Chapters 20 & 21

Chapter 20 - I have never heard the term Anthropocene, however, it is very apropos for the twentieth century and beyond.  We human beings have left a huge imprint on the geological, atmospheric, and biological history of this planet. Sometimes we see the error of our ways and make corrections to save the planet and for posterity, and other times we go kicking and screaming trying to ignore the negative impact we are having on our Mother Earth, i.e., global warming.  It doesn’t take a “rocket scientist” to realize something must be terribly wrong with the ice caps melting away.  On the other hand, maybe it’s supposed to be the way it’s going, and we are supposed to die out – like the dinosaurs.

I am astounded by the numbers of soldiers and civilians killed over disagreements over the centuries, 10 million and counting.  Is this our form of birth control?  We created our own genocide without calling it genocide.  It was justified murder.  It is good to see that empire building was losing legitimacy in the twentieth century, but it hasn’t stopped the carnage. 

And we are still fighting over things that could be resolved possibly through different means.  Iraq is a perfect example.  I listened to an interview on NPR radio this week with the Kurds who hope to be able to seek their independence in the region they currently inhabit in Iraq. Sounds like it’s their homeland from centuries ago and they want to reclaim it for themselves.  Can they do it without bloodshed is the ultimate question.  Perhaps Britain should help the Shia, Sunni and Kurds reestablish the borders they had prior to Britain’s conquering them years ago.  I wonder if the Sunni, Shia and Kurds have any biological connection.  Are they somehow related and don’t know it.  And if they are connected, would they murder each other anyway?  Or be glad to welcome each other into the “family.” 

So we sent 2 million young men into WWI, which turned things around for Britain and France.  I now have a better understanding of the reaction of Americans when France gives us a bad time.  We helped save them and would like them to show us a little love and support. 

I liked President Woodrow Wilson’s philosophy of “nation self-determination.”  However, this can be a tricky one to establish when you have different ethnic groups within the same borders all wanting to be No. 1, i.e., today’s Iraq.  Even the U.S. is challenged by this one.

Wow, what a mess with the depression.  And we were supposed to have checks and balances in place since the crash of 1929 so it wouldn’t happen again.  What the h… happened? If those in authority were paying attention in Washington. D.C., and the banks were not abrogating their fiduciary responsibilities to their customers, we would not have had the crash of 2007.  I was stunned by what came out about the banks and sub-prime loans.  What were the banks thinking!!!  Were they blinded by too many $$$ signs as it related to their profits and their shareholders! They were too much into their own greed and avarice!  And to top it off, none of the CEO’s of the banks went to prison.  Now I hear banks are doing it again in making risky decisions.  Do we have a bunch of crooks running the banks now?  We taxpayers need a strong voice letting the banks know we aren’t their piggy bank!

It was informative to read about Mussolini, Hitler and Japan and fascism and how we entered WWII. Our growing pains never cease.  Hitler in my opinion was one of the worst individuals to walk the planet.  60 million dead – wow.  You don’t need a deadly pathogen to kill people, you just need an intrinsically deadly mind like Hitler's.

Chapter 21 - The twentieth century presented some difficult times with unrest among the nations.  But then why should this century be an exception to past unsettled centuries. So Mussolini, Hitler and Japan thought they had the answer with fascism - disguised as the people showing their support for their country as the state took over their every move.  They traded liberty and individuality for dictatorships.  I haven’t heard of a form of government that doesn’t have drawbacks.  And as some of us realize, capitalism has its drawback too, but thus far I prefer over communism.  

I recall reading about Marxism in one of my other classes.  In theory it sounded idyllic, however, in reality I could see human nature rearing its ugly head.  And it did as communism became entrenched within these communist countries.  That’s why I enjoyed the jokes in the beginning of this chapter, they hit the nail on the head.  They had nothing and thought they lived in paradise.  Of course I think they realized they didn’t live in paradise.  I recall my next door neighbor when I was growing up having to entertain some Russian visitors and give them a tour around Santa Clara County. I don’t recall why she was doing this, however, she shared with my family the fact that the Russians couldn’t believe all the choice we had in our grocery stores.  They thought we stocked them because they would be visiting, and that we were putting on a show just for them.  No we weren't, but I suspect they would have done so if we visited them.

Once again, women were lifted up and then let down once the men started complaining in China and Soviet.  So equality would have to wait in China and Soviet.

China’s famine in 1959 - 1962 killed around 20 million due to poor management and bad weather.  Wow.  It dwarfed the Soviet's famine.  This type of catastrophe can happen even today and even China’s famine wasn’t that long ago.  

