Mid(ish) Year Review SELECTED HOT TOPICS…

Mid(ish) Year Review The Indian Ocean trade network was infiltrated by Europeans between Europe dominated trade through force of arms. Furs became globally traded in the 17 th century, spurring expansion into Siberia and the New World due to the mini-ice age. Fur was a valuable commodity known as “soft gold” due to the high price they fetched at market. In the 17 th Century, the Atlantic slave trade began in earnest. Due to the intense labor requirements of sugar production (and the slave mortality rate), the Atlantic slave trade expanded. The Protestant Reformation spurred a major increase in literacy rates. The printing press significantly aided the spread of Protestant ideas.

Mid(ish) Year Review The Scientific Revolution helped Europeans unlock the secrets of the natural world through keen observation and experimentation. The Enlightenment came on the heels of the Scientific Revolution and inspired thinkers to unlock the natural laws governing human affairs/society. On October 31, 1517 Martin Luther posted the 95 Theses on the door of the Cathedral in Wittenberg, Germany. The grievances aired were nothing new as many people have taken similar actions in the past, but the idea that faith alone is the key to salvation. Napoleon Bonaparte made a name for himself in during the French Revolution. When he took over the government from The Directory he instituted many reforms that countered the excesses of the French Revolution except for the secular legal code.

Mid(ish) Year Review As the 19 th Century began, many began questioning slavery. The growing fear of rebellion (The Haitian Revolution), economic inefficiencies (the start of the Industrial Revolution), and moral concerns (abolitionist movement, religious objections) contributed to the end of the Atlantic slave trade. The Industrial Revolution was a global phenomenon that changed the way people lived dramatically, only the Agricultural Revolution at the start of the Neolithic Era changed life in a similar fashion. Even though not every region industrialized, non-industrialized regions were also affected by industrialization through Western intervention and influence. (raw materials/ markets) Great Britain was the first to industrialized largely due to good fortune. Factors like practical science, favorable government, close and abundant deposits of raw materials led to the British being the first to industrialize.

Mid(ish) Year Review The Industrial Revolution improved the lives of many groups of people with improved housing, health care, education, and pay. The group that most benefited from the Industrial Revolution was the middle class thanks to the expansion of white collar jobs and educational opportunities. The Atlantic Revolutions of the 18 th and early 19 th Centuries saw the creation of new countries and the start of a new world order. These revolutions all challenged the divine authority of monarchies, which allowed for the Industrial Revolution to take root in Europe.

Mid(ish) Year Review The Atlantic Revolutions: ◦Enlightenment ideas were the core of the Atlantic Revolutions ◦Democracy, representation, liberty, freedom of speech, press, religion, self determination, etc. ◦North American Revolution—preserve existing society ◦French Revolution—create new society, eliminate monarchy ◦Haitian Revolution—successful slave revolt, create new nation eliminating privilege ◦Latin American Revolutions—create new nations, ethnic differences prevents unity Industrial Revolution: ◦Exhibitions often held to showcase new technology and machinery ◦Showcases meant to highlight the significance and importance of machinery, rather than the workers ◦Drawn to these were the rich ◦The rich were originally considered the chief beneficiaries of industrialization ◦Industrialists realized more money could be made by selling products to all