Chapter 25: The West and the World

Chapter 25: The West and the World

1. Chapter 25 mainly deals with the World economy after industrialization, the Great Migration, and Western Imperialism. European industrialization revolutionized modern life and economy. Profit margins increased, labor became less privatized, and business became an insatiable force in world politics. After the initial surge of profits and business preceding the industrial revolution, Europe sought new opportunities to stimulate the economy. This economic growth caused world wealth to become "lopsided. Poverty led to the Great Migration, and economic growth led to an greed and Imperialism.

              b. Chapter Objective: Because Imperialism boggles my mind, I want to learn the exact motives               (and the previous historic trends) that caused people to go to such lengths to gain land.

             c. EQ: What was the general pattern of non-Western responses to Western expansion, and how did India, Japan, and China meet the imperialist challenge?
Initially, most countries resisted western influence. Rebellion or isolation techniques resulted in violent government suppression, gunboat diplomacy, or treaties. Japan and China resisted Western expansion using isolationism, but by threatening economic or military discipline, European countries 'opened up' these countries for trade, colonization, and missionary work. In India, Sepoys revolted and caused the Great Rebellion, which was suppressed by the British Government. After the rebellion, Britain loosened its charge on India. Traditionalists in these countries tried to preserve their culture, and modernists tried to westernize their country. In politics at least, modernization and westernization won. Japan adopted western government techniques of equality, industry, and military. China's Qing dynasty fell and the nation adopted a republic system. In india, a congress formed to represent the rights of India and demand independence. All in all, these non-Western countries met westernization with isolationism and rebellion, and eventually ended up adopting Western ideals into their culture.

2. POLITICAL CARTOONS:

  

Gordon Moffat, entitled, "A Study--Imperialism,"

- The Verdict on July 24, 1899 at

 This cartoon shows a white arm holding a scale. This scale is balancing the imperialistic idea, and several bodies of (what can be assumed) colonial natives. Underneath the natives on the side of the scale, is a pair of white hands, being warmed by a flame. The scale is extremely off balanced. The artist obviously does not approve of the utilitarian policy of "killing some, saving more". I agree with the artist, and I think he depicted the events well with use of the scale. The general idea of this is that Western imperialists used natives for their own material gain and justified it with utilitarian and social darwinist beliefs.

Unknown Author/Date

This cartoon depicts a face of an English man over eleven tentacles. The tentacles are all touching different countries, and one is just about to seize Egypt. The artist of this cartoon obviously disapproves of Britain's monopoly and greed of land. By showing Britain as a sea monster, the artist also tells the viewer that Britain is cruel, frightful, and sly. I agree with the artist's view point-I think Britain had an unfair amount of power and used it to enslave other countries and kill other economic competition. 

3. CURRENT US IMPERIALISM CARTOON:

Unknown Author/Date

This cartoon depicts a figure alike to Uncle Sam, wearing the label of Imperialism, and pregnant with a war missile. The artist views American Imperialism as a cause of war. America has intruded many countries (Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan) bearing the banner of peace and assistance. After we experience failure or rejection of our ideas, war breaks out. By the evil expression on Uncle (or Aunt?) Same's face, one can assume the artist condemns the USA for purposely invading countries knowing full well the risk of war. This stance is supported by the war we are currently waging in the middle East. However, I do not think America ever intends on waging war, I think we simply have bad timing and we make rash decisions.

4. Is the US imperialistic? Yes. The US is imperialistic. I do not think the US is imperialistic in the same way that Britain, Holland, France, and Germany were imperialistic before World War I. The United States is a great power, and has some responsibility to help countries who are experiencing conflict, and mediate countries threatening war. However, the US has intruded on countries for many weak reasons (WMD) that do not justify this belief. The US is greedy for oil and proud of its power, and gladly intervenes in other nation's conflicts with greed and arrogance. It is a combination of nationalism, good intentions, and greed that causes US imperialism. Though Britain, France, Germany, and Holland were all somewhat greedy and nationalistic, they had very few good imperialistic intentions. The United States' good intentions and sense of duty separates her imperialism from the rest. 

5. US EVENTS:

McCulloch v. Maryland: This famous supreme court case defined the balance of state and federal law. In the case, the congress passed "an act to impose a tax on all banks, or branches thereof, in the State of Maryland, not chartered by the legislature". James McCulloch, the head of the Baltimore branch of the Federal Bank, refused to pay the tax. This resulted in a debate of state sovereignty and federal supremacy. The case resulted in a ruling favoring federal supremacy over state law. At this point in US history, the states were still somewhat separate entities. State legislatures did not appreciate federal supremacy. This can be related to Britain's colonies in various locations outside of Europe. When these colonies rebelled, just as the state branch member rebelled, the supreme government overruled the complaint and asserted federal authority. McCulloch's rebellion can somewhat be compared to the Great Rebellion in India, which, like the McCulloch v. Maryland case, ended in more stringent federal law.