I’m not surprised that both China and Soviets had success with communism as they had nothing and the only way was up if done correctly.  However, by the 1970s the inequalities started showing up.  The whole episode of searching for enemies was such a sad one.  What’s amazing to me are the changes that Deng made in China after Mao died.  It appears he really turned things around for China and was very progressive in his thinking.  

Russia hasn’t been so lucky since the collapse of communism.  They need someone like Deng to replace Putin who is stuck in the old world that doesn’t work any longer.  I think Deng's idea of privatizing is interesting.  Should we do that with certain government run enterprises, such as DMV?  

The country to watch will be Cuba after Castro dies.  The Cuban citizens are waiting.  I wonder how things will play out once the Castros are gone.  It would be good if they can find someone like Deng to help Cuba become part of the twenty-first century in a positive way.  The Cubans have been very resourceful people.

Chapters 16, 17 & 18

Although Chapter 16 shares some painful episodes of the past, it also discusses how we govern today and the evolution of the process.  I particularly like John Locke’s view about the social contract that is between ruler and ruled.  It should last as long as it serves the people well.  Hmmmm.  Makes me think that changes are most definitely needed and way overdue in Washington, D.C.  Then again, one needs to be careful what they wish for as we can never be sure what monster will take over in congress and the senate.  However, most of us recognize things are broken between the two main parties which really don’t serve the peoples’ needs.

I have to hand it to the Haitians over their revolt.  Bravo!  Their actions ultimately changed the destiny and slow demise of slave labor.  I found it galling that France would ask them for money after Haiti had their freedom.  I hope Haiti is able to get something out of France in return.  Only seems fair.

I had not heard before that England slowly grew against slave labor and took steps to put a stop to it.  The down side in the U.S. is what Black people had to endure as far as racism, discrimination, KKK lynchings, segregation laws, and denial of voting rights.  It’s taken many years to change this treatment and it’s still not 100% irradicated.

I found the section about nation building interesting.  I recall when I was in 4th and 5th grades we said the Pledge of Allegiance and sang patriotic songs to build up our patriotism and feel more like a part of this ‘nation’.  Not sure that is done anymore.

Ah, yes, equal rights for women.  I am so grateful for the Elizabeth Cady Stantons and Susan B. Anthonys of the world.  Women owe them our gratitude and thanks.  I’m a perfect example of why women need an education since I was widowed at a young age and needed to support my young son and me.  How dare some ignorant male state that the ‘strains of education and life in the world would harm our reproductive ability.’  If this man had ever given birth, he would know we can take on the world.  What a complete idiot he was! His comment shows his own lack of knowledge!

Wow, Chapter 17 about the industrial revolution is an eye opener on the impact it had on people and their lives as artisans, the environment and natural resources.  It never ceases to amaze me how we continue to pigeonhole men and women in what they are meant to be and do.  Women must be wives and mothers and stay at home and if we do work, we will be paid less.  Men will be the main bread winners and will be paid more than women.  Today we know this isn’t the case - we are slowly evolving towards greater equality for both genders.  My concern today is that men aren’t enrolling in college like in generations past.  Not sure how this is going to work out in the near future.  Seems we need some cheerleaders out there for the male population to help them find their way of being all they can be and not giving up.

Chapter 18 was heart wrenching to read about the abusive way Asians and Africans were treated after their countries had been colonized by European countries due to the excesses of the Industrial Revolution.  It dawned on me that Africa suffered twice at the hands of Europe: first with having Africans kidnapped into slave labor and taken to foreign lands and then invaded in their own country and basically enslaved and abused again.

(Yikes! It is after midnight and time for me to get to bed right after I send my blog.)    

Chapters 13, 14 & 15

Chapter 13 is interesting in that it lays out the transformations of the various countries and their development into empires or being absorbed by another motivated country that desires increasing their size for their own benefit.  From the map on page 620, I now know how the Americas were divided up and which countries wanted a piece of the North American continent.  

It appears Europeans were well suited to concur lands in far off places with their perfected maritime skills.  Not only did they bring their innovations, new foods and new animals, but they brought death to the natives that just about wiped them out.  For awhile, the conquerors outnumbered the natives.  I have always taken it for granted that the food and animals were indigenous to North America, but I am obviously wrong.  Only taken a few years of my life to learn the truth!  Ignorance is not bliss!  I knew Eucalyptus trees are not indigenous, but missed it on other categories.  I have always equated sugar to Hawaii.  Ha! Missed the boat on that one, too.

