Blog 4

Slave trading resulted in disrupted commerce for some areas within Africa. It also brought lost of aspects of African culture into many different countries. Slaves were owned often by wealthy and were inherited by children. Some slaves in Islam acquired higher political status. Slavery was largely based on plantation agriculture and lacking rights. Europeans exchanged slaves for textiles, metal goods, and firearms. Slave trade shaped African societies as they used cowrie shells as a form of their money which grew on the corpses of the dead bodies. More men than women were traded as slaves which lead to their being more women than men in Africa. With there being more women, this meant that men were allowed to have multiple wives.

Blog 3

This reading is about how Europeans traveled and expanded to Asia and found many different resources that Europe didn't have and were able to trade for them. It also talks about how the Portuguese handled and avoided piracy as they attempted to control commerce. It then begins to talk about how the Spanish had control over the Philippines till the end of the nineteenth century.  I found this interesting because new a days, a lot of Filipinos has Spanish last names like mine for example. Also, some have a sort of Spaniard look to them. Silver was one of the first goods to be traded globally. From the Philippines to Africa and even Mexico. Silver and furs were traded all over. Another thing that was commonly traded were slaves.

Blog 1

This reading talks about how Europeans were motivated to go beyond their lands and the seas that separated them from countries. They seeked more land due to the fact that they needed a larger base to support their economy. Many Europeans and Africans were affected by plagues that went around and killed a vast majority of populations. The Columbian trade was the trade of nearly anything you can think of. Animals, food, disease, plants, everything. It all revolved around the connection of four continents by seas which made it possible to communicate and trade with one another. Sugar became a huge spice, sweetener and medicine for many. Due to its white color, powdery look and effect on ones activity, many perceived it to be a drug. It was first pioneered by the Arabs and soon spread to many different countries.

Blog 2

The reading talks about how the Russian expansion brought many different people into the empire. Russians were known to be hunter gatherers which is why it was no surprise that they became interested in Siberia for its soft gold and fur. Locals would depends on Russian markets for many different resources that they were able to obtain from other regions. In the eighth century, Russia became the most wealthily region in Europe due to their rich agricultural lands, valuable furs, and mineral deposits.

Another topic that is brought up is the formation and expansion of China. China built an empire that acquired many different people who weren't all part of Asian decent. It was known as the Qing dynasty. Qing rulers tended to reinforce Confucian ideas such as the importance of loyalty to their country and loved ones. Chinas expansion was seen as a threat by Russia which i why they created the Treaty of Nerchinsk which marked the boundaries between the two.

Many in Central America gained influence on their social life from the Turks. Women in Central America went from being open to society to secluding themselves. Orthodox Muslim reformers wanted to restrict women from taking any part in religious activity. It all changed in the Islamic empire. Women had protection over some of their rights which helped them gain independence. Ottoman authorities allowed Christian churches to move in which lessened the amount of conversions. Christians welcomed the Ottoman conquest because they had lower taxes. Many Christian men became a part of the Ottoman elite.

Yay- Im done!