Week 14

Week14: The Most Recent Century

Theme: Feminism

Although this chapter talks about many things, one being globalization, it also focuses quite a bit on feminism. The book talks about the different types of feminism depending on race, as well as region. At some point feminism had died off for a little bit, however it was revived about 40 years later, due to a feeling of oppression. A woman by the name of Angela Y. Davis attracted the attention of Ronald Reagan. However, it was not the good kind of attention. After giving a speech about feminism and prison abolition she was called out as “dangerous terrorist” and charged murder and conspiracy, however she was found not guilty. Since then she has traveled around the world giving lectures on her experience as well as her thoughts. 

Article: http://www.latimes.com/opinion/commentary/la-oe-morrison-davis-20140507-column.html#page=1

Week 13

Week 13: The Most Recent Century

Theme: Independence and Dependence

When hearing about independence one would usually think of liberation from a different country, which in a sense is true. Independence also ties in with a sense of nationalism and dependence. An example from the Strayer book, is from back when India was under British rule. The British did not interfere with the Indian culture, and the Indians did not seek to over throw the British however; since it was originally their land the Indians felt like they had a right to become more involved with political, military, and business decisions. Which sparked a need for independence when the British did not allow it. 

In another, not exactly current but not too far off time, the Haitians are in a form of thought similar to the Indians back then. Many people have donated money and have gotten involved with helping out Haiti. However, the Haitians feel that they need, and ask for a form of independence when it comes to rebuilding their land. A sense of nationalism in them makes them think they way they do in making their decisions. They want to be proud of rebuilding their own National Palace, instead of having foreigners do it for them. 

Article: http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/dispatches/features/2011/does_international_aid_keep_haiti_poor/the_most_dependent_independent_nation_in_the_world.html

Week 12

Week 12: The Most Recent Century 

Theme: Nationalism 

During the time of warfare in WWII, the nazi’s who followed and supported Hitler were drawn in by his words and overcome by a sense of nationalism. They claimed things as their own and did what they wanted to. As a result this led to the death of many innocent lives as well as much destruction done onto the nation. In this sense nationalism can be seen as a dangerous thing.  Currently there are Israelites that are building homes on the West Banks, however that land is not even there’s but they are claiming and building things on a piece of land acting as if they own that piece of land. This is dangerous because there have been constant antagonism between the Arabs and the Israelites. They have been constantly trying to claim the land as rightfully there’s due to historic ties.

Article: http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/11/world/middleeast/palestinians-work-in-west-bank-for-israeli-industry-they-oppose.html?action=click&module=Search&region=searchResults&mabReward=relbias%3Ar%2C%5B%22RI%3A1%22%2C%22RI%3A4%22%5D&url=http%3A%2F%2Fquery.nytimes.com%2Fsearch%2Fsitesearch%2F%3Faction%3Dclick%26region%3DMasthead%26pgtype%3DHomepage%26module%3DSearchSubmit%26contentCollection%3DHomepage%26t%3Dqry318%23%2Fisrael%2Bpalestine%2Bconflict%2Bhouses%2Bin%2Bwest%2Bbank%2F&_r=0

Week 11

Week 11: The Most Recent Century

Theme: Legacy of War

The first world war started in 1914, involving the big European nations caused by their own mistrust, and multiple alliances. After the war ended the Great Depression struck, causing much grief. Not to long after the second world war came about. All these are just a line of wars and grief upon people that can be related to a situation the United States has seen for a while now. Its the war with Afghanistan. A very controversial issue as as to whether what Americans are doing right or wrong, but indefinitely a long fought our war that was sparked by the 9/11 incident. In a way this war is similar to WWI in the fact that the after effects, or the effect “during” the war, is causing Afghanistan an economic stagnation.

Article: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/11/us/sept-11-reckoning/roundtable.html?pagewanted=all&action=click&module=Search&region=searchResults&mabReward=relbias%3Aw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fquery.nytimes.com%2Fsearch%2Fsitesearch%2F%3Faction%3Dclick%26region%3DMasthead%26pgtype%3DHomepage%26module%3DSearchSubmit%26contentCollection%3DHomepage%26t%3Dqry172%23%2FPolitical+Effects+of+a+Decade+of+War+in+Afghanistan

Week 9

Week 9: The European Moment

Theme:  Fear of change

As western culture started to expand over to the east, the Chinese and the Japanese in particular became more careful. China took a more defensive route in choosing a method of modernization, as did Japan after their period of isolation. They did so in fear of loosing their culture and becoming fully westernized.  They were careful in choosing what western customs they should adapt to. In a similar yet not quite similar situation, Kim Jong Un dictator of North Korea, in a sense is also choosing which customs to adapt to. His methods are by, killing people who watch South Korean media, or own a bible.  

Article: http://www.latimes.com/world/worldnow/la-fg-wn-north-south-korea-threats-war-games-20140116-story.html

Week 8

Week 8: The European Moment

Theme: Imperialism

Around the 1750-1914, there was a second wave of European conquest and influence. In places such as Siam, current day Thailand, the king is seen in the Strayer book, wearing western clothing. This is a form of imperialism as it is showing the influence from one culture to another. Another form of imperialism shown at that time is a change in religion in other parts of the world such as New Zealand, and the Pacific Islands, etc.

