QUIZ 5- REFLECTIONS

QUIZ 5

REFLECTIONS

            This history class has helped me better understand the concept of world history. The main topics that became very clear to me were the social, religious, political and economical implications that the Eurasian Empires went through to gain power and the also the migration of the Iberians into the Western world. I found it very interesting to know how much religion played an important role in all of the Empires. Reading the chapters and blogging about the chapters prior to class helped me be prepared for class. In class discussion and in-class lecture helped me clarify any questions that I had from the readings. One of my favorite exercises was the class debate. One of debate was about the Mongols being a true Empire or not. The debates lead to good questions, facts, supporting information to defend the indented point. The other class exercise I thought was interesting and fun was about the oppression of women in the class and how women able to overcame and innovate a way to convey their message. I come to the realization that religion and civilization are inseparable. To this day, religion has a major influence in society and we tend to behave based on our religious beliefs. Societies are shaped based on the religious believes of the majority in power.

Throughout history we have learned that there has always been injustice, social and political inequalities, and persecution. Percussion of the weak, the poor, and the one that stands out as different (scapegoat). The interpretation of the past can have different meaning from eras, to centuries or even decades. For example slavery in the sixteen century was at one time acceptable by most empires. Slavery lasted around 365 years until the Slavery Abolishment Act in 1833. The new generation of college students in the twentieth-first century have a difficult understanding why this injustice went-on for almost four centuries just because the other person was of color. Most college students now are more open minded to culture, religious and gender differences.

The interpretation of evidence can be misinterpreted at times depending on who is reading or writing the article. One good example is the article about the existence of the seafaring communities. Historian differ in opinion on when and where did they exist. How did the seafaring communities evolved, how did they migrate and why. Some historians agree of their existence and believe in the confirmation of historical findings with the use of radiocarbon artifacts found that date to the end Pleistocene and early Holocene period. Others historians believed that seafaring evolved later and migrated. They concluded that these seafaring communities lacked the ability plan their migration along the Pacific Coast; instead, they believe that the migration of the seafaring communities happened by complete accident.

Industrial globalization has shaped the way we do business around the world up to the twentieth century. Beginning with world trade that emerged within the Eurasian Empires to the Western Hemisphere. The main goal of trade was to expand their goods beyond their own Empires. 1492 was a pivotal era, when Columbus came to America in search for gold, god, and glory. Trade expanded to the Western World, the main goal was to gain wealth. For the missionaries was an opportunity to extend Christendom and an opportunity for a better life for the poor. Cultural Globalization was also transmitted along with international trade.  With processes of international integration arising from increasing human connectivity and interchange of products, ideas, language and other aspects of culture also changed. This process is marked by the spread of commodities and ideologies, which become standardized around the world. Art, literature and architecture has also expanded through the years: It began in Italy that eventually spread throughout Europe. They were inspired by the arts and literature of the Asian Greece and Rome. It became influential in setting the standard for education in the seventeen century. From the fourteen century up to the twentieth century, the renaissance movement continues to be very important pivotal in education.

Writing my research paper has helped me realize that history is not just about past event, instead, about continues changes in society. History is about new occurrences in life, critical events from the past that depicts major changes in society. After completing my research paper, I came to the conclusion that everyone has a story. We all have a story to tell to the next generation up

7/9/12 QUIZ 4

Sheila Romero

Hist/Summer

07/09/12

QUIZ 4

1)    The Iberians came to the Western Hemisphere in search for gold, God, Glory.

The poor noble men and commoners came to gain wealth, missionaries wanting to expand Christendom. The persecuted wanted a new life.

2)    It all began in Italy 1350-1500 BC. It reflected the belief that the wealthy was living in a new era. They were inspired by the arts and literature of the Asian Greece and Rome. The purpose was to use that as an educational standard to imitate and eventually surpass it.

