The postclassical era has aided in shaping the world to what we now see it as, trading and imperial conquests has influences the wide spread of different cultures; religions, ideology and ways of life around the world. Trading was a means of getting income for not only survival but the growth economy, the continuous exchange of goods among communities has greatly impacted the features of human history and personally trading aided in the formation of the postclassical era.
Looking at trade from an economic point of view, commerce often altered consumption and aided in shaping daily lives. The densely connected world of the modern era, linked by ties of commerce and culture around the planet, certainly has roots in much earlier patterns. For instance in the era of third-wave civilizations; the silk, sea, and sand roads of the afro-Eurasian world and looser network of the American web linked distant people both economically and culturally prompted the emergence of new states, and sustained elite privileges in many ancient civilizations. In those ways, they resembled the globalized world of modern times. (Strayer, 246).
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Trade also had its influence in transforming human’s political life; the wealth gotten from controlling and taxing trade motivated the creation and control of states in several parts of the world.
Robert Staryer, author of Ways of the world, a brief global history stated in his book several ways in which trading aided in the postclassical era reformation. The trade of silk was a major idea for the creation of the Eurasian landmass used to transport silk. Due to the good quality and beauty of silk material, the demand became high; in central Asia, silk was used as currency. In china and byzantine silk became the symbol of high status, all these reformation in culture would have not been done if trading had not
occurred. Many may argue that beyond goods and cultures trading aided in the spread of diseases, some major cities in the Afro-Eurasian part of the world. More widespread diseases through trading affected the Roman Empire and Han Dynasty, small pox and measles devastated the population of both empires contributing to their political decline. It is a true fact that trading caused spread of diseases throughout major empire, however I still maintain my stand and disagree agree that trading caused more harm than good. I would like to support my claim with more proofs; Strayer stated that sea roads were catalyst for change in the southeast region of Asia. Oceanic commerce transformed all its participants in several ways, especially in Southeast Asia and East Africa both located at the opposite ends of one of the largest oceans in the world, the Indian Ocean. In both region, trade stimulated political change as ambitious rulers used the wealth derived from commerce to build large and well governed states. Theses trade regions experience culture change due to the attraction to foreign religious ideology and practices. Looking at the other part of the Indian ocean, the process of long-distance trade were likewise at work, enabling the rise to Swahili, a well-known east Africa civilization. Culturally as well as economically Swahili civilization participated in the larger Indian Ocean world,; Arab, Indian and Persian merchants were welcomed visitors and some settled permanently. As they settled Arab traders introduced Islam and it was spread across the Swahili region. (Strayer, 236) With these briefly summarized points and facts I strongly state that trading was one of the major ways which aided the spread in religious practices, different ideology used to govern
Some of the items included porcelain and silk, which is more of a want than a need. Charles D’Avenant also mentions that along with receiving luxury good, Europeans were only sending silver and gold back to Asia, which would become buried and never returned. The global flow of silver’s influence on trade between European nations can be seen in D’Avenant’s account of the English being “supplanted in the spice- trade by the Dutch”, in his reference to importing from the East Indies commodities that can then be sold elsewhere across Europe, in his disappointment that gold and silver gets buried permanently in Asia. To the people of Europe, Asian silks and dyed cloth is pleasing to everyone and useful to wear at home. That meant that it should not be recommended to quit the trade between Europe and China because it benefited both countries. In his essay, Xu Dunqiu Ming wrote about how before, buyers would give vegetables and animals in order to purchase a product from a merchant (Doc. 4). But, silver allowed trading and bartering to be simpler because instead of having to trade item for other goods and services, a person can just give a certain amount of silver coins. The historical context of this essay
An African rhino horn for some Chinese silk, 6 iron bars for 12 Ferghana horses, or Chinese orange trees for India’s spices. Trade was encouraged by the Silk Road because it was the earliest type of compromise when wars were fought, and supplies were demanded. To begin, around 4000 B.C.E., China’s biggest seller was silk. In fact, that’s mostly why the Silk Road was built. Everyone wants some of China’s beautiful silk.
As shown contextually in document 5, Asia was replacing their barter and tax payment from goods and services to silver. Such a change requires and very large supply and circulation of said precious metal. China was willing to pay a lot for said metal as its new economic system depended on it. In order to cash in on this potential gold rush, for lack of a better word, european nations sought elsewhere for a supply of silver they could control, ultimately leading to the colonization of the Americas and military conquests of isles like the Phillipines and Indonesia. The pattern of the silver trade shifted as Europeans now expanded it to reach more of the western hemisphere by establishing mines in Brazil and other areas. Documents 1 and 3 showcase in detail how connected the west and east now became because of the silver trade, which previously resided in Asia predominantly. Silver went from the mines in the east (Japan) and sometimes isles (Philippines), to the colonies, and ultimately China after the chinese merchant ships would travel to said colonies and pick up the silver. Such an increased connected between the west and east is seen again post-Renaissance. As Europe is going through a revival, it seeks wealth elsewhere, like european nations in the later centuries. Europe begins expeditions and forges relationships with eastern nations
Before the Modern Era, international communication was not prevalent. Many factions were present between distant regions in the world, and regional trade flourished between lands that were close in proximity. Lands in the Americas or South America did not experience a strong connection to lands further east due to these gaps in communication. However, due to the emergence of silver, regional economies all combined to form one global economy. In this global economy, different, distant regions interacted through a common trade. Silver production, common from the 1500s to 1750, helped global interactions flourish. Different regions, specifically China and the Philippines, Spain and its colonies, and England collectively experienced shifts in their societies and economies through a combined need to interpose themselves in this global flow of silver, that was then expanded upon through different methods of gaining silver.
