History Week 10

The Developing Civilisations and Powers of the Middle Ages: The Islamic Golden Age & The Ottoman Empire

How significant is the role of the Ottoman Empire in world history?

(Almanach de Saxe Gotha 2012, 'Map of Ottoman Empire')

 

The Ottoman Empire was ‘the last of a series of Turkish Muslim empires,’ becoming one of the largest and longest lasting empires the world has ever seen (MidEastWeb 2008, ¶1). The empire was ‘inspired and sustained by Islam, and Islamic institutions,’ and during its domination, attempted to bring as ‘much territory as possible into the Islamic fold’ (BBC 2004, ¶3; The Ottomans 2002, ¶1). Surprisingly, unlike other empires throughout history where the invaded inhabitants are either killed, expelled or ostracised, the ‘non-Muslims living in these areas were then absorbed into the Empire as protected subjects’ (The Ottomans 2002, ¶1). Under the reign of Suleiman the Magnificent who was arguably the greatest Ottoman ruler, the empire ‘became the most powerful state in the world’ (Almanach de Saxe Gotha 2012, ¶1). The control of the Ottoman Empire remained with the Imperial Ottoman family ‘from 1299 until the establishment of the Republic of Turkey in 1922,’ a dynasty maintaining 600 years of total dominion (Almanach de Saxe Gotha 2012, ¶3). The first sign of a chink in their armour occurred in 1571 with ‘Ottoman forces…defeated at the battle of Lepanto,’ which had significant damaging effects on its navy (MidEastWeb 2008, ¶4; BBC 2004, ¶5). The Ottoman Empire ‘declined further during the next centuries,’ culminating in its final hurrah during World War I (BBC 2004, ¶5). Although its origins stem back hundreds of years, the Ottoman Empire played an integral part in world history, particularly during WWI. The Ottoman army was not prepared for WWI after suffering ‘substantial casualties in the Balkan Wars’ in 1911 (Historical Boys’ Clothing 2012, ¶8). Nevertheless, the empire aligned themselves with Germany and the Triple Alliance, ‘leading to the disastrous Allied offensive at Gallipoli,’ in which after a series of offensives made by the British Army, the Ottomans ‘agreed to an armistice’ (Historical Boys’ Clothing 2012, ¶8). After 600 years of world domination, the once great Ottoman Empire had collapsed.

 

References

Almanach de Saxe Gotha 2012, Ottoman Empire: House Of Osman, http://www.almanachdegotha.org/id127.html, [Accessed 8 November 2012]

BBC 2004, Introduction: The Ottoman Empire, http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/islam/history/ottomanempire_1.shtml, [Accessed 8 November 2012]

Historical Boys’ Clothing 2012, World War I: Ottoman Empire, http://histclo.com/essay/war/ww1/cou/w1c-tur.html, [Accessed 8 November 2012]

MidEastWeb 2008, Ottoman Empire, http://www.mideastweb.org/Middle-East-Encyclopedia/ottoman.htm, [Accessed 8 November 2012]

The Ottomans 2002, History, http://www.theottomans.org/english/history/index.asp, [Accessed 8 November 2012]

Images

Almanach de Saxe Gotha 2012, ‘Map Of Ottoman Empire’, http://www.almanachdegotha.org/id127.html, [Accessed 8 November 2012]

History Week 8

The Mediterranean World – The Roman Age

Discuss the legacy of Ancient Rome to the western world/ Discuss the place Ancient Rome has in bible prophecy.

(Hyper History n.d., 'Roman Empire')

(Zyworld n.d., 'Nebuchadnezzar's Dream')

Ancient Rome has had a significant impact on the modern world with its legacy still seen and even spoken today. The modern Romantic languages such as French, Spanish and Italian evolved from Latin, the language of the Ancient Romans (Eduplace n.d., p.2). Similar to today’s society, education was also an extremely important aspect of Roman life; schooling the children of the affluent in reading, writing and mathematics (History Learning Site 2012, ¶1).   However unlike their Grecian contemporaries who cherished ‘knowledge for its own sake,’ the Romans sought ‘to use their knowledge for practical purposes’ (Cambridge University Press 2012, p.176 ¶3). These pragmatic philosophies led to the ‘architectural and engineering feats’ such as the aqueducts which allowed Romans access to fresh water and in turn develop sewerage systems that minimised the outbreak of disease (Cambridge University Press 2012, p.176 ¶2). The construction of roads totalling approximately ‘80450km’ provided not only shorter travelling distances for armies but increased trade (Cambridge University Press, p.176 ¶5). Unfortunately the construction of the roads proved to be a double edged sword as although they allowed easy navigation for the army and ‘united the Empire’, so too did it allow enemies to invade and conquer without many obstacles (Eduplace n.d., p.3). The fall of Rome has been well documented, however the Bible had foretold of Rome’s demise long before it had even risen. In the Book of Daniel, Daniel interpreted King Nebuchadnezzar’s dream in which he saw,

