History of the Modern World - Assignment Example

1. Define mercantilism and analyze how mercantilist practices affected the European and Atlantic trade during the years 1600-1750. Whereas capitalism and helps define much of the 20 and 21st century, mercantilism was the defining economic construct that existed during the age of colonialism. Within this mercantile structure, building a network of colonies, demanding that the colonies traded only with the mother nation, monopolizing markets, demanding that all trade be carried out on the colonial powers vessels, and engaging export subsidies was a means of promoting economic development that existed strongly between 1600-1750. It is difficult to underestimate the importance that mercantilism played with respect to the Atlantic trade that took place within this same time period. Whereas it may be understood that Britain was the power that most greatly benefited from mercantilism, other European powers engaged with this very same model; up to and including the Portuguese, Spanish, the Dutch, and the French. Maintaining colonies in South America, Africa, the Caribbean, and Canada respectively, these powers utilize mercantilism as a way of both developing the colonial allegiance of the territories they held as well as benefiting the economy of the mother nation. This model of course shifted as the strength that the mother country could exert over these colonies began to diminish during the 18th century. Naturally, the American Revolution heralded the greatest reduction in mercantilism that had yet been witnessed. 2. European culture expanded throughout the world. Discuss how the Islamic kingdoms of the Ottomans, Safavids and Mughals blended European culture with their own. How did Sharia law adjust to European influences? As European culture expanded throughout the world, trade routes were of course the most powerful mechanisms through which culture was integrated with foreign peoples. At the mixing point between East and West, European culture often came in direct contact with Muslim culture; a culture that specifically relied upon sharia law as a means of delineating justice and ordering their lives. However, as with any cultural interaction and the means through which this takes place, a synthesis of these two cultures and dominant religions came to take place. For instance, the Mughals, Safavids, and Ottomans adopted the European model of maintaining a standing army at all times through a regiment pay structure. This served as a fundamental difference with regards to the manner by which these entities had traditionally integrated with military affairs. Ultimately, rather than drafting a conscript army that had little to no training and experiencing the massive losses from casualties that such an untrained and ill-prepared army necessarily engendered. Moreover, Western influences with regards to clothing, science, and technology were also represented within these cultures as they sought to change with the times and develop their own culture alongside what was, by the measurement of that era, the most advanced societies that existed. 3. How did the rulers of the world show their power? What did they build and how did they treat the common people in regards to the buildings? Be specific with the major powers of France, China, Persia, India and African empires. As might be expected, different cultures integrated with their subjects in different ways; choosing to display their power with regards to the buildings they created, the institutions they formed, and the manner through which society integrated. With respect to Persia, the power and majesty of Persia can be seen with respect to the architectural projects that were engaged and the emphasis upon beauty and art. By means of comparison, China was perhaps the most developed with respect to building architectural wonders in creating a society that could take pride in the splendor and beauty of the capital and surrounding regions. Interestingly, even though France was, and continues to be, and a dominant power in the world, the level and extent to which France engaged in beautification projects was limited; as compared counterparts and thus far been discussed. Instead, France chose to focus upon artwork and the development of culture within a society as a means of maximizing the integrity and power of its own people. Finally, even though African is oftentimes ignored with respect to the way in which it society was integrated, it must be understood that the powerful empires within Africa did not place a great deal of emphasis upon architectural beauty and/or the development of infrastructure; rather, the power over people and the solitary dominance of the state over a given region was the determinate through which power and success were ultimately measured. Naturally, deviation from the norm can be seen with respect to the pyramids, the Sphinx, Timbuktu, and a litany of other regions within Africa that have placed a high emphasis upon architectural beauty and the magnificence that the state is able to represent to its subjects. 4. How did the Enlightenment ideas of Europe influence relationships toward other cultures especially in the Americas? The Enlightenment within Europe was a period of extraordinary importance. Beyond merely throwing off the shackles of a narrow-minded definition and understanding of religion, the Enlightenment also help to spawn the humanist movement and an overall understanding of the way in which rights were delineated between peoples and groups. Unfortunately, the level of impact that the Enlightenment had within the early years of the American society was rather limited. This can of course be seen with respect to the way in which the Puritans, and other religious groups, sought to persecute those who did not believe specifically as they did. However, enlightenment beliefs were soon Incorporated into the abolition movement and helped to form the backbone of philosophy for the reason for why the colonies should abandon the archaic and brutal practice of slavery. Moreover, the ideas that were exhibited within the Enlightenment of Europe, and subsequently the United States, form the foundation for the rights of man and the fundamental ideological backing for the Declaration of Independence. 5. Discuss the voyages of Captain Cook into Oceania. Why did he go there, what did he find and what did England do with the area? Originally, Capt. James Cook was sent to Oceana as a means of observing Venus transit across the sun. However, a secondary purpose was to explore the Pacific and to seek to understand the cartography of the globe to a more full and complete manner. In the process, Capt. James Cook necessarily discovered Hawaii, Australia, and a litany of other islands and landmasses within the Pacific Ocean. Moreover, beyond merely exploring and broadening the British interpretation of the world, James Cook was also able to lend a great deal of understanding to botanists and zoologists by discovering previously unknown species throughout Oceana. Many of these previously unknown species captivated the attention and imagination of the population within Europe; blending a renewed level of interest with regards to the natural sciences. As a result of the land that was found and a greater understanding of the Pacific, Britain quickly moved to seize this land and colonize it prior to any activities by the Portuguese, Dutch, French, or Spanish to affect the same ends. As has been noted throughout history effectively, the largest landmass, and indeed Department of Australia itself, was originally utilized as a penal colony due to the fact that British prisons were nearly overflowing at that time; mostly with nonviolent debtors. As a means of providing these debtors with a new lease on life and the ability to work their debt off, inherit land, and engage in the process of colonization, and influx of European immigrants in flooded New Zealand and Australia. Naturally, the level to which independence was gained in the United States formed a fundamental shift with regards to the way in which colonies were administered. However, the case of Australia and New Zealand, as well as the many territories and islands that the British continue to hold throughout the Pacific, was somewhat of different story; referencing a situation in which most, if not all of these territories remain strict allegiance to the British crown and have not had any strong level of revolutionary sentiment since the time that they were Incorporated into the Empire. Work Consulted Tignor, Robert L. Worlds together, worlds apart : a history of the modern world from the Mongol Empire to the present. New York: W.W. Norton & Co, 2002. Print. Read More