3)    1348 was the bubonic plague or the Black Death that caused 1.5 million people out of 4 million to die. Flea-infested rats that carry the disease to humans caused it.

1492 is when Columbus came to America in search for gold, god, and glory.

They were both significantly important.

4)    Great Dying was genocide that killed 90% of its population. They died as the result of lack of immunity, they didn't have the animals that could have helped them develop immunity against the disease,and others died of hunger. In 1969 great dying was not recognized as Genocide.

5)    Saint Dominguez was the world richest colony. It produced 40% of the worlds sugar and half of the coffee production. The slaves were in rampant exploitation, abused and killed. The slaves revolted against the French rule and became successfully free and independent citizen.

6)    Colonial rules created conditions that facilitated the production for crop-cash for local farmers. Some colonies specialized in one or two crops creating and unhealthy dependence. It affected Africans because they became slave to work the crops. They were removed from their homes, cultures, forced to do forced-labor, they were branded, and exploited.

BLOG 8

Saturday, July 7, 2012

BLOG 8

Blog 8 CHAPTERS 21-24

In the nineteenth century gave the opportunity for communist groups to develop. Communist movements came to China and the Soviet Union and also Eastern Europe during the World War II. These socialist ideas were inspired by the teachings of Karl Marx. This socialist mentality came to the conclusion through democratic process that they could achieve peace. The Marxist ideas, was the search for equality and collective living for its entire people. To achieve equality for all it was to dismantle private property and business. According to Strayer, “at communism’s high point in the 1970’s almost on-third of the world’s population lived in societies governed by communist regimes” (p. 660) These communist regimes embraced socialist modernity. They attacked social and gender inequalities, as well as encouraging of, “cultural values of selfness and collectivism that could support a socialist society” (p. 668). This Marxist ideology encouraged the higher officials to lead by example. They carried themselves as disciples and selfless, and loyal to they’re country. The main focus of socialism was that all that pertain to the function of the country had to be approved by government. The state controlled almost the entire economy, politics, education and the media. All large organizations such as for women, workers, students were also under the party’s control and none had independence from government. Communist Feminism gave rise to one of the most revolutionary movements. The main purpose was to mobilize women and implement women’s liberation. “In 1919, the party set up a special organization called Zhenotdel (Women’s Department)” (p.669). This organization was led by women and dealt with issues that pertain to women only. They trained women with job skills, prenatal classes, they publish their own newspapers, magazines and encourage Muslim woman to remove their veil which caused a strong opposition from Muslim man.

Economic globalization has generated inequalities at all across the board. In the United States, the division between manufacturing companies and the cost for labor shed millions of manufacturing jobs by sending them overseas for cheap labor. That cause and increase unemployment of unskilled Americans. Most of these manufacturing jobs went to Asia, or Latin America. Even some skilled computer programing jobs were moved to India, Russia and Ireland. That caused a definitely increase on the number of unemployed Americans. New political movements developed to show the disapproval and criticizing globalization. Global justice movements emerged in 1990s such as an international coalition of political activists, concerned scholars as and students, trade unions, women’s and religious organizations, environmental groups. Many people opposed to this kind of globalization and resisted to the American power and influence.

Globalization of Liberation was an powerful idea. “Communist promised workers and peasants liberation from capitalist oppression, Nationalism offered subject peoples liberation from imperialism and advocates of democracy sough liberation from authoritarian governments” (p. 734). Within the United States, the civil rights demands of African Americans and Hispanic American and as well as a constant disapproval of the Vietnam War set the country for protests by students, and middle-class people supporting. People in general were horrified to all of the injustice and police brutality that was being exposed by the media.

