Lynda Shaffer: Southernization Analysis

After years of peasantry and disease, Europe was ready for an economic and cultural upturn. The Crusades introduced Europeans of higher education to the culture of Eastern Europe, and as the renaissance swept throughout Europe, it spurred a revival of knowledge and eagerness to know and see more. This newfound philosophy of living to be happy rather than just to survive triggered European exploration to the Western Hemisphere as well as to the nations to the south. Two countries that did exactly this are Portugal and Spain, leaving lasting impacts, some similar and some different, on Africa and the Americas.

The Industrial Revolution began in England in the 1700’s within the textile industry. The Industrial Revolution was the transition to new manufacturing processes by using different machines. Before the Industrial Revolution people made different things by hand or simple tools. For example, people wove textiles by hand, and after the Industrial Revolution machines were used instead. The Industrial Revolution began in England because of many reasons.

Within the 1800’s European Explorers forced their way through the insides of western and central Africa. Along the west coast of Africa, European nations traded for slaves, ivory, and gold. Africa was under full assault by the 1800s, as European nations competed with one another for control of the continent. Europe wanted to imperialism (take over) Africa and the forces (what they did) that helped them succeed is the new technology, Nationalism, and lastly the most important industrialism.

The Europeans were able to conquer the Americas because even though it was by “accident,” they were still more prepared for what was to come. Jared Diamond calls the European “accidental conquerors.” Diamond calls his theory geographical luck and concludes that the only way the Europeans were able to dominate the Americas was because of the way the ocean patterns happened to flow. The geographical wind patterns caused the ships to sail towards the Incas and the Aztecs and when the Europeans arrived they tried to conquer the Aztecs and Incas, they succeed for a number of reasons.

An example of how it was positive for the economy was it opened up new trade routes witch bettered Europe’s economy and the partners in trading economy. Another example is that it brought new resources for new products such as corn and other vegetables which brought in more profit. Another example is the shift from feudalism to more of a capitalist economy so instead of a rich king and very poor presents there was more equal classes, so in turn is made people wealthier and shortening the class difference. In conclusion not only did the European expansion into the Western hemisphere in the 15th and 16th century’s benefits the Europeans it benefited many other civilizations to including the settlers and in turn an advancement for human

One of the major reasons that we have spices, tobacco, sugar, etc. and certain luxury items is due largely to the Afro-Eurasian trade world that took place in the fifteenth century. In comparison to the East in the Afro-Eurasian trade world, “Europe was constituted a minor outpost in the world trading system,” (page 447). They were constituted as a minor outpost mainly because “they did not produce many products [that were] desired by Eastern elites,” (page 447). Political and technological advancements allowed for both individual European explorers and the states that supported them to be able to go beyond the borders of their country to locate luxury goods, promote Christianity, and to be a discoverer of new lands and waters.

The River Valley Civilizations of ancient China, Egypt and Mesopotamia were crucial contributions to future civilizations. They invented new ways of writing, laws to help keep civilization and society just and controlled and developed trade routes to help spread cultural diffusion.

Without a consistent form of communication, trade, during the Middle Ages, was the biggest catalyst for the spread of religious reform, political organization, and societal development across Europe. How was the spread of these elements through trade important in the development of a more advanced, and modern society during this time period? The advancement of the Frankish Kingdom combined with the progress of the Mongols through Asia provided the proper situation to cultivate advancement in the Eastern World.

Many factors played into the start of World War I like nationalism, the arms race, the lack of balance of power, Sebians assassinating the Archduke of Austria-Hungary, and alliances, but there is one big cause you can argue that started the war. Tension between and within countries caused leaders of the countries and groups to spark rebellions of the groups, and one thing after another a World War was on their hands. Germany's tensions between France and Russia started alliances. Serbia had sparked the first rebellion by trying to gain independence from the mother country Austria. Europe was thought to be in a strong position, but at the end of 1918 the position was reduced. Europe was envied they had the technology, the art, the music, and

1. Gordon describes the eastern Indians as being "neolithic" because at the time, even though their tools were sophisticated, they were not made of metal, which in the eyes of Gordon meant they were still in the stone age. Although he goes on to express that he also considered them to be an advanced culture. Teaching settlers their methods on how to survive in the wilderness.

Southerners and the southern states challenged the main government in Washington between the years 1790 and 1835 with the Kentucky/ Virginia Resolves of 1798, the Missouri Crisis/ Compromise, and South Carolina’s Nullification of the Tariff of Abominations. The Southerners would not put up with such injustices such as the high tariffs and or free states coming to fruition. The North was getting fat with money from rising industry. The South had enough of the North taking advantage of them. The South was losing money and needed to put a hold on the country’s plans and the powerhouse the North was becoming.

Columbus' discoveries opened up opportunities for growth in wealth and power for Spain. . Rulers paid explorers like Columbus to go on trips and other new things. Although Columbus was unable to find his meant destination, he was one of the first to discover the Americas and Spain made money from his discovery. The Columbian Exchange was the beginning of what would later become a growing triangle of trade between the Western and Eastern. The Columbian Exchange was just the beginning of the spread of valuable supplies and culture between Europe and the

This expansion led to lasting impact on the world. Although he was originally trying to sail to Asia, Columbus’ discovery of the New World was exceptional because he was the only successful sailor to travel east across ocean with the courage to have the wind at his back instead of traveling west and securing a safe route home. By doing this, he also discovered a new trade route from Europe to North America. In the article, “Columbus- Hero or Villain?” by Felipe Fernández-Armesto, a historian at Oxford University, Armesto explains that the people of Europe “were brought together in a single network of communications, which exposed them to the perils and benefits of mutual contagion and exchange” (207). Columbus’ voyage opened up new trade routes and communications between Europe and the New World. As a result, cultural diffusion occurred and new unique goods and ideas were shared across the Atlantic Ocean. Not only did this provide Europe and North America with more goods, but it also helped Europe’s economy to grow. Therefore, Columbus helped both lands benefit from his journey by expanding

As the 16th century was fast approaching the general opinion in Europe was one of a new age, an age of exploration and expansion. This opinion was motivated by an appeal to new trade, the opportunity of new wealth and the option to spread Christianity which was so prominent in Europe, to other parts of the world. In order to assess how this was achieved two factors need to be considered: guns and germs.

The four Chinese inventions that most affected modern life were the compass, paper money, gunpowder, and rocket. The compass was used by sailors to tell what directions to go. It was controlled by the magnets in the Earth surface. The compass also made it easier for sailors to go on long voyages because they didn't have to use stars. Paper money was also an important chinese invention. It was used to buy different things. It was lighter than coins so it was easier to carry around. Paper money also prevented coins from being the only form of currency. Another important invention was the rocket. The rocket was a device powered by a black powder made of saltpeter, charcoal, and sulfur. They were used in fireworks, and later as weapons. The