Writing Assignment #1: Historical Roots of 21st Century Problems

In The 21st Century: How Did We Get Here?, the authorJ.M. Thompson discusses (A) Colonialism (1500 – 1960’s) and (B) The Industrial Revolution (beginning in England in the mid-1700’s) as two crucial historical developments that have had profound influences on history. in fact, those two historical periods have shaped the political, culutral, and natural world we now live in, and both are at the roots of major 21st century global issues. Based on that reading, and on The 21st Century: How Did We Get Here?, along with the Timeline of the Roots & Development of Global Warming (https://history.aip.org/climate/timeline.htm), and the Industrial Revolution Timeline (https://www.britannica.com/summary/Industrial-Revolution-Timeline) respond to the following topics and questions.

1. In the process of colonizing indigenous peoples and territories all over the world, list the 3 most destructive practices of the European powers that imposed colonial rule on indigenous people, and briefly describe each practice and its impacts.

2. Colonialism stretched from about 1500 to about the 1950s and had major impacts on the development of South and Central America, North America, Africa, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia (India, Cambodia, Vietnam, etc.). What 2 major 21st century problems do we find in those parts of the world that are rooted in Colonialism? Briefly explain.

3. What were 2 aspects of the Industrial Revolution that have major global impacts in the 21st century? Explain your 2 choices.