Industrial revolution was caused by the advancement of science and technology.
The French Revolution had destroyed the system of serfdom throughout other parts of Europe.
Growth of population spurred a greater desire to advance science and technology.
Huge jump in production abilities of humanity took place during this time.
Industry began in Europe due to the creative, freedom-loving culture.
European countries were also competitive and monarchs wanted new sources of revenue.
Merchant class also desired economic changes in European societies.
Competition from desirable, high quality and newly available Asian goods caused competition.
Development of the steam engine had a profound effect on human life.
Commerce and cross-cultural exchange sustained impressive technological changes.
Britain possessed a vast colonial empire throughout the world.
Europe's scientific innovation in Britain tended to encourage technological development.
Britain also had a very fluid and relatively free society.
Britain developed a highly advanced railroad network during a very early period.
Rapidly growing urban population sustained a demand for food.
Reform Bill of 1832 has broadened voting rights in Britain.
Both women and men in Britain could work in factories and produce goods.
However, industrial revolutions caused development of social protest ideologies such as Marxism.
Europeans migrated greatly to North America, South America, Asian Russia, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.
American workers were more relatively conservative and they avoided Marxism.
Tuesday, June 30, 2015
Chapter 16 Summary
Between 1750 and 1914 a long nineteenth century of European domination.
Modern societies were able to exercise enormous power and influence over humankind.
European economic penetration, military intervention, diplomatic pressure and missionary activity were able to infiltrate even the independent societies of China, Japan and Ottoman Empire.
Western Europe and North America were thrust into a dominant role in the world.
Most of Africa was colonized by European countries such as France, Britain, Belgium and Italy.
In the nineteenth century Europe wrote history and geography where Europe was center.
American author Swinton written that Aryan had played a leading part of world's progress.
History was seen as the race toward the finish line of modernity.
European rise in prominence occurred during the time of rebellion and resistance.
What was borrowed from Europe was often adapted to local circumstances.
Industrialization of Russia and Japan was quite important as well.
European domination moment emerged as a result of historical circumstances.
Haitian Revolution against slavery and French colonial rule was part of Atlantic revolutions.
American Revolution was triggered by British taxation, lack of representation and restrictions.
American Revolution did not seriously affect the property rights and was conservative.
French Revolution was the result of bankruptcy of the French Royal State.
French Revolution triggered further Chaos in Europe through Napoleonic Wars.
Haitian Revolution by Black slaves was lead by Toussaint L'Overture and Dessalines.
Spain lost it's Latin American colonies due to rebellions of several local elites and classes.
Bolivar and San Martin lead the wave of Latin American revolutions.
Slavery largely ended throughout the world in the nineteenth century in the Americas.
Nationalism became a powerful ideology throughout Europe.
Women in Western Europe and North America began to demand the right to vote.
Modern societies were able to exercise enormous power and influence over humankind.
European economic penetration, military intervention, diplomatic pressure and missionary activity were able to infiltrate even the independent societies of China, Japan and Ottoman Empire.
Western Europe and North America were thrust into a dominant role in the world.
Most of Africa was colonized by European countries such as France, Britain, Belgium and Italy.
In the nineteenth century Europe wrote history and geography where Europe was center.
American author Swinton written that Aryan had played a leading part of world's progress.
History was seen as the race toward the finish line of modernity.
European rise in prominence occurred during the time of rebellion and resistance.
What was borrowed from Europe was often adapted to local circumstances.
Industrialization of Russia and Japan was quite important as well.
European domination moment emerged as a result of historical circumstances.
Haitian Revolution against slavery and French colonial rule was part of Atlantic revolutions.
American Revolution was triggered by British taxation, lack of representation and restrictions.
American Revolution did not seriously affect the property rights and was conservative.
French Revolution was the result of bankruptcy of the French Royal State.
French Revolution triggered further Chaos in Europe through Napoleonic Wars.
Haitian Revolution by Black slaves was lead by Toussaint L'Overture and Dessalines.
Spain lost it's Latin American colonies due to rebellions of several local elites and classes.
Bolivar and San Martin lead the wave of Latin American revolutions.
Slavery largely ended throughout the world in the nineteenth century in the Americas.
Nationalism became a powerful ideology throughout Europe.
Women in Western Europe and North America began to demand the right to vote.
