Is there any significance to the fact that the Soviet Union was replaced by the Russian Republic on Christmas day 1991? Why was that particular day chosen? Is there symbolism?
Winds + innovations – a successful combination for
conquering lands across an ocean. With
the wind at your back, you just sail right on in and make your mark.
For some inexplicable reason, I am fascinated by the germs
and disease topic and how low tolerance in the Americas was an advantage for
the Europeans. Our book states that up
to 90% of the Native American population was decimated by the diseases from
abroad: measles, smallpox, malaria, etc.
That is a mind-blowing number.
Really lovely of the Euros to transport their diseases, but little did
they know what was coming down the pike.
Here is a new word:
Amerindian. I have not heard that
used before.
One cannot possibly think of potatoes without thinking of
the Irish potato famine, yet I never knew that the famine was caused from an
airborne fungus from the Americas.
Fascinating!
Corn may have been cheap food for slaves, but it still is
used today in just about everything.
Tobacco, chocolate, coffee, tea – Evil vices that people love!
Of course, all of this prosperity brought with it rivalries,
wars, piracy, and smuggling – all things that still go on today.
Good way to soften the blow of women’s sexual abuse and rape
by first stating that sometimes the marriages were beneficial to women because
they acquired land. Then the bomb drops
– knew that one was coming.
Protection my arse!
So Mafioso!
Here’s a good string of words: “Bearers of Civilization” (p. 628), the roots
of status and power.
The Arabs pioneered large-scale sugar production? Who would have known?
The demands placed on slaves were sinful. While modern society has a pretty comfortable
life, reading about the working conditions of slaves is a sad reminder of how
we got to this point in time.
I see similarities in the “dregs” of the colonial world
developing into the powerhouse of the United States and smart acquisitions of
low-budget baseball teams that get the golden boys for small salaries. The teams take these guys off of the scrap
heap and shine them up into stud ball players.
Nice.
The PETA people would not have liked this fur hunting in
Russia!
There has been a recurring theme of paying fees for
virtually nothing in return throughout this book.
Peyton Place alert:
Nur Jahan ran the helm of her alcohol-and-opium- addicted husband! Love it!
Within the space of two sentences, Turkish women are
secluded and veiled, YET retained some social power from the pastoral
societies. Does not quite make sense.
The Devshirme Process:
Sheez, I guess if your son is stolen, you might as well look at the
bright side: upward mobility.
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