Early Modern World

In Chapter 15 of the textbook, the author Robert W. Strayer describes commercial exchange between Native Americans and Europeans. This commercial activity was profoundly disadvantageous for Native Americans, who not only devastated their own environment, contracted diseases, but also became dependent on European goods. In exchange of fur, France, England, and Netherlands gave guns, blankets, metal tools, rum, and brandy. Native Americans became especially dependent on alcohol and I wonder if it was deliberately use as a way to control this population. Regardless if it was intentional or not, the consequences of fur trade were devastating for Native Americans during 1600’s. Population diminished considerably by contracting diseases and fighting in the war between France and England in which they had to pick a side. I wish most nations learn from these mistakes and value other nation’s resources as well as learn to trade in a fair way for both ends.     

            During the years between 1450 and 1750, civilizations developed their own ideas and in other cases they borrowed ideas from other civilization shaping them to their own needs. Religious ideas such as Christianity spread to Europe, America, Siberia, Asia, and Africa, but in Europe, for example, other religions emerged challenging the original ideas of Christianity. For instance, Protestantism which was later spread to other countries. In Asia, only a few ideas of Christianity were adopted and Asian countries added these ideas to their own religion. In places such as sub-Sahara region, India, Southeast and Central Asia, the Islam religion was spread but a new religion, Orthodox Muslims, appeared as a renewal of Islam. In China, new ideas that claimed that truth and moral knowledge were innate in humans were further practiced. In India, multiple political and social leaders, criticized social structure, discouraged caste system and seclusion of women, and promoted equality among men and women. While revolutionary ideas appeared around the world, in Europe a new way of thinking was developing.

            In Europe, a new way of thinking challenged the religious understanding of the universe. Scientists claimed that human thinking should be ruled by reason, be skeptical to authority, and expressed in natural laws. This ideology was called “the enlightenment.” Even when these ideas were revolutionary, some important thinkers challenged them. Charles Darwin developed the theory of evolution, Karl Marx described the evolution of human civilizations, and Sigmund Freud argued that a human neurosis struggles between irrational drives and conscience. All these ideas represented the evolution of humanity and the desire people have to improve.