At the beginning of Chapter 17 the author summaries the atrocities the communist government of China inflicted upon their citizens who were protesting for democracy. In 1989 when Chinese authorities violently crushed demonstrators with armored tanks in Tiananmen Square, I was in an airplane with my sister on our way to Hong Kong. We were unaware of the massacre until the following morning when we witnessed throughout the city the massive memorials for the victims. The people of Hong Kong wore black arm bands to show solidarity and along the streets of Kowloon and Hong Kong were large displays of flowers adorned in black. We spoke to many young people who worked as tour guides, and they were very passionate and supportive of the demonstrators. Our vacation included a trip to Canton; unfortunately, all foreigners were quickly removed from China for their safety.
I enjoyed reading about the revolutions. These upheavals were caused by unfair taxes, the need for foreign and authoritarian independence and personal freedom. When I read about the number of slaves versus the number of whites along with the discrepancies of net worth, it was inevitable that the Haitian revolt would transpire. It is unfortunate that 8,000 plantations were destroyed in the once most richest colony. Haiti never recovered after the revolt and now it is considered one of the poorest areas in the world. I understand when emotions were stirring and the revolt was taking place, people don’t think rationally when their livelihood is at stake. If the infrastructure was left secure, possibly Haiti could have continued to thrive.
I found it interesting how nations developed along with the selection of languages and religions. I believe that it is very important that traditions such as songs, dances, folktales, historical experiences are kept alive for future generations. Even today, I worry that many of the songs that I learned as a child will disappear with my generation.
I am a strong advocate for women’s rights. When I read the section regarding the beginning of the feminist movement, I felt proud of those women who stood up for their rights and the rights of the women who would come after them.
The image at the beginning of Chapter 18 is very depressing. I am all for progress but not while devastating mother earth! In previous chapters it was stated that gatherers and hunters had much more leisure time than the agricultural society. As civilization entered into the industrial revolution, many of the societies’ lower class workers had to work as many as 13 hours per day. The early era of the industrial revolution was very difficult on the people and planet. I found it interesting how the different countries managed or mismanaged the growth, class divide and wealth of the industrial revolution.
Reading Chapter 20 made me ashamed to be of European descent. So much pain and suffering was inflicted on societies who were just living their lives. The picture of the two boys with their severed arms because their village was unable to supply the required amount of wild rubber is heartbreaking. The need for power and wealth has promoted so much violence. With the need for enterprise, Europeans instituted taxation, seized lands, and subjected labor to build railroads, ports and roads in order to transform foreign lands and acquire wealth. At the end of Chapter 20 the author states that defenders of colonial development praise the transformation as a jump-start in modern growth. I think that is a question to contemplate.
I enjoyed reading about the revolutions. These upheavals were caused by unfair taxes, the need for foreign and authoritarian independence and personal freedom. When I read about the number of slaves versus the number of whites along with the discrepancies of net worth, it was inevitable that the Haitian revolt would transpire. It is unfortunate that 8,000 plantations were destroyed in the once most richest colony. Haiti never recovered after the revolt and now it is considered one of the poorest areas in the world. I understand when emotions were stirring and the revolt was taking place, people don’t think rationally when their livelihood is at stake. If the infrastructure was left secure, possibly Haiti could have continued to thrive.
I found it interesting how nations developed along with the selection of languages and religions. I believe that it is very important that traditions such as songs, dances, folktales, historical experiences are kept alive for future generations. Even today, I worry that many of the songs that I learned as a child will disappear with my generation.
I am a strong advocate for women’s rights. When I read the section regarding the beginning of the feminist movement, I felt proud of those women who stood up for their rights and the rights of the women who would come after them.
The image at the beginning of Chapter 18 is very depressing. I am all for progress but not while devastating mother earth! In previous chapters it was stated that gatherers and hunters had much more leisure time than the agricultural society. As civilization entered into the industrial revolution, many of the societies’ lower class workers had to work as many as 13 hours per day. The early era of the industrial revolution was very difficult on the people and planet. I found it interesting how the different countries managed or mismanaged the growth, class divide and wealth of the industrial revolution.
Reading Chapter 20 made me ashamed to be of European descent. So much pain and suffering was inflicted on societies who were just living their lives. The picture of the two boys with their severed arms because their village was unable to supply the required amount of wild rubber is heartbreaking. The need for power and wealth has promoted so much violence. With the need for enterprise, Europeans instituted taxation, seized lands, and subjected labor to build railroads, ports and roads in order to transform foreign lands and acquire wealth. At the end of Chapter 20 the author states that defenders of colonial development praise the transformation as a jump-start in modern growth. I think that is a question to contemplate.
It is heartwrenching to learn that revolutions and demonstrations brought very high number of deaths to many people. It is the struggle to power and equality that pushed the buttons for the past generations. If only every individual would learn to truly love one's neighbor, destruction and suffering would probably not find its way to our world.
ReplyDelete