Monday, June 22, 2015
Chapter 15 Summary
Spread of Christianity in modern era took place in Asian, African and Native American societies.
Riding currents of European expansion has Christianized Americas and the Philippines.
Science was a new and competing worldview and for some it became a new religion.
Europeans however did not act alone during the scientific cultural revolution of this time.
Christianity ceased being a purely European phenomenon at this time.
Protestant reformation under Luther, Zwingli, Calvin and Hus has fragmented Western Christianity.
Riding currents of European expansion has Christianized Americas and the Philippines.
Science was a new and competing worldview and for some it became a new religion.
Europeans however did not act alone during the scientific cultural revolution of this time.
Christianity ceased being a purely European phenomenon at this time.
Protestant reformation under Luther, Zwingli, Calvin and Hus has fragmented Western Christianity.
Chapter 14 Summary
European empires in the Western Hemisphere are thought to be growing out of an accident.
Commerce joined empires as twin creators of global network during these centuries.
Vasco de Gama made an important voyage where he sailed to India from Portugal for first time.
Most immediate motivation was desire for tropical spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg, mace, cloves, pepper. These were widely used as condiments and preservatives.
Other products of East such as Chinese silk, Indian cottons, rhubarb, emeralds, rubies and sapphires.
European civilization generally recovered after the Black death of the 14th century.
Britain, Netherlands and Northern Italy were becoming centers of international commerce.
Eastern goods made their way to Europe through Muslim countries of the Middle East.
Many Europeans were persuaded that a Christian monarch ruled somewhere in Asia or Africa.
Few products of an economically less developed Europe were desirable in Eastern markets.
Muslim Egypt was key in the transfer of Eastern goods. But Italian city of Venice monopolized the trade networks. Circumventing these monopolies became very important.
Portuguese sailors under Vasco de Gama have sailed worlds away from what they have known.
Portuguese realized that with their heavy cannons they could dominate the trade in Indian Ocean.
Portuguese have monopolized the trading routes from Asia to Europe.
Portuguese however were often outnumbered by Asian traders and they often married Asian women.
Spain was first to challenge Portugal's position. Spanish realized they could conquer Philippines.
Philippines were close to China and Japan. Small scale military operations, gunpowder weapons, local alliances, gifts and favors to chiefs and Catholic missionary activity contributed to conquest of the Philippines by 1565. Philippines remained under Spanish rule until about 1898-1899.
Manila became a flourishing and culturally diverse city of more than 40 thousand people.
Dutch people developed a highly urbanized and advanced society at this time period.
British East India Company and Dutch East India Company received charters from their governments granting them trading monopolies and power to make war and govern peoples conquered.
Dutch also sought to control production of cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg and rice.
Dutch established control in Indonesia and on the island of Taiwan.
British on the other hand wanted to control parts of India and control cotton trade there.
Slave trade was an important part of global commerce until the 19th century.
Slave trade across Atlantic was developed primarily for using slaves to grow sugarcane.
Commerce joined empires as twin creators of global network during these centuries.
Vasco de Gama made an important voyage where he sailed to India from Portugal for first time.
Most immediate motivation was desire for tropical spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg, mace, cloves, pepper. These were widely used as condiments and preservatives.
Other products of East such as Chinese silk, Indian cottons, rhubarb, emeralds, rubies and sapphires.
European civilization generally recovered after the Black death of the 14th century.
Britain, Netherlands and Northern Italy were becoming centers of international commerce.
Eastern goods made their way to Europe through Muslim countries of the Middle East.
Many Europeans were persuaded that a Christian monarch ruled somewhere in Asia or Africa.
Few products of an economically less developed Europe were desirable in Eastern markets.
Muslim Egypt was key in the transfer of Eastern goods. But Italian city of Venice monopolized the trade networks. Circumventing these monopolies became very important.
Portuguese sailors under Vasco de Gama have sailed worlds away from what they have known.
Portuguese realized that with their heavy cannons they could dominate the trade in Indian Ocean.
Portuguese have monopolized the trading routes from Asia to Europe.
Portuguese however were often outnumbered by Asian traders and they often married Asian women.
Spain was first to challenge Portugal's position. Spanish realized they could conquer Philippines.
