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.