CH 3: Second-Wave Empires

Ways of the World (Ch. 3): Do you think that these second-wave empires hold “lessons” for the present, or are contemporary circumstances sufficiently unique as to render the distant past irrelevant?

I always believe history will repeat itself as it has throughout time with wars, conflicts because of indifference, interest in gaining power, political status, and the misuse of "their" own people.  A recent example, is with the Chinese leader Mao Zedong bringing communism to China in the twentieth century as he compared himself to Shihuangdi, who was the unifier of China but the brutal founder of the Qin dynasty.  If you think about politics like democracy, it was first known in Greece, Athens.  The world leaders of the past including today and their political statuses for what they believe in or what they think is good for their country and its people.

  We will continue to learn from the past and I hope to better understand our mistakes.  I don't think the distant past is irrelevant due to the fact that in order to know about the present, we must find out about the past and look forward to the future.  Times have definitely changed compared to back then with our advancement in technology, influences, economy, population size, and so much more.   The Roman Empire and China’s imperial state flourished at almost the same time (200 b.c.e.–200 c.e.), while occupying large areas of land, and amounted to big populations.  They were thee giant empires of their time, consisting of most of the world’s population.  Compared to the Greeks and the Persians, the Romans and the Chinese were more aware of their own selves and were not seeking conquest against others. Til this day, China continues to be the most populated country in the world at with nearly 1.4 billion residents.  The second wave of empires have progressed or influenced the changes to human civilizations as we know almost resembling Britain and the U.S. "dominance" in the world today.


Most Populated Country In The World (Source) for population in China

Reference: (Strayer, Robert. "Ways of the World". Bedford/St. Martin's. 2008)
Location: Belmont, CA, USA

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