15th Century: Celebration of a Pirate

Strayer began his chapter congratulating Columbus for hist voyage into America, saying it was the most important event in the 15th century. I find that to be quite surprising for this author, since throughout the book he would always give outside perspectives to other cultures. So, it is appalling for him to commend Columbus so highly, while he knows that there were people in the Americas long before Columbus showed. The fact that our institution we no longer consider Columbus Day a holiday, shows how we appreciate other cultures that were essentially “swallowed up” by his conquest. To celebrate Christopher Columbus is like celebrating the extinction of an indigenous population.

Aside from the Columbus conquest, Europe was flourishing in the renaissance. The rebirth of classical ideas was something I believe would be more of an appropriate event to classify as the most important. It showed how Europe could gain new ideas that were enlightening in comparison to The Dark Ages. Europe could acquire a whole new lifestyle without having to destroy someone else’s. 

Respecting the Mongol Empire

There is definite evidence for the Mongols to be considered a respectable civilization. Based on the debate we had in class, there was a disconnect in the concept of respect. The discrepancy was the respect given to growth and conquest as opposed to acknowledging the immoral methods used to acquire their power. Raping and pillaging is never something that deserves praise, but the class discussion was not a a debate on morality. The Mongols made their major impact on history only for a small time, yet like Professor Andrews mentioned, “The seed of Genghis Khan” can be found all over the world. The small period of time that the Mongols did have their power, really showed how much can be done in a short time span. To the point where no one could physically stop them, essentially the only thing that could was, the Bubonic Plague. Respecting the Mongols is like respecting a lion, a species living off the land, not having a stationary home, but having to acquire resources by force. Placing fear into those around them, yet having a loving bond for each other.

Within the conquered empires that the Mongols sacked, there was not a culture change for the overthrown nations and cities. Like said in class, the Mongols respected the heritage of those they conquered, and even grew accustom to the certain religions and lifestyles. Because of the Mongols, there was a spread of certain religions among Asia, including Christianity, Buddhism, and Islam. I find it very respectable that the Mongols did not force their cultures onto others, and that they adapted to people according to their regions and traditions. That is much more compelling than only thinking of the Mongols as brutal warriors.  

Muslims: The Negative Stigma

For my senior year of high school we were required to all write a research paper, notoriously known as the “Senior Research Project.” My topic was Muslim Extremism. Given that we are Americans, and in reference to the history of “terrorist activity” we have a negative connotation towards Muslims. Where little is actually known and understood about the religion, yet fully judged to the Extreme. Our media has deliberately put a Negative stigma on the Muslim religion, associating the followers and the ideals from only an extremist perspective. That in my mind is out of line and unfair to Islamic followers. Not everyone you see praying to Mecca, or who wears a turban, has fantasies of blowing up an airport to acquire “eternal paradise.” There are Muslims who are Americans, have similar goals, wish to better their lives, just like anyone of us. Also there are even Muslims at our school here at NDNU, also I’ve even had professors, and in fact a good friend of mine is Half- muslim. There are some violent and scary passages in the Qu’ran, in which extremists take too far, and then act on them. However, there are also very beautiful passages of religion, that have peaceful connotation. 

Foot binding: Painful Beauty

The concept and establishment of foot binding is both discomforting, as well as unnatural. Coming from a 21st century perspective, it is hard to find beauty from something that looks similar to mutilation. Physically it is insulting for a woman's natural beauty, by altering their natural and biological physique. Emotionally, it puts men in this nasty and misogynistic standpoint, in which they control the women. From merely submitting the bottom piece of their body, they disable their ability to essentially walk away from their partner. In a sense they are bound to their men, as well as to their bindings themselves.

Sea And Sand Roads

Not to think that the Silk Road was not significant, because it was, but the voyage across the sea and desert just seem so challenging for this time period. 