Philippines were close to China and Japan. Small scale military operations, gunpowder weapons, local alliances, gifts and favors to chiefs and Catholic missionary activity contributed to conquest of the Philippines by 1565. Philippines remained under Spanish rule until about 1898-1899.
Manila became a flourishing and culturally diverse city of more than 40 thousand people.
Dutch people developed a highly urbanized and advanced society at this time period.
British East India Company and Dutch East India Company received charters from their governments granting them trading monopolies and power to make war and govern peoples conquered.
Dutch also sought to control production of cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg and rice.
Dutch established control in Indonesia and on the island of Taiwan.
British on the other hand wanted to control parts of India and control cotton trade there.
Slave trade was an important part of global commerce until the 19th century.
Slave trade across Atlantic was developed primarily for using slaves to grow sugarcane.
Sunday, June 21, 2015
Chapter 13 Summary
World population more than doubled between 1400 and 1800.
Even though globalization of disease caused a global catastrophe however at same time.
Kings ruled most of Europe and male landowning aristocrats remained at the top of society.
Three centuries between 1450 and 1750 marked the modern era than continuing older civilizations.
Fortunes of Islam were now revived by the growing and relatively young Ottoman Empire.
Europeans were prominent on the world stage but did not hold always the leading role.
European Empires in the Americas have acquired a central role in world history.
Spanish Empire focused on construction and development in Caribbean and in South America.
Portuguese have established their holdings along the coasts of Brazil.
European countries such as Spain, Portugal, Britain and France turned out to be closer to Americas.
Alternating Monsoon winds of the Indian Ocean made traveling difficult.
European countries needed a larger base to support their economic expansion.
European states and trading companies enabled effective mobilization of human and material resources. They could cross the Atlantic, ironworking, gunpowder and horses were important.
Divisions in local societies gave Europeans allies. Part of Inca elite saw Spanish as liberators.
Native Americans lacked the immunity and domestic animals to fight smallpox and influenza.
The great dying of natives created an acute labor shortage and made room for immigrant newcomers.
Various combinations of indigenous, European and African peoples created new societies.
Horses, pigs, cattle, goats, sheep made ranching economies and cowboy culture.
American food stamps such as corn, potatoes and cassava spread widely in the Eastern Hemisphere.
Societies developed in American colonies drove the process of globalization.
Tea from China and coffee from Islamic world spread globally.
Triangular trading system between America, Europe and the Americas was founded.
Wealth of the colonies was precious metals, natural resources, new food crops, slave labor.
Spanish, Portuguese, British and French colonial empires developed mercantilism.
Spanish conquest of Aztec and Inca empires in early sixteenth century gave Spain access to most complex societies. Racial mixing in Spanish colonies also took place quite often.
Qing Empire had made China into a modern empire.
Even though globalization of disease caused a global catastrophe however at same time.
Kings ruled most of Europe and male landowning aristocrats remained at the top of society.
Three centuries between 1450 and 1750 marked the modern era than continuing older civilizations.
Fortunes of Islam were now revived by the growing and relatively young Ottoman Empire.
Europeans were prominent on the world stage but did not hold always the leading role.
European Empires in the Americas have acquired a central role in world history.
Spanish Empire focused on construction and development in Caribbean and in South America.
Portuguese have established their holdings along the coasts of Brazil.
European countries such as Spain, Portugal, Britain and France turned out to be closer to Americas.
Alternating Monsoon winds of the Indian Ocean made traveling difficult.
European countries needed a larger base to support their economic expansion.
European states and trading companies enabled effective mobilization of human and material resources. They could cross the Atlantic, ironworking, gunpowder and horses were important.
Divisions in local societies gave Europeans allies. Part of Inca elite saw Spanish as liberators.
Native Americans lacked the immunity and domestic animals to fight smallpox and influenza.
The great dying of natives created an acute labor shortage and made room for immigrant newcomers.
Various combinations of indigenous, European and African peoples created new societies.
Horses, pigs, cattle, goats, sheep made ranching economies and cowboy culture.
American food stamps such as corn, potatoes and cassava spread widely in the Eastern Hemisphere.
Societies developed in American colonies drove the process of globalization.
Tea from China and coffee from Islamic world spread globally.
Triangular trading system between America, Europe and the Americas was founded.
Wealth of the colonies was precious metals, natural resources, new food crops, slave labor.
Spanish, Portuguese, British and French colonial empires developed mercantilism.
