England. World Civilization Class - Essay Example

?WORLD CIVILIZATION Introduction It is hard to deny that the currently enjoyed civilization and development of England and world in general passed through difficult and very challenging moments. Women like men suffered in the labor fields to meet the daily demands of their households and families. Children suffered as the societies lived in very deplorable conditions. Formal settlements were rare as many people engaged in farming and could not maintain very descent and clean surrounding as it is possible today. There was poor planning of settlements, poor road infrastructure, poor sanitation, and poor and dangerous working conditions. Generally, civilization of the world passed through difficult moments and this is clearly evident through learning history of England. Modern History Sourcebook: Friederich Engels: Industrial Manchester, 1844 This article is the work of Paul Halsal who made reference to work of Friendrich Engels to communicate the realities and experiences of industrial revolution and world civilization. The article appears to target residents of Manchester City in London and Europeans in general and intends to inform them about the need to protect and preserve their surroundings. The story of Friederich Engels indicates that the condition of the city was notorious and very unfit for human survival1. The city characterized with poor settlement planning that left very narrow paths that two people could not pass through at the same time. 2The story of Friedrich describe how some could easy miss the right direction and instead make countless rounds within the courts before finding the right way, “He who turns to the left here from the main street, Long Millgate, is lost; he wanders from one court to another.”3 The article uncovers the true reality of health risks that the inhabitants of Manchester were vulnerable to. The article sadly describes the nature of the open pit dumpsites and contaminated, smelly and dirty rivers that made it hard for any visitor to the region have easy breath of air. From the general description of the ancient Manchester city, this article seems to pass very crucial information concerning the need to preserve the environment considering the efforts and time it took to make Manchester city what it is today. In so doing, the article appears to persuade and convince the audience who are particularly resident of Manchester city to work hard to protect serenity of the city. Unlike today that it is easy and enjoyable to live in Manchester city, it was initially very difficult and problematic to live in the city. The move by Halsal to select this article with such mysterious reality about the past of Manchester City seems to be one to persuade residents of the city and Europe in general to work hard and value the kind of infrastructure they currently enjoy4. The article gives the audience substantial reason to fight towards protection of the environment and appreciate the work and struggle of their forefathers who seemingly worked hard to change the condition. The article also appears to discredit widespread believe that European countries and England in particular never succumbed or experienced poverty. As demonstrated by Friedrich in his article, situating in England and Manchester in particular that was by then the richest city of the country had very bad road infrastructure that were generally impassable. Housing facilities were unbearable and environment was very unhealthy and unfit for human survival. Modern History Sourcebook: Women Miners in the English Coal Pits The author of the article develops his communication about the past by referring to the Parliamentary papers of 1842 Great Britain Parliament. This article describes a very sad but truth situation about the history of world’s civilization. The article concentrates and appears to be very compassionate about the suffering of women and children in the coalmines in England. 5It was through the suffering that the members of the society could earn living and place food on their tables. This article seems to bear a number of messages that it wants to pass to the general people of England and Europe. First, this article appears to stipulate and validate the currently contested social and economic equality between men and women. Since women suffered massively in the past while struggling to lay a better foundation for the country, there is need to hear them and if possible allow them take significant part in the development of the country. To cope up with the difficult life in the coal mines, women and girls alike had to dress like boys and men. It was only through the dressing style that women could manage to move through the narrow and stiff paths in the coal fields “the road is very steep, and we have to hold by a rope; and when there is no rope, by anything we can catch hold of.”6 This demonstrates the kind of struggle and effort it took the women working in coal fields to meet their daily demands. According to the author of the article, the deplorable life conditions in England encouraged people to fearless of exposing their nakedness to people of the opposite sex. The situation described in this article gives any reasonable person sufficient grounds to support the equality campaigns to exploit the hard work nature of women and even compensate them for their suffering to make England what it is today. Modern History Sourcebook: Florence Nightingale: Rural Hygiene This article originally written by Health activist Florence Nightingale and posted by Halsal Paul reflects the history of England. However, it seems that Nightingale wrote this article when the English society had began enjoying the fruit of civilization. Life seemed to have improved women were now working in cottage industries. There was proper arrangement and planning of houses within the society. However, the society faced a very hygienic problem earmarked by unsafe disposal of wastes and unclean drinking water. As a health activist, Nightingale seemed to have particular concern for the health of children who played in the waste waters without being aware of the health risks. As a professional health activist who grew up in a society that was slowly becoming civilized, Nightingale offered very practical options that would help face off the problem. 7Understanding that it was the role of the government to ensure collection and safe disposal of the household wastes to protect water hygiene, Nightingale collaborated directly with the Sanitary Authority. 8Nightingale advice the government through the Sanitary Authority to make laws that would compel occupiers of the cottage houses to organize and pay for sewer carts to make regular collection of the wastes. Nightingale also advised the society and occupier of the cottage houses to exercise safe disposal and economic use of the wastes by disposing the wastes into their farming lands and use them as manures. Conclusion Civilization of world passed through very difficult and challenging moments. England in particular suffered and succumbed to very deplorable environment that could assure its inhabitants about good health and economy. Women, children and men suffered equally in struggle to make the currently celebrated cities of England. It is also important that England and world in general promote and support women’s call for social and economic equality. This is the only way to appreciate the work by women and even exploit the hidden strengths and ability of women. Bibliography Halsall Paul, “Modern History Sourcebook: Friederich Engels: Industrial Manchester 1844”, Fordham University, accessed April 9th, 2013, http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/mod/1844engels.asp. Halsall Paul, “Modern History Sourcebook: Women Miners in the English Coal Pits,” Fordham University, accessed April 9th, 2013, http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/mod/1842womenminers.asp Halsall Paul, Modern History Sourcebook: Florence Nightingale: Rural Hygiene, Fordham University, accessed April 9th, 2013, http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/mod/nightingale-rural.asp Read More