Imperialism does not always require force, but instead can be through influence. In the current day situation, one country that is showing imperialism is South Korea through their entertainment. Whether it be music or though their drama series. The Korean wave has taken over almost all of Asia, including South East Asia, and has even traveled to places in North America, South America, and Europe. Now people all over the world are learning about the korean culture and being influenced by it. 

Article: http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-books-20140427-story.html

Week 7

Week 7: The European Movement

Theme: Neo-Imperialism

Neo-imperialism is prevalent during the 19th century as European nations colonized in Asian as well as Africa. The Europeans colonized those territories in a somewhat crude manner taking over land and goods that the land produced, in a violent way. If there was a current event it could be compared to, it would probably have to the Russian invasion on Ukraine. The difference between the two would have to be that the quantity of the invaders. In the case of Ukraine there is only one nation trying to take over, and that is Russia, but back in the 19th century, a good example being the scramble for Africa; there was multiple European nations trying to take over Africa. The similarity lies in the fact that both are being taken over by force and military power, leading to violence and the deaths of innocent human beings. 

Article: http://www.latimes.com/world/europe/la-fg-ukraine-europeans-20140430,0,4884232.story#axzz30pc22Hgx

Week 6

Week 6: The European Moment

Theme: Ripples of Revolution

At one point in time, one revolution sparked another, creating a ripple of revolutions. Around very close points in time there were four revolutions that sparked up. Those four included; the north american revolution, the french revolution, the haitian revolution, as well as the spanish american revolutions. Even till this day there are multiple revolutions going on around the world at the same times, such as the Arab of spring, and the one in Thailand, etc. 

The revolution in Thailand has been going on and off for about seven years now, with no sign of ending for good anytime soon. The yellow shirt protestors have hope of putting and end to this by at least the end of this month. The main goal right now is to take out the current prime minister, who is seen as a puppet for her older brother and ex prime minister who caused this whole commotion with his deceitfulness and corruption, and to reform the government altogether. Even though the protestors are trying their best, the economy is starting to stagnate. However, they are not giving up and are still energised, even with all the violence the government has commanded upon them. The main goal that is keeping them going is to protect the throne of the king.

Article: http://www.economist.com/news/asia/21597000-protests-continue-how-much-longer-stagnant-revolution

Week 5

Week 5: The Early Modern World, 1450-1750

Theme: Tradition vs. Modernity

In this week, one of the main themes mentioned would probably be tradition versus modernization; or what some people called it, the era of enlightenment. During the time of the enlightenment old values were questioned and new thoughts came into mind. People no longer only believed the bible but sought truth through science. The people started to stir away from the religious traditions they had worshiped so much and started to modernize their way of thinking which in effect started to modernize their society. In Brazil, the Kayapo who are seen as a stereotypical indigenous tribe are struggling with a tradition versus modern situation as well. There are those who are still illiterate and stick to tradition, but on the complete opposite side there are those who are modernizing and using technology and social media, such as Facebook. 

It is said that it will be difficult to completely break from tradition.

Article: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/01/13/brazil-kayapo-indigenous-tribe_n_4568156.html

Week 4

Week 4: The Early Modern World, 1450-1750

Theme: Capitalism

Around this time in history, there was a rise in capitalism and a good example of that is the Dutch East India Company. After the Dutch were able to master maritime trade, and improving their business skills, they were the the top in trade at the time for Europe. Now a days, capitalism still exists, however with less violence compared to back in the days. However, that does not mean that everyone is quite satisfied with the concept of it either. In Germany around late 2012, about 2,000 Germans took a survey and a good 12 percent were extremely dissatisfied with the capitalist policies, and about 33 percent were not so happy either. This led to a protest rally of and estimate of 6,000 people.

Article: http://www.presstv.com/detail/2012/09/17/262131/germans-disgruntled-with-capitalism/

Week 3

Week 3: The Early Modern World, 1450-1750

Theme: Colonialism/Neo-Colonialism 

During this time there were many Europeans taking over parts of other countries and exploiting them of their resources. For example when the British, French, and the Dutch each took over parts of the Caribbean in order to produce a great quantity of sugar. A similar pattern is being repeated in the form of Neo-colonialism. In this case, Africa is the the one to suffer. It has been shown that in Africa there multinational corporations who are evading taxes, creating secret minings, and illegally making financial transfers that are draining Africa of their resources and revenues.

Article: http://www.pslweb.org/liberationnews/news/un-panel-africa-report-2013.html

Week 2

Week 2: 

Theme: Discovery

Throughout time, there have been discoveries that have impacted the worlds history. Without these discoveries the worlds history, and present would not be what it is today. Thanks to explorers who ventured out to find both land and information, we have the information of what was present back then. It is also due to their discoveries that we have some of the new countries that are still here today, and have the information of what inhabitants these lands held. Now a days the people who have taken the role of explorers have ventured out into many categories, one of the main groups being scientist. Just as how columbus found new lands, and different cultures, scientist have ventured out to the UK, Mozambique, Malawi, Tanzania and Switzerland in hopes of making new discoveries. According to the article they have found many new species, including three new Lepidoptera butterfly species, as well as a new type of viper snake.

Article: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/earthnews/3884623/Scientists-discover-new-forest-with-undiscovered-species-on-Google-Earth.html