During this era of global history from 632 to 1352 C.E, it is seen that the societies began to interact with other cultures leading to cultural diffusion which would have both positive impacts, such as new trade goods, on societies along with negative effects, such as being conquered, on these societies as well. The documents provided show these benefits and harmful factors of cultural diffusion during this global era. Documents one, two, four, and five show some of the negative effects of global interaction. Within this group document one, four and five shows how societies have a direct negative impact on each other. On the other hand document three and six show how global interaction can have a positive impact on societies.
Cowen insists that “…cross cultural exchange, while it will alter and disrupt each society it touches, will support innovation and creative human energies” (275). In this section of the article, Cowen admits that the spread of culture and ideas will unquestionably cause conflict between those who support cross cultural trade and those who do not. Nonetheless, the world is evolving, and this means that older cultures and products need to make way for newer ideas and inventions. In general, parts of the world may begin to look increasingly similar as products become more widespread, but trade between cultures will ultimately “…increase diversity over time by accelerating the pace of change and bringing new cultural goods with each era or generation” (273). The new ideas that are introduced within societies increases the variety and diversity within cultures, allowing for more creativity among its
Timothy Brook discusses in his book the aspects of world trade during the 17th century and how through the process of globalization, how regions became as interconnected as we know of today. Most people tend to have this conceptualized idea of what globalization is as well as its process. Throughout my educational career, globalization has always been portrayed as big businesses working together providing different goods and services worldwide. In other words, globalization simply involves big, fortune 500-esque companies and has no involvement from anyone else. In the text, however, Brook gives a different interpretation and does so by examining six different paintings by Dutch artist Johannes Vermeer. Instead of focusing primarily on the obvious aspects of each painting, Brook draws the readers’ attention to a variety of intricate details and provides insight for all of them. This helps support his belief that globalization can be traced back to the events of the 17th century and had contributions from several individuals.
During the Progressive Era, our country was going through many changes and those changes have had numerous effects that are still apparent today. Theodore Roosevelt and Randolph Bourne both had very differing opinions about how citizens should be seen by themselves and their governments. The main difference between Roosevelt’s and Bourne’s theories on citizenship is the amount of domination and empowerment that was posed to the people. Roosevelt had thought that the people of American should only identify as American, even if they were born in another country. Bourne’s opinion was drastically different form Roosevelt’s by believing that the people of America should embrace their own cultures and share it with the rest of the country. Using Randolph Bourne’s “Trans-National America” and Theodore Roosevelt’s “True Americanism” this essay will show that over time Bourne’s idea of empowering the diversity of citizens has been more successful than Roosevelt’s idea of having a society that was more dominated by a the need for everyone to be the same.
Bentley, J., & Ziegler, H. (2008). Trade and encounters a global perspective on the past. (4th ed., Vol. 1, pp. 182-401). New York: McGraw-Hill.
Industrialization led to the rise of big businesses at the expense of the worker. Factory laborers faced long hours, low wages, and unsanitary conditions. The large corporations protected themselves by allying with political parties. The parties, in turn, were controlled by party leaders, rather than by the members. Many people felt that all power rested with the politicians and businessmen. Reformers known as Progressives attempted to undo the problems caused by industrialization. The Progressive movement sought to end the influence of large corporations, provide more rights and benefits to workers, and end the control possessed by party leaders. At the national level, Progressivism centered on defeating the power of large businesses. The Progressive Era was a period in American history in which improving working conditions, exposing corruption, improving the way of life, expanding democracy, and making reforms were the objectives at hand. With the emergence of the Progressive Era two important figures gradually emerged as well. One of the mentioned figures, President Theodore Roosevelt, succeeded to the Presidency when President McKinley was assassinated in 1901, helped the Progressive movement greatly. Another figure, although a Democrat is Woodrow Wilson who much like Roosevelt still pushed for progressive reforms. Each of the mentioned figures did their share in re-establishing a “fair” government that would work for the people and not for the large corporations and mon...
The turn of the century was marked by a movement known as the Progressive Era, during which many groups sought to reshape the nation's government and society in response to the pressure of urbanization and industrialization. Progressives were mainly members of the Post-Civil War generation that made an attempt to master a world much different then that of their parents.
brought about an end to a nomadic existence for human kind and the beginning of trade and
In the first through sixteenth centuries, was a major turning point for the world. Major religions such as christianity, and Islam were gaining more power and respect throughout the post-classical states. Trade was a major shift in the world as well, but little more difficult in some regions more than others. For example in Europe, the ideology of christianity made trade sound like a greedy and horrendous act while in the state of Islam they accepted greed, and did not punish it or look down on it as much as christianity did in their early stages. With this difference they are more similar than different, in the way that they both had their views evolve around the idea of trade changed as the world progressed, as well as both regions had a code of conduct to
It is a complicated term, or set of ideas, that has only emerged as an
With the end of colonialism and the emergence of a seemingly new world order, there raised a demand that research be useful and relevant, indicating that knowledge for its own sake was insufficient. As a result of this, what emerged was a new focus on 'development' and 'modernization' in the form of postmodernism. In these changing times, anthropology has come into contact with a variety of evolving concepts, including hybridity, montage, fluidity, and deconstruction. The question remains, how these concepts reflect the social, cultural and political changes that are occurring in study of anthropology today.