We have read and discussed the role of culture in historical development from the 1500s through today.
If we break the historical span of our class study into 3 periods, we have:
1500s – 1700s: Including, but not limited to: The Conquest and colonization era (Europe into the Americas), The building of empires (Russia, China, Western Europe, Ottoman), the rise of global trade – especially the slave trade and commodities from the Americas and China
Chapters 2, 3, 4, 5
1700s – 1914: Including but not limited to: European colonization of India and most of Africa, Industrialization, Enlightenment, Revolutions (France, U.S., Haiti – and Independence in Latin America), European encroachment into China, the rise of Nationalism in Europe, the break up of some empires, rise of Japan as an empire, Modernization in the West and China
Chapters 6, 7, 8, 9
1914 – present: Including but not limited to: WWI, Great Depression, Fascism, WWII, decolonization in Africa and India, Russian Revolution and rise of Communism, Cold War
Chapters 10, 11, 12
QUESTION:
Choose two events or trends from each of the 3 periods and explain, using relevant and sufficient evidence, the role (meaning the influence) of culture in these changes.
You will want to make sure that you choose 2 major events/trends for each period and make sure that you have specific evidence to support your claim about these events (your claim is the role or influence of culture in creating/furthering the event/trend). The role of culture might be different for each event/trend.
What can be defined as culture: A society’s belief systems. This includes religious beliefs, beliefs about gender and race and class, beliefs about or preferences for certain political structures, and beliefs about or preferences for certain economic structures.
The essay should be at least 1000 words. You can write more than 1000 words. If you calculate 1000 words, this would be roughly 300 words for each time period and then an introduction to the essay and a conclusion. 1000 is the minimum
Your essay should have an argument in the introduction (what is your assessment of the overall role or influence of culture/people’s beliefs in world history) and the significance in the conclusion (what is the significance of culture in world history)
The majority of your evidence should come from the textbook. You can also use evidence from lectures, media, and presentations. I will try to have all presentations up on sakai.
Again, however, the MAJORITY of your evidence should come from the text.
Using the book Forging the Modern World A History. Third Edition. By James Carter and Richard Warren. Add page numbers for evidence used.
