Week 8

Side Note: After the last class I was thinking in my head why does history repeat itself especially in the aspect of war, peace, and equality. As of right now I can't figure it out much of it since I have no clear reason why it does.

1. What factors contributed to economic globalization during the twentieth century?

In the twentieth century, one of the factors is the Bretton Woods system where it “negotiated the rules of commercial and financial dealings among capitalist countries that promote free trade, stable currency values linked to the U.S. dollar, and the high levels of a capital investment.”  (Strayer) Pretty much states that there is going to be some control of the capital venture and everyone needs to abide them to prevent any great depression. Second factor is technology, which also added to the contribution to economic globalization. Technology helps cut cost on all transportation cost and also communication became quicker through the idea of technology. Just looking from the past to now, but everything has changed into a positive outlook in my opinion. It’s positive because look how much we grew in this globalization by social media. Social media has opened another flood gate for people around the world to explore outside of their realm and also to invent something even better than what the other side of the world has.  This will boost the economy to a much larger scale such as how facebook created a new way to connect people and also promoting  business through their online site. Social media has taken over all aspect of communications and everyone is now moving towards the route of wireless and prefers to interact digitally then in person.

- Throwing off the grid but now speaking on other terms at the end of the book we are now discussing Green and Global

I personally think that as we move more into the future the entire world will go into the idea of going green. In California each county are moving into the whole no more plastic bags into bring your bag to reduce trash and saving the environment. There are now more groups and protester out there who want to end global warming and teach everyone how to consume energy while living under the radar.  Compare to what we have now.

week 7

Questions of the week!!!!

      1.What changes did communist regimes bring to the lives of women?

The communist invited the thought of how women should be empowered and seen as an equal. Communist countries were opening their doors into the “women’s liberation,” where it gives women the opportunity or political equality, where marriage is consented between two people, the idea of divorce was being accepted, abortion was not seen as a negative procedure, women didn’t have to take their husband’s surname, and maternity leave was by law, and seen as an equal in the work field.. This pretty much sounded very good in comparison on how women were seen as delicate flowers who needed to tend to the family, the men, and all house chores. I know the idea living in a communist country doesn’t sound very charming right now, but back then it seemed like women could live an equal life. Especially in the Soviet Union where there was a small women’s movement was getting it shapes. At this time it seemed that women were rising up in the communist country.  One particular group that was well known are the  “Zhenotdel,” they were a radical women’s group that provided training for women to work, literacy classes, encouraged for Muslim women to take off their veil, and they were the new face of change. There regime lasted for about ten years until women were being too daring and not many were ready for more drastic change. These new changes were making communist government officials very uneasy and they started to act upon and abolished this group. In my mind they lasted longer than I would of thought. Just hearing within the ten years they were able to make a difference for women especially given them a voice and ability to do things themselves without male approval.  Not only did the Soviets were able to make a difference, but also in China gave women some rights such as a free marriage, easy divorce, and equal property rights.  Just reading this small area it opens to show that even for a small area in the communist regimes, women were seen as a great equal in particular ways. In similarities, the Soviets and China shared the common goal for women is to marry who they wanted, divorce easy, and being able to hold their own name.


2.How was Europe able to recover from the devastation of war?
Europe was able to recover by how the U.S. was able to funnel in 12 billion dollars to Europe on the behalf of the Marshall Plan.  This was all motivated by the act of humanitarian which wanted to prevent any depression in European waters.  The Marshall Plan required the need for all European countries to get along and guess what everyone agreed to this idea. This became more beneficial due to the fact that as the countries leaned on each other and created the European Coal and Steel Company that led to manage the production of these precious items. Also the Common Market was created to reduce tariffs and develop mutual trade policies. America helped out the European countries from falling into a huge depression and out of this we were able to create a strong bond and become committed to one another. I think it’s interesting to hear that the U.S. were able to assist during the time that Europe was falling apart and how were able to lend them money as well. Who would of thought we wanted to create peace between warring countries. 

thamsworldhistoryblog: week 6

Questions of the week!!

1. What impact did Western education have on colonial societies?

                Western education made a huge impact on colonial societies because it was a gateway to get out of any oppression that was present. Education was obtained through missionaries or by government schools that created new indenties for these colonial societies. To learn how to read and write was seen as having a super power back then. Funny as it is, education still symbolize as a gift from the gods in most counties that don’t have free education like the United States. However during the colonial times, education was seen as a ticket out of forced labor. On a positive note it can be seen as access to “high paying positions at government bureau cries, mission organizations, or at business firms.” Besides receiving a better job it can lead to social mobility, elite status in their community, goal to achieve, and being an equal to the white race. This is pretty much the best it can get for anyone who receives education is trying to get a better life during the colonial times. Those who seek and received education would embrace the European culture by following their fashion, culture, and also speaking English or French.  For instance, my mom was born and raised in Vietnam during the Vietnam War. Her was out was influence of the west. Her parents forced her to go to school and to learn English and French. Although, they were not rich my grandparents worked hard enough to place my mom in school. It paid off because when the north was moving into the south, my mom fled the country to America. My mom assimilated to the entire American life here with her English and continued her education. My mom firmly believed that with education she would be seen as an equal and with respect. The west continues to impact the world. I know that in Vietnam my own family is paying for private education to have their kids be able to attend school here in America and hopefully find a job that will provide high income.  Just looking back into the colonial societies, it still shows that education played a high role then as it does now.

2.  How did Britian's middle classes change during the nineteenth century?

                During the nineteenth century, the middle class have evolved into wealthy factory, mine owners, bankers, and merchants. The life of the middle class was benefiting the most during the industrialization. Most middle class would slowly assimilate into the aristocratic life that would buy into “country homes, obtaining seats in parliament, sending their sons to Oxford or some great university, and would accept nobility titles from Queen Victoria.” The kicker from this is how women were being treated as homemakers who would stand behind their men in all actions. By standing by their men, women would have to create an emotional haven for men from the capitalist world. Women played a huge role in playing the center of the family and carrying the respectful job of being the shopper of the family. It’s funny because women still carry the same job and responsibility from the industrialization time. Unfortunately, women are trying to break this mold of this fragile piece of furniture into the bread maker. Women are showing their education and level of skills in the work force. How is it that during the entire time of history women never grew into a dominant figure? Answer because we are not given the chance and opportunity to grow within society. On the other hand, those who were in the labor class did not get any further then working til the death. Manuel laborers suffered the most from working tremendous jobs that were overcrowded, smoky not sanitary, poor water supplies, low wages, child labor, and long hours. The labor class worked long and hard to get very little. There was a complete separation line between the rich and the poor or the middle and labor class. Once again history does not change much . The middle class will make more money and the labor class will continue to work hard and make very little. Sometimes there is always the small percent of those who are able to leave the labor class and make something out of themselves. Soon enough there will be protest that will erupt in the labor class and cause major social changes. Protest will come from change of religion, inequality and rights. Every good thing will come to a end and something new will arrive.