Chapter 13

During the week of Thanksgiving, my world history class was supposed to read chapter 13 in Ways of the World. Worlds of the Fifteenth Century is the title for the chapter. In this chapter it speaks of the fifteenth century trying to refurnish the devastation left from the Mongols. As we can recall, the Mongols destroyed Europe and China leaving them with a broken civilization. In order to spring back up to their original society, they had to take new steps to achieve greatness. In the beginning of the fifteenth century the agriculture was the first to take rise. In North America, Africa, Amazon River Basin, and Southeast Asia settled small village-based communities to catch up on their revenue. All of these societies had no authority, forcing the unequal opportunities for different classes and sexes. To narrow it down I will focus first on the small village-based communities. To start off, in Mesopotamia, the city of Benin contained small highly centralized territorial states. Ewuare was the warrior who ruled Benin. He replaced the kinship with political authority, to sustain the society longer and to create order within the civilization. They were high in demand for trade, and Ewuare often ordered the people to make sculptures of Benin, which they are still known for today. Another civilization, located east of the Niger River settled the Igbo people. The book did not speak much of them but one interesting fact that I grasped was their idea on trade. The Igbo people refused to trade because they believed in their own kinship groups. The book referred to them as “stateless societies.” Within these two civilizations that I have mentioned: the Benin society and the Igbo people, they seem to have traded with themselves to create revenue for their societies. They also traded with Africa to provide their people with cotton cloth, fish, copper, iron, and decorative objects. They were both culturally unified, which means they practiced the same traditions and religions, and eventually they both discovered and practiced the trait of slave trade. In the Americas, the book focuses on the Iroquois civilizations, which is directed in now in the state of New York. The Iroquois people developed a full agriculture most likely due to the different lands they were surrounded by. They adopted maize and bean farming techniques that originated in the Americas. Agriculture was the primary economic activity that kept their civilizations alive and thriving.

The rest of the chapter discusses the similarities and differences in China and Europe. Their civilizations seemed to have more differences than similarities. For instance they took voyages for different reason. China took voyages for the distance, they took it as it is; whereas, Europe took voyages for a specific destinations. They look for regions or cultures to stop at. By both of their voyages, traditions and religions came back with them. This is what the Chapter 13 is mostly describing. It signifies the fourteenth centuries tragedies and eludes on the resurrection that the fifteenth century achieved. The fifteenth century was bringing back life to all of the civilizations. Without the hope that the people had during the fifteenth century, the world may have been a different place. We have to thankful for the success that the fifteenth century made.

The Mongols

On Monday the 19^th in World History class, we discussed Chapter 12 in Ways of the World, called, “Pastoral Peoples on the Global Stage.” This chapter is about the Mongol Movement and their impact they had on the classical era. As the class was conversing over the Mongol’s way of living during 1200-1500, we were asked the questions of what makes up a civilization. After minutes of debating the answer in our heads we verbally spoke them aloud to our fellow classmates. The answers we came up with were: complex economy, trade, common language/culture/religion, city/city-states, a system of government, technology, agricultural base, specialization/surplus, social hierarchy, and military. Now since we came up with quite few answers our Professor Andrews left us to discuss whether the Mongols were a civilization. They indeed held more than half of these characteristics to be considered a civilization. The only unclear point about the Mongols being a civilization is that they had no true land to themselves, they owed none of their own property. Also, the Mongols were very brutal and violent to the civilization they conquered and took over their land. When the lecture was over Professor Andrews left us to come to a conclusion about whether or not historians think that the Mongols symbolize barbarians?

            At first this questions was easy for me to answer. The more I thought about it the more complicated the question became. Historians often described barbarians as being brutally violent, which I absolutely true. The evidence that can proof this statement is the fact that they wipeout China, Russia, and Persia. They killed people in a horrible fashion, and were not very stable, although, the Mongols did have a wonderful military. As the more I started elaborating on this question of the representation of the Mongols symbolizing barbarians the more I started to believe that historians just state it how they believe it, which made me second guess myself. Due to the violence they used to destroy the other civilization causes people to think they acted like barbarians; however, I would agree. By slashing and killing other groups just to inherit their land was a way that they resembled barbarians. By the way they traveled and road horses showed how developed they were in technology. The saddle for the horse was a huge significance in the world because it brought a time of change and trade for across the Eurasian continent. Also it brought warfare to the lands because it was a huge advantage for them to conquer their enemies. Another aspect to proof that they were not barbarians it the fact on how organized the Mongols were on how they went about their military force. As soon as they would destroy the civilizations they were capturing they would take over the land but absorbed the lands original religion and culture. Though the Mongols were barbaric, the one’s they conquered, such as the Chinese, Persia, and Russia still easily influenced them. When the Mongols overtook china they became interested in their poetry and calligraphy. In Persia when the Mongols destroyed their civilization they became farmers instead of nomadic people. Also, when the Mongols conquered the Russian, they allowed the Russian rulers to still be in charge and they eventually evolved into Kipchaks- a Russian confederation. All in all, the Mongols did have barbaric characteristics in the way they destroyed other civilizations, they had more of a civilized way of life.