I found it interesting that when Britain wanted a piece of North America, it had to choose from what was left that the other countries hadn’t claimed. Ah, but in due time it became the United States of America started by British immigrants.  Today, New York is a pretty swanky place with lots to offer - someday I’ll visit and find out for myself.

I now have a better understanding about labor in the United States and why slavery, although it didn’t have to be slavery in my opinion.  

So Russia with their empirical expansion brought Christianity to their region.  That obviously was before communism came on the scene and turned everything upside down - in my humble opinion.  Russia was doing pretty well with wealth being derived from agriculture, fur trade (taboo today) and mineral deposits.  Oil hadn’t come into being yet. I found it interesting that Peter the Great encouraged the modernization of Russia by emulating Europeans.  

China, like Russia, expanded for security and defensive reasons.  Guess it’s understandable.  It can possibly create stability in the region depending on how it’s handled.  I admired the gentle way Akbar ruled the Mughul Empire - with a respect for the Hindu’s to aid in their comfort level.  However, his successor wasn’t do kindly.  Now I  have a better idea about what let India to be conquered by Britain.

From Chapter 14, I get a sense of how commerce really got going between the countries during this time.  Some of the countries acted like bullies and some didn’t.  I liked how Portugal couldn’t have their way with monopolizing trade and had to go to Plan B acting like FedEx in transporting goods on behalf of Asia.  

Sorry to hear that beavers were just about wiped out due to the fur trade.  Glad we wised up and stopped using real fur for clothing.  Today elephants are being butchered for their ivory tusks.  So sad.  When will we ever learn?

I got a real education reading about the slave trade.  I didn’t realize it was so widespread among various countries and regions besides the United States. My heart goes out to all of those kidnapped and exposed to the indignity of the slave trade.  I had no idea so many people had been captured and put into slavery from Africa.  I appreciate Strayer putting it into context and including the negative impact on Africa by kidnapping around 12.5 million people from the African continent.  They went from 18% pre-slavery to 6% post-slavery of the world population.  I’m not sure Africa has ever fully recovered and I say that because of all the strife and warring that still goes on in parts of Africa today.  All the personalities they removed from Africa that could have contributed to the development of Africa in a manner we will never know.  The actions we take can make a difference - positive or negative.

Chapter 15 lets us know that somethings never change, including fighting about religion and which it should be. I personally feel that Martin Luther was correct in challenging the integrity of the Roman Catholic Church and the pope.  The Catholics and Protestants had a 30+ year war over which it should be.  In the end, both survived due to the Peace of Westphalia agreement in that both can be tolerated within boundaries.  Today, will it be that easy with Islam and the Sunni Muslims and Shia Muslims in Iraq or is that a cover for something else? Not long ago we watched as Ireland had their own civil war over politics and religion.

I enjoyed reading about science and the various scholars involved in the view of the universe and how it slowly involved into something resembling reality.  Copernicus goes out on the limb stating Earth revolves around the sun.  The church isn’t happy with it, but it’s the truth.  Hard to swallow humble pie though.  I too would be fascinated by looking through a telescope up at the sky and yet some countries couldn’t care less.  Would they have a greater interest if they could see a photo of the Earth as many of us have been able to do in today’s world?  It is an awesome sight and invokes a desire to become a better steward.       

Chapters 9, 11 & 12

I honestly don’t know much about Muslims, Islam, or Arabia except that Saudi Arabia is in the Middle East.  So reading Chapter 9 about this part of the world was most illuminating.  I found Islam to be contradictory.  What Muhammad professed his messages to be from Allah and what ultimately happened after his death seem to be in conflict.  At times, Islam is very caring and tolerant towards others per Muhammad and then centuries later it is screaming for jihad and death to non-believers - at least that’s the sense I get from Strayer.  That’s contrary to Surahs on tolerance on page 446.  It’s as if parts of Islam had been hijacked and bastardized to something uncaring and mean spirited and doesn’t appear to be what Muhammad was directed by Allah.

What I also found fascinating about Muhammad’s revelations from Allah was the similarity with Christianity.  Muhammad was born after Jesus Christ and I can’t tell how much he knew about Jesus and his teachings prior to his revelations from Allah.  Muhammad was informed about Mary and Jesus Christ and treating each other with love and respect and tolerance during his meditations. 

