Australia and Canada

The effects of British imperialism in Canada and Australia are similar, but I think that the Australian people had it way worse. In Australia they have a National Sorry Day because of what happened many years ago. It is what we call the "stolen generations". Thousands of children were stolen from their parents. The children who had Caucasian ancestors were the ones who were targeted the most. This was because they were considered to be more intelligent than those who were completely aboriginal. These children were taken to residential schools and were assimilated. The British culture was forced upon them. The native people were often forced to marry the white men so that they could breed away the native people. Similar things happened in Canada too. Children from certain groups of aboriginals were taken from their families and put up for adoption. Then they were sent to residential schools. This was all done because of what the British wanted. These people were no threat to them, so they took advantage of them and forced them to adopt their ideas and ways of life. This devastated the native people. Their rights were taken away from them. This happened in lesser countries all over the world. If it weren't for eurocentrism, none of this would have happened the way it did.

Canada and India

During the days of early exploration Britain was a great superpower. They conquered many nations and gained much wealth. They took possession of Canada and also other countries such as India. The effects of their influence were much the same in contrast. There were many positive and negative impacts. Often the pros for the British were the cons for the Indigenous people.

The First Nations in Canada were forced to adopt the British culture as well as the Indians. This was bad for the natives, but good for Britain because they gained more power from it. To the British, these people were much lesser in rank and could not take care of themselves. So they invaded their lands and began to force their ideas upon them. Neither the First Nations of Canada or the Indians wanted to be controlled by the British, but they didn't have a choice. There is one difference between the Canadian first nations and the Indians though. Mahatma Gandhi, of India, was able to achieve freedom for his people. In a peaceful way he was able to gain independence. The people in Canada weren't as fortunate. Residential schools were formed in Canada. The poor Aboriginal children were abused at these schools. But not only abuse occurred. Many Indigenous nations were completely lost. People were killed and their cultures forever gone. These were all very negative.

Some positive impacts would be the beginning of their trading companies. In Canada the Hudson Bay company was started, and in India the East Indian Company was started. This allowed trading between nations and sharing of resources. The world continued to become more united.

Although there are so many negative impacts on the indigenous people, there is good that came from it. Some may say that the British influence made those countries better. They are more prosperous than they could have been without it. Our world today would have been a lot different if it weren't for the British and their influence.

Dummy's Guide to Eurocentrism

There are 20 basic things that you need to know to understand eurocentrism in its fullest.

1) Eurocentrism is the European perspective of the world.

2) This idea came about around the time of the renaissance.

3) Basically, the Europeans thought that they were better than the rest of the world.

4) Eurocentrism began to accelerate in the 16th century because of 'imperialism'.

5) Imperialism is when one country takes advantage of another country by claiming their land and stealing their resources to gain political power.

6) The Europeans were very competitive with each other.

7) When they discovered new lands and new people they realized that they were much more advanced than some.

8) Competition between European countries caused more lands to be colonized; it was a battle for the most wealth.

9) The indigenous people of different lands were often killed because of the European superiority.

10) Colonies were completely subject to Europe; Their ideas and beliefs and cultures were practiced there.

11) Europeans thought that their way of life was the best and that other countries needed it to prosper.

12) Protectorates were ways that the Europeans could guide countries without taking them over.

13) Europe tried to control both politics and economics in regions.

14) Indigenous people lost their cultures because of European influence.

15) Residential schools are a result of eurocentrism.

16) Trading was a very important part of imperialism.

17) Countries gained wealth and high status by possessing more lands and trading more goods.

18) Entrepreneurs were very prosperous during this time.

19) The whole world has been affected by eurocentrism.

20) Although Europeans thought they were superior, they didn't eliminate the worlds diverse cultures.

Capitalism

There are advantages and disadvantages to capitalism. But I think that the advantages overweigh the disadvantages, making capitalism a good thing. Capitalism creates competition. Competition then leads to more jobs. And more jobs and businesses create more wealth. And the circle continues.

Capitalism works well in a free market economy. People can use their skills and resources to create businesses. And when businesses start there is usually competition that follows. Competition is good because it gives businesses a chance to increase their wealth. For some it could be a disadvantage because their competition could be much stronger than them. In some cases businesses can form monopolies and share their wealth, or take businesses away from people. So there can be good and bad sides to it.

