Final Presentation: The History of Vampires

Reflection: Ecology and Religion

Because humans are the primary cause for destruction, they need to play an integral role in averting any further destruction.  There are religious, ethical, and scientific issues involved with this dilemma.

Religion holds a huge role in the human destruction of the eco system. Because of outdated, ecologically insensitive religious traditions or views, narrowly scientific, objective view of reality; and  consumer ethic that assumes unlimited industrial and economic expansion. The notion that through the Bible and Christianity, humans have been programmed almost, to use the environment and to deny that it holds a sacred power. 

Also present is the ethical issue. Humans use and overuse our ecosystem selfishly without thinking that it deserves mutual respect.  To think that something is for the exclusive use and abuse of a species higher on the hierarchy off food chain may be considered morally wrong depending on whom you are asking.  Philosophers and scientists take different stances on this issue but both agree that a hierarchy is in fact ever-present.

Lastly, there is a scientific component to the overuse and destruction of our ecosystem.  Many scientists believe that humankind takes a manipulative approach to the natural world and fosters a mechanical feeling. Technology is isolating human life from the ecosystems.

Reflection: Environmentalism is In

Reflection: Environmentalism

            The environmental movement first began in the 1960’s. This was the first time in history that people really even noticed or even considered he human impact on the earth.  People realized that resources were limited and eventually they will run out. 

            One could argue that it was the Industrial Revolution was to blame because it brought technology and oil powered machinery into the picture and no longer was our air to be clean. For decades to follow pollution and air contaminants poison not only the air but the earth’s soil and water supply as well. 

            The sudden environmentalist ideals have caused some historians to claim that the era that we are in right now ought to be referred to as Anthropogenic, or the Age of the Man because this is a time where people are starting to pay attention to the lasting impact on earths ecological systems. Strayer notes that there are three main factors that lead up to the sudden awareness. The first factor being the quadrupling of the world’s population over the last century which has caused limited resources to be used up as well as the devastation of the world’s ecosystems as we continue to expand our real estate ventures. Secondly, Strayer says that human’s discovery of natural energy sources like fossil fuel, have caused humans to become greedy and overtake from the earth.  Lastly, to keep up with the growing population, we need to mass-produce goods for sale which causes a whole plethora of problems like poor work conditions, exploitation of labor, and factory pollution.

Reflection: The Right to Revolt

Reflection: The Right to Revolt

           

The second amendment, which is protected by the Constitution stated in the Declaration of Independence, guarantees that every citizen has the right to bear and keep arms. This topic has long since been debated about with opposing sides strongly disagreeing.  The original intent of this amendment was so that citizens had weaponry in case they needed to rise up and revolt against their government.  

While our country has matured some in its less than 200 years of existence, has it matured to a point of trusting its governing force 100% and relinquishing literally the only form of over throwing and regaining control should the government overstep its authority?  While revolts against government can be considered a little archaic, it wouldn’t be too far off from necessary should the American peoples ever decide that a revolt was their last and only option to regain their freedom.

A country based on freedom ought to embrace any form of freedom and celebrate their rights, not condemn those who exercise those rights and can justify them historically.  There is so much controversy surrounding this topic. Opposers argue that if you allow guns, then more individuals will want to own guns and they will ultimately end up in the hands of either criminals, or unsuspecting children.

In my opinion, I think that history has proven that banning anything does not do anything to deter individuals from doing it. Take a look at prohibition. The ban on alcohol and more importantly the movement by the people to continue to use alcohol is a great example. Just because you make something illegal does not mean that people will be deterred from continuing their behaviors. It is also true for guaranteeing the right to own a firearm. Just because the Constitution expresses a right to do so, does not put it on every 18 year olds to-do list. By making something like owning and operating a firearm taboo, makes it less talked about. When something is less talked about, no one is learning the essentials in order to keep operate and handle firearms responsibly.  Additionally, examining the notion that history repeats itself, without firearms, the American peoples are left virtually unprotected in the physical sense.

Progression and the Modern Era

What marks the real end of the Modern era? Some historians argue that the Modern era ended just a few short years ago. Modern is defined as of or relating to the present or recent times as opposed to the remote past.  Taking a look at history as a whole, one can assert that to be modern, means to progress. In recent history, our society has progressed into a more racially and gender accepted one.  We can see examples of this in having elected the first black president into office, to women entering and succeeding in the work force, and men staying home to care for children.

President Obama was elected into office in 2008. This was the first time in history that a black man was elected into presidency. Looking back, the black man was historically oppressed. Throughout each generations progression came small strives of opportunity for black men and women beginning with freedom from slavery, to ability to own property, to attend “white” school, to being able to vote. While some progression did occur, it occurred with its limitations. Today, we live in a society where one is judged first on their character, education, and participation in the community.

Secondly, according to dol.gov, women account for 51% of the work force today.  In 1940 only 20% of women over the age of 16 were in the work force. Fathers are choosing to stay at home to care for young children and take on the formerly thought of as “mother role”.  Is this progress or regression? I think the answer would depend on whom you ask. Some may consider it a man’s duty to provide for his family and the fact that the woman has to or choses to enter the work force may reflect poorly on the man’s ability to take care of family. Others would argue this shift in roles is progress and that it is because of this progress that historians believe the end of the modern era took place just a few short years ago.

Setting the Tone with Slavery

Reflection: Examining the Very Beginning

            The European Empire was built on the need to survive and grow an economy. It was early settler’s need to survive that led to the development of the Americas.  Some historians believe it was not the need to survive but greed that led to the Native American slaughter and the creation of slave trade. 

Europeans had the advantage over other civilization competitors in being able to sail across the Atlantic to “discover” the Americas. It was the idea of “getting rich” that ultimately motivated Europeans to migrate because they were not positioned very competitively in the world economy. The European economy relied heavily on crops and livestock and space was needed in order to thrive. After the Europeans settled in the Americas, a growing merchantile class rose and capitalism began to flourish. Settlers were quickly realizing that anyone that was willing to work hard and obtain and grow their land could become wealthy.

Strayer mentions that a Spanish conquistador said, “We came here to serve God and the Kng, and also to get rich.” The Europeans were looking for free land to grow and they knew they needed to conquer any existing societies in order to be able to have full control over the land.  Between bloody battles and widespread diseas and germs, Native Americans were almost completely wiped out. In a 50-year time frame, almost 90 percent of the Native American population was wiped out, says Strayer. It was not until the 17^th century that their population began to grow once more.  While the Europeans may not have purposefully spread disease and germs which lead to the obliteration of the Native American population, it did serve their purpose well. Some Native American tribes were wiped out by disease before the Europeans even reached them.

Slaves were eventually introduced to the Americas when Europeans realized they needed help with their new land.  The slavery of Native Americans and Africans began to develop and for over one hundred years will carry over well into the development of what we know our nation to be today- The United States of America.  Slavery could be considered the backbone to what our country is founded on. The use and abuse of other human beings used to facilitate making as much money as possible is a current issue as well as a long-standing historical issue.