Chapter 10

As we read further along the history book called Ways of the World, Chapter 10 is called, The Worlds of European Christendom: Connected and Divided. When I read the chapter’s title I had to look up the word Christendom because I wanted to make sure I knew exactly what the word meant. So I look it up and the Merriam Dictionary defines it as the part of the world where most people are Christians — sometimes used in the old-fashioned phrase in all of Christendom. I put the two together and the chapter discusses the Eastern European religious beliefs and the Western European religious beliefs. The Byzantine Empire is associated with the east and Latin/ Constantinople’s Empire is associated with the West.  The two sides had one religion Christianity, but within the religion they believed different things.  Constantinople had a political court that they believed represented “God’s Court” because the authorities symbolized the “peer of apostles.” They were a centralized state. When Eastern Europe heard of this court the Turkic Ottoman Empire invaded Constantinople, in 1453. This came a time when different beliefs started to split the church and state in Europe. It was known as Caesarpapism because Caesar was in head of the state during that century. The split between the two religions were evident in the Orthodox Christianity because they believed that the Roman had “right thinking” due to disbelieve they had towards idols displaying in the churches. They also influenced the Byzantine life styles in all aspects.

            To understand the difference in Orthodox and Catholic religions I will explain it in an easier pattern. To begin, communion is an annual tradition that churches strongly belief in. It is a way to remember Jesus’ death. In the Orthodox Church, they partake in communion by uses leavened bread to symbolize Jesus’ body. The Catholic Church uses unleavened bread. Also, within the churches, the Catholics had many statues of the Virgin Mary and Jesus, The Orthodox saw this as a sin because they believed the statues were used as idols, which in their religion they were not suppose to have any idols. In their community Catholics believed that men should never shave, so many men had long beards; whereas the Orthodox shaved their beards because they saw it as appearance does not matter.

            Another difference in the two religions was their location. The Orthodox parted on Western Europe and the Catholics were on Eastern Europe.  On the western side of Europe they were seen as Barbarians because they were muscular, and not as well organized as they were on the eastern half of Europe. When the roam civilization fell in 476 the population decreased leaving the existing people with little to work with. They imitated the Roam hierarchal status with their popes, bishops, priests, education foundation, and welfare functions. In their everyday living I associate their society as a democratic party because they had popes that provided security for families and individuals. They provided for everyone just like how democrats believe one person overall who takes care of everyone. This chapter, Chapter 10, brought several topics to narrow down the differences in Europe. Although I only specified small issues they dealt with, it still supports the objective. To understand more differences take a look at the chapter, it brings up several more interesting facts to the topic.As we read further along the history book called Ways of the World, Chapter 10 is called, The Worlds of European Christendom: Connected and Divided. When I read the chapter’s title I had to look up the word Christendom because I wanted to make sure I knew exactly what the word meant. So I look it up and the Merriam Dictionary defines it as the part of the world where most people are Christians — sometimes used in the old-fashioned phrase in all of Christendom. I put the two together and the chapter discusses the Eastern European religious beliefs and the Western European religious beliefs. The Byzantine Empire is associated with the east and Latin/ Constantinople’s Empire is associated with the West.  The two sides had one religion Christianity, but within the religion they believed different things.  Constantinople had a political court that they believed represented “God’s Court” because the authorities symbolized the “peer of apostles.” They were a centralized state. When Eastern Europe heard of this court the Turkic Ottoman Empire invaded Constantinople, in 1453. This came a time when different beliefs started to split the church and state in Europe. It was known as Caesarpapism because Caesar was in head of the state during that century. The split between the two religions were evident in the Orthodox Christianity because they believed that the Roman had “right thinking” due to disbelieve they had towards idols displaying in the churches. They also influenced the Byzantine life styles in all aspects.

            To understand the difference in Orthodox and Catholic religions I will explain it in an easier pattern. To begin, communion is an annual tradition that churches strongly belief in. It is a way to remember Jesus’ death. In the Orthodox Church, they partake in communion by uses leavened bread to symbolize Jesus’ body. The Catholic Church uses unleavened bread. Also, within the churches, the Catholics had many statues of the Virgin Mary and Jesus, The Orthodox saw this as a sin because they believed the statues were used as idols, which in their religion they were not suppose to have any idols. In their community Catholics believed that men should never shave, so many men had long beards; whereas the Orthodox shaved their beards because they saw it as appearance does not matter.

            Another difference in the two religions was their location. The Orthodox parted on Western Europe and the Catholics were on Eastern Europe.  On the western side of Europe they were seen as Barbarians because they were muscular, and not as well organized as they were on the eastern half of Europe. When the roam civilization fell in 476 the population decreased leaving the existing people with little to work with. They imitated the Roam hierarchal status with their popes, bishops, priests, education foundation, and welfare functions. In their everyday living I associate their society as a democratic party because they had popes that provided security for families and individuals. They provided for everyone just like how democrats believe one person overall who takes care of everyone. This chapter, Chapter 10, brought several topics to narrow down the differences in Europe. Although I only specified small issues they dealt with, it still supports the objective. To understand more differences take a look at the chapter, it brings up several more interesting facts to the topic.