‘an enormous, dazzling statue, awesome in appearance. The head of the statue was made of pure gold, its chest and arms of silver, its belly and thighs of bronze, its legs of iron, its feet partly of iron and partly of baked clay. While you were watching, a rock was cut out, but not by human hands. It struck the statue on its feet of iron and clay and smashed them. Then the iron, the clay, the bronze, the silver and the gold were all broken to pieces and became like chaff on a threshing floor in the summer. The wind swept them away without leaving a trace’ (Dan. 2:31-35, NIV).

Each element of the statue represented a kingdom that would have a ‘direct impact upon and reign over Israel’ (Seeking Truth 2012, ¶2). Scholars suggest that the head represented the Babylonian Empire, the chest and arms represented Persia, the belly and thighs represented Greece and that the legs ‘symbolised the eastern and western empires’ of Rome (The Underground Bible n.d., ¶2). The prophecy stated that the elements of the statue would be ‘broken to pieces and became like chaff on a threshing floor in the summer. The wind swept them away without leaving a trace,’ thus foreseeing the fall of the great Empire of Rome and securing its place in Biblical prophecy (Dan. 2:35, NIV).

 

References

Cambridge University Press 2012, Ancient Rome, http://www.cambridge.edu.au/education/resource/pageproofs_6_675933.pdf, [Accessed 4 November 2012]

Eduplace n.d., World History: Ancient Civilisations, http://www.eduplace.com/parents/socsci/ca/books/bkf3/reviews/pdfs/LS_6_15_04.pdf, [Accessed 4 November 2012]

History Learning Site 2012, Roman Education, http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/roman_education.htm, [Accessed 4 November 2012]

The Holy Bible: New International Version 1998, New American Library, NY

Seeking Truth 2012, World Government And The Revived Roman Empire, http://www.seekingtruth.co.uk/world_government.htm, [Accessed 4 November 2012]   

The Underground Bible n.d., Bible Prophecy: The Four Empires Of Earth, http://undergroundbible.wordpress.com/2010/02/28/sour-grapes-the-evolution-of-four-empires-on-earth-part-4-of-5/, [Accessed 4 November 2012]

Images

Hyper History n.d., ‘Roman Empire’, picture, http://www.hyperhistory.com/online_n2/maptext_n2/roman_emp.html, [Accessed 4 November 2012]

Zyworld n.d., ‘Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream’, http://www.zyworld.com/RevelationScrolls/Nebuchadnezzars%20Dream.htm, [Accessed 4 November 2012]

History Week 7

The Mediterranean World in the First Millennium: The Greek Civilisation

Assess the part Greek history has played in the civilisation of the west

(Ocana n.d., 'Athenian Democracy')

 

(Ancient Greek Universities n.d., 'Plato's Academia')

In order to assess the part Greek history has played in the civilisation of the western world, an understanding of the term civilisation must first be attained; civilisation is ‘a relatively high level of cultural and technological development’ (Merriam-Webster 2012). In light of this, the Ancient Greeks could then be considered the largest influence on modern society. Despite technological advancements made over the last century in fields such as Astronomy and Medicine, the progress in these areas had been relatively stagnant since the Classical era. The Ancient Greek culture ‘encouraged the pursuit of knowledge,’ placing great emphasis on education, creating ‘academies and other centres of learning’ (Mitchell Teachers n.d., ¶1). Culturally, this thirst for knowledge provided opportunities for ancient scholars to make discoveries that were not equalled or expanded upon until the early 20^th century. Pythagoras who not only believed the Earth was spherical, a hypothesis not fully adopted until after 15^th Century, also developed the philosophy that ‘all complex phenomena must reduce to simple ones,’ a concept which became a ‘driving force to the great scientists such as Newton and particularly Einstein’ (Connor & Robertson 1999, ¶7). Hippocrates also known as ‘The Father of Medicine’ was amongst the first Ancient Greeks to state the principle ‘that all diseases are natural in origin, and to be cured not with charms or miracles but by natural means,’ which has shaped the way in which science and medicine is approached today (Auld n.d., p.717 ¶4).  Despite the advancements made in science, mathematics, philosophy, architecture and literature, perhaps the greatest and most enduring contribution Ancient Greece gave to modern society is the concept of Democracy. According to Herodotus (cited in Ancient Greek Democracy 2012, ¶2), ‘in a democracy there is first, that most splendid of virtues, equality before the law,’ suggesting that every citizen should have the right to vote. Nevertheless the democratic philosophy was surrendered within two centuries making way for an Aristocratic form of government (Ancient Greek Democracy 2012, ¶1). Despite this, the fundamentals of democracy and its ideals ‘have been influencing politicians and governments ever since’ (Ancient Greek Democracy 2012, ¶8).

