Ch.16 (Strayer, pp. 477-488) Response

This section of reading focused on the Scientific Revolution, something that I think is very relevant in today's society and something I was curious to learn more about. It was surprising for me when I read the section about why it was Europe instead of somewhere else that started the Scientific Revolution. I found it interesting that I had never actually thought about that question before, even though I knew that Europe lead the Scientific Revolution. I hadn't even considered what may have held back other countries, but after reading that passage it does make sense for Europe to be the one leading the way in this Scientific Revolution. Something that also caught my eye was the topic of the Scientific Revolution also being a cultural revolution. The rise of science did cause a lot of conflict for religion, and even still does. One of my favorite quotes in this book thus far is definitely Galileo's "God is no less excellently revealed in Nature's actions than in the sacred statements of the bible". I'm sure there are plenty of people who could prove him wrong, but I do agree with him.

Ch.16 (Strayer, pp. 461-477) Response

This section of the chapter focuses on the expansion of christianity that happened all over the world in the modern era. I don't like talking about this, as I am not a fan of religion and still cringe over what happened to the native americans because of the european invasion upon them, and how religion (though not the only reason these natives suffered) took part in it. Of course, Native American's were not the only people experiencing the expansion of christianity, as it did spread globally (though not as significantly in places like China). It's saddening to see that a large amount of what I read in this section seems to be about the negative things caused by religions and the conflicts around them. It makes me wonder what kind of positive aspects of religion are there that are worth all this trouble, if any. It's surprising to read and think about, even if it could be considered common knowledge, that there is conflict even between the religions that branch out from the "original conflict" such as with Islam. Something that caught my interest was Martin Luther's idea that salvation comes from faith alone and church has nothing to do with it.

Ch.14 (Strayer, pp. 417-430) Review

While the Europeans were settling in the America's the Russian Empire was also expanding and becoming "one of the great empires of the modern era." The creation of this empire was a conquest for Russians and similarly to the Europeans conquest of the Americas, it brought with it the deaths of many natives, such as in Siberia, whose immunities could not withstand what was coming for them. If they were not killed off, most likely the Siberians adopted the lifestyle of the Russians, even converting to Christianity and learning their language to survive.

 Russia was a great power of Europe as well as Asia, and although it was powerful, being stuck between Europe and Asia did give Russia somewhat of an "identity crisis" that they are still figuring out in the 21st century. It's interesting to find out that of all the Empires/colonies that came about in the modern era, it was the Russian Empire that lasted up until 1991. 

Ch.14 (Strayer, pp. 403-417) Review

It is not all too surprising that the Europeans were the ones to conquer a huge majority of the western hemisphere. They were geographically closer then their Asian counterparts, winds were pointing them in the right direction, they had an immense amount of motivation (be it to escape or expand), and because of divisions of other societies they had many allies to help them. 

Unfortunately, this arrival of Europeans caused great tragedies for the Native Americans. Native Americans did not have the immune system that the Europeans had developed being around domesticated animals and the diseases that came with them.  This, as well as starvation and probably lack of defense caused sometimes up to 90% of the native population to die. The massacre of all of these Native Americans is one of the worst tragedies for humanity to date. 

The loss of so many lives caused a labor shortage and thus the native's that were killed were quickly replaced with more immigrant newcomers as colonizing Europeans and enslaved Africans. Along with a change in people came a Europeans change in diet for the Americas (with the arrival of pigs and cattle and such) as well as the Eastern Hemisphere (whom adopted some American foods like corn and potatoes). 

An Atlantic Network was created with the trade of slaves, food, and other resources, though it was the Western Hemisphere or more so the Europeans that conquered it who dominated this "Atlantic World" and globalization. Two "Old World's" were quickly becoming a globalized "New World". 

Starting things up

Just so you know this blog is a class assignment!