Ch. 8

Part Three: An Age of Accelerating Connections from 500-1500-Chapter 8 called Defining a Millennium, in Ways of the World, goes into detail how different cultures, religions, diseases, and trades spread through the world. The exchange in Eurasia diminished the economic self-stuffiness of local societies such as gatherer- hunterer people because more technology and a surplus of food started happening. They needed a new system to keep up with the speed of things. The trade shaped the peoples lives because it provided them with nutrition, jobs, housing, interaction, and revenue. In return it also had an effect on the societies as well such as the vast cultures, languages, religions, technology, plants, and politics.

            The Silk Roads in Eurasia connected the pastoral people with the agriculture people- example gatherer-hunterer. However after exchanging such goods, the location of the societies greatly mattered because lets say they traded maize. Maize can only grow on flat and dry lands; the rain forests would not be able to take ton the role of farming maize. So the trade of the people had to be decided before they do the exchange. The biggest trade that people seemed to do was the trade of silk, the book called it Silk Roads. The silk transferred from the east to west. Silk was in high demand for almost all societies. Silk resembled: high status, wealth, currency, and trade. Within the exchange of the good also provided the chance to expand religions such as Buddhism, Christianity, and Islam. Cultures were also affected in the trade of silk because it was past on from pastoral people to China, East and Central Asia, and India. What I found most interesting is when Eurasia would trade with Asia they picked up certain aspects of the Greeks. The book mentions that Buddha has similarities of the Greek gods. This made me shocked because I never put the two artworks together. I always thought they looked completely different but maybe because like the Greeks, Buddha actually has human characteristics; and at that time most all other artwork of civilizations had no human resemblance. Another thing that came with the opportunity to trade were the different diseases. The diseases followed the Eurasia route. I liked how the book put significance to the pros and cons of this exchange because it made you think in two ways. One aspect of the spread of diseases is that people saw a pattern in the diseases so they were able to find a mechanism to fix it; also, immunities started happening so that people got use to the sickness. But for the con side the book went into detail about different scenarios of the devastation the diseases caused such a the Bubonic Plague and the Black Death that hit the Roman Empire and the Han Dynasty. In America their diseases affected their animals by domesticated animals due to the little interaction they had with the Eurasian Route.

            Sea Roads across the ocean were made mostly in the Indian Ocean. They were able to trade with Venice, Italy because of the water that surrounded the city. The trick they used to pick up speed was called monsoons. Monsoons are wind currents that people began to take advantage of the wind shifts. The trade made across the Global oceanic system established in1500 also impacted societies by cultures, especially the Greeks to India. The root religion practiced in Southeast Asia was Hinduism and Buddhism. Again India affecting the Greeks was a very odd fact for me because I never put these two civilizations together.

Ch. 8

Part Three: An Age of Accelerating Connections from 500-1500-Chapter 8 called Defining a Millennium, in Ways of the World, goes into detail how different cultures, religions, diseases, and trades spread through the world. The exchange in Eurasia diminished the economic self-stuffiness of local societies such as gatherer- hunterer people because more technology and a surplus of food started happening. They needed a new system to keep up with the speed of things. The trade shaped the peoples lives because it provided them with nutrition, jobs, housing, interaction, and revenue. In return it also had an effect on the societies as well such as the vast cultures, languages, religions, technology, plants, and politics.

            The Silk Roads in Eurasia connected the pastoral people with the agriculture people- example gatherer-hunterer. However after exchanging such goods, the location of the societies greatly mattered because lets say they traded maize. Maize can only grow on flat and dry lands; the rain forests would not be able to take ton the role of farming maize. So the trade of the people had to be decided before they do the exchange. The biggest trade that people seemed to do was the trade of silk, the book called it Silk Roads. The silk transferred from the east to west. Silk was in high demand for almost all societies. Silk resembled: high status, wealth, currency, and trade. Within the exchange of the good also provided the chance to expand religions such as Buddhism, Christianity, and Islam. Cultures were also affected in the trade of silk because it was past on from pastoral people to China, East and Central Asia, and India. What I found most interesting is when Eurasia would trade with Asia they picked up certain aspects of the Greeks. The book mentions that Buddha has similarities of the Greek gods. This made me shocked because I never put the two artworks together. I always thought they looked completely different but maybe because like the Greeks, Buddha actually has human characteristics; and at that time most all other artwork of civilizations had no human resemblance. Another thing that came with the opportunity to trade were the different diseases. The diseases followed the Eurasia route. I liked how the book put significance to the pros and cons of this exchange because it made you think in two ways. One aspect of the spread of diseases is that people saw a pattern in the diseases so they were able to find a mechanism to fix it; also, immunities started happening so that people got use to the sickness. But for the con side the book went into detail about different scenarios of the devastation the diseases caused such a the Bubonic Plague and the Black Death that hit the Roman Empire and the Han Dynasty. In America their diseases affected their animals by domesticated animals due to the little interaction they had with the Eurasian Route.

