Blog 11

I found it interesting that Strayer reflects upon the benefits and disadvantages of being the first. He mentions that students and historians are often fascinated by "firsts"; in fact, I happen to be one of them. However, he explains that being the first does not always mean anything good. In many cases, being the first is unhealthy because the first person to invent something believes they have superiority over those subsequent to discover the invention. He quotes, "In terms of human ability to dominate the natural environment and to extract wealth from it, the Industrial Revolution marks a decisive turning point in the history of our species"(pg 859). It seems that the mentality of the Industrial Revolution never left. In other words, societies continue to believe they dominate the natural environment and extract wealth from it. A relevant example would be the first humans to land on the moon. It was said that they would own space. A recent article also mentioned the same when explaining the space elevator. The space elevator that is being built by a private corporation and by NASA, is a literal elevator that takes people up to space. The article mentioned that those who would be the first to build it, would be the owners of space. Many believe that humans have the ability to own the environment and to an extent they do. However, the more humanity thinks the way, the more destructive we will be to the environment resulting in an inability to live on earth. If space elevators thrive, I wonder if humanity will pollute outer space and not care like we do on earth.

Blog 10

Although Simon Bolivar was successful, I cannot help but to wonder what Spain would be like if they were successful in building a federation like in North America. I also like the way Simon Bolivar's letter "The Jamaica Letter" is written. He uses many metaphors and personifies the earth which gives the readers and listeners a good image. This is a powerful tactic and is helpful in rallying people up because it helps the listener paint a picture in their head. Doing so connects them to the reality of the situation helping them disregard any manipulated postulations enforced by the authority. I find it impressive considering this letter was written in 1815. 

However the line "we were never leaders, never financiers, hardly ever merchants..." and saying that "America will succeed in merging the entire New World into a single nation with a single unifying principle" does not help his cause in rallying the people. Instead, his letter is complacent and relinquish. Further, it gives the people no hope and deprives them of their pride and dignity. Although he attempts to give the Spaniards hope immediately after, those two lines were too realistic and damaging to his purpose. 

Blog 9

I find it admirable that the sisters who formed the SND congregation had revolutionary hearts and fought for what they wanted and believed in. It is also interesting to see just how much the family household dynamics can affect the children living in that household. For example, Francoise’s father was an "englightened" man who taught good moral values. As a result, Francoise became a women of action and acquired the confidence to do so. Her confidence in her own voice shows when for example, she stated the food given was "Good for dogs and chickens, but not for Sisters of Notre Dame, who are tired and need to be well nourished” (McCarthy 99). Further, the fact that her parents did not force her to marry made a big difference in recognizing her freedom and enjoying it. Also, she found the importance in being humble and respectful, just like her dad. Even when she was "living large" she did not let material things change the person she was inside. I feel that although all these great role models who do great things should be honored, in many cases people forget to honor and applaud the parents who raised such an inspiring child. 

Blog 5

It was interesting to learn that the women who had served as priests, shamans or ritual specialists no longer could have a role in the Catholic church. Since early Christianity rooted from European males with authority it only makes sense that they would make efforts to exclude women. Further, Christianity's destructive aspect is seen in Mexico when tolerance for any other religion was seen as idolatry. As a result, the bishop of Mexico destroyed 500 pagan shrines and 20,000 idols. It is also seen in the Andean region when religious images and ritual object were destroyed. What is most appalling however, is the fact that they went as far as publicly urinating on native "idols". It is difficult to tolerate that these people believed God supported these actions. Further, once the Empire supported the church, it was easier for Christianity to expand. The strategies used to execute the expansion of Christianity was also followed by gruesome and unjust actions. For example, the genocide of many Native Americans and the conversion of that took place in Spanish American.
In other words, it is difficult to recognize the purity of Christianity when it has had such a bad reputation. Although the church has become more virtuous throughout the years, it is still difficult to abide and support a religion with a history of such corruption.

Blog 8

I believe it is safe to say that the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries marked the beginning of social movements. Like in social movements today, people are brought closer to one another when they share common passions. It is also interesting to see more influence the European Enlightenment had on other countries. The ideas that animated the Atlantic Revolution derived from the European Enlightenment and were shared across the ocean by newspapers, books, and pamphlets. I believe the idea that individuals could think and learn for themselves ignited a flame in revolutionaries making them desire the freedom to be more independent from the state and church. Perhaps they might have felt like they were behind and thought if Europeans could do it then they can too. Also, the idea of a democracy was vital to a thriving and self-thinking society. It was also interesting to know the truth behind the American Revolution and to learn facts that we did not learn as American children. Also, it was interesting to note that popular sovereignty, natural rights and the consent of the governed, Enlightenment ideas, also influenced this revolution. Although these revolutionaries were vital to the freedom and rights of an individual, one cannot forget that for a long time only "traditional gentlemen" benefited from these movements and women and people of color were not considered. This example is still seen in the Bill of Rights today were it does not specify that rights are applied to people of color and women but only men. If America claims to have equal rights for all, I propose that the Bill of Rights be changed to specify that all men and women be granted individual rights. By doing so, perhaps Republican men would not feel entitled to choose whether or not women have the right to pro-choice; that is a decision women should have more influence on.

Blog 6

I thought it was interesting how science and religion were in the same chapter. In the book it said "science became a universal world view"(pg 740) just as religion did so it makes sense that they're together. I never would have thought of them otherwise like that. Interesting how far science has come since then. It is sad that "science also was used to legitimize racial and gender inequalities, giving new support to old ideas about the natural inferiority of women and enslaved people" (pg 740). By the twelfth and thirteen centuries, Europe developed a legal system that guaranteed a measure of freedom and independence which then allowed emerging universities to freely study and dictate. The freedom to explore other cultures (Islamic world and translations of Greek classics) is
interesting because learning and exploring always sparks ideas which makes sense in relation to the growth of the scientific revolution. I wonder if Galileo was the start of the war between science and religion like it is today because back then it was a difficult concept to grasp when Galileo challenged the traditional idea that the earth was the center of the universe. Then it was Newton. It was also interesting to learn that none of the earliest scientists rejected Christianity. However some early writers would go as far as calling Jesus, Moses and Muhammed impostors. This marked the beginning of going against traditional beliefs and thinking for yourself. An idea that seemed to be prominent during the enlightenment. Kudos to Rousseau for taking steps towards gender equality and openly stating that human virtue will not advance unless women are also educated.
Enlightenment led to some vital discoveries and inventions of the nineteenth century that were the building blocks to many of today's discoveries.