BLOG 8

Blog 8 CHAPTERS 21-24

In the nineteenth century gave the opportunity for communist groups to develop. Communist movements came to China and the Soviet Union and also Eastern Europe during the World War II. These socialist ideas were inspired by the teachings of Karl Marx. This socialist mentality came to the conclusion through democratic process that they could achieve peace. The Marxist ideas, was the search for equality and collective living for its entire people. To achieve equality for all it was to dismantle private property and business. According to Strayer, “at communism’s high point in the 1970’s almost on-third of the world’s population lived in societies governed by communist regimes” (p. 660) These communist regimes embraced socialist modernity. They attacked social and gender inequalities, as well as encouraging of, “cultural values of selfness and collectivism that could support a socialist society” (p. 668). This Marxist ideology encouraged the higher officials to lead by example. They carried themselves as disciples and selfless, and loyal to they’re country. The main focus of socialism was that all that pertain to the function of the country had to be approved by government. The state controlled almost the entire economy, politics, education and the media. All large organizations such as for women, workers, students were also under the party’s control and none had independence from government. Communist Feminism gave rise to one of the most revolutionary movements. The main purpose was to mobilize women and implement women’s liberation. “In 1919, the party set up a special organization called Zhenotdel (Women’s Department)” (p.669). This organization was led by women and dealt with issues that pertain to women only. They trained women with job skills, prenatal classes, they publish their own newspapers, magazines and encourage Muslim woman to remove their veil which caused a strong opposition from Muslim man.

Economic globalization has generated inequalities at all across the board. In the United States, the division between manufacturing companies and the cost for labor shed millions of manufacturing jobs by sending them overseas for cheap labor. That cause and increase unemployment of unskilled Americans. Most of these manufacturing jobs went to Asia, or Latin America. Even some skilled computer programing jobs were moved to India, Russia and Ireland. That caused a definitely increase on the number of unemployed Americans. New political movements developed to show the disapproval and criticizing globalization. Global justice movements emerged in 1990s such as an international coalition of political activists, concerned scholars as and students, trade unions, women’s and religious organizations, environmental groups. Many people opposed to this kind of globalization and resisted to the American power and influence.

Globalization of Liberation was an powerful idea. “Communist promised workers and peasants liberation from capitalist oppression, Nationalism offered subject peoples liberation from imperialism and advocates of democracy sough liberation from authoritarian governments” (p. 734). Within the United States, the civil rights demands of African Americans and Hispanic American and as well as a constant disapproval of the Vietnam War set the country for protests by students, and middle-class people supporting. People in general were horrified to all of the injustice and police brutality that was being exposed by the media.

BLOG 7

Blog 7 Chapters 17-20

The Atlantic Revolution that emerged from the French Revolution was setting the tone to other Revolutions to come. The French Revolution was the result of the tension within society. The French Noble society and the privileged were upset with the monarchy’s effort to make them pay new taxes. The middle-class educated such as lawyer, doctors, and merchant population were offended by the fact that they not allowed to enjoy the life style of their fellow nobleman. Declining incomes, unemployment, and increasing prices of food directly affected ordinary people.

The Peasants were mandated to pay higher dues to their landlords, pay state taxes and work the roads without pay. The French Revolution was an attack to end inequalities among French societies. The Enlightenment gave ide and hope and equal opportunities.

The North American Revolution was different than the French Revolution. It was a revolution fought to claim political independence from the British government. The British government suddenly had decided to impose new tariffs and taxes without the Americans consent. The American disapproved and demanded independence from the British rule. Americans had developed their own way of life and sense government and fought for a more democratic life style. North American offered more opportunities for the middle class, religions tolerance, freedom and equality. The North American Revolution inaugurated the Declaration of Independence in 1776.

The Revolution in Haiti was the most violent and bloody of all. After the French Revolution the slaves in Haiti wanted personal freedom. Freedom from their oppressor they were feed-up of the enormous inequalities, exploitations and abuse.

Haiti became the first in history were slaved revolted against the oppressors. Haiti slaves became free and equal citizen and the French rule was eliminated.