 

References

Ancient Greek Democracy 2012, http://www.history.com/topics/ancient-greece-democracy, [Accessed 3 November 2012]

Auld, JW n.d., The Greek Contribution To Medicine, http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1710212/pdf/canmedaj00483-0137.pdf, [Accessed 3 November 2012]

Connor, JJ & Robertson, EF 1999, Greek Astronomy, http://www-history.mcs.st-and.ac.uk/HistTopics/Greek_astronomy.html, [Accessed 3 November 2012]

Mitchell Teachers n.d., Recognising Ancient Greek Achievements In The Modern World, http://www.mitchellteachers.org/WorldHistory/AncientGreece/RecognizingAncientGreekAchievementsintheModernWorld.htm, [Accessed 3 November 2012]

Merriam-Webster 2012, ‘Civilised’, Online Dictionary, http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/civilization, [Accessed 3 November 2012]

Images

Ancient Greek Universities n.d., ‘Plato’s Academia’, picture, http://reinventingknowledge5.blogspot.com.au/2011/11/ancient-greek-universities.html, [Accessed 3 November 2012]

Ocaña, JC n.d., ‘Athenian Democracy’, picture, http://www.historiasiglo20.org/1ESO/Athensdemocracy2.html, [Accessed 3 November 2012]

History Week 5

The Birth of River Civilisations Asia (770 BC – AD 700)

Assess the birth of the civilisations of China and India and their relationship to Geography

(Wikipedia n.d., 'Sino-Indian Geography')

Similar to Egypt and Mesopotamia, the Chinese and Indian civilisations began because of their proximity to water, namely the Yellow and Yangtze Rivers in China and the Indus and Ganges Rivers in India (Stearns 1992, ¶1). The development of agriculture allowed ancient nomadic people to settle in one area and thus the beginnings of civilisation in those regions were born (National Geographic 2012, ¶2). China and India were both agricultural societies which provide opportunities for large cities and ‘engendered significant trade’ which also promoted ‘social and economic complexity’ (Stearns n.d., ¶2). However the availability of water and agricultural prowess were not the only determinants in the development of Ancient China and India; Geography and Topography were key components to the success of these civilisations. Geographically, China contains desert and mountainous regions which not only isolated those early civilisations but also prevented them from being invaded, allowing their society and culture to flourish without disruption (Chiang 2007, ¶1-2). Similarly, India is also surrounded by mountainous regions like the Himalayas to the north and water to the south, however the early Indian civilisation utilised ‘important passes through the mountains, especially in the northwest, [linking] India to other civilisations in the Middle East’ (Stearns n.d., ¶4). Although India was not as isolated as China, invaders found India particularly ‘difficult to unite politically’ owing to its vast terrain and ‘divisions within the subcontinent’ (Stearns n.d., ¶4). Despite their comparable origins and somewhat similar topography, politically the two civilisations could not be further apart, ‘political disunity has characterised India’s history’ whereas China ‘has been united for more than 2000 years - the longest-lived political institution in world history’ which may have been owing to the aforementioned isolation and deprivation of external influences (History World International n.d., ¶3).

 

References

Chiang, J 2007, China’s Key Geographical Features, http://sasasianhistory.wetpaint.com/page/China%27s+Key+Geographical+Features, [Accessed 3 November 2012]

History World International n.d., Early India: The Asian Way Of Life, http://history-world.org/india1.htm, [Accessed 3 November 2012]

National Geographic 2012, Civilisations, http://education.nationalgeographic.com.au/encyclopedia/civilization/?ar_a=1, [Accessed 3 November 2012]

Stearns, P 1992, Asia's First Civilizations - India And China, http://history-world.org/Asia's%20First%20Civilizations.htm, [Accessed 3 November 2012]

Stearns, P n.d., Classical Civilisation, http://www.fcps.edu/ChantillyHS/StudentLife/Summer2012/Stearnspt2SummerReadingChapter3-5.pdf, [Accessed 3 November 2012]

Images

Wikipedia n.d., ‘Sino-Indian Geography’, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Sino-Indian_Geography.png, [Accessed 3 November 2012]

History Week 4

The Birth of Civilisations in Mesopotamia & Egypt

What factors were responsible for the development of civilisation in both Mesopotamia and Egypt? Assess the significance of these factors in determining the rise and fall of these civilisations.