For me, where Islam goes off track is in how women should be treated.  Jesus treated both women and men equally.  Even the bible at times goes off track from Jesus’s teachings on how to love one another as we love ourselves. Seems it’s the male influence desiring to control women.  I was astounded to read that under Islam, it was ok for husbands to beat their wives ‘lightly’ to keep them in line.  Hmmm.  Frankly such verbiage makes me angry.  We should never sanction such abusive treatment towards anyone.  I wonder what Muhammad would think of Islam today and the changes that have been made to it.  Without a doubt, religions can be confusing.

In Chapter 11, I was amazed by the Mongols’ brutality led by Chinggis Khan and his heirs.  He was 10 when his father was killed.  I wondered as I read through all his accomplished conquering if it had anything to do with the death of his father and retribution.  But then as I read more about the Mongols, it seemed part of their culture.  Conquering others would keep the Mongols safe and be a quick way to gain goods and wealth.  Certainly Europe did not want to be attacked by them, and I liked their proactive way of taking steps to protect themselves from a Mongol attack.  Luckily they were spared.  

I was, however, impressed by the Mongol women and the foresight of the men in allowing the women to be all they could be.  They offered and brought a lot of talent to the Mongol clans. It wasn’t surprising though to see Christian, Confucian, or Muslim men disapprove of the Mongol women’s accomplishments.  From where I’m sitting, it always comes across as so narrowed minded and reflects on patriarchy operating at its worst.  No  matter if we’re male or female, we should equally be able to develop our gifts and talents.  It satisfies something innate within each of us.

My other thought about the Mongols is why they didn’t just try to set up trade agreements with the various countries who had food and items they would like to trade, barter or purchase?  Why all the murdering and plundering?  Once China realized they couldn’t conquer Korea, they set up a mutual tribute agreement with them. It seems more honorable and respectful of life.  Of course, I’m being too logical. 

As I read about all the conquests and murder and plundering and abuse of human beings in past eras, I have more of an appreciation for the time period or era that I am living in even though it has its challenges such as Sept. 11, 2001.  That in itself made me feel very insecure for many years and was heartbreaking.  Still, even today there are mass killings all around the world.

  The plague was a terrible experience.  I wonder if today we have any idea what it was that killed so many.  And it did change the course of history and commerce.  If I were living then, I would have felt that life was coming to an end, too.   

I was very impressed by the photo on page 517 of my book of the gold necklace created by the Scythians of the 4th century BC.  The detail and scale were exquisite.  How did they do it?  Outstanding craftsmanship and they are to be applauded! (Chapter 11).

  Hooray for Christine de Pizan for her writings about women not being as horrible as men were making them out to be.  Today, I feel men aren’t always being treated fairly either.  There are good and bad among us no matter the sex or ethnic group.  

In Chapter 12, there was much going on in the fifteenth century with development of various regions of the globe.  I get a better understanding on how we got here now and what was developed as far as various societies and cultures.  In some ways we haven’t changed much if at all.  Just more advanced technology and still the human foibles.

Once again, I was blown away by the Aztec’s and their sacrificing of captured ‘slaves’ as described by Diego Duran. I can’t imagine having my heart ripped out of my chest.  Also sounded like they feasted on the bodies afterward.  Nothing like grossing me out. Unfortunately Galileo wasn’t around yet to save them from themselves and human sacrificing.

I also have a somewhat better understanding of Islam and the Sunni and Shia discord.  Roman Catholic Church and Christianity also don’t agree.  

Even though the Incas also invaded other countries, they did it in non-violent ways.  They did punish people though, even cut their heads off.  I guess if we meted out such stern punishments today, we wouldn’t need prisons and crime would be down - but then there is no guarantee that would be the case.

Chapters 7, 8 & 10

Chapters 7, 8 and 10

I most definitely got the sense that the world and its peoples were learning to get along with one another from Chapter 7 and gaining knowledge from one another during this time period of the 3rd wave.  The wars and conquering as seen in previous years had subsided - for now. 

The Silk Roads and camels caravans allowed them to become traveling salesmen, or merchants, from one country to another.  They were also learning where to grow crops and where best to raise livestock.  I get a sense of how commerce developed on a small scale as they dealt with just luxury items.  They were very innovative and not sitting back waiting for something to happen.  They were getting out there and hustling their products. They were doing well.