The industrial civilization evolved from Western Europe. Great Britain was the first to generate industrial civilization and within 250 years achieved a worldwide presence. They developed an exceptional number of goods, in an unrealistic manner never seen before. They believed that goods could constantly be improved. It began with the production of textiles, the steam engine locomotive and ocean ships. Soon after the industrial civilization moved to the production of iron, steel, food production, chemicals, fertilizers, pottery, printing and others. In the twentieth century the Industrial Revolution spread and some Latin American and Asian countries developed oil, gas, and new technology emerged. Some of these technologies marked a significant time in history such the manufacture of cars, airplanes, electronics and computers.

European influence was a common factors shared by people from China, Japan and Ottoman Empire. The European power that controlled over these three empires led to four dimensions of European imperialism that China, Japan and Ottoman had to deal with. One was the possibility of military presence of rival European states. Second, they became caught-up with trade and investment. Third, they became influenced by European culture, language, religion, literature and philosophical views. Fourth, they got on board with the modern world that the European society had, as well, new ideas such as nationalism, socialism, feminism and individualism.

6/25/12

Sheila Romero

World History test 3

6/25/12

1)   Mongols were nomads that made their living from agriculture and husbandry. On that same ideology they generated an impressive economic civilization with a substantial population. They were a significant civilization, they conquest 3 major civilization; China, Persia and Russia. Mongols assimilated to all of those existing civilization, had a very strong army and were very well organized. As they moved to another empire they would leave their trademarks, such as their courier system, court settings, laws and military foundation.

2)   Islam evolved from one single individual named Muhammad Abdulla. He was against political injustice, and religious corruption of Mecca. Muhammad considered himself the messenger of Allah. Their sacred scriptures Quaran, was to be read in Arabic to receive the Holy message of God. Mecca was the main location for trade. It was located between two rival empires, Byzantine Empire and Sassanid Empire. All types of people gather at Mecca for trade one main advantage to being Muslim was to avoid the payment of Jizya or taxes. Taxes were enforced to non-Muslim. Another advantage to being Muslim was to receive protection and possibly have a social position.

3)   Silk Road; created an extensive and sustained of exchange among diverse cultures. It connected Eurasia by land. Through these roads it connected pastoral, agricultural people and major civilization. Silk roads was named after it’s main product silk. Silk was used as currency and was a sign of high status.

Sea Road; Sea based commerce along the Indian Ocean basin. I connected China and the East of Africa. It brought people from all across the Easter Hemisphere together. It was significant because it brought supplies from other civilization that was not accessible in their own land. These ships carried larger items and high quantities. Sea trade was possible due to the Monsoons’ alternating winds that blow eastern in the summer times.

Sand Road; It was long distance commerce from the vast reaches of the Sahara connecting North Africa and the Mediterranean world.

5)

500 BC--------------------------------------------------1453 A
                       Persia                                      Byzantium

                                 Rome

                                              
                                        Greek

                                                  Mayan

                                                           Teotihuacan

                                                                              China

                                                                                  Islam        

                                                                                            Modern World

6)  China re-built its empire after the Mongols were defeated. Rebuilt their forest, cultivation, irrigation system, Maritimes was superb, and trade was strong in the South China Sea and Asian ports.

Blog-6 Chapters 14-16

Blog 6 Chapters 14-16

These three chapters were very interesting to read. It has more recent events that are still connected and continues up into the 21^st century. During the 1450-1750 major changes evolved from the European Empires across to the new land, the Western Hemisphere. According to Strayer, “European colonies from Spain, Portuguese, French and Dutch and British were developed in the new land across the Atlantic Ocean.”(p.403). It was a major transformation of new societies. It became a mixing-pot of diverse peoples and cultures all mixed together. It was globalization process that created the Americas. Europe’s American empires mentioned above were different that other types of conquest in the past. The idea normally was to attempt to overpower the empire next to their borders. The European Empires in the Americas was different. They set out for maritime expeditions across the Atlantic Ocean and settled in the eastern coast of North America, Brazil, they conquest the Aztecs and the Inca Empires as well. These European people wanted to extend their access to better commerce and decided to expand. The commoners, missionaries, and persecuted minorities where in search of freedom and a new opportunity in life. Over time these European took over the lands, developed new societies and advance in the agriculture of food crops such as potatoes, cassava and corn and which became a very strong source of commerce.