Trail of Tears: This famous relocation of members of the Cherokee, Muscogee, Seminole, Choctaw, and Chikasaw nations of eastern North America was caused by the Indian Removal Act of 1830. The Supreme Court ruled these nations unfairly as non-white citizens of an unofficial nation. When expansion conflicted with the land of these tribes, white men argued in court. Because of the Native Americans' limited standing in court, their pleas were denied. Militias forced the Native Americans out of their homes in southern North America to Tennessee, Arkansas, and Oklahoma. This is similar to the Boers' relocation in Africa due to the British colonizing of South Africa. These farmers had resided there before the British, and were forced northward by superior militias.

6. Imperialistic Uprisings: Indian Rebellion of 1857

Key players: 

Mangal Pandey

General Hearsey

Bahadur Shah II

Queen Victoria

Mangal Pandey, a sepoy, attacked a British officer while his regiment was in Barrackpore. General Hearsey, a British military leader, ordered another sepoy to arrest Pandey, but the second soldier refused. Regiments broke and sepoys united in rebellion; they marched to Delhi Fort, and pled for Bahadur Shah II to lead the rebellion. Revolt spread through the north; British forces eventually suppressed warfare in 1858. This caused Britain to withdraw the British East India Company's rule over India, promise equal treatment of Indian citizens, and crowned Princess Victoria as empress of India. It was one of the most successful rebellions in New Imperialism.

7. Current Uprisings-
Syria: 15 March 2011.
Bashir al-Assad-Supreme Ruler of Syria.
Alawites-offshoot of shiite branch of islam, mainly in military and government positions, loyal to Assad family
Free Syrian Army- combination of street protesters and Syrian army defections that takes on Assad's army
Jabhat al Nusra- radical and effective fighting force loyal to al Quieda
Sunni-majority of Free Syrian army, victims of Assad's oppression

In March 2011, pro-democratic citizens protested against the Assad family's authoritarian rule of Syria. Government militias suppressed rebel forces with violence and chemical warfare. Agitated by the unlawful violence, protesters have engaged in a full-on civil war to end the Assad regime.
In terms of success, thus far, the civil war has brought no change to the government. Assad insists that no replacement will be an improvement. Government military technology and force has yielded many victories over protesters. Because of interception of weapons and supplies, the US has stopped supporting the Syrian rebels. This civil war has not been successful thus far.

8. SUEZ CANAL
The Suez canal is owned and maintained by the Suez Canal Authoority (SCA) of Egypt. It is a well frequented used international trade route. 50 ships pass through the canal daily. The canal supports 8% of all worldwide shipping traffic. Since it was built, the Suez Canal has drastically improved trade efficiency. It is one of the most important factors in international trade.

9. 3-2-1
LEARNED:

• The actual motives for Imperialism, and how these motives were justified by lies and propaganda (racism and the idea of a "civilizing mission"). The motives were nationalism and international economic competition. 
• The different strategies used by European countries to colonize. These include trade agreements , guerilla warfare, and military blackmail
• How the industrialization of Europe played into Imperialism. After unification, countries were very nationalistic and became increasingly competitive. Because of industrialization, new technology was used to colonize and increase profits

INTERESTED IN

• European nations 'carving up' Africa did not engage in war against each other-however cruel they were to natives, they avoided conflict amongst different European colonies
• Imperialism was a key factor to World War I! I never knew the real cause of WWI, but it makes complete sense now that I see nationalism, racism, imperialism, militarism, and alliances in the pre-war time period

QUESTION

• Did non-imperialistic European countries reach a healthier economy, or were they indeed trampled by imperialism?

CHAPTER 22 APEH

Chapter 22- Ideologies and Upheavals (1815-1850)


1) CHAPTER INTRO: The enlightenment, the Napoleonic wars, and the industrial revolution had passed the 18th century in a blur. Now, the aftermath of all these events began to take effect. This is known as the romantic period; characterized by free spirited dreams and irrational exuberance. These characteristics are noticed in romantic period music, literature, and art. The middle class expanded, the upper classes had to fight for their privileges, and nationalism grew out of every political change.

