Chapter 17 Culture Change in the Modern World

Chapter Questions What factors enabled the peoples of Europe to expand their power? What were some effects of European Expansion on non-European cultures? Why did European nations colonize, and what was the effect of colonization on people of other cultures? What are some of the problems faced by poor nations today?

Europeans in 1400 Devised oceangoing vessels. Were masters of cathedral and castle construction. Experienced much war, plague, and economic depression.

Motivators for European Expansion Christianize the world. Find a wide variety of wonders, both real and imagined. Amass great wealth.

Developments Aiding Expansion Rise of a banking and merchant class. Growing population. New ship design that was better at sailing into the wind. Diseases carried by Europeans to native populations.

Pillaging Europeans used violence to take money, goods, or raw materials. Mines were placed under European control. When the British East India company came to power in India, it plundered the treasury of Bengal.

Forced Labor In the 15th century, Europeans practiced slavery on a larger scale than any people before them. Non-Europeans exported over 7 million slaves to the Islamic world between 650 and At the end of the 19th century approximately 11 million slaves were exported to the Americas.

Dutch East India Company (VOC) Chartered by the Dutch government to control Dutch trade in the Indian and Pacific oceans. Seized control of the Indian Ocean islands. Took brutal steps to keep its monopoly on valuable spices and by the 1670s had control of all spice production.

Colonialism Possession and political domination of a foreign territory. Industrialization created an enormous demand for raw materials. Taxation supported the colonial government, and forced natives into the market system.

Development: Reasons for Failure Undeveloped nations could not repeat the historic experiences of the industrialized world. Development projects were poorly designed. Environmental and social justice issues resulted in widespread tension and violent confrontations.

Multinational Corporations Try to contribute wealth to their shareholders, most of whom live in the wealthiest nations. Move to least expensive places to produce goods and most profitable places to sell them. Depend on cheap labor provided by women and children.

Urban Migration Percentage of people living in cities is rising more rapidly in poor than in wealthy nations: In 1950, 16% of the population of non-industrialized nations lived in large cities. By 1985, this had increased to 30%. Expected to reach 50% by the 21 st century.