During the 1450-1750 commerce became a key element to globalization. Global commerce came as the result international trading of supply in demand. This commerce gave rise to human slave trade, spice trade, silver, and furs in which forever changed the life of humans and the natural environment. Through all of these changes came the sense of major inequalities, unfairness, and abuse in the life of slaves as well the indigenous people and American Indian tribes. On the other hand, it benefited the slave-owners with cheap or free labor. During the fifteen century due to the population growth, Spain, Portugal, England, and France they decided to tax their people, began a strong military force that were well equipped. As the population was growing, their cities were developing as well.

“England, Netherlands and northern Italy became centers of international commerce and the capitalist economy expanded given rise to private business, and investment.” (p. 434) Global circulation of trade goods evolved and by the nineteenth century all the empires had ceased and by the twentieth century slavery had been legally terminated and the global commerce still continued strong.

Globalization of Christianity was mainly the result of the European traditions that were brought to America and became a strong influence in the new society. This religion of Middle Eastern origin became a very influential religion. At the same time a new group of European thinkers were generating a new philosophy about religion. This was known as the “Scientific Revolution, a different approach to the explanation to the world.” (p. 461) The expansion of multiple religions around the world over centuries have shaped and influenced different societies up to the twentieth century. From Christianity with a Middle Eastern origin, expanded throughout Europe to America to the Philippines and Siberia. Multiple Asia and African populations took on and practice the Islamic religion, which originated from the Arabs. Buddhism originated from India and continues to be practice in Asian countries.

Blog 5 Research Questions

Interview for Research paper

1)   What do I want to know about the history of this political event?

I would like to find out how people were directly affected after the 1979 Civil War in Nicaragua.

2)   What can I find out before the interview?

I can read up and familiarize my self with what went on in Nicaragua during the Civil War in 1979. Learn about who was the president and who was attempting to over throw him from power and why.

3)   What can I find out only by experiencing the person’s face-to-face presence?

During the interview I’m going to pay attention to body language and facial expressions, because those are the hidden “true” emotion of an event. It can tell me how painful and sad an event was to them.

4)   Where, when and with whom will you interview be concluded?

It was concluded yesterday at her home in Stockton. Her name is Indiana Castillo.

5)   In what form was it recorded?

I used a recorded and took notes as she was telling her story.

6)   What special challenges did you foresee?

Translating the meaning and the emotions of her story from Spanish to English, and staying on topic.

BLOG 4

Blog 4

June 11, 2012

Chapters 11-13

The spread of Islam has been significant in the history of major religions and continues in the modern era.  The expansion of Islam is worldwide. 22 percent of the worlds populations, identified as Muslim. This new religion became known in the seventh century CE.  Islam was introduced by Muhammad Ibn Abdullah (570-632 C.E), and believed that he was Allah’s messenger. Based on the Muslim believes that Allah is a good God, merciful, powerful and just. All the revelations are recorded in the Quran, which are consider sacred scriptures of the word of God. Muslim believers are expected to live and follow the scriptures. “Muhammad was a highly reflective man and was disappointed by the religious corruption and inequalities of Mecca” (303). He wanted to incorporate social justice, equality, fairness, and religious dedication from his followers. He believed very strongly that religion and social justice had to go together.

The continuous expansion the Muslim religion through out decades has cover major empires and countries, including the United States. “The birth of major religious or cultural traditions of the classical era had emerged from the core of established civilizations,” (302).

A Muslim believer most follow the Quran’s five requirements know as the Pillars of Islam.