The trade industry was so prosperous that it transformed people’s lives as well as  political life.  As life was being transformed by this new wave of commerce, then government needed to take a look at any controls, taxes or guidelines that needed to be put in place.  That mirrors today’s experience as well, and I now know were the concept of taxation at all levels came from.   For us, if we have an income then we can buy what we need from the local store or online.  We all prosper.  However, if part of that circle of commerce gets disrupted then we are all impacted in a negative way.  We just saw that in the housing market and the financial markets of 2008.  A handful of people who should have known better just about tanked the whole global economy and many innocent people are paying the price for the avarice of a few.  As they were all interconnected during the 3rd wave, so are we today.  

Merchants not only transported goods, but also different religions along the Silk Roads. This fascinated me.  It was a win-win for the Buddhist merchant.  As people chose to convert to   Buddhism, it led to monasteries being built and support of the monks.  The monastery also became the merchant’s hotel to rest and “resupply” for his trading along the route.  The monks did well also in receiving gifts from wealthy merchants that negated their having to beg for their daily meals.   

The one downer for many people back then was the spread of diseases their bodies had no immunities to.  Some of these diseases were fatal and disseminated certain regions of the world.  We experience this still today with the spread of certain diseases our bodies may have a hard time fighting.  There has been a scare about the bird flu in recent years and there is another one that popped up recently, but don’t recall the name.  I did a little research on the internet and chose this Website on diseases and infections: http://www.uptodate.com/contents/whats-new-in-infectious-diseases. They had an overview report of healthcare-associated infections.  It stated that based on data gathered in 2011, around 648,000 people admitted to hospitals may have developed an infection from surgery or developed pneumonia.  My late husband also developed an infection from his surgery and survived it.  Hospitals often try to get you out as quick as possible lest you develop an infection or exposure to some other contagious disease.

I found it interesting that silk manufactured by the Muslim world and purchased by Christian churches, had passages inscribed on the silk from the Quran in Arabic.  The Christians had no idea.  Guess you could say it had no impact on one’s Christian faith since they couldn’t read Arabic (p. 321).  What were the Arabs thinking?  They should have given reading lessons.

What a huge jump from small camel caravans to shipping of large amounts of goods that cost less in transportation costs.  All this was happening and the United States wasn’t even a glint in anyone’s eye yet.  The Indian Ocean basin connected all of these developing countries who continued to prosper.  It was a more balanced time in the world of commerce.  Whatever commerce occurred in the Americas was small compared to the Indian Ocean commerce.

China is quite fascinating to read about and then look at what is has become in today’s world.  Chapter 8 lays out a China that is not only an old civilization, but a very creative and innovative one that has gone through its share of iterations  What came across is the desire to operate with some level of integrity if at all possible.  If a country such as Korea didn’t want to be conquered, then China decided to set up a tribute system with them.  Good idea, should have done that first.  China comes across as an advanced country and other countries had no problem copying their ways. Even so, Korea, Vietnam and Japan all kept certain aspects of their culture their own.  I never knew the influence China had many centuries ago or I forgot it.  When I was growing up, I believe they were run by a communist philosophy already.  Today when I look at China and what they have accomplished, it doesn’t surprise me.  I would make an uneducated guess that if the United States hadn’t developed as it has, perhaps China would be the most globally strong country and leader.  And even though the U.S. has played a prominent role among nations, China may become a bigger player in the near future.  

On the negative side, I personally would like to see China redevelop a level of integrity that has been missing from their business deals.  I prefer not to buy Chinese manufactured goods because they take shortcuts that hurt others, including their own people.  They need to earn my trust. And in fact, I would like to see that not just from China, but other countries too and right here in the U.S. Inform the public of the mistake, ask for forgiveness, and then come through on the promise on doing no harm.  

I now have a better understanding from Chapter 10 of what the Crusades were about: holy wars supposedly commanded by God and authorized by the pope on behalf of Christ.  It was also a time when Islam spread throughout various countries.  

After 1000, things changed for the West.  It was a time that was referred to as the High Middle Ages (1000-1300).  More professions were opening up for men and women.  Restraints once again, however, would be placed on women.  Church desired to control women’s activities. I’m getting a complex by all this control being desired by men towards females.  Wonder what the world would be like if women were in control?  Would we be a kinder, gentler place?  Or just as warring and competitive?  It was also during this time that Europe recognized they had some growing to do and took steps to learn from their neighbors.  They did so well, they surpassed some of their neighbors in improved agriculture, water mills as a power source, sailing, military and canons.  Proud they caught up as I’m sure they didn’t want to be considered barbarians as the Muslims found them to be.  How ironic that we now find some of the Islamic religious traditions barbaric, especially towards women.