Final Exam World Civilization: 1500 - Present May 18, 2020 Question 1 is the analysis of G.W. Williams letter Question 2 is analysis of Benedict Anderson’s Imagined Communities Reflection on the Origin and Spread of Nationalism Question 3 is analysis of Dena Montague in Stolen Goods: Coltan and Conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo Question 1 People all over the world have changed systems for either a positive or negative change. People have tried to roar issues that are not moral, some fail and lead with death or some people’s work does not receive the light. George Washington Williams wanted to fight for unfair systems. He wrote a letter to Leopold II, King of Belgians and Sovereign of the Independent State of Congo addressing the issues occurring in the Independent State of Congo in a respectful manner. There are some issues that are present in this letter that consist of biax, context, value, and perception. In the letter to King Leopold II there is bias present. Williams went to visit the Independent State of Congo and he described it as “disenchanted, disappointed, and disheartened”. While Williams was present he placed charges against the regime in the Independent State of Congo, listing the issues that were against his belief. He expressed himself of all kinds of issues from slavery rights to the way women were introduced in the Independent State of Congo. Bias was present in terms of expressing one’s belief against an idea or what may trouble one’s mind. In G. W. Williams' case he expresses bias against the way the Independent State of Congo in the way it is governed, that it is just chaos. Bias would be an issue for WIlliams in his letter by King Leopold II doing something to Williams and create conflict among themselves. In short words the issue is the outcome that Williams would receive from King Leopold II. Context is the manner in which what writing or what may have you possess that can be understood. The context of the letter is what the government in the Independent State of Congo is doing wrong, in a respectful manner, introducing the letter with a “Good and Great Friend”. Over the course of the letter WIlliams points out the charges against the Independent State of Congo, putting them in list form, going one by one in detail with each charge. This makes it understandable to digest why Williams is against the Independent State of Congo style of rule on the people on that land and that there should be changed. The issue that would be presented with context with language. The letter was written in 1890. Modern day English language use is different from the late 19th century English language use. Value is how much worth something has. In Williams's letter there is value present in terms of what he believes in, since he is fighting for the people in the Independent State of Congo that are treated with not much care or the rights in Williams the people deserve. That topic there is a lot of value present in that, it is meaningful, but the issue comes from if it can be spread. The issue in terms of value in Williams' letter would be the way to spread what he said around, I am aware it was not his intention to spread what he said in the letter everywhere, but if something is valuable it would be worth something. That's where one would be stuck in a jar, the context presents valuable ideas. Williams presents ideas that fight for people’s rights, but at the time of writing the letter, 1890, it would be unclear if what he said brought any meaning for change. Perspective, the way you see ideas. Williams saw that just because soemone is a different color, sex, or social staus does not mean they should be treated diffferently. Williams perspective presents value as mentioned before. Now the issue is what would that perspective lead towards? Thinking like that in the late 19th century could lead to ending one’s life or being treated and looked differently. Bias, context, value, and perspective all are useful in expressing oneself through writings, one helps the other deliver the wanted message. Issues pop up that can leave the writing weak or invalid. At the end one must write what one desires in order to fulfill each aspect of bias, context, value, and perception. From there one’s message can be placed in other subjects. Question 2 Leaders throughout history have created a way to rule their land that they have conquered. Each leader has different methods of conquering whatever land is it in which they desire. Benedict Anderson in Imagined Communities Reflection on the Origin and Spread of Nationalism thoroughly explains the ways a leader may see a way to rule land and why to be done so. Benedict Anderson’s argument in Imagined Communities Reflection on the Origin and Spread of Nationalism is explaining what he calls “the census, the map, and the museum”. The census is how human beings are to be ruled. The map is where people are to be ruled. The museum is where the people in whatever land is to be taken over come from, their history, their ancestors. The evidence that he uses to enhance bis argument is described in a series of locations and events that describe each aspect of his argument. For example while describing “the census”, Anderson uses Southeast Asia to describe how the people should be ruled. By looking at the religion, races, and how the people. In all, Benedict Anderson presents an argument that he believes that his argument is sustainable compared to a wide “historical and geographical stage”. There are some issues in his argument, one being bias. Bias is one against a certain issue, positive or negative. Anderson is biased towards the way a land should be seen as, in the way how land should be governed. Anderson runs into problems here because not everyone will have the same thought or concept in running a state or country. People reading Anderson’s Imagined Communities Reflection on the Origin and Spread of Nationalism may lead to big disagreements and can create feud among people that think like Benedict Anderson and the opposing side. Benedict Anderson presents ideas in how to run land and all and provide unique ideas. However those ideas are self explanatory with someone that has a means of common sense and understands human morality. Like treating people with respect or accepting where people come from are important I believe that is self explained. Meaning that what Benedict is arguing is what has already been known to the human mind. Instead of explaining the basics of how to run something the argument should be in the title why run something in a certain way. Why be someone different for your benefit. Just to harm others in the way. Benedict Anderson delivers a thoughtful argument in explaining how srun and all. But all that has been explained. There are issues of bias present, which affects the outcome in how the audience may respond to Imagined Communities Reflection on the Origin and Spread of Nationalism. The argument could have been talked about something else related to conquering land. At the end of the day possessing and maintaining power is the goal and how to achieve it. Question 3 When something with value appears in one’s motherland, individuals in that land are quick to grasp whatever that material may be for their benefit. The consequences of their actions are not seen in their eyes but people outside that country or state see the irrational actions that are being because of something rare. Dena Montague in Stolen Goods: Coltan and Conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo expresses that since a rare material is present chaos occurs. Dena Montague’s argument is that coltan, a mud or sand-like material that is great for tech, is a reason for chaos in the Democratic Republic of Congo. He expresses that since coltan is abundant in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) there has been violence. With the rise of rebels and invading armies. In addition, coltan is not being used properly on a financial aspect. It is sold to rebels. In turn leading to many people in DRC. Kids not being able to live past their second birthday. There are issues in terms of bias in Dena Montague’s argument. The main issue that is present is the outcome of thinking that way he thinks. Montague is standing for the unfortunate and giving light to the people living their violence. Those people being innocent and doing no harm to no one, just happen to be in a country where there is a lot of coltan, a valuable resource. Montague’s opinion how malfunctional DRC is can lead to unwanted actions. For instance a war amongst other countries in Africa, that is over exaggerated. To scale it down people outside of DRC may notice and want to create change in the region but instead of creating positive change more chaos may occur. However the presence of coltan has created chaos, there is more to it than just coltan. The leader of DRC also influences what goes on in DRC. Whoever the lead may be can cause more distortion to their land impact the way people live. The leader can take action on the issue with coltan but they would not take any action due to selfish reasons. At the end of day people do not see what their actions are causing to their people. They do not see how corrupt their society is turning out just to make money when they can have power to create a positive impact on their motherland.