1)    Absolute monotheism and final revelation

2)    Prayer 5 times a day

3)    Give your wealth generously to help the needy

4)    Month of fasting-no food, no sex, from the light of dawn to sundown during Ramadan.

5)    Pilgrimage to Mecca

The last one (6^th pillar) “greater jihad,” the personal effort of each Muslim against greed and selfishness. Living a God conscious life.

The death of Muhammad caused a division between his followers and the Shias and Sunnis were created. The dispute was due to the disagreement on who was to lead after Muhammad’s death.

The Mongol in Eurasia in the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries were pastoral nomads and circled their lives around the herds of animals. They were not known for being innovative or creative by any means. They never built cities or empires, but there is enough history to show that they made a great contribution in farming and agriculture.

Pastoral nomads who lived in good farming environments took advantage of the land with agriculture. Some of the farming lands were not so productive, they innovated a different type of economy by using the milk, wool, hides, and meat for business. They gather large animals for herding as well. Pastoralism emerged in the Afro-Eurasian world. Mongols developed their communities among families and not in villages or town. Pastoral nomads seem to be egalitarian. Women were offered higher status and a role in public life compared to similar agricultural civilizations. Women shared their included in the productive labor, domestic responsibilities, for food and children. Widows were allowed to remarry with no negative actions, and they could initiate divorce as well. Some women even served in the military or as political advisers. Their live style really depended on the environment. The pastoral nomads were constantly moving, always trying to follow the seasonal changes, water supply, and grass for their herds. It was very interesting to learn about the pastoral nomads, in this chapter they are depicted as hard working people that worked around agriculture and herding.

BLOG 36/4/12

BLOG 3

6/4/12

CHAPT 8-10

After reading these chapters I was very impressed on how important was trade and commerce during the Common Era between the 500 and 1500. Commerce was the key element to dictate which society was more productive and successful. In order to maintain order and safety to the merchants and the luxury goods that were being moved, security was provided on the roads. Eurasia was thriving in trade good between other city-states and silk was the most valued goods. The roads that were used to transfer these goods were called Silk Road. It was the most frequented road for this purpose.  It became the new way of life moving not just silk, but supplies that were not available in certain areas. It was food, clothing, tools, agriculture and livestock. There was a negative side to the trade business as well. Since the Silk Road was known to be the road that merchants frequented tor the transportation of these good, crimes began to erupt. People were being robbed of their merchandise, diseases were being transmitted and spread all across the city-states, in which many perished as the result. Some of the illnesses were the smallpox, the measles and the bubonic Plague. Some of the illnesses spread from the animals that were infected. At the end it caused the end of the Han Dynasty and the Roman Empire.  Many lives were lost as the result of these illnesses in which drastically affected the trade and exchange among city-states.

In Chapter 9, China and Buddhism by far was the most valued gift that China had ever received from India. China adapted to this religion from India just as Europeans adapted to Christianity. Buddhism was the largest cultural assimilation in China in the twentieth century. Buddhism faded away in it’s place of origin and became a solid part of the culture in most of East Asia. China’s reunification under the Sui and Tang dynasty enforced a mayor support for Buddhism. Strayer, ‘With a hundred victories in a hundred battles we promote the practice of the ten Buddhist virtues”.  With the strong support from Sui and Tang and a larger acceptance from the Chinese people monasteries became centers of great wealth and power. They avoided paying taxes, they owned large properties, states, and they were in charge of powerful businesses, water mills, and pawnshops. Collected gems and gold and began to employ slaves. Buddhism became very powerful but never became independent from state authorities like the Catholic Church did.

After so many years of Buddhism being on top, it also became a source for criticism. The dissatisfaction began due to the amount of wealth that the monasteries had. At one point the state treasure was short on funds, and government official became suspicious of the wealthy monasteries that were tax-exempt. For the Confucian followers the fact that the whole establishment of the Buddha religion was foreign religion it violated the Chinese ideal of family-system as the Confucian theory.  Many decades later Buddhism was under attack. Thousand monasteries, temples, shrines where destroyed. They were forbidden to using high-end metals to build their religious images. Considering all the controversy Buddhism still continue to exist.