            Sea Roads across the ocean were made mostly in the Indian Ocean. They were able to trade with Venice, Italy because of the water that surrounded the city. The trick they used to pick up speed was called monsoons. Monsoons are wind currents that people began to take advantage of the wind shifts. The trade made across the Global oceanic system established in1500 also impacted societies by cultures, especially the Greeks to India. The root religion practiced in Southeast Asia was Hinduism and Buddhism. Again India affecting the Greeks was a very odd fact for me because I never put these two civilizations together.

AnnieRooMorgan: Chapter 7

Chapter 7: Classical Era Variations, chapter 7 in Ways of the World, elaborates on the continents Africa and America. It goes into great detail of civilizations that brought together what we now know as Africa and America. To start off, Africa’s and America’s civilizations occurred between 500 B.C.E.-1200 C.E. Africa’s population was 11% of the world and America had 5%. These were the smallest continents during the time, because most of the population was in Europe and Asia.

            Africa is described as a massive land mass. It is the most tropical continent because it is located right in the middle of the equator. Arica had many civilizations, cultures, and societies due to the different geographies of the continent. Because of its close location to Europe they were able to trade with them. They also imitated Rome’s belief in Christianity; although, they put there own ideas into the religion such as St. Augustine during 354-430 C.E. Africa had many distinct civilizations that included Moroe near the Nile River Valley, Axum that took over the Moroe civilization, and Bantu located in Nigeria. Moroe civilization is south of Egypt in the Nile River Valley. They existed from 300 B.C.E. to 100 C.E. They often traded and fought with Egypt, which lead to competition with each other. They were governed by monarchs and had religious leaders that they buried. They were also known for sacrificial victims. They were a rainfall-based agriculture unlike the Axum civilization that was a plow-based farming system. For both of the civilization they were dependent on iron that provided trade for the both of them from Europe. One reason Axum is important is because they had their own language called Geez. Because the two were both reliant on the product of iron, by the Moroe burning too much wood for the use to melt iron and by Axum having deforestation in their region caused the two cultures to collapse. Bantu, in Nigeria, took over the gatherer-hunter people’s way of life. They brought in many cultures, trade, and population. They brought ideas to the civilization such as witchcraft that later introduced the idea of sacrificial rituals. They were known as the original “civilizers” of the earth.

            Now to go on to America, known as Mesoamerica. America had little interaction with any other continents because of its desolate location. America had two major civilizations: the Andes and Mesoamerica. They were from Mexico to the northern Central America. Because of their many microclimates they had plenty of competition between the two in their chiefdoms, cities, and diversity. The two civilizations grew maize, beans, chili, peppers, and squash. Within these two major civilizations were small civilizations: the Maya, Teotihuacan, Andes, Moche, and the Chavin. The Maya were located in Guatemala in 2000 B.C.E. They were at a high intellectual achievement because they had their own math system, writing system, and their idea of stargazing. Teotihuacan located in the Valley of Mexico, was a planned society in 150 B.C.E. Much of their civilization is unknown but one thing they are known for is their enormous palaces, temples, plazas and pyramids. They were the “city of gods.” The Andes civilizations were a mix of the Incas and Norte Chico societies. Located in the mountains, Andes had many rivers running through it that provided irrigation and cultivation for them. Chavin located in Peru had a small-scale irrigation, but luckily they had the opportunity to trade with the Amazon and the coast. Last but not least the Moche civilization replaced the Chavin’s civilization after they fell. One thing they are known for is there fertilizer, which they called “guano”. Another important aspect of them was their skillful craftsman. 

Chapter 6: Social Hierarchies

Eurasian Social Hierarchies is the title for chapter six in Ways of the World. The chapter describes how China, India, and Rome established hierarchies within their civilizations. To begin, I will describe how China developed their hierarchy. They first created an examination for the civilians to take so that they would be able to find a job. If one did not take the examination, they would be considered low class. Within this examination, hierarchies were already created. By providing jobs for the one’s who passed the exam, meant that they have the opportunity to be wealthy and own their own slave. The majority of China was not able to take the exam causing the lower class to be the majority of the society. Another hierarchy is represented in this civilization. It is the duty of the landlords. Landlords were able to sell land and profit of off it. They were the elite of China, known as “ scholar-gentry.” China was not the only civilization that created hierarchies, but it is one that I found most interesting.

AnnieRooMorgan: Comments!

Comments:

Ben’s Blog: In this article it made me think about my life and how busy I believe it is, but when comparing it to Ancient times it must seem like a joke to them. My worries are consisted of homework, work, and whether it is going to rain for me to cover up my bike. In no regards are we two alike, but I guess that is what makes history so interesting, seeing how the world transforms from one aspect to another. I know my statement does not have much to do with this blog but in a way it does. My world is radically changing from simple to stressful just like the change in Ancient ere to classical era.

