Chapters 13, 14, & 15

I truly hope I can live up to the standards that Nancy is setting when it comes to blogging. She really knows how to capture the reader.

"We came here to serve God and the King, and also to get rich." (PG. 621)

Really? How can these three words even be in the same sentence? The motives to capture other areas for gross contemptuous greed is nothing new as demonstrated in the text thus far. To capture lands either for the resources or for other motives, is something that stands the test of time and in my opinion, is true today with America helping those that help us. In my experience, the ones that benefit the most of these conquests, are the powers that instill these ideas of going to far away places to "help" or "show another path" in name of religion with the population losing their identity.

"The Great Dying"

WOW! I have not heard a title to explain the introduction of small pox to native societies with such power. Strayer truly packs a hook and jab with not only his introduction of this chapter, he invokes a small rage inside of me thinking of expanding the world takes such a toll on the local population. No, this can't be compared to the passing of disease among the "Silk and Sand Road" people as this was used as a way to spread commerce, language, and collaborating. Far from the intent of invading forces to search for their own greed.

It's interesting when I was reading this chapter, I would come across sections that would show a potential positive and then bang, it would emerge as just another way to change the local way of living and benefit someone else. This was true with the section related to "Colonies of Sugar." Yes, local people of these captured lands were enslaved to cultivate this crop. I should have realized that it wasn't going to be as positive as I was hoping.

Chapter 14 is a reminder of the negative part of history. I knew right away that this wasn't going to be an easy chapter to digest. However, there were other groups that were enslaved and brought to America to serve. The Irish naming one group and yes, there were black plantation owners which apparently, they were the most indignant towards their own color. However, no matter how this is viewed, slavery to serve others is far from being a new concept. Sadly, it's still being done today.

It's amazing how the term commerce is formed and not much different in today's society. The Portuguese wanted a bigger piece of the pie when trading took off in the Indian Ocean. In order to control the trade, let's impose a tax? 6 - 10% of cargo went to buy a pass? Interesting. However, they did learn that this was unproductive and assimilated within the existing politics that they wanted to change.

My wife is of Chinese-Filipino ancestry. The idea of the Spanish coming to the Philippines and leaving behind such a change, doesn't sit well with some of the population even today. Sharing her insight and me not knowing that was such a large Chinese population and influence in the Philippines, leads me to believe that there is a contrast even here in the United States when the early settlers "introduced" themselves to the Native Americans. In no time at all like in the Philippines, cultures are changed, languages modified, and organized religions take their places.

"The Atlantic Slave Trade"

Honestly, I had no idea that this trade was in place from 1500-1866. Over 350 years of families being displaced, separated, and force fully taken to far away places, is surely a tattoo in this world as a negative. There are a lot of guilty parties out there that participated in this trade.

I must admit reading this chapter, is not an easy pill to swallow. I realize it's a part of not only our history, it's a part of world history. I doubt that there will be any concrete numbers as far as families and as mentioned, an impact on the population in Africa.

Chapter 15

"Religion and Science."

I believe that is a force greater than ourselves. I pray and don't claim to belong to any specific organized religion. Reading this chapter provides a glimpse on how science shook up the realm of the coveted writings and beliefs and turned this entity upside down. When people start asking questions, the powers in place don't appreciate it as it shows that the mind is no longer in slaved.

You have to applaud Luther and he went against the tide. Luther took a risk and said religion can exist outside of a church. I am sure the Catholics didn't like that part.

This chapter included a plethora of people who made an impact of how religion was challenged and how science will be introduced as the doubtful aspect that haunts the religions.

I like Galileo. He contributed so much to the science world and a lot of his works are still unchallenged today. I enjoyed knowing that he and Newton believed that science and religion can be potentially a cohesive relationship.

I didn't entirely understand "The Philosophers of the Enlightenment." To me, it appeared that they practiced a holy than though place and had huge barriers related to anything outside of their own beliefs. Also, what gives them the right to talk about women's role on this earth? Sexism at its best being discussed without the target audience being able to defend themselves.

These three chapters were an eye opening experience. There was a lot of times when I would get angry and frustrated and feeling disappointed in the human race. Yes, this is not like a regular world history book. For the first time, I am not regurgitating dates, and I challenging myself to see the text in a different way and like how Strayer does it.