and social order since money paid his luxurious life style, but then again being a woman would not benefit being a Protestant for there would not be options other than marriage.  This dispute went on until the Peace of Westphalia which brought it to an end and motivated the Catholic Counter-Reformation which renewed the Catholic Church.

Atlantic Slave Trade

     The Atlantic slave trade started the most horrific practice that has been carried down for centuries and still practiced today in some parts of the world.  It astounds me how in the early civilization slavery was accepted because it was linked to warfare and capture.  It started with it being accepted to creating racism and dehumaninzing Africans. The word slavery originally came from the supply of Slavic slaves who were the main supply for the Mediterranean plantations.  What is interesting is how the European language got what we call slave from Slav.  When Ottoman Turks seized Constantinople the Slavic slaves stopped and because of the process of elimination they turned to the Africans.  Africans were skilled and able to accomodate the immunity for diseases and because there was a large population it was easily available for them to take advantage.  Its hard to understand how Africans took part in this and made it available for these Europeans to accomodate their people.  This created their network of exchange of silver and textiles.  Yes they both profited from this, but big picture I do not understand how these people rationalized to themselves that this was right.  

Comparing Colonial Societies in Americas

     The different colonies that have arised amazes me, but somewhat angers me at the same time, from the old world to new.  The first society were the lands of Aztecs and Incas which the Spanish conquered.  The Native people provided the forced labor for the Spaniards.  Social order grew which made these Spanish people to be at the top of the pyrymid.  Mestizo's were created, which in todays society its seen as a diverse and positive notion, but of course back then not so positive.  The ratio was 1 to 7, one Indian woman to 7 Spanish men.  Thats crazy! All because the Indian women strived for the security and suffered the abuse to try to have a better life for themselves and their kids.  The second colony of sugar was Brazil which was ruled by Portugal and in the Spanish, British, French and Dutch colonies of the Carribbean.  The Arabs introduced the sugar production to the Mediterranean, which allowed the Europeans to use that to there advantage, which then lead to breaking the Portugal and Brazilian monopoly.  Now what makes me angry is how the Europeans kill off the Native American population then turns to the Africans to use them as slaves to make their sugar production which they profit from.  The killing of Native Americans did not stop there, but carried down to the Africans who died as well through rough conditions of labor they endured them in.  The third colony settled in North America which were the British colonies of New England, New York and Pennsylvania.  It amazes me how they believed they got the left overs of the new world called the "dregs" and look what it became, the United States!

Travels in Siberia-extra credit

     First off I would like to say how greatful I am to be living in this time period.  Geghis Khan, this guy is nothing but bad news.  Only someone who searches for immortality can be someone of evil character, especially when you make an old man travel so far just for him to get an answer.  I think he is a horrible man.  He is guilty for leading tens of millions of deaths, violating women and children, and influencial to the Mongols who did nothing but terrible things to people and Russia.  The Mongols spent their lives on horseback and out doors and they ate the nastiest things.  I guess at that time it was better to be a Mongol than it was to try to avoid them, but never in a million years would I eat the way they did.
     Towards the end of the reading the Slavophilic historians stated Russia should be greatful to the Tatars, which I disagree completely.  The Mongols intruded and invaded the people of Russia.  I would rather be subjected to the Roman church than to be take over in the way the Mongols did.

Strayer, Ch14 (403-417)

     Columbus Day, a day that has been honored and celebrated for hundreds of years.  A day to celebrate an explorers honor of discovering the new world.  Globalization happened and allowed for cultures to cross.  The columbian exchange changed the lives of the Europeans and Americans.  They created new societies in Americas replacing the old.  It brought about agricultural growth and even population growth.  As it has been said some may agree Columbus day should be celebrated, but I disagree.
     In the book Winona LaDuke states, "Columbus was a perpetrator of genocide..., a slave trader, a thief, a pirate, and most certainly not a hero.  To celebrate Columbus is to congratulate the process and history of the invasion,"(403).  After reading this chapter I felt anger and sadness.  How could we celebrate a person who brought sickness and took it as his advantage to rationalize their goodness.  Native Americans did not have the immunity to fight off the disease brought by the Europeans by domesticated animals.  These Native Americans suffered, killing 90% of the population and the Europeans took that as an advantage, which is morally wrong.

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Yay, Im done!