It was interesting to read that the ideas of the enlightenment contributed to the Atlantic revolutions because it originally derived from the enlightenment. It was shared across the ocean in newspapers, books, and pamphlets. The idea of human political and social arrangements could be engineered and improved by human action. The new ideas of liberty, equality, free trade, religious tolerance, republicanism, and human morality. It was a new start in the construction of human communities.
It was fascinating to read about how different the two revolutions were. The American revolution was perceived as preserving existing liberties of the colonies rather than creating new ones. The conditions in the American revolution was also made for less poverty and more economic opportunity and fewer social differences. It was not so revolutionary because it established democratic tendencies of colonial societies.
It was also appealing to read how that the French revolution differed from the American Revolution in many ways. The French insurrection was driven by sharp conflicts within society. The different classes in the French society were affected as well. The members of the titled nobility reserved and resisted the monarchy's efforts to subject new taxes. The middle class was offended by the remaining privileges of the aristocracy which excluded them, and the urban residents were hit hard as well. The French were more violent reaching a radical character. In contrast, the Americans revolution was to restore and rebuild upon earlier freedoms. French people also saw themselves as starting from scratch when comparing themselves to the Americans.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Chapter 18
It was interesting to read that the roots of the industrial revelation was not recognized at first because of all the apparent global roots. For example, the Islamic world was upcoming in ship building and India was known for the cotton textile production. China was also known for the upcoming technological inventions. Also, the European States were fairly new indicating that the revolution perhaps can not occur in such an area.
Addittionally, it was intriguing to read why Britain faced an industrial revolution breakthrough. They had products for crop rotation, and new mining and manufacturing enterprises. They also, interestingly enough welcomed people based on skill level and did not factor people out based on religion. Britain fostered a freer technological innovation and the geography and history of Britain also helped the revolution breakthrough.
The British revelotuon transformed the British Society in several ways, but landed aristricrats had to make way for the upcoming business men, manufactures, and bankers.
It was not surprising to read that the middle class was affected the most during the 19th century. Middle class workers were able to contain extremely wealthy factories. They were also able to become mine owners, bankers and merchants. The roles of the woman in the middle class rose as well. In twenty years the jobs of secretaries rose from 7,000 to 90,000.
Lastly, the thoughts of Karl Marx played a fascinating role during the time of the industrial revolution. He believed that class struggle was the central dynamic of industrial capitalist societies. He wanted to see a communist future, but his wish was no granted. Society stayed as a capitalist society, but made adjustments.
Addittionally, it was intriguing to read why Britain faced an industrial revolution breakthrough. They had products for crop rotation, and new mining and manufacturing enterprises. They also, interestingly enough welcomed people based on skill level and did not factor people out based on religion. Britain fostered a freer technological innovation and the geography and history of Britain also helped the revolution breakthrough.
The British revelotuon transformed the British Society in several ways, but landed aristricrats had to make way for the upcoming business men, manufactures, and bankers.
It was not surprising to read that the middle class was affected the most during the 19th century. Middle class workers were able to contain extremely wealthy factories. They were also able to become mine owners, bankers and merchants. The roles of the woman in the middle class rose as well. In twenty years the jobs of secretaries rose from 7,000 to 90,000.
Lastly, the thoughts of Karl Marx played a fascinating role during the time of the industrial revolution. He believed that class struggle was the central dynamic of industrial capitalist societies. He wanted to see a communist future, but his wish was no granted. Society stayed as a capitalist society, but made adjustments.
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Somaly Mam Ch. 7-11
It was disappointing to read that after Pierre stood up for Somaly by kicking men out of the resturaunt that brought in young girls he later hits her in the store in front of the customer. It was also disappointing to read that she stay with him after he humiliated her in front of everyone.
It was funny to read that Somaly though the salty water in the lake may have been used to cook food, not knowing that that is how the water is.
It was interesting to read that Somaly marries Pierre especially since she did not want to get married. Additionally, it was also interesting to read that she packed a knife in her bag to protect herself in case Pierre sold her when they arrived in France. She clearly does not trust Pierre, yet she married him and left to go with him to another country.
Furthermore, Somaly is very surprised with all the new experiences. She does not know how to react to the airplane ride, and can not believe there are buildings taller than trees in France. She was especially amused by the functions of an ATM. She simply thought that people were inserting paper and receiving money.
