Blog #11

                                    The Industrial Revolution – Why Britain?

Around the 1700s, cultural exchanges in Europe had relatively changed especially in Britain which was the first European state to experience the Industrial Revolution.  The Industrial Revolution brought tremendous effects on politics, economics, culture, and society.  The industrial revolution turned agricultural based economies into industrial economies.  

            Britain acquired an Empire established trading ports, then governmental roles.  Britain had two important advantages  that consisted of productive and wealthy agricultural system and creative inventors in science.  The United Kingdom dictated the progress of the rest of Europe after 1750.  The first spinning frames were created.  Gradually textile factories and the iron industry skyrocketed.  Scientific technology later developed with the discovery of atmospheric pressure and vacuums, along with the improvements of the steam engine.   However, the industrial revolution exploited many workers who were poor and in need for work.  This introduce new labor systems.  Eventually,  the  Industrial Revolution consisted of the substitution of mechanical devices versus human skills, the substitution of inanimate power from steam which led to the railroad system versus human and animal power, and improvements in obtaining and working raw materials, such as metal which formed bridge building and organization.

            Thus transportation technologies linked cultural exchange and improvements in communication.  Today, technology improvements continue and has rapidly been important development for many regions.

Blog #10

Nations and Nationalism

            Changes developed during the Atlantic revolution as independent movements began in North and South America, spreading to parts of Europe. 

Events from the 1800s, through 1890s occurred that started with the resistance to Napoleonic empires, and migration started to concentrate in countries such as Greek, Poland, Ireland, Ukraine, Hungary, Italy, Germany, and Egypt.  Nations were formed as an identity to each culture in different regions.  Nationalism was the rivalry among many of these European countries and caused tremendous suffering when World War I started.   In particular, Germany had different racial beliefs especially for the Jews.  Nationalism had controversial issues as each state had no distinction between who belong to the state and who should speak for it.  This controversial issue spread to Asia and West Africa also.   Finally, nationalism in each state continued to establish support until the twentieth century, where Asia and Africa eventually gained power.

            I place confidence that nationalism had a profound effect on one’s country.  Sharing a common culture and to have their nation free from outside control began to inspire nations to be free.  Nationalism brought a sense of unification for people in their own nation.   Each war brought each separate country closer together towards their goal of establishing their identity.   Nationalism also introduced how people lived and determine who ruled them.  Finally, I regard that nationalism took away the superiority of kings and princes as they were less important.  Furthermore, nationalism influenced trade with countries overseas.

Blog #9 SND

            Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur during  the revolutionary era

During the French revolution, Julie  Billiart, born in Cuvilly France in 1751, endured many difficulties being poor despite her handicap of losing strength to walk on her legs from the plague. She was a dedicated Catholic and went into hiding during the French revolution.  When churches reopen in 1804, Julie regained the usage of her legs and spent the remaining years of her life to set up convents.  Along with Francoise Blin de Bourdon, Julie vowed to be a sister of Notre Dame.  Together Francoise and Julie committed their life to God.  Francoise had funded the opening of a free school for poor girls through her inheritance.  They relocated to Namur, France which is Belgium now.  They were able to work with God there.  In 1816, Julie died peacefully praying.  Around 1851, the sisters of Notre Dame purchased their first property in San Jose, College of Notre Dame, a Catholic college.   In 1923, the college moved from San Jose to the Ralston Mansion in Belmont. 

Julie Billiart introduced how sisters became God’s followers.  Living through the French Revolution, she spread her kindness that founded the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur.  After her death, Sisters, just like Julie, cared for the orphans and the ill and became nurses.  Now, I can see how over the years, congregation fueled new energy as schools formed and now, the sisters continue their mission to become God’s followers showing goodness.  Reflecting back, Julie Billiart was an astounding female role model, and I respect the hallmarks that she contributed to our NDNU classrooms. She paved the way for others to follow because of human duty.  Julie remains a prominent female mentor who continues to inspire the beauty of truth.   

Introduction to Part 5, chapter 16

The Haitian Revolution 1791-1804

            The Atlantic Revolution impacted North American, France, Haiti, and Latin America.   Attacks were all connected and embarked a great mass of mobilization of social and economic change in America. These costly wars weakened the states and thus influenced France, and Britain to battle conflicts in particular, with the Atlantic World starting from 1775.  Antislavery movements began particularly in Haiti which sparked the Haitian Revolution.   Slaves wanted slavery to end.  Slaves wanted freedom and equality. Haiti was a French colony known as Saint Domingue.   Toussaint Louverture, a slave resisted the foreign French power.  He managed along with his successors to fight for the rights of man regardless of color and defeated Napoleon.  This revolt challenged the slave system in North America also. Toussaint Louverture was known as the “black Napolean” who sought justice and equality. 

I strongly believe that the Haitian Revolution was another influence necessary to change America’s attitude toward slavery. The grave injustices done to Haiti by United States and France employed many revolutionary movements afterwards.   Even though Haiti won independence against the white politicians, the tyranny remains clear.  Furthermore, through Toussaint Louverture commitment for justice, his unwavering pursuit of the abolition of slavery succeeded.