(Bible History Online n.d., 'Ancient Trade Routes')

The development of the Mesopotamian and Egyptian civilisations began mainly because of their proximities to water; Egypt built on the Nile and Mesopotamia was built between the rivers Tigris and Euphrates (Greenwood n.d., ¶7). Access to water allowed both civilisations to cultivate farmlands and provide ‘sustenance for large and growing populations’ (Brown 2006, ¶11). The rivers also provided an opportunity for technology to develop further, ‘creating irrigation systems’ as well as ‘complex system of canals, dikes, ditches, and reservoirs’ that helped predict the natural rise and fall of the rivers’ water level (Greenwood n.d., ¶7; Brown 2006, ¶11). Egyptian and Mesopotamian lives were beholden to water; the rise and fall of the rivers determined the quality and amount of food they were able to harvest. Climate also played an important part in both regions as it ‘alternated between the hot and the dry and the very wet, the latter producing flooding of the rivers and swamps’ which played havoc on the predictability of their water systems (Brown 2006, ¶10). Unfortunately in Mesopotamia, a combination of a ‘drop in water levels’ and over irrigation ‘led to a progressive salinization of the soil’ creating a lack of food from the poisoned fields in the region and forced the Mesopotamians to migrate elsewhere (Bakshi 2010, ¶2). Egypt also suffered a similar fate as ‘famine gripped the country and paralysed the political institutions’ due to low floods and in turn incited desperation and atrocity never before seen in the region with so much starvation that ‘those who remained habitually ate human flesh; parents even ate their own children’ (Hassan 2011, ¶8). Both civilisations, although extremely powerful and relatively astute in technology, ‘fell prey to the devastating effects of the very water that once supported [their] lavish existence’ (Bakshi 2010, ¶2).

References

Bakshi, G 2010, Water In The Middle East - Shaping Civilizations Of The Past And Future, http://www.countercurrents.org/bakshi080610.htm, [Accessed 3 November 2012]

Brown, R 2006, Ancient Civilizations to 300 BC Introduction: The Invention and Diffusion of Civilization, http://www.uncp.edu/home/rwb/lecture_ancient_civ.htm, [Accessed 3 November 2012]

Greenwood, N n.d., Early River Valley Civilisations, http://old.clevelandstatecc.edu/courses/ngreenwood/history%201110/online_presentations/first_river_valley_civilizations.htm, [Accessed 3 November 2012]

Hassan, F 2011, The Fall Of The Egyptian Old Kingdom, http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/ancient/egyptians/apocalypse_egypt_01.shtml#five, [Accessed 3 November 2012]

Images

Bible History Online n.d., ‘Ancient Trade Routes’, picture, http://www.bible-history.com/maps/maps/map_ancient_trade_routes_mesopotamia.html, [Accessed 3 November 2012]

Geography Week 9

 

Perceptions of Poverty



(Klay 2011, 'Homeless')

Traditionally poverty has long been considered an issue in Third World countries such as Somalia or Ethiopia; however an increasing number of people are living below the poverty line much closer to home. A recent study conducted by the Australian Council of Social Service (referred to hereafter as ACOSS), suggests as many as ‘1 in 8 people, including 1 in 6 children were living at or below this poverty line’ in Australia (2012, p.6 ¶4). ACOSS define poverty as ‘50% of the median household income’ which equates to approximately ‘$358 per week for a single adult… [And] for a couple with 2 children it was $752’ (ACOSS 2012, p.6 ¶5). This method of calculating poverty is ‘relatively generous by international standards,’ consequently if the figures were based on UK standards ‘Australian’s living in poverty would double’ (The Big Issue n.d., ¶4). According to the Federal Budget issued in May 2012 (cited in Hudson 2012, ¶3), the Australian Government increased spending on welfare and social security to approximately ‘one third’ of the national budget yet the effects of this are non-existent. Despite ‘20 years of economic growth’ a rising number of Australians find themselves struggling to make ends meet (ACOSS 2012, p.6 ¶1). Surprisingly, the government increased their international aid budget to ‘$5.2 billion’, funds that would be better spent on income support and developing skills programs for the unemployed (Carr 2012, p.3 ¶6). Although foreign aid is an admirable and necessary part of Global politics, the decision makers in Canberra should heed the old adage, charity begins at home.