I enjoyed reading how Somaly took the disadvantages of her relationship and turned it into positive things. She did not completely love her relationship with Pierre but she did say that he taught her to not be mute and taught her how to depend on herself. Her time in France allowed her to learn how to work and earn money on her own as well as better her French.
I was relieved when I read how Somaly moved back to Cambodia and started to help other young women in prostitution. She did not help them all escape but she passed out condoms and helped them take care of themselves at the clinic. She built up a lot of courage since she came back from France and started sticking up for herself.
It was uplifting to read how Somaly continued to help woman find their way out of prostitution. I really enjoyed reading about how people finally were able to help her fund her cause.
It was funny to read that Somaly though the salty water in the lake may have been used to cook food, not knowing that that is how the water is.
It was interesting to read that Somaly marries Pierre especially since she did not want to get married. Additionally, it was also interesting to read that she packed a knife in her bag to protect herself in case Pierre sold her when they arrived in France. She clearly does not trust Pierre, yet she married him and left to go with him to another country.
Furthermore, Somaly is very surprised with all the new experiences. She does not know how to react to the airplane ride, and can not believe there are buildings taller than trees in France. She was especially amused by the functions of an ATM. She simply thought that people were inserting paper and receiving money.
I enjoyed reading how Somaly took the disadvantages of her relationship and turned it into positive things. She did not completely love her relationship with Pierre but she did say that he taught her to not be mute and taught her how to depend on herself. Her time in France allowed her to learn how to work and earn money on her own as well as better her French.
I was relieved when I read how Somaly moved back to Cambodia and started to help other young women in prostitution. She did not help them all escape but she passed out condoms and helped them take care of themselves at the clinic. She built up a lot of courage since she came back from France and started sticking up for herself.
It was uplifting to read how Somaly continued to help woman find their way out of prostitution. I really enjoyed reading about how people finally were able to help her fund her cause.
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Somaly Mam Ch. 4-7
The book continues catch my interest. I can not imagine how Somaly Mam felt first stop being sold to her aunt, and then having to work at the brothel's at night. She feels the need to fight back, yet it doesn't get her anymore. She even tries to run away, but eventually this lifestyle of hers seems to have her going around in circles. I can not imagine having to live a lifestyle where you would have to accept abuse as an everyday lifestyle because there is nothing else that can be done.
It was also interesting to read how broad the clientele in the brothels is. There were men with all different occupations, cops, taxi drivers, guards, men who had wives, even her aunt's husband raped the girls multiple times.
It was disturbing to read how the girls in the brothels were punished. Somaly Mam was burned with electrodes and she states that isn't half as bad as what girls in brothels go through. It was extremely disturbing to read that young children, girls that are the age of five or six are being sold because of the false assumption that having sex with a virgin will give a man power, strengthen him, give him a longer life span or even lighten his skin. The girls being sewn together after a week in order to "re-live" being a virgin is absolutely sickening.
It was surprising to read that she met foreigner's who did not treat her as bad as the men in Cambodia did.
It was also interesting to read how broad the clientele in the brothels is. There were men with all different occupations, cops, taxi drivers, guards, men who had wives, even her aunt's husband raped the girls multiple times.
It was disturbing to read how the girls in the brothels were punished. Somaly Mam was burned with electrodes and she states that isn't half as bad as what girls in brothels go through. It was extremely disturbing to read that young children, girls that are the age of five or six are being sold because of the false assumption that having sex with a virgin will give a man power, strengthen him, give him a longer life span or even lighten his skin. The girls being sewn together after a week in order to "re-live" being a virgin is absolutely sickening.
It was surprising to read that she met foreigner's who did not treat her as bad as the men in Cambodia did.
Religion and Science
I thought it was interesting that reformation transformation provoked catholic counter reformation. It also corrected abuses and corruptions in the church that were occurring prior to the reformation.
It was intruiguing to read how new England Puritans brought a Protestant version of Christianity and emphasized on education, moral purity, personal conversion, and many more aspects of the world.
It was fasinating to read how the 19th century development in sciences challenged the faith of the enlightment. For example, Charles Darwin suggested that life was a flux. Karl Marx suggested that human history emphasized change and struggle.
It was intruiguing to read how new England Puritans brought a Protestant version of Christianity and emphasized on education, moral purity, personal conversion, and many more aspects of the world.
It was fasinating to read how the 19th century development in sciences challenged the faith of the enlightment. For example, Charles Darwin suggested that life was a flux. Karl Marx suggested that human history emphasized change and struggle.
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