Jacob's+WHAPwork

The Main Points
Summary: World history is about constructive engagement with differences; it's about forwarding the world and its societies by improving us as people by providing advice, moral framework, elimination of fear, etc.
 * Studying world history gives us a look into what people from other nations and cultures are like, which helps us understand their opinions and justifications and helps us mold a good that everyone is happy with.
 * America has had and still has a larger part in the global community because it is privileged and blessed with greater conditions, but it is not a cause for arrogance.
 * Multicultural societies existed before the internet and global travel. Communities in Malay had areas where up to 84 different languages were spoken.
 * It helps people to have a broader spectrum, which can encourage morality and rational decisions, rather than decisions based off of emotion and selfishness. In a global society, the author suggests that a wider perspective is necessary.
 * It helps remove xenophobia and irrational hatred for difference.
 * We can learn from our past, it helps us justify what we should prepare for in the future.
 * No group has a special mission in world history. Everyone is equal.
 * Wisdom is not knowing many things, it is actually the ability to process information and understand what you have learned, and apply it.
 * Many tensions that had occurred in world history were because of misunderstandings, or propaganda spread by propaganda that would demonize the enemies of each country, particularly in the American demonization of China, Japan, Russia, etc.
 * ‘Civilizing’ other countries is unacceptable, according to the writer. He says that, however, in the case of ending atrocities, that interference is acceptable.
 * World history also brings environmental problems to light, and learning it could help people notice the importance of saving our environment.
 * We can link negative events that occurred recently, or negative events that occurred in our own history that happened in other places in the world. Thus, we can find common causes or reasons for the disasters or wars and learn how to prevent them or fix them. Same goes for positive events. We can help encourage them if we find a common cause.
 * Helps develop a set of morals, as we live in a global society.

Jacob's Advice to the Ming Emperor!
Divine leader, I wish to offer you a word of personal input in this time of dire need. The filthy Manchurian invaders are at our doorsteps, and if we do not take immediate action, we will lose all of China to these foreign men. With all due respect, the emperor has been less concerned with the plight of the common peoples outside of the Forbidden city, but it seems that we must gather their support to fight off these invaders, as our influence is slowly dropping. To gain their support, we must try to allocate resources into public projects, we must appear to them as if we care deeply for their condition. We must remind them that we are the true divine empire, and that no others can replace us. With their moral and military support, only then will we be able to resist these invaders. 8.5/10

In the excerpts of Yamaga Soko’s book, the Way of the Samurai, he describes the samurai’s duties as being just as important as the duties of the farmer, the artisan, and the merchant. He describes the need for a society to be complementary to one another. However, as the samurai neither produces his own food or creates his own tools, there is a need for the samurai to do something more. He must act as a keeper of the peace, and punish wrongdoers. The samurai must be a model of virtue, waiting loyally for a call to action. Through these actions, he earns his clothing, food, shelter, and respect.
 * The Way of the Samurai!**

8/10

Chapter 32 C+C Thesis: Though Qing China and Japan from the 1800’s to the 1900’s both experienced economic dependencies to European powers and their fair share of rebellions, Japan was able to quell their population and repel foreign influences while China fell victim to their unsolved problems.