Write three (3) posts where you address any of the following five questions.
Here are the questions you can address:
- Who is your favorite figure from Modern World History? What is appealing for you about this person? An extraordinary monarch or emperor? A brilliant scientist or thinker? A trailblazer of new ideas or breaking cultural/social norms? A literary or artistic genius? An outstanding military figure? Or even an unsung, little recognized figure never given his or her proper acknowledgement? Be sure to build your case with the persons story and reasons for your admiration.
- Recommend for your classmates any literary novels OR paintings to view from any period of Modern World History (1500 to the 21st century). Your geographic range may include Europe, Asia, Africa, or the Americas. For a novel recommendation, after a brief plot synopsis, describe what is engrossing, influential or thematically significant about the novel. Does the novel say anything significant about a famous figure, event, or era from Modern World History? For paintings, identify the work or art and the artist and describe the captivating appeal the painting holds for you. Does it have a way of portraying a famous figure, event, or era from Modern World History? You may also if you wish, cut and paste a Google image of the painting in your answer.
- The Age of New Imperialism marked a decisive era in Modern World History. For better or worse, Western values, ideas, technology and economic systems spread globally and shaped our present world. Still highly controversial and politically charged, many criticize this period as doing great harm to the world with exploitation and sometime cruel treatment of native subjects, land appropriation, seizure of natural resources, and extinguishing native traditions. But others point out that while acknowledging imperialisms dark side, this era also brought modernization, technology, education, modern political systems, and reshaping economies that in time would bring colonies (eventual independent nations) wealth and stability. Write your views where you stand on the historical legacy of New Imperialism overall more benefit than harm, condemnation, or something in between.
- One of the major events shaping and defining the modern world was globalization, the process of now knowing the full geographic world, connecting previously isolated continents and peoples, and creating a fully integrated and interactive world. Features and institutions such as transportation, communication, economies/trade, ideas/information, relationships, love/hate, war, disease, and even terrorism have a global reach. Write your views on what you believe (you can address one or several) are the greatest triumphs, advantages/disadvantages, challenges or even tragedies of living in the Age of Globalization.
- Throughout this course we have learned how specific forces and events shaped the direction of Modern World History. Based upon your understanding and reflection of such topics like the Age of Exploration, Scientific Revolution, Age of Enlightenment, French Revolution, Napoleonic Era, Industrial Revolution, and "New" Imperialism do you believe either 1) individuals, 2) technology, or 3) ideas have exerted the greatest impact upon shaping Modern World History. You may argue one choice or rank and discuss all three.