Islam

After September 11th, it seemed that America's perceptions on the Islam and Muslim community became very negative. Most of these negative perceptions arose from fear and ignorance. After looking at the religion more closely, there is evidence that proves some of the false ideas wrong. In history, the Quran has played a big part in people's daily lives. It was not just a religion or philosophy however, it was a way to live. For instance, it helped shape the personality of peoples by establishing guidelines and laws on proper behavior. However, there was unfair treatment towards women. Women were seen as inferior to men and were expected to be covered from head to toe in order to prevent men from acting out their sexual instincts. However, men were not allowed to touch a women unless she was his wife. In some sense, this could be seen as respectful. In addition, women were allowed to choose their husbands and could divorce them if they wished. Although in some way Islam philosophy mistreats women, so did many other religions. Further, in some Christian communities women were to be submissive to their husbands and were not aloud to speak in the church setting. Unfortunately, it is not only religion that treats women this way, in history there were many examples of treating women disrespectfully. 

Fifteenth Century

Streyer emphasizes that although Columbus' voyage was important to history, it was not the only important voyage that was going on. For instance, in the fifteenth century, Islam spread in Southeast Asia, civil war among Japanese warlords broke out, the rise of Hindu state of Vijayanagara in southern India, the European renaissance was happening, and African states such as Ethiopia, Kongo, Bennin, and Zimbabwe flourished. Also, Chinese maritime voyages were taking place. Not only was Europe experiencing a renaissance but some say that China was as well. In the Ming dynasty, seminal thinkers began to arise and spread their philosophies. An example of this is the philosophy of Confucian. In addition, important writers and artists were responsible for challenging old fashioned thought.

Christendom

Christianity began as a religion in the Roman Empire which became so popular that it was later supported by the entire Empire. Christianity became the principal religion of the empire. The spread of Christianity and everything that came with it is referred to as Christendom. Once Christianity was supported by the Empire the religion, along with religious authorities, became protected under the Empire. Non-believers were then seen as heretics. Unfortunately, heretical belief was a punishable crime against the Empire. It was now up to the state to change pagan beliefs and convert non-believers to Christian followers. Christendom became so prevalent that it was no longer just religious practice, it became the way of life.

Socrates

Socrates the Athenian philosopher constantly questioned logic and challenged his students to question conventional ideas about the importance of wealth and power.  He noted that his preferred manner of teaching was to question the assumptions and logic of his students’ thinking. Socrates can be compared to a humanist because of the interest he took in studying the human mind and human reasoning. Socrates would agree on the humanist philosophy that the human mind is capable of changing a human’s fate. The idea that people can take their future into their own hands is a philosophy shared by both humanists and Socrates.

The Silk Road

The silk road made it possible for a diverse group of people from different parts of the world, such as China and India, to communicate and exchange ideas and goods. The silk road trading networks prospered most when large and powerful states provided security for merchants and travelers. Flourished when Byzantine Empire, the Muslim Abbasid dynasty and the Tang dynasty in China created an almost continuous belt of strong states across Eurasia. Just like Christianity, the more it expanded the stronger and more prominent it got. By the sixth century the knowledge and technology for producing silk had spread beyond China. Silk began being used as religious clothing and altar covers in the Christendom world. Other silks were even inscribed with Quran passages. In addition, the silk road became a channel for the spread of culture and ideas. One of the major ideas spread was the philosophy of Buddhism. Slowly, Buddhism then became a huge part of the Chinese culture. Unfortunately, the silk road also contributed to the spread of diseases such as measles and smallpox which ravaged the Roman and Chinese Empire.

I find it amusing that some people in the first century were shocked and disgusted by the silk clothing. Seneca the Younger said "I can see clothes of silk, if materials that do not hide the body, nor even one's decency, can be called clothes... wretched flocks of maids labour so that the adulteress may be visible through her thin dress, so that her husband has no more acquaintance than any outside or foreigner with his wife's body". I find this statement interesting because history begins to repeat itself. As the fashions change, and clothes become more or less provocative, there will always be old fashioned thinkers that will be opposed.

China

China experienced a renaissance like Europe did. Not only beneficial to the Chinese but their ideas and technologies spread to Eurasia and many other parts of the world. China's seminal thinkers created sets of philosophical ideas that were supposed to, in their eyes, benefit society. Some of these included Daosim and confucianism. Unfortunately, these philosophies only benefited men. As a result, women were treated as property and did not have much control over there own lives. On another note, China's revolutionary inventions such as silk, printing, the compass, the mirror and gunpowder reached and benefited the rest of the continent. The invention of gunpowder and the receiving of the fire cannon strengthened China's military. In relation to religion in Europe's renaissance, the Chinese culture also adopted the religion of Buddhism as a principal religion.      

The Mongols

Debate question for next time: The Mongols got a bad rap from historians. In fact, they deserve respect for creating a civilization with a long- term impact on world history. 

Debating this question in class was difficult because I had originally argued for the Mongols deserving respect because although they were barbaric, they did invent, influence and persevere. However, I was assigned the opposing side. Although difficult, I believe it was a good change for everyone to understand the opposing side. I am still on the fence about this question, especially since the term "respect" could be defined from different perspectives however, I have more to say opposing the statement and frankly the evidence is fresh in my mind. Although Mongolian men valued other Mongolian men forming a brotherly bond, they did not value the life of others. They suppressed and enslaved people. Simply, they were barbaric. Modern day society does not respect this behavior in fact as a society we condemn such behavior. We did learn from people like Mongolians on how not to act, however. Because they were nomads constantly assimilating with other civilizations, many of their ideas were borrowed. In addition, many of their achievements were achieved through instilling fear. Although they did conquer much of Afro-Eurasia, they did not establish their own sense of identity nor did they last long as a civilization so they could not have contributed to a long term impact on world history. In addition, Mongols were associated with the source for the disease, the Black death. Instead of creating their own unique civilization, they continued to destruct their own along with members of other civilizations. In conclusion, the Mongols were not creative enough to form their own civilization for us to learn positive aspects from, nor did they contribute to the establishment of a civilization, instead they destructed them.