Spanish conquest of Aztec and Inca empires in early sixteenth century gave Spain access to most complex societies. Racial mixing in Spanish colonies also took place quite often.
Qing Empire had made China into a modern empire.
Chapter 12 Summary
There are different interpretations of Columbus, some viewed him as a pirate or as a conqueror.
In 1892, Columbus was seen as a brave pioneer of progress and enlightenment.
Few people in 1492 could have imagined the large scale consequences of Columbus voyages.
There were other key historical events in the fifteenth century, such as fall of Constantinople.
Shapes of human communities at this time were rather diverse: bands of gatherer-hunters, villages of agricultural peoples, newly emerging chiefdoms or small states, nomadic communities and empires.
Paleolithic way of life remained in Australia and North America.
Australian paleolithic peoples have mastered and manipulated their environment.
A different kind of gathering and hunting took place in fifteenth century along North American coast.
European, Russian and Chinese Empire began to encompass paleolithic peoples.
Agricultural village societies existed such as Igbo and the Iroquois.
East of Niger River, Igbo peoples lived with small states and urban centers.
Igbo lacked a king however, instead they relied on title societies, women's associations, hereditary ritual experts and balance of power among kingship groups.
Iroquois became agricultural, adopted maize and bean farming developed around 1300.
Increased level of conflict among Iroquois triggered remarkable political innovation, such as formation of confederation of five peoples. This ended tribal blood feuds and conflicts.
Pastoral peoples continued to exist in Central Asia and West Africa.
A Turkic warrior named Timur made an attempt to revive the Mongol Empire.
China managed to free itself from Mongol rule and Ming Dynasty China became a key power.
Ming Empire tried to purge all foreign religions and any signs of foreign rule.
Ming Empire had established a civil service examination system that had been neglected before.
Ming Empire restored millions of acres to cultivation.
Chinese sailors were present in the South China Sea and in Southeast Asia region.
Emperor Yongle initiated major expeditions during his rule but they ended later on after his death.
Europe underwent processes of state building during this time.
Europe had no political authority and they had to travel and explore each by themselves.
In 1892, Columbus was seen as a brave pioneer of progress and enlightenment.
Few people in 1492 could have imagined the large scale consequences of Columbus voyages.
There were other key historical events in the fifteenth century, such as fall of Constantinople.
Shapes of human communities at this time were rather diverse: bands of gatherer-hunters, villages of agricultural peoples, newly emerging chiefdoms or small states, nomadic communities and empires.
Paleolithic way of life remained in Australia and North America.
Australian paleolithic peoples have mastered and manipulated their environment.
A different kind of gathering and hunting took place in fifteenth century along North American coast.
European, Russian and Chinese Empire began to encompass paleolithic peoples.
Agricultural village societies existed such as Igbo and the Iroquois.
East of Niger River, Igbo peoples lived with small states and urban centers.
Igbo lacked a king however, instead they relied on title societies, women's associations, hereditary ritual experts and balance of power among kingship groups.
Iroquois became agricultural, adopted maize and bean farming developed around 1300.
Increased level of conflict among Iroquois triggered remarkable political innovation, such as formation of confederation of five peoples. This ended tribal blood feuds and conflicts.
Pastoral peoples continued to exist in Central Asia and West Africa.
A Turkic warrior named Timur made an attempt to revive the Mongol Empire.
China managed to free itself from Mongol rule and Ming Dynasty China became a key power.
Ming Empire tried to purge all foreign religions and any signs of foreign rule.
Ming Empire had established a civil service examination system that had been neglected before.
Ming Empire restored millions of acres to cultivation.
Chinese sailors were present in the South China Sea and in Southeast Asia region.
Emperor Yongle initiated major expeditions during his rule but they ended later on after his death.
Europe underwent processes of state building during this time.
Europe had no political authority and they had to travel and explore each by themselves.
Tuesday, June 16, 2015
Chapter 11: Pastoral Peoples on World Stage
Revolution of the Domestication of animals began 11,500 years ago.
Genghis Khan, a Mongol warlord, began construction of his powerful state.
Women were involved in the production of food and children.
Pastoral societies generally were far less productive.
6th and 10th centuries featured many Turkic Empires in Asia.
Moroccan Empires also were examples of successful nomadic empires.
