Ways of the World Chapter 19: Sick Man Of Europe

I found it interesting to read about how the Ottoman Empire, which was once viewed as one of the most powerful empires in the world, weakened greatly in the early 19th century. The Ottoman Empire was the leader of a variety of nations and controlled most of the Arab world and it shocked me to see that a nation so powerful could fall so suddenly. Then I realized that this was a common phenomenon that occurred in many of the powerful nations in the past. This in a way, slightly scares me, because the United States is constantly growing in power and I cannot help but think when it is our turn to fall. As the United States continues to grow as a nation, the chances of us falling, I feel greatly increases. It is important that the United States government pays attention to the stability of the country which I am sure that they do, but I am afraid we are headed down the path that many nations in the past may have followed, which lead to their overall downfall.

Ways of the World Chapter 17: Feminist Beginnings

I was extremely interested in the section of feminist beginnings. I found it interesting and inspiring to read about the women who in the 1700's took a chance and voiced thier ideas in the enlightenment period that lead to the beginning of the feminist movement across the world. The revolution provided opportunity for women by creating the possibility of re-creating societies on new foundations that contained new ideas on equality. Women participated in the various events in order to see the revolutionary ideals of liberty and equality included women. However the acknowledgement of these rights were denied till future times. Although this was the case women were still able to find some educational opportunities and freedom from household ties during the hustle and bustle of the industrial revolution.
I found this inspiring to see that these women were fed up with the life that they were forced to live and had the bravery and overall abitity to speak up for themselves. These miniscule outbursts of feministic ideas everntually lead to the equality of women. Equality may not have happened instantly but it did need to be introduced as an idea and this is what these women did. I almost feel empowered as a woman in this society with all the opportunity that I have. In the past I have taken equality and the availability of opportunity for granted, but this section in the textbook reminded me of how fortunate I truely am and made me truely thankful for these strong women who fought for the freedom that I am now able to enjoy. It is inspiring to know and fell what women are capable. Females have come a long way in society and there is still a long way to go and more equality to achieve, and I am fortunate and willing to do my part in ensuring fair treatment of females.

Chapter 18: The Beginning of the Industrial Revolution

An interesting concept that I read and had never considered before was the Why Europe? section. In this section the textbook poses the question of why was Europe the first place to industrialize and be the birthplace for the industrial revolution. I had never considered this idea. There were many other areas, like India and China that were just as technologically advanced if not more than the European nations. Experts have dissected the various possibilities of why this may be, but they have only come up with theories.
When the situation is looked at closely, there is no real reason as to why Europe was the first area geographically to industrialize. Other areas of the world experienced times of technological and scientific greatness. For example, the Islamic world generated major advances in shipbuilding, power, papermaking, textile production, and much more. In other areas there were similar advances, in India, there was the world center of cotton textile production, sugar production from sugar cane, and mathematical inventions. In the same note, China was clearly the world leader in technological innovation. However, all of these places of technology slowed down considerably by the early modern era, which was when the change in European technology began to pick up.
Historians have tried to describe this phenomenon, but have only formulated theories. They believe that it has to do with the patterns or Europe’s internal development that favored innovation. The many tiny nations that makeup Europe was constantly competing against each other, which fueled the industrial revolution. In places like Asia the nations are larger and more segregated. Another reason could be the monarch’s desperate need for revenue, which pushed them into an alliance with their merchant classes. It was an interest of the government to encourage commerce and innovation, and in some ways the merchant classes began to take over the states.
I found this to be very interesting, and like I mentioned earlier I did not ever consider the other parts of the world, or the reasoning as to why Europe was the first to industrialize. In all consideration, I would have expected China to be the first to industrialize because they were the most technologically advanced in the early modern era. However, when it came down to the industrialization, Europe took the first step and led the way, and more specifically England, which happened to be the one of Europe’s smallest nations.

Ways of the World Chapter 16: Growth of Christianity

I found it very interesting to see the difference between the European explorers/conquerors and other explorers/conquerors. The European explorers were extremely forceful with the natives when it came to the adoption of Christianity. When the Europeans came to a new land they would not only contribute to the spread of disease, population collapse, loss of land, and forced labor, they would force the Christian religion amongst the people. The settlers would claim an absolute religious truth and sought utter destruction of local gods and everything associated with them. This was a new phenomenon with the European conquerors, earlier conquerors, made no attempt to abolish any of the local deities and/or religious practices.
I found this fairly disturbing and sad. For many of the natives, if they did not adopt the ways of Christianity they were killed, so they had no other options. Many accepted baptism, contributed to the construction of religious churches, attended services and embraced the different idols and practices of Christianity. In many ways the natives lost their culture and their traditions completely. The native people were forbidden from practicing their traditions. As time passed, the new generations were immediately immersed into the new ways of the Europeans, losing valuable insight to their native traditions.
The destruction of the monuments and worship temples resulted in the lost of history and knowledge. The European settlers could have learned much valuable information on the area or the history of the natives, that could only enhanced their knowledge. However the Europeans were too close-minded to give anything but Christianity a chance and now many traditions and histories were lost or altered. And not only did the Europeans destroy their culture they did it in the most disrespectful way possible. They smashed religious images and ritual objects, as well as urinated on shrines, desecrated the remains of their ancestors and humiliated anyone who stood up to them for their beliefs and culture.
This horrible conversion that occurred in Spanish American colonies, did not continue in other parts of the world. For example in China the people were stronger and more independent so they were not easily conquered. The European missionaries or traders did not threaten China and they were able to keep their traditions and culture. Europeans had to go the Chinese leaders and ask to be allowed to be in the country. The Chinese people never fully became interested in the Christian way and were able to keep their own traditions and beliefs.

Ways of the World Chapter 16: Protestant Reformation

I found it very interesting to learn that it before 1517, the views of Christianity, were completely different than they are today. The original Christian had to perform tasks, such as sacraments or offerings to be considered for salvation from God. Then Martin Luther came and proposed the idea that "good works or any of the sacraments had any bearing on the eternal destiny of the soul, for faith was free" Luther preached that faith alone would bring salvation to humanity. This reformation is what separated Catholics from the other Christian groupings.
This reformation gave justification for different groups to revolt from the Catholic Church and establish their own lands and countries under the teachings of Martin Luther. Woman were also given the chance to advance in literacy and education. Martin Luther preached the importance of of reading the bible at home or on your own, so with this women were able to learn how to read and advance in their education. This was a big step, and in some groups, like the Quakers women were even given a role in the church other than the convent.
I found the passage about the Quakers giving women an equal role in the church a little surprising. To me it feels that within some time the churches began to once again slightly segregate and become a little hypocritical, like the original Roman Catholic Church. I was baptized Catholic as a child but my mom was non-denominational christian which just means that she just follows God and Jesus. My step-mom was protestant and my step dad was atheist, so I was able to get a view of many different types of beliefs. Last year I also attended a Quaker University and joined a Baptist Church so I was also able to learn of those beliefs. To my surprise I found the Quakers to be the most segregated. I do not know if that was just that sect or if all Quakers are like that, however a variety of acts were committed by the students and the community which demonstrated raciest and even sexist views.
I like the ideas that Martin Luther preached and projected and how different groups have grown from that developed his ideas into greater ideas. I feel that this is how Christianity should be and be taught. I feel like his views on how it did not matter what u did as long as u believed in God and had strong faith. It made the individual relationships with God and Jesus more personal and overall stronger. I am very thankful Martin Luther had the courage and the strength to share his ideas with the world, because without him, who knows where Christianity may be now.