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Please select one of the following questions and respond:

1. Examine the videos from Guns, Germs and Steel. What stood out to you in the strategy, tactics and/or technologies that led to civilizations being dominant?
2. Describe the major similarities and differences in the three Models of colonization presented in the Powerpoint Presentations. According to lecture, how did these affect development in the different colonies?
3. Briefly Describe European competition and warfare between Empires in the time period. How did this affect exploration in the Americas?
4. After reading the excerpts from John Smith in 1624, what observations can you draw from the perceptions of John Smith on the Indigenous populations? How does that clash with modern perceptions of indigenous populations and the harsh realities of colonization?

Example 1

Briefly Describe European competition and warfare between Empires in the time period. How did this affect exploration in the Americas?

European countries during the Age of Exploration all had similar ambitions in establishing colonies and generating wealth in the “New World.” The political battles between these countries determined how the Americas would be divided among colonial powers. Spain and Portugal had already been feuding since before any ventures across the Atlantic. Gaining an advantage in the world stage and economy meant having control of the spice trade, which Portugal was in the process of doing by reason of the fact that Portuguese mariners had already sailed the Indian Ocean. It was this endeavor to reach the Far East that led to Columbus’ voyages.

The Treaty of Tordesillas in 1494 was a major determinant in the future landscape of colonization of the Americas. This agreement between Portugal and Spain was a direct result of their rivalry for land in the Americas. A north-south line dividing South America granted Spain all land west of the line and Portugal all land east of the line. This is why Portuguese is the official language of Brazil, while the rest of Latin America became a mixture of Indigenous and Spanish culture.

Interestingly, religious conflict also played a role in colonization. Persecution of Protestants by the Catholic Spanish empire led to costly wars with England that left Spain in a position where they could not prevent the encroachment of other countries establishing themselves in the Caribbean and therefore gaining an advantage in the Western Hemisphere. Eventually, a separatist group of Protestants, the Puritans, would cross the Atlantic and create New England in order to establish a Protestant society the way they saw fit. England’s occupations with these wars and religious conflicts combined with a lack of sufficient financial resources made colonization a slow process in North America.

Example 2

Describe the major similarities and differences in the three Models of colonization presented in the Powerpoint Presentations. According to lecture, how did these affect development in the different colonies?

These 3 models of colonization have many similarities and differences but there are some major ones between the 3. Let’s start with the British model differences which state that their religion is non-catholic and protestant but as for the french and Spanish models, they are very big and controlled by Catholics. A similarity that all models have would be for the economy they all trade but the British has more part of the economy than the French and Spanish models. The French and the British were both governed under royalty, while the Spanish model was governers or viceroys. Another similarity between the Spanish and the French model was that they both had a very slow growth in population compared to the British model. Overall the 2 models that had more in common were the Spanish and french ones. The British model did not have that much in common with the others because they had their own small government.

In my opinion, I think these 3 models will be heavily affected by development in different colonies because of many reasons. Just as I stated above the British had huge population growth since it allowed immigrants and that helped with their economy to fish, farm, artist, and trade. The Spanish model and their colonies mainly focused on the rich and royal which led to having more control. Finally, the French model had slow growth because they were controlled by Catholic Clergy and that led to their first colonies being affected by the economy since there was no charge for it.

Example 3

Describe the major similarities and differences in the three Models of colonization presented in the Powerpoint Presentations. According to lecture, how did these affect development in the different colonies?

The British Model, the French Model, and the Spanish Model are the three distinct models of colonization that have been developed. The primary distinction between the two models is the manner in which they were settled. The British model established colonies by royal charters, whereas the French established their first colonies as trading posts. On the other hand, the Spanish model established colonies through crown-sponsored invasions in order to acquire wealth for their empire. One of the most significant similarities among them is the way in which their economies functioned, which was wholly centered on commerce. The British would have farming, fishing, trading, exports, and imports, while the French would trade with fur. Finally, the Spanish economy would have trades that were enforced by the Spanish military. Both the French and the Spanish models were comparable in terms of how they dealt with their relationships with the indigenous people of the Americas. Both the French and the Spanish perceived Native Americans as heathens for the sake of conversion and missionary focus, and soldiers viewed locals as either enemies or workers. The French would attempt to convert the Native Americans, but respect led to numerous partnerships and used them against the British in wars. The religion of both the French and the Spanish was Catholic, with the Spanish being a strict Catholic and the French being heavily governed by Catholic clergy. This was another similarity between the two groups of people. I believe that the various models had an impact on the growth of the various colonies due to the fact that the models were brought up in a variety of different ways, which led to the pursuit of trade and new resources. Additionally, each of the models served as the basis for the establishment of future powers and great empires; despite their varying characteristics, they all shared some similarities.