Hannah’s Blog: I enjoyed how Hannah put a twist toward the end of her discussions. She suggest that Americans take for granted the Freedom of Speech we have in the country while comparing it to the power of the empires. I thought that was a neat comparison.

Renelle’s Blog: I thought it was neat how she went into detail on Confucianism because when I read Chapter 5 I wrote my blog on China's adopted beliefs too, so when I read Renelle's thoughts, it made me rethink my ideas that I wrote on. She taught me to compare and contrast with other works.

Dominic’s Blog: While reading his thoughts about Chapter 3 on the First Civilizations, it reminded me of how progressive humans are as a whole. We are always moving forward, whether it is physically or mentally. Also, he provided a summary of the Olmec’s civilization and how they went about themselves, He reminded me of how they made gigantic stone heads to represents their art. He brought up many significant points in his summary, which I thought taught me a lot about first civilizations.

Jordan’s Blog: In Jordan’s ideas about chapter 6 based on Eurasian Social Hierarchies, she brings up the topic of being China viewing hierarchies based upon your family. The book suggests that you would be placed in society based upon were you were born. I thought this method was a bit silly because it limits one’s life automatically. I am so grateful for being born in America were I can make myself be myself without being placed in the world based upon my family.

Comments!

Comments:

Ben’s Blog: In this article it made me think about my life and how busy I believe it is, but when comparing it to Ancient times it must seem like a joke to them. My worries are consisted of homework, work, and whether it is going to rain for me to cover up my bike. In no regards are we two alike, but I guess that is what makes history so interesting, seeing how the world transforms from one aspect to another. I know my statement does not have much to do with this blog but in a way it does. My world is radically changing from simple to stressful just like the change in Ancient ere to classical era.

Hannah’s Blog: I enjoyed how Hannah put a twist toward the end of her discussions. She suggest that Americans take for granted the Freedom of Speech we have in the country while comparing it to the power of the empires. I thought that was a neat comparison.

Renelle’s Blog: I thought it was neat how she went into detail on Confucianism because when I read Chapter 5 I wrote my blog on China's adopted beliefs too, so when I read Renelle's thoughts, it made me rethink my ideas that I wrote on. She taught me to compare and contrast with other works.

Dominic’s Blog: While reading his thoughts about Chapter 3 on the First Civilizations, it reminded me of how progressive humans are as a whole. We are always moving forward, whether it is physically or mentally. Also, he provided a summary of the Olmec’s civilization and how they went about themselves, He reminded me of how they made gigantic stone heads to represents their art. He brought up many significant points in his summary, which I thought taught me a lot about first civilizations.

Jordan’s Blog: In Jordan’s ideas about chapter 6 based on Eurasian Social Hierarchies, she brings up the topic of being China viewing hierarchies based upon your family. The book suggests that you would be placed in society based upon were you were born. I thought this method was a bit silly because it limits one’s life automatically. I am so grateful for being born in America were I can make myself be myself without being placed in the world based upon my family.

Comment 1

I enjoyed how in Hannah's blog, The Way I See It: The Beginning of Cultural Traditions, she put a twist toward the end of her discussions. She suggest that Americans take for granted the Freedom of Speech we have in the country while comparing it to the power of the empires. I thought that was a neat comparison.

AnnieRooMorgan: Chapter 5-Tradition

Ever wondered where we got out ideas from to form tour worldwide traditions? Or who or what thought of them? What about where they originated? Well in Chapter 5 in, Ways of the World, I learned a small seed of the history of our historical traditions. In 500 B.C.E.- 500 C.E., China, India, Middle East, and Greece were the major countries that practiced certain traditions that we still follow today. There is a vast difference from China and Greek. China wanted to understand reality and the philosophy; whereas, India, Persia, and the Jews focused more on the meaning of religion. Our traditions all began in a time called, “Age of Warring state,” when civilizations fell apart, and people desperately started searching for answers in the years 403-221 B.C.E. The two countries I will be discussing will be China and India because they are religions I have always been interested in how they were created.

            The first step to become organized was the development of Legalism. It is a set of rules and laws carried out in rewards and punishments. Confucius, a man/ culture in Korea and Japan formed throughout this system. He believed that the superior such as the government authorities had dominance over the inferior. If the people followed this example they created harmony, which they believed was the answer in the chaos that was present. It was a way of creating a “good” society. Daoism focused more on the natural and individualistic perspectives in the society. “Dao” means the way of nature. They believed in withdrawal from political and social engagement in order to be aligned in a self-sufficient community. Since they did not indulge themselves with improvement, they were very small communities and lacked education causing them to have no hope of improvement. In my opinion if I had to pick one these ways of living, I would follow Confucius because they were more efficient in responsibilities.