The sea roads showed a significant growth in trades, being able to move vast amounts of supplies. This differed from the Silk Road trading, which limited to a smaller quantity of goods, whereas the ships allowed for larger amounts of cargo. Aside form the amount of cargo, the evolution of shipbuilding was just beginning, so it is astounding that people actually even survived a trip, let alone stimulating wealth through trade. This allowed people to travel to various countries without having to stagnate their trade within one country. 

In reference to the Sand roads, what was striking to me, would have to be huge amount of camels and caravans that traveled across the desert. Not only was this just any average dessert, this was the SAHARA. The travelers had to factor the heat of the desert, thus forcing them to travel at night. Also, the time period it took, taking months at a time to travel, requires a good amount of patience before an actual transaction is even made. 

The Afterlife: Lord of Sipa

It is quite interesting that two civilizations, the Egyptian and the Moche, both have similar burial rituals. The fact that societal rulers were buried with extravagance from their possessions, showed that the people that worshipped their rulers believed in an afterlife. What I find intriguing, is that specifically, the Lord of Sipan, despite being on the other side of the world in Peru, he was buried very similarly to the pharaohs of Egypt. It just goes to show that even on opposite sides of the world, there can be similarities found in very different cultures.

Inevitability of Subjgation

As humans were are subject to inevitable subjugation, regarding our constant need for social guidance. If we all were born into a society, where we could follow any path, yet lacked direction, we would cease to exist. The fact that there is an absence of direction itself, there would be a definite failure. A society without government would be like a baby alone in a forrest, doomed due to lack of a guardian. Whether we want to or not, our homo genus will induce competition, which in turn will result in hierarchy. This is a form subjugation, on a natural setting, in which the most fit will survive. In terms of social subjugation, we have evolved to have the ability to challenge our government. In fact, even in countries foreign to us, they wish to implement their government, however, sometimes with a violent demeanor. Not only is subjugation inevitable in terms of historical social governments, but it is also an entity of human nature. Government whether be in America, or any other country, may sometimes seem unreasonable or corrupt, however, it is undoubtedly necessary in order for societies to thrive. 

Seminal Thinkers: Immortal Influence

The seminal thinkers throughout our history, have impacted their societies so strongly that their teachings are still practiced today. Although, these people only had one life to physically live, their teachings will be immortal. This is something that surpasses all wealth, and or material things, because there is no price that can be put on an everlasting influence. It is astounding to think that one individual can affect so many, despite that that certain individual has been dead for thousands of years.
These people were so groundbreaking, their followers did not need proof of documentation, in order for them to believe in their cause. In our contemporary time, people want data sheets, or scholarly documents for historical works, and only then will they truly believe something happened. Especially in our mass social media today, you may say you did something, but it doesn’t mean jack unless you posted it on your beloved Instagram or Facebook wall. The pen might be mightier than the sword, but these seminal thinkers didn’t need either of them. 

China Vs. Aegean

China:

The early Chinese civilization dates back to 2200 B.C.E, in which they believed in the a single monarch. The Xia dynasty loved their rulers so much, that they had extravagant burial chambers once they passed away. On top of that, the people were so loyal there were even thousands of sacrifices, which allowed rulers to be buried with their beloved followers. The Chinese believed that each ruler was a divine being in which they were the medium between heaven and earth. The people believed that their ruler will possess and maintain their divine spirit just as long as they, brought harmony among their people. Aside, they believed in the predicting the future with oracle bones. 

Aegean:

The rulers of the early Greek societies, were considered godlike to their peoples however, they were always inferior to the many Gods that ruled on Mount Olympus. However, rulers were very much loved and obeyed by their people but, even the sovereigns themselves worshipped the Gods. Depending on where you were from, different Gods were more religiously worshipped than others. For example, the city of Troy dedicated an entire temple to Apollo, the God of the sun. The ancient Greeks believed in fate, in which they could only somehow alter their fate by praying and obeying the Gods. But, when curiosity struck, Greeks could visit the Oracle at Delphi, to help predict their future, since they believed in a predestined future. 

Done