Example 4

Describe the major similarities and differences in the three Models of colonization presented in the Powerpoint Presentations. According to lecture, how did these affect development in the different colonies?

To begin, when we take into account the similarities and differences between the British, French, and Spanish models, we see that the British model was able to exert a significant amount of control over the newly acquired land in terms of the rate of settlement and the robustness of the economy at every level. Unlike the French and Spanish model, which was based solely on trade, the failure of farmers was the primary cause of this situation. Additionally, relations with the native Americans were generally positive. This was due to the fact that the British colonists welcomed the immigrants who were arriving to the land. This resulted in the consolidation of the connection with the Native Americans in a pleasant manner up to the time when the conflict occurred on the land. Our findings, on the other hand, indicate that the French and Spanish model attempted to convert the indigenous people of the Americas to the Catholic faith. This, in turn, resulted in a clash with the colonialists from the United Kingdom.
With the aforementioned, the focus of the economy that was established by the British colonies played a significant role in the cooperation with the Native Americans in order to increase political power and private wealth. Additionally, the goal was to exclude other empires as well as merchants by ensuring that exports from the market were greater than imports in order to safeguard the British colonies. A number of different religious and socioeconomic groups, such as artists, merchants, farmers, indentured servants, missionaries, and military personnel, were among the European colonizers. This is one of the similarities between the two groups. With the intensification of the competition over the ownership of the colonies, and the emergence of colonial policy as a thing of the basic others of a number of European countries, the colonial intentions expanded from merely seeking to enrich the mother country, by any possible means, motivated by the philosophy of free trade, to the motives of expansion and domination, and the assertion of claims of ethnic or civilizational superiority and scientifical, or all of that together.

Please select one of the following questions and respond:

1. How do you feel the creation myths/stories reflect the societies which created and use them?
2. Describe how you feel creation myths/stories influence morals, morality, or ethics within a society.
3. After reviewing the readings on creation myths, compare one or more of the myths provided with your own creation myth from your own religion or belief system? Compare and contrast these and reflect on whether any thoughts come to mind on how you view your own creation myth/stories after looking at them from this potential new lense?

Example1

2. Describe how you feel creation myths/stories influence morals, morality, or ethics within a society.

The answers to the most fundamental questions, such as “Where did we come from?” are provided by creation myths and origin stories, which influence the moral foundation of a community in a subtle way. Why are we being here? And what exactly is our place in the world? The manner in which a culture responds to these concerns has a direct impact on the terms that individuals use to describe right and wrong.

As an illustration, the tale of creation found in Genesis states that humans are made “in the image of God,” which can be seen as a way to promote concepts such as human dignity, equality, and moral responsibility. People may be more likely to engage in morally responsible behavior, compassionate actions, and accountable actions if they believe that they represent a heavenly image. During the same time period, the concept that humans have “dominion” over the world has historically influenced beliefs on authority, hierarchy, and even environmental responsibility.

Numerous indigenous creation stories, on the other hand, place an emphasis on harmony, balance, and interconnectedness with the natural world. In situations where people are shown as being a part of a greater web of life rather than as rulers over it, moral systems frequently emphasize the importance of respecting the land, animals, and community. In these societies, ethics may place a greater emphasis on the well-being of the group as opposed to the control or authority of the individual. The gender roles, family structures, and leadership conventions that people adhere to are also influenced by creation myths. There is a possibility that more balanced gender expectations will be supported by a narrative that emphasizes the collaboration between male and female forces. It is possible that social structures will be shaped differently if it places an emphasis on conflict or hierarchy. Conceptually speaking, creation myths serve as models for moral behavior. Even in situations in which individuals do not consciously consider them, these narratives have the power to influence societal norms, legislation, and everyday conduct. This helps civilizations define what is sacred, what is banned, and what it means to live a “good” life. They provide a shared story that helps cultures define each of these things.