            In India, they practiced Hinduism that directed their attention on spirituality, religion, and sacrifices. They believed they came from nothing, that there was no proof of their coming together to create existence. Their belief caused them to believe in reincarnation or samsara, which they thought was the law of karma. Another practice that India followed was Buddhism. The historical founder of this religion was Siddhartha Gautama. He came from a family that he left to go t the wilderness to have solitary and live out in meditation. While he was out in the wilderness he attempted to achieve enlightenment, this was the focus on their lives. They believed in one taking care of one’s own life-responsible for yourself. The language they spoke,” Pali” was accessible for everyone because it consisted of characters and images rather than script. Men had the dominance over women; however, Buddhists respected them more than other faiths so most women joined in their cult. Eventually the women became nuns to the men who were monks. The growing population of the nuns and monks became so large that they formed a new religion in themselves called, Theravada. Also, another believe was created called, Mahayana, which meant “Great Vehicle.” They called it Mahayana because it was easier for people to join because it traveled often.

Chapter 5-Tradition

Ever wondered where we got out ideas from to form tour worldwide traditions? Or who or what thought of them? What about where they originated? Well in Chapter 5 in, Ways of the World, I learned a small seed of the history of our historical traditions. In 500 B.C.E.- 500 C.E., China, India, Middle East, and Greece were the major countries that practiced certain traditions that we still follow today. There is a vast difference from China and Greek. China wanted to understand reality and the philosophy; whereas, India, Persia, and the Jews focused more on the meaning of religion. Our traditions all began in a time called, “Age of Warring state,” when civilizations fell apart, and people desperately started searching for answers in the years 403-221 B.C.E. The two countries I will be discussing will be China and India because they are religions I have always been interested in how they were created.

            The first step to become organized was the development of Legalism. It is a set of rules and laws carried out in rewards and punishments. Confucius, a man/ culture in Korea and Japan formed throughout this system. He believed that the superior such as the government authorities had dominance over the inferior. If the people followed this example they created harmony, which they believed was the answer in the chaos that was present. It was a way of creating a “good” society. Daoism focused more on the natural and individualistic perspectives in the society. “Dao” means the way of nature. They believed in withdrawal from political and social engagement in order to be aligned in a self-sufficient community. Since they did not indulge themselves with improvement, they were very small communities and lacked education causing them to have no hope of improvement. In my opinion if I had to pick one these ways of living, I would follow Confucius because they were more efficient in responsibilities.

            In India, they practiced Hinduism that directed their attention on spirituality, religion, and sacrifices. They believed they came from nothing, that there was no proof of their coming together to create existence. Their belief caused them to believe in reincarnation or samsara, which they thought was the law of karma. Another practice that India followed was Buddhism. The historical founder of this religion was Siddhartha Gautama. He came from a family that he left to go t the wilderness to have solitary and live out in meditation. While he was out in the wilderness he attempted to achieve enlightenment, this was the focus on their lives. They believed in one taking care of one’s own life-responsible for yourself. The language they spoke,” Pali” was accessible for everyone because it consisted of characters and images rather than script. Men had the dominance over women; however, Buddhists respected them more than other faiths so most women joined in their cult. Eventually the women became nuns to the men who were monks. The growing population of the nuns and monks became so large that they formed a new religion in themselves called, Theravada. Also, another believe was created called, Mahayana, which meant “Great Vehicle.” They called it Mahayana because it was easier for people to join because it traveled often.

Chapter 4

In years 500 B.C.E. to 500 C.E., the first Eurasian empires were formed by the first civilizations. Before I begin to elaborate on chapter four called, Eurasian Empires, I would like to inform you on the meaning of B.C.E. and C.E. (B.C.E. stands for: Before Common Era, and C.E. stands for: Common Era). Now that we are all clear on meanings, I would like to begin on what an empire is really based on. Empires are states or political systems that force power within their land or people. The earliest empires were created by the Middle East, known as, Akkadian, Babylonian, and Assyrian.

Two of the most well known empires are the Persian Empires and the Greeks. The Persian Empire is an Indo-European, civilization right off of the Persian Gulf near Mesopotamia. They originated in 500 B.C.E. and consisted of an imperial system, which means the people could only speak to authorities through a trial. Cyrus and Darius were the rulers in this early empire, Cyrus, however, won the peoples appreciation due to the fact that he let the Babylonians back to their land. The empire had a structure that used imperial spies to force the authorities power on the people. They called it satraps. This helped the kinship keep everything in order over their lands. The Persian Empire created a coinage system, which included taxing the people, so that money will be able to keep the city going. Also, a canal running 1,700 miles down the Nile connecting to the Red Sea that provided communication and trade along the people. It served as a form of postal service for them, since it sent informal messages to different regions. The empire had palaces, halls, monuments, carvings that Darius, the emperor, built. The Persians established a firm empire that mostly consisted of having one ruler. The Greeks, on the other hand, were composed of several small city-states that established themselves in 750 B.C.E. The Greeks often called themselves Hellenes. Located on the southeastern part of Europe, near the Mediterranean and Black sea, caused the political shape of the empire to be based around their geographic landscape. The geography that the empire was on had numerous valleys and steep mountains that created small cities to scatter across the land; therefore, expanding their region power, yet still having one language shared throughout the empire. I almost seemed as if they had a democratic government because the people were all equal. The book states that the people governed each other. Another character that resembled a democratic government is that they had a tyrant, one who dictated for the people. They were transforming from an aristocratic family to a democratic system.