BLOG-2 5/28/12

Sheila Romero

BLOG 2

CHAPT-4

Chapter 4: Eurasian Empires

The Eurasian empires during the Classical era, which spanned 1,000 years from 500 BCE to 500 CE and included: 

The Persian Empire, the largest and most impressive of the empires; whose homeland lay on the Iranian plateau just north of the Persian gulf, governed by an absolute and almost unapproachable monarch.

 The Greek Empire, a small competing city-state of classical Greece, which allowed varying degrees of popular participation in political life.

The Roman Empire, was located on the far western side of Eurasia and whose political systems still are emulated today, especially in the United States.

The Chinese Empire, located on the far eastern end of Eurasia.

The Indian Empire. based far east along the Ganges River on India’s northern plain 

PERSIAN EMPIRE

·       35 million people in state

·       Immensely diverse containing dozens of peoples, states, languages, cultural traditions

·       Centered on cult Kingship. The King could be approached only through elaborate ritual.

·       Had administrative system in place called the satraps

·       Governors in each of the 23 provinces

·       Had imperial spies—they were the eyes and ears of the King  

·       General policy of respect for non-Persian cultures

·       Allowed exiled Jews in Babylon to return to their homeland and rebuild temple in Jerusalem

·       In Egypt and Babylon, Persian kings upheld religious beliefs/cults to foster Persian support

·       Survived 1,000 years prior to collapse

·       Imperial bureaucracy/court life (administrators, tax collectors, record keepers, translators became model for subsequent regimes, including Islamic world)

·      Infrastructure included a system of standardized coinage, predictable taxes levied on each province.

·       Canal linking Nile with Red Sea that allowed commerce/trade with Egypt

·       Roads, 1700 miles—facilitated communication/commerce

·       Immense wealth & power

·      GREEK EMPIRE

·      Was a fraction of the Persian Empire

·      Referred to themselves as Hellenes

·      Allowed people various degrees of participation in political life

·      Hundreds of small, very competitive city-states or settlements that were fiercely independent and in frequent conflict with each other.

·      These city-states spoke the same language and worshiped the same gods.

·      Most of these city-states were modest in size 500-5000 male citizens

·      Emerged in 750 BCE; empire lasted 400 years.  Then, absorbed by other foreign   empires.   

·       Population 2-3 million people

·       Expansive people, but expansion took form of settlements in distant places, rather than in conquests that became part of the empire.

·       Olympic Games—every four years, began in 776 BCE.

·       The Greeks defeated the Persians on both land and sea

·       The Greeks’ victory radicalized Athenian democracy

·       The Golden Age of the Greek culture

Greco-Persian Wars—the East-West Divide

Land expansion essentially was the reason behind the Greco-Persian Wars.

Alexander the Great led a 10-year assault against the Persians that represented one of the greatest military feats of the classical period. It created a Greek empire from Egypt and Anatolia in the west to Afghanistan and India in the east. Ultimately, the Persians were defeated. In Egypt, Alexander was celebrated the as a liberator from Persian domination. Alexander’s greatest accomplishments were in the widespread dissemination of Greek culture during world historians refer to as the Hellenistic era (323-30 BCE).  Elements of that culture now were found in Egypt, Mesopotamia and India! It included the wide spread of the Greek culture, language, monuments, sculptures and markets. A fair amount of cultural interaction and bleeding occurred from Mesopotamia, Asia, India, and Egypt. In the long run the Greek cultural influence disappeared and was replaced by the Roman culture.

