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.
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