Being the most developed empires, the two began tension between each other when Ionia ruled by the Greeks was taken over by the Persians. Shortly after their power over the city, the Greeks defeated their rule and reclaimed it back as theirs. This occurrence enhanced the Greeks pride by thinking they are the most powerful empire to rule. With such power that the empire’s owned, created many controversies over land and people, just like how it is now in the world.

AnnieRooMorgan: Blog 5

This week I read Chapter 3 in Ways of the World written by Robert W. Strayer. This chapter was about the first civilizations in the years 3500 B.C.E.- 500 B.C.E., that were established. All together there are six first societies, they include: Olmec Civilization, Norte Chico Civilization, Mesopotamia, Indus Valley Civilization, Chinese Civilization, known as the Shang Dynasty, and Egyptian Civilization. It is shown that human behavior started this early because of the nature of wanting to explore the lands.

Something that I found fascinating was the discovery of the Norte Chico Civilization in South Americas. Norte Chico had the least economic specialization because of the vast distance from other civilizations. Archeologists believe that is why they lacked communications with other lands. Recently, it was found that the people of Norte Chico used “Quipo” a kind of writing utensils to exchange words with each other. This was very appealing to me, because I started thinking of how people back then could have even thought of that idea of using “Quipo” to communicate. It was a string with knots in it, probably separated from each other with some knots being larger and smaller than other ones. It is just like human kind to try to make the best out of what they had.

Archeologists really look into how exactly the different origins started. They believe that the Agricultural Revolution started it because of the role of animals, people, and technology. It was a gradual process to develop the civilizations and took time to expand. At first there were several small cities that eventually were dominated by the bigger cities causing the six main civilizations to increase in land, power, and agriculture. People wanted to explore their neighboring lands making the lasting civilizations spread throughout the world.

At this early point in history, the civilizations started creating hierarchies between genders, power, and status. The role of males already had the domination over women in some civilizations because of the increasing agriculture. Women had less to do in the field because they were known for reproduction. This was significant with the Greeks in Athens and the Romans. I thought this was significant because that was the first sign of life with Adam and Eve. Also, social power created hierarchies. The authorities in the societies had slaves, which were the prisoners of war, criminals, and debtors. Their role was to keep the irrigation steady. This also had the result of human rights. The pyramids that were being built in Egypt had the essence of power. The people used a special technique called “ziggurat,” which was stepped pyramids. These ziggurats were on top of the temples in the pyramids. Towns were built in them and they also were used as tombs, which created the rights of humans. Clothing already had the representation of status. For example, the fabric the people used such as silk, and certain patterns, textures, and colors served as hierarchies. Kings and rulers wore the more decorous clothing because of their status they grew within the civilizations. The characteristics of the societies had a long lasting imprint on the world. You can see this in the way we are still follow the trends.

Blog 2

Last night I read Ways of the World- chapter one, and surprisingly, it grabbed my attention. Like most history books it lists facts and facts and well more facts; however, this book was different. This book has facts but it tells a story within it. For some odd reason I found it interesting. For instance, I liked how the book has graphs to show the differences between the life expectancies like on page 23. The organization of the sections made more sense to me because it formed a way for me to compare the other continents to each other: from Africa then Eurasia to Australia to America then Pacific.

History is, well let’s say not one of my strengths. I am majoring in Fine art but for some reason it is impossible for me to remember dates and names. So when I read a history book I usually dread it, but for Ways of the World it seems as this scenario is not the case. Ways of the World has pictures, graphs, and short questions to help bring all the information together, which for me helps a lot. In the chapter, it talks about how the different eras varied from each other. It seemed as if each one differed from the other. The book also went into great detail about how the art varied in different continents such as the Eurasia specialized in cave paintings representing reindeers, horses, bulls, and humans. Also in Australia, I earned that they were the first to use boats. Maybe that is why they are the known as the beach country.  They also created Dreamtime, a way of networks for migration, communication, and exchange between the continents.  Then the book talked about America and how they created Clovis point, Clovis point are people who camp near rivers, waterholes, and springs. They are people who hunt for large mammals, for example, mammoths and bison. What I found interesting is how the book taught me that since Clovis people did hunt for large mammals, is that why these animals are extinct- due to the hunting or was it because the climate changed due from the ice Age? This is when the book made me think; I felt as if I actually understood what a history book was discussing about.

I later realized that as the book mentions the different continents they listed it in order from the first civilized to the last, which I thought was even cleverer. The last one that is discussed is the Pacific Ocean, near New Guinea and islands of the Philippines. In this era they were fighting with technology times. Soon after being settled animals started becoming extinct because of the technology demolishing the forests.

When discussing religion, many Paleolithic cultures referred to their ancestors, such as Venus. One of the most famous female figures that are listed in the book is the Venus figurine found in Austria. The picture of this magnificent Venus figurine made me giggle because it is a stone with curves and bumps. This stood out to me because it shows how different our society is now, compared to how it was back then. They look at beauty by the voluptuous lumps a women has rather then the tightness the women’s body is. It makes me wish our society still were in that mindset. Throughout my time that I spent reading, I learned a great amount of how our world got brought to be, and how I appreciate the difficulties it was to get our world started.