Genghis Khan, a Mongol warlord, began construction of his powerful state.
Women were involved in the production of food and children.
Pastoral societies generally were far less productive.
6th and 10th centuries featured many Turkic Empires in Asia.
Moroccan Empires also were examples of successful nomadic empires.
Chapter 10: Christendom
Christianity enjoyed an Afro-Eurasian reach with flourishing communities.
African and Asian outposts declined however in later times.
Christianity for a while was an overwhelmingly European phenomenon.
In the East, Constantinople was the seat of Greek and Roman traditions of the Orthodox Church.
Western Christianity had converted many people slowly over time, but West was fragmented.
The Western Church lived in a far more rural society, and did not possess the splendor.
Christianity became a largely European phenomenon due to Islamic expansion.
Arab Muslims conquered vast amounts of territory from existing Christian states.
In Syria, Mesopotamia and Egypt large Christian populations were tolerated by Islam.
Persian monks managed to spread Nestorian Christianity all the way to China.
Large scale conversion to Islam in North Africa largely ended Christian presence there.
Coptic Christians were sometimes considered heretics by the Eastern Roman Empire, but they were tolerated under Islamic rule as dhimmis and they had to pay a special tax.
In early 21st century, 10% of Egypt's population was still Coptic Christian.
Nubia and Ethiopia were also influenced by Coptic Christianity. In Nubia it vanished by 1500.
Ethiopian Christianity developed it's unique character with a fascination with Jerusalem and Judaism.
Byzantine Empire viewed itself as a continuation of the Roman Empire.
Byzantine Empire was a unique civilization centered in Constantinople.
After 1085 the Byzantine Empire shrank, once attacked by Normans, Crusaders and Turkic Muslims.
The Byzantine Emperor had the power to appoint the patriarch of the Eastern Orthodox Church.
Main disagreements between Catholic and Orthodox were on the issue of the trinity, source of the Holy Spirit, original sin, importance of faith and reason. Catholics used unleavened bread, while the Orthodox tended to use bread leavened with yeast in communion. In 1054 schism occurred.
Orthodox Church converted Russians, Bulgarians and Serbs to the new faith.
Western Roman Empire collapsed in 476, when Odoacer overthrew the last Roman Emperor.
Feudalism developed in western europe, and the Catholic Christian Pope gained more authority.
Western Europe had experienced large scale urban growth which given new opportunities.
African and Asian outposts declined however in later times.
Christianity for a while was an overwhelmingly European phenomenon.
In the East, Constantinople was the seat of Greek and Roman traditions of the Orthodox Church.
Western Christianity had converted many people slowly over time, but West was fragmented.
The Western Church lived in a far more rural society, and did not possess the splendor.
Christianity became a largely European phenomenon due to Islamic expansion.
Arab Muslims conquered vast amounts of territory from existing Christian states.
In Syria, Mesopotamia and Egypt large Christian populations were tolerated by Islam.
Persian monks managed to spread Nestorian Christianity all the way to China.
Large scale conversion to Islam in North Africa largely ended Christian presence there.
Coptic Christians were sometimes considered heretics by the Eastern Roman Empire, but they were tolerated under Islamic rule as dhimmis and they had to pay a special tax.
In early 21st century, 10% of Egypt's population was still Coptic Christian.
Nubia and Ethiopia were also influenced by Coptic Christianity. In Nubia it vanished by 1500.
Ethiopian Christianity developed it's unique character with a fascination with Jerusalem and Judaism.
Byzantine Empire viewed itself as a continuation of the Roman Empire.
Byzantine Empire was a unique civilization centered in Constantinople.
After 1085 the Byzantine Empire shrank, once attacked by Normans, Crusaders and Turkic Muslims.
The Byzantine Emperor had the power to appoint the patriarch of the Eastern Orthodox Church.
Main disagreements between Catholic and Orthodox were on the issue of the trinity, source of the Holy Spirit, original sin, importance of faith and reason. Catholics used unleavened bread, while the Orthodox tended to use bread leavened with yeast in communion. In 1054 schism occurred.
Orthodox Church converted Russians, Bulgarians and Serbs to the new faith.
Western Roman Empire collapsed in 476, when Odoacer overthrew the last Roman Emperor.
Feudalism developed in western europe, and the Catholic Christian Pope gained more authority.
