RACHELLE ALCANTARA

HISTORY 140

MID-TERM: PART 2

Global Change

Secrets of the Dead: Catastrophe The Day The Sun Went Out

This film tells of the discovery of a remarkable catastrophe that happened in the sixth century that altered the climate so drastically, that the people of the sixth century were struggling for survival. Through in depth research of tree rings, old writings, and polar caps David Keys reveals that a volcanic eruption was the cause of two years of ongoing winter, the sun shining dimmer, red tinted rain, drought, famine, plague, and the death of entire cities. This catastrophe impacted not only the region the volcano was in, but the whole world and may have changed human history as we know it.

Guns, Germs, and Steel

This source explores why Eurasian civilization has dominated others for such a long period of time. Jared Dimon, a professor at UCLA has concluded that Europe's success can be traced to guns, germs, and steel. All of these things have made a massive impact on the world and has changed history with its dominance

Guns: The Eurasian civilization had greater weapons, such as guns which made their military excel.

Germs: Eurasian diseases hindered otherpopulations and killed off many. This gave them a greater chance at overcoming them.

Steel: Eurasia’s governmentencouraged powerful military organizations and supported and promoted nationalism.

The World in 1942

Christopher Columbus made a voyage that changed the worlds view. It showed the world that the glove was not a single ecumene floating around vast oceans surrounding them. This voyage also unified the globe into a single human community.

Peoples and Empires

Peoples and Empires, tells the stories of many leaders, some good and some great. Even some who no matter how powerful, fell with just as much greatness as they first arose into power. The theme of this source is that even only ONE individual can not only change region but even the whole world.

Journey of Man: Spencer Wells

Spencer Wells is a geneticist who believes that by studying males blood, he can trace all of our ancestors to one tribe or more specifically, one man in Africa. This source shows the power of the past. It also explains to us that change can and will occur even if we have yet to reveal what that change was or how it happened. Well’s theory may or may not be true, but if it is then it was this one man and this one tribe who created the whole world or ethnicities and it was here were change began.