Blog # 10 - Who's form of government is the best form of government?

1) Review the new political ideas that were created and popularized during the 18th and 19th centuries including nationalism, constitutionalism, centralization and bureaucracy, democracy, socialism and communism.

2) If you could create the perfect government, what would that government be like? Would it include ideas from any of these political movements? Be specific and feel free to compare your ideas with any previous or present forms of government.

2) Respond to another person's post explain what aspects of their ideas you agree and disagree with.

Blog # 9 - Opium make the world go 'round...

After completing the Reading handed out in class, answer the following questions:

1) How did Opium make the world go round?

2) Do you believe Britain was justified in their war with China? Why or why not?

3) Respond to at least one other person's comment.

Blog # 8 - Life in this New World

1) Using at least two examples from the text, was the change in labor systems from peasants and slaves to factory workers a positive step for humanity?

2) Choose a persons response and, using two examples, argue the exact opposite point of view.

Blog # 7 - Joining the bandwagon of Industrialization

1) Choose one of the following viewpoints. Pretending you are that person, write a letter to one of your government officials trying to convince them that your country should industrialize.  Use specific evidence from your text and notes to convince the government leader.
       1) Christian merchant living in the Ottoman Empire
       2) Japanese Samurai
       3) Chinese peasant
       4) Brazilian Creole
       5) Mughal (Indian) soldier

2) Now choose one of the letters written by someone else and answer them back from the viewpoint of the government official. You can agree with them OR tell them how wrong they are!

Blog # 6: Thinking Globally and Locally

1) How was the Enlightenment global in its inspiration and effects?

2) Why were Asian influences more influential in the West during the Enlightenment than Western influences were in Asia?

3) Which Enlightenment thinker to you believe was most influential? Give at least one example where you see that person's idea in our world. Respond to one other person's post explaining whether or not you agree with their choice.

Blog # 5 - A Culture of Drugs

After reading pages 71 - 80 in The World that Trade Created, answer the following questions

1) Explain why the author refers to chocolate as a drug. Do you agree with the author's opinion about chocolate and other commodities being a drug? Why or why not?

2) Using examples from at least two societies, explain how "drugs" helped the economy and culture of various empires and civilizations around the world.

3) How important are these drugs in our modern world and economy? Respond to at least one other person's answer.

Blog #4 - Shaping the World Economy with Free Labor

After reading "The Economics of Violence", answer the following questions:

1) Why were the slave trade and the Potosi mine so important to development of the world economy?

2) Do you believe that modern American/European societies should share blame or be blamed for the horrors of the Potosi mine and African slave trade? Respond to one other person's opinion

3) Should the postosi mine and African slave trade be written into the national histories of each country or are these world history topics that should not be included? Explain your answer.