OBJECTIVE: Because this chapter is more focused on the long-term effects of various political and economic revolutions, it is somewhat more difficult to understand. Many changes were simply realistic and coincided with Tolstoy's theories of historical necessity, some changes were unexpected and abstract, and some changes were predictable outcomes of such unpredictable events. I want to learn which changes were caused by which events, and whether these changes were predictable or not.

EQ: How did the enlightenment and French Revolution respectively cause the romantic movement, and the spread of radical ideas such as liberalism, nationalism, and socialism? First, the enlightenment, with its emphatic reason and logic, repelled those of the younger generation. More experienced philosophers and scientists (who had dealt with pre-enlightenment rejection of new ideas) appreciated the new trend of reason overcoming the old trend of mysticism and superstition. The younger generation, however, longed for a change from the norm, similar to its predecessors, and rebelled by acting on romantic ideals. Romantics directly opposed the enlightenment. Where 'the enlightened' favored, reason, progress, and technology, romantics favored instinct, slow, deliberation, and nature. Next, the French revolution influenced every part of european society. First, France, (and the rest of Europe, through France)  experienced huge contrasts in governmental system. A flawed monarchy became a republic, which became an oligarchy, which became a dictatorship, which became a constitutional monarchy. Through the French revolution, a myriad of relatively new political systems were tested. Just as a person learns from their mistakes, countries learn from theirs. France replaced old theories proven correct or incorrect in the French Revolution and replaced them with new ones, having learned from their mistakes. Liberalism, especially economic liberalism, was developed because of necessity in the growing economy from the industrial revolution. Nationalism and socialism were two political theories shaped around the mistakes of the French revolutions.

2) Amandine Aurore Lucie Dupin AKA George Sand:
A classic romantic, Sand became an example of individualism by defying conformity in various ways. Sand left her husband after eight years of marriage, and supported herself as a writer. Not only did she pursue an uncommon career, but she wrote about society, romance, and other covert subjects such as prejudice and sex. Sand widened the horizons of women and romantics with her famous influence and unconventional lifestyle.

Frederick WIlliam IV
Frederick William IV was the Emperor of Prussia when the frankfurt assembly met. He vaguely conceded to liberal demands to draft a liberal constitution and unify the german states. However, distracted by the Schleswig and Holstein land conflicts, the middle class lost its opportunity to cause change and Frederick William IV reasserted his divine right and crushed liberal demands. His actions determined the failure of the unification of the German states.

Karl Marx
Marx studied journalism and economics at the University of Berlin and co-wrote The Communist Manifesto. He argued that lower classes would be exploited and abused by upper classes until the working class overthrew the upper classes. Marx diagrammed this inevitable cycle using Hegel's dialectic philosophy of constant synthesis and antithesis in society. Marx devised Marxian Socialism, or communism.

3) US EVENTS: 

Morse Code-1844

Morse sends the first message by telegraph- it says "What hath God wrought!" This displays the distrusting view of new technology, and the turmoil America was in due to political controversy (due to new ideologies) proceeding the Industrial Revolution (Connection Across Continents). 

Compromise of 1850-1850

Allows residents of New Mexico and Utah to decide whether to permit or ban slavery, bans slave trade in the District of Columbia, and requires US citizens to turn in runaway slaves. This compromise shows how the many different ideologies of the time were colliding and balancing each other. Britain and France had enacted anti-slavery legislation and the US was one of the last modern countries to begin restrictions on slavery (Connection Across Continents).

4) Picturing the Past

"The White Horse" by John Constable

John Constable, an English romantic painter, plainly advocated for nature in this painting. A beautiful lake, a horse, and various foliage adorns the scene. A home and possibly a factory are seen in the distance, and are concealed with large, grandiose trees and clouds. This sends a very simple yet elegant message to the viewer; nature is the real beauty in the world, and nothing man-made can take its place.

3-2-1

Learned:

• The industrial revolution caused not only economic stress and change, but political change as well
• Romanticism was both a result of the enlightenment and the industrial revolution
• Socialism and communism are valuable ideas; in today's society we view them as corrupt simply because those who have tried to establish such communities were corrupt

Interested:

• Communism and socialism are very fascinating ideas; the belief that prophets are "wages stolen from the workers" really hit me hard! It's true!
• It was interesting to know that romantics expressed their ideals through music. It seemed odd that such specific ideas could be expressed through rhythms and notes. However, when I think about the type of music I listen to for specific tasks and occasions and compare those occasions to time periods, it makes sense. When I am trying to figure something out or accomplish something (like enlightenment thinkers), I listen to something upbeat and atmospheric (baroque). When I am enjoying the beach (romantic period), I'd listen to something entertaining and consuming within itself (Beethoven).

