Chapter 9 Islam

Islam became a religion that thrived off of early conquest. The Arab goal being created by a merchant was to ultimatley control trade routes and rich agricultural regions. It is well known how Muhammed had a spiritual journey and came back a messenger of allah and wound up forming into a religion that spread form the lower class up. It competted with the home of judaism and christianity in Mecca and at one point spread from Spain to India. 4 major cultures recieved an enormous change.

In places like India where Hinduism and Buddism was already commonplace, Islam was not able to spread. The Religion never reached over 25% of all religion. In regions where there was conversion it was said to be due to the attraction to the egalitarian nature in comparison to Hinduism. Like most religions there were still inequalities between men and women and they were very extreme in some cases. Infidelity from women was punishable by death known as an Honor killing. Like most of the other religions however, there were relious alternatives that empowered women.

Chapter 7

Trade and the exchanging of goods has been one of the most common forms of combinations of culture that strayer has talked about. In Chapter 7 he breaks down the 3 main trade routes across the mediterranean. The Silk Road the red sea and indian ocean, and the sahara desert all originated because their areas had a vast majority of environmental differences. These differences led to the need for other resources from more tropical climates. Instead of migrating, Nations would send a few men to gather what they need from another nation in exchange for something the had. The Silk Road connected Asia to India and brought a lot of indian culture to China such as the Buddist and Hindu Practice. The Sea Roads connected Africa to medditeranean cultures. From east west and north african countries, the trading of slaves wasnt super common but it did happen especially in the areas of dryer climates. With the bringing over of the camel to Africa, the Sahara became more popular as a trade route. This connected Swahili to other nations of tropical climate. Trade brought more than just the exchange of goods. It gave interactions of different cultures, the sharing of different ideas and languages. Religious practices were passed around and giving across all trade markets. Buddism and hinduism had such a big influence on the meditteranean nations that most "rest stops' or "trade stops" would have temples for people to practice their religion/practice in. It also brought about diseases and immunity to those over time. Although the native Americans did not have the same fire power as the european settlers it is hard to deny that their lack of immunity to certain diseases had a major influence on their downfall. If there were trade routes connecting to the Americas at that time maybe it wouldnt have been so easy for the europens.

Chapter 6 The Worlds Forgotten civilizations

I find it amazing how historians don't ever focus on smaller civilizations because according to the book, their impact pushed for better arcitecture and better societies. There were many other Civilizations that existed, not as big as the Roman Empire but were able to have flourishing nations because of it. In Africa it was ssurprising to see life spread out over three major regions but then I had to remember that life would have only been sustainable for long periods of time in more tropical regions. It was impressive to read about how they were able to carry on such successful nations based soley on being in  the hub of trade. However it became dissappointing that deforestation led to the demise of these prospering small societies. In the Americas Mayans made the best out of the little they had and developed the most advanced and complex citties and buildings at the time. Being the founder and reason for mathematics (gee thanks) and the first forms of solar calendars, I expected mayan civilizations to have more political structure in the form of a central government. But as architectually advanced as they were there was no central power among the "city states". Most went to war with one another and sacrified each other which I found strange.

Chapter 5

 This chapter focused on how societies shaped their society and classes. Some places like China and India shaped their classes off of their teachings/religions. China to me was a litttle interesting because I interpreted confusian thinking to be one that benefits the people. However to be a part of the "Chinese elite" you have to be in a high economic state. It was very rare for a family of poverty to send an Intelligent male to school unless his family is able to raise the funds for such task

In India their political systems were based soley on their hindu practice. Looking at it from the outside in their way of life can be seen as very unequal but their society embraces that sense of inequality. What your born into is who marry interact with and even hold an occupation in. The only way to leave that caste is through reincarnation and good dharma.

In Greek and Roman societies, slaves kept the cities alive and flourishing especially in Rome. The wealthiest people would have up to thousnds of slaves. What's even more ridiculous is that even the emancipated slaves had slaves. Rome in theory had so many because of their success on the battle field. Slaves also had the ability to try and emancipate themselves there are strength in numbers but if a slave kills their owner all slave of that owner are killed. It seems unfair but it sets a balance up to keep them in check.