Chapter 16: part one

The beginning of the chapter is about religion and its role in early society. In the reading we learn that Christianity was the dominating religion. It was powerful in influence and followers. Martin Luther, though thought that the church had many problems, and was not the only one to think so, but was excommunicated from the church because of his disagreement with it. Martin Luther believed, opposite of the church, that faith was the only was all you need to get to Heaven. I agree with Luther I think that, no matter what religion, as long as you have faith, whether it be one God or many, it is the most important and all that is really needed. 

Slave Trade homie.

The end of this chapter mainly focuses on the Atlantic slave trade. The trading of slaves was not only useful for labor but also very profitable. Slavery in America was very big which meant more money to the slave traders. I think it is sad that people can call themselves better or worthier of another person based off of anything. The slave trade left Africa in severe conditions and American white male slave traders with bank. 

Chapter 15: part two

This Chapter focuses on the trading of different goods between different countries. America wanted spices from India and England wanted sugar from America. I found it interesting that Russia relied on Siberia for fur.

Sugaa! Sweet Nexus: Sugar and the Origins of the Modern World

I thought the image on page 102 was the most interesting. The image by William Blake shows a European women being supported by an African and Native American woman, "Europe, Supported by Africa and America", 1796.  It is true that without the help, resources and labor of the Native Americans and Africans the British economy would not be as prosperous as the sugar sources had made it to be. I also like in the evidence section when one the articles talk about women getting fat because of sugar.

Chapter 14: part two

GOODNESS. Do all of these conquers have to be so mean. Sure, if they want to control culture, money, land and all inhabitants of whatever their conquering but why can't they all just work together, compromise.The Russians had the conquered people take an oath,the natives had to swear to submission of the tsar as well as money demands. What I found as a kind, small, shift was that the Russian and Chinese empires did not make the native people their slaves, but they did make them change religion, language and demand goods from the people. I guess if you're in the business of conquering foreign lands complete control of resources, land, and people is a necessity, at least if you want your empire to thrive.

Chapter 14: part one

I thought it was interesting how the book talked about Columbus. Columbus not only invaded the space occupied by the native americans but left the native people in dismal condition, taking away their culture, health and land. It is an interesting concept to think about Columbus as a hero and then not. When I was younger I thought Columbus was super cool, but that may have been because he had a day but now as I have learned throughout my schooling and read this section, Columbus seems less like a cool person and more like a cruel person. Columbus was able to create great resources and riches but he did so in a manner that was not fair or kind to the native americans. Columbus and the conquistadors had three main motives while in the americas GOD, GOLD, and GLORY, which seemed like justifications as to why they were harming the innocent native people.