Ch. 7, 8, 10
The last World History class I attempted covered the Chinese empire and the Silk Roads early on. I will admit that it was much harder to comprehend and engage with the text, but Strayer had me engaged!
Looking at trade and how important it was, it is amazing to see the supply and demand that existed for things as simple as spices to crucial things like products for medicinal use. It is interesting to realize that trade was not only for goods, but religious ideas, technology, and sadly, disease. So the good, the bad and the ugly. Looking back at silk and how it became such a hot commodity, it was also a conduit for culture, which I appreciate. Sea roads also became a way to trade, being cheaper to send things through sea than land due to more room on ships. Monsoons made the traveling by sea possible, with the alternating wind currents allowing people to develop specifically technology when building ships. Sand roads eventually became possible for long-distance trade of gold, salt and slaves. :(
I really enjoy learning more and more about Christianity, even though much of things we study or hear are not always in a positive light, unfortunately. It is no surprise to me that Europe is the center of Christianity as a faith but it was spread through China and Africa as Islam was also developing and spreading. The crusades are an interesting subject, mostly because they were considered holy wars brought on by God, so by participating you're proving yourself as a follower of God and a warrior, yet they had hardly lasting impacts in the Middle East, but of course! Europe had long-lasting effects. But the Crusades did allow for more trade, exchange of technology and intellect. It also created cultural barriers though.
Looking at trade and how important it was, it is amazing to see the supply and demand that existed for things as simple as spices to crucial things like products for medicinal use. It is interesting to realize that trade was not only for goods, but religious ideas, technology, and sadly, disease. So the good, the bad and the ugly. Looking back at silk and how it became such a hot commodity, it was also a conduit for culture, which I appreciate. Sea roads also became a way to trade, being cheaper to send things through sea than land due to more room on ships. Monsoons made the traveling by sea possible, with the alternating wind currents allowing people to develop specifically technology when building ships. Sand roads eventually became possible for long-distance trade of gold, salt and slaves. :(
I really enjoy learning more and more about Christianity, even though much of things we study or hear are not always in a positive light, unfortunately. It is no surprise to me that Europe is the center of Christianity as a faith but it was spread through China and Africa as Islam was also developing and spreading. The crusades are an interesting subject, mostly because they were considered holy wars brought on by God, so by participating you're proving yourself as a follower of God and a warrior, yet they had hardly lasting impacts in the Middle East, but of course! Europe had long-lasting effects. But the Crusades did allow for more trade, exchange of technology and intellect. It also created cultural barriers though.
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