Western Europe had experienced large scale urban growth which given new opportunities.
Chapter 9- Islamic Civilization
Islamic civilization for a long time had a profound role in world affairs.
Islam spread from Arabia to parts of Europe, to North Africa, to Asia and to the Far East.
Islam decisively shaped the Afro-Eurasian world. Nomadic Arab tribes were given a central role.
In the 7th and 8th centuries Islam had made a huge expansion into the classical world.
Islam challenged and competed with Christianity, and also was transformed by African cultures.
Islam came from the Arabian Peninsula, where independent clans lived, they had their sheep and camels involved in seasonal migrations, each clan or tribe had blood feuds with one another.
There tribes and clans recognized a variety of gods, ancestors, nature spirits, valued bravery.
In scattered Oases, highlands of Yemen, interior mountain communities there was the practice of village-based agriculture. Arabia also stood in important trade routes, which connected Indian ocean to the Mediterranean Sea. This gave rise to cosmopolitan and commercial cities.
One of these important cities was Mecca. It was long distance to many trade routes, but was site of Kaaba, most important religious shrine in Arabia, which housed representations of 360 deities.
Mecca's dominant tribe was the Quraysh, which controlled access to Kaabe and it grew wealthy.
Arabia was on the periphery of the Eastern Roman Empire and the Sassanid Persian Empire.
Many Jews, Christians and also Zoroastrians had resided in Arabia along with Arab tribes.
Some Arabs were already feeling that Allah/Yahweh is the only true god, others were idols.
Mohammed Ibn Abdullah (570-632) was born in Mecca to a Quraysh family.
Muhammed lost his parents, came under care of an uncle, and worked as a shepherd.
At age of 25, he married a wealthy widow of Khadija, who was a prosperous merchant.
Muhammad was a reflective man and was troubled by social inequalities and religious corruption.
Muhammad was experiencing revelations beginning in 610. These revelations became holy scriptures. The revelations were intended to be recited. Submission to Allah was primary obligation of believers. Submission involved creation of completely new society. Quran also demanded social justice with a special tax to the poor. Quran challenged the tribal nature of Arab society. Quran created the ummah, and removed tribal and clan divisions. Pillars of Islam were established, one is recognition of no god but allah and mohammed as his prophet, ritual prayer, almsgiving, fasting during Ramadan, and fifth requirement was the pilgrimage to Mecca. Muhammad threatened traditional order in Mecca, so he moved to Medina, which started the Islamic calendar. Muhammad won victories against Meccan opponents, so this attracted people to his cause. Muhammad was also a political leader. He eventually managed to succeed in purging Mecca of it's idols.
Islamic empire would soon expand very quickly and conquer large amounts of territory.
In the Battles of Yarmuk and Qadesiya and Nehavend, Muslims defeated Romans and Persians.
Islam spread from Arabia to parts of Europe, to North Africa, to Asia and to the Far East.
Islam decisively shaped the Afro-Eurasian world. Nomadic Arab tribes were given a central role.
In the 7th and 8th centuries Islam had made a huge expansion into the classical world.
Islam challenged and competed with Christianity, and also was transformed by African cultures.
Islam came from the Arabian Peninsula, where independent clans lived, they had their sheep and camels involved in seasonal migrations, each clan or tribe had blood feuds with one another.
There tribes and clans recognized a variety of gods, ancestors, nature spirits, valued bravery.
In scattered Oases, highlands of Yemen, interior mountain communities there was the practice of village-based agriculture. Arabia also stood in important trade routes, which connected Indian ocean to the Mediterranean Sea. This gave rise to cosmopolitan and commercial cities.
One of these important cities was Mecca. It was long distance to many trade routes, but was site of Kaaba, most important religious shrine in Arabia, which housed representations of 360 deities.
Mecca's dominant tribe was the Quraysh, which controlled access to Kaabe and it grew wealthy.
Arabia was on the periphery of the Eastern Roman Empire and the Sassanid Persian Empire.
Many Jews, Christians and also Zoroastrians had resided in Arabia along with Arab tribes.
Some Arabs were already feeling that Allah/Yahweh is the only true god, others were idols.
Mohammed Ibn Abdullah (570-632) was born in Mecca to a Quraysh family.
Muhammed lost his parents, came under care of an uncle, and worked as a shepherd.