Question:

• Were the Greeks affected by the French Revolution? Is that why they rebelled under turkish rule, shortly after the revolution?

CHAPTER 21 APEH

CHAPTER  21 (1780-1850)

Energy and Industry Revolution

            1) INTRO: The industrial revolution came about like many other notable revolutions; gradually, beginning with small hints of change. Small improvements in industrial life such as the cotton gin, the telegraph, and new breeding techniques began the tidal wave of a new way of life. Then came steel plows, harvesting machines, and steamboats. Inventors saw the opportunity of world-wide change and production rates boomed. Along with new products, came new classes of workers, political changes, and new economic strategies.

CHAPTER OBJECTIVE: Through this blog, I hope to understand this chapter more fully. I want to make a connection from this period to the previous and future chapters. Thought it isn’t strictly important to the history, I would also like to learn how some of the industrial machines functioned, and how they were improved.

CHAPTER 21 EQ: What was the result of the industrial revolution in the upper, middle and lower classes?

The upper class was not affected very much-those who did not work did not notice any changes in their lives besides increased construction and crowding in the cities. The middle class was affected the most. The educated middle class found opportunities in management of factories, and at least in the beginning of the revolution, in entrepreneurial positions. By the time the industrial revolution was in full swing, most trades and industries had been well explored and competition was high, so entrepreneurship declined. The lower middle class factory working positions became more monotonous and more regulated. 

2) Friedrich List:

German scholar who advocated for modern industry. List reasoned that manufacturing and mass production was a vital way to preserve the public well-being and relieve poverty. List regarded a nation’s agriculture and manufacturing system as its defining quality for success. List published National System of Political Economy. Credited for developing the idea of economic nationalism.

David Ricardo:

English stockbroker and economist. Conceived the "iron law of wages"-a theory which posited that because of population pressures, common wages would always descend to the lowest level that sustained life. Because of his pessimistic theories, he assisted in economics being called 'the dismal science'.

Josiah Wedgewood:

English potter who established his own line of pottery products, which took english middle and upper classes by storm. Master of pottery and mass appeal, Wedgewood became known for his products and economic savvy. He founded one of the first successful large companies, with benefits for employees, rigorous discipline, and high production rates. His economic strategies became the foundation for the new class of factory owners.

3) US EVENTS:

Treaty of Paris-The American Revolutionary war was officially resolved in September of 1783. Britain had been significantly weakened by the French Revolution, and surprisingly did not triumph over the colonies. With the surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown, a peace was agreed. Two years later, the two nations and several allies met and agreed upon the Treaty of Pairs and the Treaty of Versailles to end the conflict.

War of 1812-

Due to international trade restrictions imposed by Britain, American expansion, and internal US political conflicts (mainly the rivalry between the Federalists and the Democratic Republicans), the US declared war on Britain in the summer of 1812. Neither side was prepared. America was a fairly new and inexperienced nation, and Britain was occupied with the French Revolution. The war lasted 32 months, and was resolved with the Treaty of Ghent.

4) Picturing the Past:

ORNAMENTAL POTTERY BY JOSIAH WEDGEWOOD
 Josiah Wedgewood, a master potter, created his own style of pottery, called 'jasperware'. With its sophisticated, unique, look, jasperware took Europe by storm. Wedgewood creations became a necessary luxury. With the middle class expanding and the upper classes benefiting from the labor opportunities of the industrial revolution, Wedgewood sold decorative pottery to the upper classes and practical pieces to the middle classes. Wedgewood pottery became a new sort of household art, that preceded the art of homemaking in the early 20th century.

3-2-1

Learned:

• I learned that  the industrial revolution was simply the economic and social repercussions of an enormous amount technological breakthroughs
• I learned that nationalism was enhanced by the economic prowess of various european countries
• I learned that the industrial revolution began the tradition of gender based work-spheres, when previously, everyone worked as much as they had to regardless of sex

Interested:

• I was interested in the 'science of economics', it's a mixture of political science and statistics and I never know that before
• I found it fascinating that Britain held an exhibition of the Crystal Palace. One would think that if a country took real pride in their industry they would spend more time on improving their industries than showing them off 

Question

• For the men that objected to women's immodesty in the mines: were they actually concerned with immorality or were they just uncomfortable with the exposure of the female body in a non-sexual way? Basically, were they operating on moral standards or simply surprised by their own sexual objectification of women?