Chapters 7, 8, &10

Let me start by saying I find it amazing how the people in these early times were able to participate in long distance commerce.  Different societies specialized in certain products such as silk in China, spices in Southeast Asia, salt from West Africa.  These products along with many others had to get to different parts of the world. A lot of this happened via cargo ships, camel caravans as well as many other forms of transportation. This trade help build, strengthen, and grow their economies.  As trade develops, so does greed.  The Indian Ocean was a major sea road that helped to enhance long distance trade. Now, the Golden Age of Chinese achievements took place during the Sui, Tang, and the Song dynasty's.  This era saw a lot of technological, cultural, and political advancement for China.   Their population growth increased tremendously as well  during this time period.  China grew into one if the richest countries. Now, Christianity during the third-wave civilization had grown into a very largely followed religion in Western Europe. Christianity began to fade in the Asian and African communities due in largely to the growth of Islam.  I never really understood how a person or people can just switch their faith so easily.  I just pass it on as the circumstances they are dealing with in their life.  Life is not going the way they want so they change what they believe in or what faith they choose to follow.