Discussion Post: World History
We will be looking at a set period from our past. Although these are our ancestors, it will seem like we are studying a distant planet, inhabited by people with the strangest of habits. Fortunately, these subjects of our observation give us abundant clues about who they are. Their art, their writing, their technology, the way they do business, the way they govern themselves all feed into a picture we will attempt to paint for ourselves each week. Understanding who they were will help us understand who we are.
Use an example that has not already been used in the discussion.
• Your book describes the end of the 19th century as the Fin de Siecle (the French for it). Many things reached a high point in terms of art, writing, and science. It was the culmination of a tumultuous century. How do Art Nouveau and Impressionist painting reflect the state of European and American culture at the end of the century? Use an example from each artistic trend to support your points.
• Both van Gogh and Gaugin led tumultuous lives. Each man left his home country and found their best inspiration and did their best work in other lands. Using specific paintings that they did, compare and contrast their works and lives.
• Choose two inventions from this Era of Invention (1850-1900) and explain why they changed the world of their time and why they are still important. Use specific examples and identify the people who were the agents of change in each example.
• Why did the European nations suddenly begin to colonize Africa? How did they do it? Which European nation got what? What has come to exist today in the places where the Europeans laid claim? Use at least one specific example of a part of Africa that was colonized.
• Your book has an excellent section on the early days of film beginning on page 1166. Choose a woman working in film then and compare her to your favorite woman working in film today. Directors, producers, and actors are all welcome examples. Who made a difference? Who is making a difference? What has and can film do to record and reflect the time in which it is made?
The response must include a reference list. Using one-inch margins, double-space, Times New Roman 12 pnt font and APA style of writing and citations.