At age of 25, he married a wealthy widow of Khadija, who was a prosperous merchant.
Muhammad was a reflective man and was troubled by social inequalities and religious corruption.
Muhammad was experiencing revelations beginning in 610. These revelations became holy scriptures. The revelations were intended to be recited. Submission to Allah was primary obligation of believers. Submission involved creation of completely new society. Quran also demanded social justice with a special tax to the poor. Quran challenged the tribal nature of Arab society. Quran created the ummah, and removed tribal and clan divisions. Pillars of Islam were established, one is recognition of no god but allah and mohammed as his prophet, ritual prayer, almsgiving, fasting during Ramadan, and fifth requirement was the pilgrimage to Mecca. Muhammad threatened traditional order in Mecca, so he moved to Medina, which started the Islamic calendar. Muhammad won victories against Meccan opponents, so this attracted people to his cause. Muhammad was also a political leader. He eventually managed to succeed in purging Mecca of it's idols.
Islamic empire would soon expand very quickly and conquer large amounts of territory.
In the Battles of Yarmuk and Qadesiya and Nehavend, Muslims defeated Romans and Persians.
Tuesday, June 9, 2015
Chapter 8 Summary
China throughout history was a key world power. In world of third-wave civilizations, China created a world order favorable to itself in East Asia. Buddhism through trade took root in China. Collapse of Han dynasty in 220 created a period of political fragmentation in China. Northern nomads launched incursions into China. China was reunited under the Sui Dynasty briefly. This dynasty created an extension to the canal system. Tang and Song Dynasties established patterns of Chinese life which endured into the modern age. This was the "golden age" of arts, literature, ceramics. During Song Dynasty, there was a rise in Neo-Confucianism. They created six major ministries. Personnel, finance, army, justice and public works. There also was a censorate, which exercised surveillance over rest of the government. Tang Empire was based on the system of meritocracy. During Tang and Song dynasties, China had experienced a very rapid population growth. China in this time also developed a system of waterways, canals, rivers and lakes to supply it's cities. However, Song Dynasty China had much less freedom for it's women. Patriarchal restrictions on life of women began to grow. Raids by nomads made life much more difficult. Male behavior was described more an more by calligraphy, scholarship, painting and poetry. Foot binding tradition also developed during this time. Northern nomads were also drawn like a magnet to China. Nomadic tribes however often raided China and took tribute from it.
Chapter 7 Summary
This chapter primarily dealt with the development of trade and commerce since the ancient world. Coastlands, highlands, steppes and farmlands all generate very different products. Commerce had altered consumption and changed daily life. Incense for example became a very important product.
Trade generally diminished economic self-sufficiency of local societies. Trade also had capacity to transform political life. Trade also allowed for travel of ideas and technological innovations. One of key routes was the silk route. Eurasia gave place to the most extensive networks of trade in history. Chinese, Indian, Roman and Persian civilizations were beginning to be linked by pastoral peoples found on the borders of these civilizations. Various technological innovations, yokes, saddles, stirrups, camels, horses and oxen made travel across the silk route more effective. Goods traveling in silk routes made their way in large caravans. From China, goods such as silk, bamboo, mirrors, gunpowder, paper, rhubarb, ginger, lacquerware, chrysanthemums. Central Asia and Siberia were sources of furs, tusks, amber, livestock, horses, falcons, hides, copper, saddles. India was the source of cotton textiles, herbal medicine, precious stones, spices. From the Middle East came, dates, nuts, almonds, dried fruit. The Mediterranean basin was sources of gold coins, glassware, glazes, grapevines, jewelry, perfume, wool and linen textiles. Chinese women were responsible for every part of silk production. Silk since ancient times was an elitist symbol. Disease however often travelled along the silk route. Smallpox and measles did and it devastated empires. Bubonic plague also came to Europe through the silk route. Sea routes on the Indian ocean connected peoples in the Eastern hemisphere. Phoenicians, Greeks and Romans were traders on the Mediterranean Sea. However, Indian ocean trade was to be impeded by bad weather and monsoons. Birth of the Islamic religion in the Arabian peninsula and creation of an Arab Caliphate allowed for development of the islamic trade system. Also a trading system developed in the southeast Asia region. This trading system allowed for spread of Buddhism and Hinduism into Southeast Asia. East African civilization of swahili also experienced transformations due to changes in development of international trade. Islam allowed for linking of swahili with the outside world. Each swahili city was politically independent and they were involved in the gold trade, as well as exchange of Persian rugs, Indian cottons, Chinese porcelain. In North and South America there were many obstacles to development of trading routes.