When competition starts more jobs are created. It is important to have a strong company to keep up with the competition. People with good business skills are hired to help a company grow. But as more people are employed, wages often have to be lowered. Sometimes people will start their own new business to compete with, having their own prices and wages, depending on how well they do.

Besides competition and employment there is one major purpose to capitalism. It is wealth. Everyone wants to be on top. Companies can be very successful. If there is no competition they can have whatever prices they want. It is when there is competition that it becomes tricky. Capitalism, in a way, is survival of the fittest.

It is obvious that there are disadvantages to capitalism. But the advantages are so much greater. One way to be successful is through competition. Another is more employment. And these both help in creating great wealth. They all connect and create the continuous cycle that is capitalism.

The Silk Road

The silk road was a trade route that had major affects on the world. The changes I want to focus on are those in medieval Europe. One was the change in the economy. Another was religion. And the last is the simple exchange of ideas.

When the Silk Road started the economy in Europe flourished. Europe traded their materials with other countries. And in return they received foreign products that they could use for various things. They became very wealthy by doing this. They even began to produce products originally found in other countries. Silk worms were smuggled out of China and eventually ended up in Europe. When they had discovered the silk worms they were able to start their own silk farms.

It wasn't only the economy that began to flourish. Religion began to spread like wildfire. People from other countries were interacting with others and their religious beliefs became known worldwide. In Europe there were many new religions practiced among the people. This changed the way people thought.

Another influence on the way people thought was the exchange of ideas. When new ideas were presented to Europe they were able to adapt them or adopt them. Cultural ideas began to change. New ideas also affected the way people did things. The silk farms is an example of an adopted idea.

The Silk Road had a huge impact on the world. It especially affected Europe. Their economy was able to grow. Variety of religion was created. And new ideas were used and changed. Without the impact of the Silk Road Europe would not be what it is today.

Sudan

In 1881 Britain came into Sudan and decided to colonize and rule the land. Years later in 1899 Egypt wanted to rule it also. So Britain and Egypt agreed that they would both rule together. About twenty years later a policy called "closed door" was created. This divided north and south Sudan, separating different cultures. Those living in northern Sudan were mostly of Arabic descent. Those in the southern part were mostly African. Then over thirty years later Sudan gained its own independence. The closed door policy was no longer in affect. When the country united again the Arabs took control and began to force their Islamic values upon everyone. Those who rebelled and didn't want to live like that lost rights and privileges. There was a lot of contention between the people living there. And this explains why Sudan is such a dangerous place today. It is constantly a battle for power. There is war and terrorism. It is all uncontrollable. And it all started because of different cultures being forced upon people. It is obvious that these people need to have more freedoms and rights so that contentions will stop. People from countries such as the United States have tried to help them, and end these wars. It is still a work in progress.

What is Potlatch?

Potlatches were traditionally held by the Northwest Coast Indians. They lived along the northwest coast of the United States and Canada. But what is a potlatch? It is a celebration or social gathering held by the native people. They usually took place after a new baby was born, or someone was married. But it wasn't like our modern gatherings. You would think that people would come and give gifts to the new babies or couples, like a baby shower or a wedding reception. But it was quite opposite. The hosts of the party would give gifts to all of the guests. They would do this in order to keep their pride and honor. This would give them high status. But not only are gifts given out, but like most celebrations a feast takes place. What is interesting about potlatches is that after one is held the hosts usually end up very poor. This is because they give almost everything they have to their guests. But as more potlatches are held the gifts circle around and new people become wealthy and poor. To our culture this seems rather strange. In fact, when the Europeans first met the Northwest Indians and discovered their potlatches, thats exactly what they thought. And with time, the European influence took over the natives and their potlatches were lost forever.

November Newsletter Questions

1. The closest location to my community that the torch will pass through is Lethbridge!

2. a) In the first picture I chose I saw women dressed in ancient Greek clothing. One is on her knees lighting the torch that the other standing woman is holding. In the second photo there is a woman in the same clothing. She is closing her eyes and looks as if she is singing.

b)The emotions from the first picture seem to be happy, peaceful, traditional. The emotions in the second picture are full of feeling, almost passion.

c)In the second photo I am wondering what the woman is singing, or saying.

3.If I was given the opportunity to see the olympic torch pass through my community I would definitely attend. This is a rare opportunity for most people. To see it would gives us a sense of pride as we watch and represent our country. People would feel that they are part of this special event. And I think it would be great if we all had the chance to see it.