ROMAN EMPIRE

·      Began as a small and impoverished city-state

·      Romans were reduce to kidnapping neighboring women in order to reproduce

·      Became an enormous imperial state that encompassed the Mediterranean basin and parts of continental Europe, Britain, North Africa and the Middle East

·      Executive authority was exercised by two consuls who were advised by the Senate

·      Has a written code of law which offered plebeians some protection from abuse

·      System of public assemblies provided opportunity for plebeians, allowed them to block unfavorable legislation

·      Roman took pride on their legal system

·      The values of the republic-rule of law, the rights of citizens, the absence of pretension, upright moral behavior, keeping one’s word-

·      Subsequent expansion in the eastern Mediterranean brought the ancient civilizations of Greece, Egypt, and Mesopotamia under Roman domination

·      Rome also expanded into Southern and Western Europe, including present-day

Spain, France, and Britain.

·      Caesar Augustus, (refuse to call himself emperor/king) referred him self as “first man”. Caesar was emperor in practice he was able to exercise sole authority backed up by his command of professional army.

CHINESE EMPIRE

·      Wasn’t building a “new” empire but re-building

·      Was equal in size and population to the Roman Empire

·      Developed bureaucracy to hold the empire together

·      Equipped it’s army with iron weapons

·      Rapidly growing agriculture

·      Growing population

·      Adopted political philosophy called Legalism, which advocated harsh punishments for enforcing authority

·      Religious tradition was Buddhism came from India

·      Were more advance and skilled working with metals

·      Developed an elaborate bureaucracy

·      Established an imperial academy for training officials for emerging bureaucracy based on the writing of Confucius

·      “Confucius” the philosophy of the importance of practical moral values

·      Chinese didn’t translated to other languages, but the written Chinese could be understood by literate people no matter which dialect they spoke.

SIMILARITIES BETWEEN THE ROMAN AND CHINESE EMPIRES

1.      They both felt that they were universal or governed most of the world.

2.      Both invested in public works—roads, bridges, aqueducts, canals, protective walls,   

         designed militarily and commercially

3.      Both adopted supernatural beliefs to support their rule.

A) Romans belied that deceased emperors became gods and established religious cults to     

              support the authority of the living emperors.

B) The Romans persecuted the Christians for not participating in their cult.

C) Chinese emperor governed with a “Mandate from Heaven,” as long as he ruled   

      morally and with benevolence. If tragedy occurred, it was believed that the Chinese   

      emperor governed poorly and tragedy was punishment.

D) The Chinese emperor was referred to as the “Son of Heaven.”

4.      Both empires absorbed a foreign religious tradition. 

·       Christianity developed in the Roman Empire and became the dominant religion of Europe.

·       Buddhism came from India and developed in China.  It was introduced by Asian traders but received little support from the Han dynasty.  Emperor Wendi of the Sui dynasty reunited China and Buddhism became popular.

INDIAN EMPIRE

·      Fragmented collection of towns/cities, small republics governed by public assembles and some regional states ruled by kings.

·       Diverse—ethnically, culturally, linguistically

·       Hinduism—religious tradition, it is what has given India its identity.

·      Caste system—unique social system with “classes” of people--also responsible for India’s identity.

·       Once ruled by Persian emperors and then Alexander the Great.

·      Mauryan Empire (326 BCE to 184 BCE) large-scale political system, which was found in most of India.  Equivalent to Persian, Chinese and Roman empires, although not as l long lasting.

·      Population of 50 million

·       Large military force

·       Civilian bureaucracy, with ministries and large contingent of spies

·       Many industries: spinning, weaving, mining, shipbuilding, armaments

·       Financed using taxes

REASONS FOR THE COLLAPSE OF EMPIRES (ROMAN AND CHINESE)

·         Empires got too big, too over-extended and too expensive to sustain utilizing available   

           resources.

·         Growth of large landowning families with huge estates were able to avoid paying  

           taxes.  The free peasants became impoverished tenant farmers.  Central government

           authority diminished. 

·         Rivalries among elite factions created instability and eroded imperial authority.

·         Epidemic diseases

·         Growing threats from other regions