Trade generally diminished economic self-sufficiency of local societies. Trade also had capacity to transform political life. Trade also allowed for travel of ideas and technological innovations. One of key routes was the silk route. Eurasia gave place to the most extensive networks of trade in history. Chinese, Indian, Roman and Persian civilizations were beginning to be linked by pastoral peoples found on the borders of these civilizations. Various technological innovations, yokes, saddles, stirrups, camels, horses and oxen made travel across the silk route more effective. Goods traveling in silk routes made their way in large caravans. From China, goods such as silk, bamboo, mirrors, gunpowder, paper, rhubarb, ginger, lacquerware, chrysanthemums. Central Asia and Siberia were sources of furs, tusks, amber, livestock, horses, falcons, hides, copper, saddles. India was the source of cotton textiles, herbal medicine, precious stones, spices. From the Middle East came, dates, nuts, almonds, dried fruit. The Mediterranean basin was sources of gold coins, glassware, glazes, grapevines, jewelry, perfume, wool and linen textiles. Chinese women were responsible for every part of silk production. Silk since ancient times was an elitist symbol. Disease however often travelled along the silk route. Smallpox and measles did and it devastated empires. Bubonic plague also came to Europe through the silk route. Sea routes on the Indian ocean connected peoples in the Eastern hemisphere. Phoenicians, Greeks and Romans were traders on the Mediterranean Sea. However, Indian ocean trade was to be impeded by bad weather and monsoons. Birth of the Islamic religion in the Arabian peninsula and creation of an Arab Caliphate allowed for development of the islamic trade system. Also a trading system developed in the southeast Asia region. This trading system allowed for spread of Buddhism and Hinduism into Southeast Asia. East African civilization of swahili also experienced transformations due to changes in development of international trade. Islam allowed for linking of swahili with the outside world. Each swahili city was politically independent and they were involved in the gold trade, as well as exchange of Persian rugs, Indian cottons, Chinese porcelain. In North and South America there were many obstacles to development of trading routes.
Tuesday, June 2, 2015
Chapter 5 Summary
Confucianism was celebrated in China when thought China is still currently communist.
Buddhism and Christianity are growing quickly in China today.
In China, Confucius and Laozi founded classical Chinese philosophy.
In Persia, Zarathustrianism emered as a major religion.
In ancient Israel, Judaism emerged. Isaiah emerged as a key prophet.
Plato, Socrates and Artistotle created traditions of rational humanist philosophy.
All these traditions of philosophy and religion emerged at about the same time.
Higher productivity, increase in frequency and deadliness of wars and development of iron caused growth of this philosophy.
Since 2000 thousand before the birth of Christ, emperor rule occurred due to idea of the mandate of heaven. Although the Chinese empire did collapse into smaller pieces.
Confucius was an intelligent and influential aristocrat.
According to Confucius the best people had outstanding character and intellect.
Taoism urged a retreat into the world of nature on the other hand.
Hinduism developed from the first Indian civilizations.
Central Buddhist teaching: life is suffering. Buddha as great teacher. Attainment of enlightenment.
Buddhism and Christianity are growing quickly in China today.
In China, Confucius and Laozi founded classical Chinese philosophy.
In Persia, Zarathustrianism emered as a major religion.
In ancient Israel, Judaism emerged. Isaiah emerged as a key prophet.
Plato, Socrates and Artistotle created traditions of rational humanist philosophy.
All these traditions of philosophy and religion emerged at about the same time.
Higher productivity, increase in frequency and deadliness of wars and development of iron caused growth of this philosophy.
Since 2000 thousand before the birth of Christ, emperor rule occurred due to idea of the mandate of heaven. Although the Chinese empire did collapse into smaller pieces.
Confucius was an intelligent and influential aristocrat.
According to Confucius the best people had outstanding character and intellect.
Taoism urged a retreat into the world of nature on the other hand.
Hinduism developed from the first Indian civilizations.
Central Buddhist teaching: life is suffering. Buddha as great teacher. Attainment of enlightenment.
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