Blog 3

During the mid-afternoon on Sunday, I read chapter two in Ways of the World, called First Farmers. At first, when I glanced at the title of the chapter it made me feel extremely tired, as it most likely would anyone; however, I pushed my thoughts to the side and read the first paragraph about Elsie Eiler. Elsie Eiler was the introduction the book used to tie in the topic of the chapter: the Neolithic Era or in other words the Agriculture Revolution. This was a time when farming over took the beginning of the world; this action formed how we humans live our lives. There are two types of agriculture. One being domestication, which means a change in the environment for humankind such as less wildlife but more human resources for the people, and the other intensification: the making of more resources on less land. These are what I call the bittersweet characteristics of agriculture. Some see it is better for humankind to use the earth to keep improving their resources; yet, others find it immortal for us to destroy the world from its natural environment.

       One of the many things that stood out to me was how the global warming from the Ice Age sparked the Agricultural Era. The first actively lived areas were the Middle East, Australia, and the Amazon. I thought this was extremely ironic how the Middle East was one of the first to have agriculture. I thought this because it gives a reason for archeologists to believe in God since the first humans were from the Middle East, example- Adam and Eve. From an archeologist’s standpoint, I don't understand how one cannot believe in the Bible. There are facts that show the first human existence being in the Middle East coming from the area of Africa right where all of the Israelites lived. Throughout all the different interpretations of how our world started the Bible makes the most logical sense, but who am I to say what is right and wrong.

       Another fascinating fact that was brought to my attention is how agriculture spread throughout the world. For instance, it made me chuckle how the book proposed the idea of how the early societies developed were by copying their neighbors for ideas to grow and prosper their land. It made me re-think of how our society is now with the way we imitate each other for recipes, clothing, housing ideas, and many many more that I feel like I do not need to clarify. They looked at each other for ideas and thought they could better it by replicating it but changing a few things about it, just like how we do. Also, by this gradual change of agricultures that the early societies produced, came the vast differences in languages. This is why some languages sound the same but differing in minor ways. Because the environment kept transforming, most went along with it but the gatherers and hunters refused to give into the new ways. This is when characteristics of humankind come in: open minded and willing to try new things verse stubbornness and thinking one is always right; the key characteristics in humans shown in early history. This chapter has made me think a lot of how our world would be different if we still followed the ways of the gatherers and hunters instead of the new societies ways.

Blog 4

This week in history, we read Discovering the Global Past chapter 2. In this chapter, it was discussing how the world developed the skills of writing and how historians can gather information about the writers and their lifestyles. Specifically, the chapter mentioned five civilizations and described each of their first writings in precise detail.  The five evidence include: Experts from Atra-hasis, Experts from Book 10 of the Rig Veda, From the First Book of Moses, called Genesis, From Yijinga Commentary on the Appended Judgements, and From Popol Vuh, “ The Book of the People.” In my bog this week I want to discuss two of these civilizations. The two are “From the First Book of Moses, called Genesis” and “From Popol Vuh, ‘The Book of the People.’ ” I picked these two to converse about because out of the five they seem the most realistic evidence of the beginning. In “From the First Book of Moses, called Genesis,” it is the first chapter in the worldwide known book, the Bible. When historians read the scriptures from this piece, they get a real sense of how the Isrealites believed their life’s began. For instance, God, the creator of the world, first created the heavens and the earth. He did this by speaking out Lord. He had power to direct everything, since he is the one who spoke it into existence. Like many of the other evidences, they all had a Holy One or a Mighty One (one who was above all), for this purpose I think it was because they all knew they were not perfect. We, humans, all are sinful, and we need a leader or a higher one to keep us on track. The Isrealites were alike with the Mayans by believing that God created the world.

            One fascinating fact I read about was how the Mayans believed that the Creator and serpent discussed how they would design a world out of nothing. I found this amusing because why would a great so called, Creator, and a serpent (someone who resembles evil) converse about creating a world together. Maybe it was because in their civilization, everyone was equal. Each person had the same opportunity- just like how the Creator and serpent did. Usually a sinner (serpent) has the last choice, but for them, they had the same chance as a righteous man. I thought this would be odd because how can one ever improve them selves if they had no one to look up too, since the Holy one would be in the same boat as a sinner. We all need one who can save or forgive us- just like how the Israelites had God to tell them how to live their lives’. We see an example of this when God directed Adam to name each one of the animals. He gave Adam an order and he followed through with it. Just like every human, we also have evidence of selfishness. It is here where the first example sin. Happens.  It is when Adam ate of the tree, which he knew he was not aloud to, but did anyway. This was the first human sin, and upsetting the start of it all.  The two civilizations have several similarities but also very different ways of life, or so I interpreted it. However the case, each society just like each human all live in a unique way, none of which have exactly the same view in life. This is what I love about our world- Diversity, the ever-changing world.