Example 2

After reviewing the readings on creation myths, compare one or more of the myths provided with your own creation myth from your own religion or belief system? Compare and contrast these and reflect on whether any thoughts come to mind on how you view your own creation myth/stories after looking at them from this potential new lense?

Following an examination of a number of creation myths, I became aware of the similarities and distinctions that exist between these myths and the origin account that is in accordance with my own theological heritage, which is Christianity. For instance, in the book of Genesis, God carefully and methodically creates the world over the course of six days, culminating in the creation of humanity in His likeness. This process is described as being intentional and sequential. The importance of purpose, structure, and a distinct hierarchy between the creator and the creation is emphasized by this. On the other hand, a great number of indigenous creation myths, such as the Iroquois Sky Woman narrative, describe the world as having been constructed via the collaboration of spiritual entities and animals. There is a narrative that illustrates the concepts of equilibrium, interdependence, and reverence for the natural world. In that story, animals contribute to the formation of land by diving into the water and laying dirt on Turtle’s back.

One of the most important similarities between the two stories is that they both attempt to explain the origins of humanity and our connection to the world. However, they are not the same in terms of tone or perspective. The book of Genesis depicts a creation that is primarily focused on people, in which they are established as the dominant species on earth. On the other hand, the Iroquois narrative establishes humans as being subordinate to nature rather than superior to it. The act of examining my own creation tale through this fresh perspective prompts me to contemplate the extent to which interpretation influences meaning. What I have come to understand about Genesis is that it is not simply a literal explanation of origins, but it is also a symbolic narrative about order, duty, and identity. My comprehension is expanded as a result of comparing it to other myths, which also demonstrates that creation stories frequently mirror the values of the culture from which they originating. By making this comparison, I am able to better grasp not only my own opinions but also the variations in viewpoints that exist throughout other societies.

Example 3

After reviewing the readings on creation myths, compare one or more of the myths provided with your own creation myth from your own religion or belief system? Compare and contrast these and reflect on whether any thoughts come to mind on how you view your own creation myth/stories after looking at them from this potential new lense?

When the biblical story of Genesis is contrasted with the Babylonian Enuma Elish, the contrasts between the two versions are significant. During the Enuma Elish, the process of creation takes place following a fierce conflict between the gods. The god Marduk vanquishes Tiamat and uses her body as the basis for the creation of the world. After that, humanity is created from the blood of a god who has been defeated in order to serve the gods. In a worldview that is created by conflict and hierarchy, where power drives order, this reflects the way things appear. Humans were designed with a specific goal in mind: to provide service to higher creatures.

In Genesis, on the other hand, creation takes place in a tranquil manner by the spoken word of God. There is no conflict; rather, the world comes into being in a manner that is both deliberate and well-organized. We are formed in the image of God, and we are entrusted with the task of managing the environment. The implication here is not one of servitude but rather of dignity and purpose. Genesis emphasizes structure and goodness (“it was good”), whereas the Enuma Elish emphasizes conflict and victory. Both myths depict heavenly authority, but Genesis places more of an emphasis on divine intervention.

When I examine my own creation tale through the lens of this comparison perspective, I am more conscious of the tone and assumptions that it contains. The absence of violence in the book of Genesis contributes to the formation of a worldview that is oriented on order and the intention of God. The value that is put on human life is also brought to light by this. Seeing how various cultures explain creation via conflict has opened my eyes to the fact that creation stories frequently justify how civilizations regard power and the purpose of human existence.

Reflecting in this manner does not inevitably result in a shift in my opinions; nonetheless, it does increase my level of comprehension. Clearly, historical and cultural contexts have a significant impact on the formation of creation stories. For example, they provide answers to the question, “Where did we come from?” Why are we here?but they do so in ways that are unique to each society with their own unique experiences. Through the process of comparing myths, I am able to grasp both the singularity of my own tradition and the universal human urge to provide an explanation for its existence.