References

Australian Council of Social Service 2012, Poverty In Australia, http://acoss.org.au/uploads/ACOSS%20Poverty%20Report%202012_Final.pdf, [Accessed 3 November 2012]

The Big Issue n.d., Poverty In Australia, http://www.thebigissue.org.au/Facts_Figures_Poverty_Homelessness_Australia.pdf, [Accessed 3 November 2012]

Carr, B 2012, Helping The World’s Poor: Implementing Effective Aid, Budget Australia’s International Development Assistance Program 2012-13, http://www.budget.gov.au/2012-13/content/ministerial_statements/ausaid/download/ausaid.pdf, [Accessed 3 November 2012]

Hudson, P 2012, ‘Government’s Welfare Budget Costs $5000 A Head’, http://www.news.com.au/money/federal-budget/welfare-budget-costing-5000-a-head/story-fn84fgcm-1226351467594, [Accessed 3 November 2012]

Images

Klay 2011, ‘Homeless’, http://www.psylords.info/news/australian-unemployed-living-nearbelow-poverty-line/, [Accessed 3 November 2012]

Geography Week 8

Alternate Sources Of Energy

(Ryan 2009, 'Tidal Power')

Fossil fuels and their effect on Earth’s climate is not a new phenomenon. In 1896, a Swedish scientist named Svante Arrhenius ‘proposed a relation[ship] between atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations and temperature,’ suggesting that as the concentration of CO² rises so too does the temperature in the Earth’s atmosphere (Enzler 2011, ¶1). Unfortunately this theory was not verified and its ramifications not fully understood until the late 20^th century, by which time mankind had become completely dependent on fossil fuels. Not only do fossil fuel emissions pollute the atmosphere, they are also non-renewable and ‘will eventually run out because we are using them much faster than they can be restored within the earth’ (Solar Schools n.d., ¶8). Now that climate change has been accepted as a reality, the need to find an alternative renewable source of energy that does not exacerbate the greenhouse gases in the atmosphere is paramount. One possible source is Tidal Energy/Power, whereby the naturally occurring ebb and flow of the tide generates electricity. According to Australian Mines and Metal Association (referred to hereafter as AMMA), there are two methods for generating this kind of power: the ‘Tidal Stream Generator (referred to hereafter as TSD)’ and ‘Tidal Barrages’ (AMMA n.d., ¶4). The tidal barrage system stores energy by holding onto the tide water in an estuary for later use however is less common than TSD ‘because they rely on specific local geographical conditions, e.g. coastal inlets appropriate for damning’ (AMMA n.d., ¶4). TSD generates electricity using ‘large underwater turbines turned by the incoming or outgoing tide’ (AMMA n.d., ¶4). One of the main advantages to utilising this form of energy apart from the renewability and lack of carbon emissions is the predictability factor. Tides can be predicted and therefore the possible electricity output is ‘much more uniform and reliable’ than alternative energy sources such as wind power (Green World Investor 2012, ¶3). Unfortunately there are disadvantages although some have not been fully researched owing to the limited tidal energy sources currently constructed. As with most new technologies, the cost of construction is a major deterrent however if done correctly could pay for itself in the long term (Vella n.d., ¶12). Furthermore construction sites themselves are limited as the geographical requirements for operation are not present in every country (AMMA n.d., ¶4). Another disadvantage and perhaps the most convincing of all is the possible ‘long-term impact on marine ecosystems’ as coastal areas around the plant can experience an ‘increase in silt’ and also the possibility that ‘turbines can also kill fish passing through it’ (Green World Investor 2012, ¶4). Although some of these disadvantages appear to be deal breakers, if a better alternative to fossil fuels cannot be found then tidal energy seems the most natural, efficient and plausible way to progress forward.

References

Enzler, SM 2011, History Of The Greenhouse Effect And Global Warming, http://www.lenntech.com/greenhouse-effect/global-warming-history.htm, [Accessed 2 November 2012]

Green World Investor 2012, Advantages And Disadvantages Of Tidal Energy, http://www.greenworldinvestor.com/2011/03/15/advantages-and-disadvantages-of-tidal-energy/, [Accessed 2 November 2012]

Solar Schools n.d., Non-Renewable Energy, http://www.solarschools.net/resources/stuff/non_renewable_energy.aspx, [Accessed 2 November 2012]

Vella, D n.d., The Advantages And Disadvantages Of Tidal Power, http://www.sustainabledevelopmentinfo.com/the-advantages-and-disadvantages-of-tidal-power/, [Accessed 2 November 2012]

Images

Ryan, V 2009, ‘Tidal Power’, http://technologystudent.com/energy1/tidal1.htm, [Accessed 2 November 2012]