Question

How did war and imperial expansion influence the development of the civilizations discussed in this chapter? The civilizations include Egypt, Nubia, Olmec, Chavin and China (Shang and Zhou).

Answer 1

www.scribd.com/doc/.../World-History-Detailed-for-Reference read

Answer 2

Actually, in recorded history, war and imperial expansions started with the Vikings which strong army and naval fleet were able to traverse the North Atlantic and invade the warmer lands in Europe. But the Vikings did not contribute to any historical development of any civilization except, perhaps, for the brogue intonation of the Irishes.

The first recorded historical development of civilization were the Greeks under Alexander the Great. While he tried to conquer more real estate, he introduced Greek influences to the lands that he had acquired.

Next were the Romans, then the British and so forth.

War is a "necessary evil" in any imperial expansion. But waging a war does not necessarily mean that there was any interest to sow cultural or financial development of the conquered nation. Only Spain was intent on sowing the seeds of Catholicism wherever it went. Even the Roman Empire wasn't so intent on promoting Venus, Neptune, Mars, Ceres and Mercury (their gods/dess of beauty, water, war, agriculture and trade) except if their priests went with the war campaign.

The Romans were more intent on divide and conquer and exploiting the natural resources of the conquered land just like the Spanish, British, French and Americans later on.

The cultural context were introduced only when the local citizens became discontent with the imperial rule and when introduction of the dominating culture and sharing of "wealth" seem to temper the mood of the locals.

Answer 3

that helps a little, thanks :)

Answer 4

yeah