Journal 3

In the “Diseases in Transit” section of chapter seven, I learned that besides the culture and exotic goods “diseases too traveled the trade routes of Eurasia” (Strayer, 284). Places such as China, Rome, and Greece had methods of dealing with the diseases common to their borders; however, with new trade routes from across the continent, the locals of these same places began to succumb to diseases that had previously been alien to their respective nations, with seaborne trade routes allowing black rats and infected fleas to carry the bubonic plague from the lengths of India to Egpyt (Strayer, 290). I find this interesting, given that I have seen this pattern repeat throughout history like when the British came to North America and introduced new diseases to the Native American people. Within the “Commerical Beginnings in West Africa” section of chapter seven, I learned that the early trading within Africa came from both the northern reaches and the sub-Saharan regions which had vastly different resources to offer (Strayer, 300). The coastal areas in Africa had many manufactured goods to offer, the great Sahara held many minerals such as copper and salt, and the sub-Saharan area had access to agriculture unlike the arid lands above (Strayer, 300). This was interesting to me because I hadn’t thought much of the resources that would be found in the desert, and I’m impressed that the great Sahara was able to gather and barter resources sourced directly from their land, especially the fact that dates could be found within this same land. “Gold, Salt, and Enslaved People: Trade and Empire in West Africa” in chapter seven taught me that Camels came from the Arabian Peninsula and were introduced to Northern Africa. These creatures were able to make long journeys across the horizon-stretching Sahara because of their ability to hold water (Strayer, 300). This interestingly corrected a misconception I had about Africa; I had always thought that Camels originated in the deserts of Africa–given their impeccable ability to survive in deserts, and I hadn’t considered that the deserts of Arabia may have been the origin of camels. In the “Zooming In: Gunpowder” section of chapter eight, it came to my attention that gunpowder originated from Daoist alchemists in China. Gunpowder in invention was never intended to be used for gunsmithery; instead, gunpowder was a byproduct of a search for immortality, and then it was used for “pyrotechnic displays” (Strayer, 330). This was interesting to me because it corrected my understanding that gunpowder was of Western European design rather than Asian design, and to think they hadn’t even been looking for gunpowder and instead an elixir of life. The “Women in the Song Dynasty” section of chapter eight taught me the disgusting practice of foot binding within the Song Dynasty. After seeing pictures of foot binding, I felt a sickening feeling in my stomach. Women would have their feet bound in shoes, fit barely for infants, throughout their lives, deforming the growth of their feet permanently. This practice would be considered barbaric if done today, yet back then mothers would–of their own volition– subject their daughters to this in hopes of raising their “marriage prospects” (Strayer, 330). I can’t stand to call this interesting because that is a connotatively neutral term, this is disgusting and while it caught my attention it earned my attention only because of how horrific it is. Within “The Tribute System in Theory” in chapter eight, I learned of The Tribute System in China that managed the access to trade routes within China for non-Chinese authorities. China, as early as the Han Dynasty, held that everyone outside of their kingdoms was “barbaric,” and when that view evolved into The Tribute System leaders who wanted to establish trade with China had to “present their tribute, say the required words, and perform the rituals necessary,” and submitting to The Tribute System was not only beneficial to China as there was prestige to be gained for those that participated (Strayer, 334). This stuck out to me as interesting because it actually worked despite being incredibly discriminatory to other nations. Obviously, as elaborated on in “The Tribute System in Practice,” there were unforeseen consequences, but as stated, “Often, this system worked…countless foreign delegations proved willing” (Strayer, 334). In the “The Messenger and the Message” section of chapter nine, I learned about the origins of Muhammad in Mecca and his ascension to prophet and diviner of the Quran. Muhammad would often go and meditate in the mountains and one time he had a “powerful, overwhelming religious experience” and “reluctantly” became a messenger between Allah and his fellow Arabians (Strayer, 364). It was interesting for me to learn that Muhammad was publicly opposed to being a messenger of Allah, typically I’d think prophets would be overjoyed to be in direct contact with someone they worship; however, being a hesitant follower probably helped sell the legitimacy of what he was preaching. “The Case of India” from chapter nine taught me that the Turkic-speaking peoples were the ones to bring Islam to India. The Turkic People were the third major carrier of Islam, and even though they had just been recently converted the Turkic warriors in their conquests spread Islam as they went (Strayer, 381). This is interesting because it brings to my attention how alive religions are; A religion isn’t just spread by its progenitor but by the people in fellowship as well. In “Women and Men in Early Islam” from chapter nine, I learned about the position of women under Islamic influence. Now, there were many restrictions placed on women as were the times; however, there were some freedoms that women gained that were previously not available to them: women could own property and control it, they could divorce their partner–although limited and more readily available to men, and they also --hat the Turkic-speaking peoples were the ones to bring Islam to India. The Turkic People were the third major carrier of Islam, and even though they had just been recently converted the Turkic warriors in their conquests spread Islam as they went (Strayer, 381). This is interesting because it brings to my attention how alive religions are; A religion isn’t just spread by its progenitor but by the people in fellowship as well. In “Women and Men in Early Islam” from chapter nine, I learned about the position of women under Islamic influence. Now, there were many restrictions placed on women as were the times; however, there were some freedoms that women gained that were previously not available to them: women could own property and control it, they could divorce their partner–although limited and more readily available to men, and they also couldn’t be married through capture as consent was required (Strayer, 371). This was interesting to me because as history progressed women’s rights seemed to fluctuate, as history progressed before kingdoms and empires women had more rights, then as society became more structured they lost rights, and then Islam as a religion came and provided a few more rights, and of course, it is more complicated than this, but this example provides a superficial understanding of the fluctuating throughout history. Learning Reflection. This section was fine as far as material is concerned. It wasn’t as interesting to me as some of the other sections, and perhaps that’s simply because we’ve also been doing the Silk Road project since the beginning of class and chapter seven focused mostly on commerce. Plus, the latter chapter's focus on the Islamic religion didn’t really peak my interest; although, I acknowledge its necessity for a complete understanding of history. But, at the end of the day, I believe I have a sufficient understanding of this section. Source: Strayer, Robert W. “Ways of the World: A Brief Global History with Sources.” Bedford/St. Martin's, 2021.