Chapter 22-23

Chapter 22 - The End of Empire

While reading about empires and civilizations that lasted centuries in power, it was shocking to read how the last countries that were under colonization became independent.  The end of the empire era came to its final stages when the African and Indian continents decided to take control of their countries and decided to become independent countries.  Africa and Asia waited for the right moment to fight for their independence, moments in which the European countries were not as strong as they were decades ago.  

One of the positive results from having learned for previous wars was that people with a sense of education didn’t approve living under foreign regimes, they had new ideas and started to share their views of a free independent nation with those around them.   European colonizers were being pressured and didn’t want to lose the control the had gained in Africa and Asia, These countries profits were essential to the European economy.

The independence of these countries was not easy, their leaders had specific agendas to not turn their path to independence in a blood battle, they were powerful and well strategized leaders.  Gandhi and his nonviolent followers rallied in India, in Africa freedom guerrilla fighters.  Even-though African and Asian leaders were trying to have peaceful encounters, their counter parts saw them as intruders because they wanted to be independent.  A set back that these countries didn’t see coming were the political struggles they were going to face.  once they were independent, they needed to figure their political agenda, and how they were going to run their countries.  In India and South Africa, the Communist Party took control.  

Chapter 23 - Capitalism and Culture

The words capitalism and culture don’t really seem to go together, for the word capitalism can hinder the value and real meaning of a culture.  In the twenty-first it is hard not to give more meaning to these two words, on one had, the world capitalism is playing an important role all around the world.  More and more countries are merging their businesses in other countries, this can have negative and positive outcomes for everyone.  The term globalization explains how countries start to open up factories, firms, companies and business in other countries.  With growth comes instability and inequality, while global value keeps on growing, there are other areas that benefit from it;  life expectancy have expanded in many parts of the world,  literacy has increased as well and rates in infants death have decrease.  the wealthiest people around the world are getting wealthier.  Globalization has created inequalities around the globe,   

the people that form the “upper class citizens”  continue to have and make positive changes to their present and future, they have better opportunities; while people in third world countries, don’t have the same chances of making any positive changes.