In the introduction to the book, Janet L. Abu-Lughod points out the fact that there was an extensive network of global trade taking place before Europe attained its hegemony. She stresses that no nation at the time experienced a trade hegemony, and that there was nothing special about Europe that allowed them to obtain it. It was merely by a stream of different factors that Europe achieved hegemony instead of the middle east or the far east. To explain these factors, Janet focuses on the time period of A.D 1250-1350, and covers the European subsystem and the mideast heartland in the first 184 pages. In the first section, Janet discusses the success and downfall of the Champagne fairs. The fairs were initially incredibly successful and brought trading and banking to France. However, trade at the fairs declined and eventually ended due to factors such as the plague and advanced sailing technology that let Italians have greater access to Bruges. Janet goes on to discuss the rise and downfall Bruges and Ghent, along with Venice and Genoa. These area had very successful trade networks, however the plague, spread by the trade, decimated the Italian population and practically ended trade in these regions. In the second part of the book, Janet discusses the three east trade routes, which consisted of the north, central, and southern routes, and the ways in which conflict and peace brought nations into contact with one another.
One thing I learned from the reading was that there was no clear nation or region that claimed hegemony. Before Europe's takeover I figured that the title belonged to the middle east or far east, but as Janet points out, this was never possible due to plague and conflict. I've also only associated the plague with Europe and did not realize the effect that it had on Asia.
For further discussion, I would like to know more about the plague and people's reaction to it. It is nearly impossible for us to comprehend deaths on this scale, and it I would like to discuss the effects it had on the world population both economically and socially.
-Luke Pearson
I too found the plague to be extremely interesting and could not fully understand how such a thing could happen (if it could) today. I think that deaths on this scale could really play a huge part economically, socially, and environmentally depending on where the mass amount of people died. I think this would play a huge part in the effects. For example, if for some crazy reason the majority of the Chinese population perished, where would most of the world (especially the United States) get most of their everyday items. This would have an extreme effect on the economical, social, and environmental effects throughout the world!
ReplyDeleteIn addition to the plague it was amazing how many times the cities of the Middle East were sacked by various invaders. It's hard to believe the violence of this time period!
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