Chapter 16

Chapter 16 covers the history of atlantic revolutions and the following global echoes. I have learned about the North American Revolution before, but found it new and interesting how this book characterized it as a conservative movement. You would not normally see a revolution as an act of conservation, but it really was. The americans wanted to preserve the freedoms of their colonies and had to revolt against the British to do so. I really wonder what my life would be like today if America was ruled by the British today. It is nice to hear that the original colonies of America were able to come together to bring down a much more powerful and organized effort. It gives me hope that people today can come together still to overcome similarly daunting issues. The French Revolution, differed however, in how it sprouted from internal conflicts between the French. The working class was frustrated with the disparity of wealth at the time. It was good to hear that the French women of the time were standing up for themselves and demanding better. They wanted things like more access to education and the end of prostitution. This resonated with me because sometimes I do not realize just how lucky I am to live in such a progressive world where, though we struggle for complete equality, women are open to many more opportunities especially educationally. It is saddening, though, that prostitution is still a problem today all over the world despite changes in laws. It astonished me that it took over a century to abolish slavery. I do not like learning about slavery because it was a time of greatly depressing devastation and inhumanity. I can not fathom how our society got to a point where they thought it would okay and feel very grateful I do not live in such a time where I, myself, may have been brought up to support such a system. I also have many Black friends and am very grateful that these people who I have come to know, appreciate, and love do not have to suffer the devastations of slavery today. These have been some of the most intriguing bits of chapter 16.