Ways of the World: Chapter 15

I found it very interesting to see how powerful Portugal was, and how it was a force to be reckoned with in Europe's journey to the East. It is a strange concept because of the actual size of the country and the actual standing that it has now. However, being a country almost completely surrounded by water it doesn't seem implausible. The journey across the Indian Ocean towards the East was very necessary in the advancement in the economies of the European world. This journey would result in valuable benefits that could revive and strengthen their economies and wealth. Among these benefits were various goods such as spices/textiles and the development of trade systems and relationships between countries. The gain of these aspects would lend an advantage of certain countries over others in Europe.

I also found it interesting to learn that the Spanish invasion of the Philippines was in order to get an advantage on the Portuguese in the journey to the East. It proved a success by providing a place for Spain to hold their silver during the silver trade. Silver was labeled as one of the most important pieces that started trade being started across international borders. Thus definitely giving the Spanish the upper hand in the newly discovered idea of global exchange of goods. However, China became a force to be reckoned with as well. The Chinese/Indians, created many different products so quickly and at so little cost that it became almost impossible to compete. I also found it interesting and slightly amusng how in some places, for example France, it became illegal to use imported items from India or China because the government was trying to conserve and protect its own industry.

Chapter 4: Sugar and the Origins of the Modern World

I found it very interesting to learn of the origins of sugar in the modern world and how it was thought to be a medicine and/or a spice, and was used in very small quantities. It wasn't till the 18th century that it was used as a sweetener, and that is when it went from a high class privilege to a world commodity. I also found it very interesting to learn that the traditional beer was more nutritious than sweetened tea. It was weird to see the transition between tea being a statement of wealth and power to a statement of poverty and lack of nutrition. When first introduced it was a statement of wealth because it the rarity of it. Only people of wealth had the ability to have it imported or to recieve it. However, once it became a commodity it was commonly used as a replacement for food because it gave the illusion of a hot meal, making it a common use of the lower class. It was interesting to read and learn about the evolution of sugar as a product and how the value of it changed as it became more popular and more widely used.

Response to article by John Boudreau

Upon reading the article In Vietnam, Teenage Daughters Sold Into Sex Slavery, I found it rather sad when the "motherly" woman and the man came to these villages, which were obviously struggling in the first place, and offered them "opportunity" through slavery. The worst part is that the families unknowingly agreed to give up their daughters to slavery because they thought it would benefit the family and they were so desperate for money. Unfortunately when the girls went with these people their lives were only made worse, they were tricked into thinking they would be able to work to help their families and enhance their lifestyle, but instead they were forced into the sex trade.

This is a very depressing situation, because the girls that were taken, on top of being tricked into slavery they were all so young. They didn't even stand a chance, because there was so much lack of experience. Due to their home life, most of these women, as well as other women that this has happened to, are found to be illiterate and unaware of these types of dangers.

I found it extremely disgusting to read the part about the men paying extra for the younger and the more innocent or "pure". I cannot even image what these young women have to go through. They are taken from their homes, lives, and basically everything they own, so that they can be used and taken advantage of by gross old men. I also found it disturbing to learn about the high counts of women that are sold and disappear. Thats crazy that governments have let this type of situation get so out of hand or that they might even be involved. I was glad to see that there were programs in place to try and help this issue, I hope that people can come together and try to stop sex trafficking, because so one should ever have to be subjected to that type of treatment.