Project 1- The ModestyThis project was based on a story that I wrote incorporating factual events and a make up story and two poems. For the history portion I wrote a research paper on all that I have learned about the time period.
The Modesty
“Our story takes place in the Byzantine Empire when a partner emperor is killed by a mysterious cause. His third so, Maxus, who is known to kill first and ask questions later, takes it upon himself to find the killer. Maxus undertakes this journey with the blessing of his brother, Aurellous who taken his father's place. All that Maxus has to work with is the information that the murder was a servant with no money and was heading west. (fictional)” The building is thrown into a sharp silence when they see the man walk in. He is dressed in shining robes that protect his rough skin from the rigid armour that bears a indisputable symbol of the emperor. The bartender starts to speak, “what will you have your majesty?” Maxus responds with disgust, “I am not that wimmering dog you call my brother, but I do come bearing the emperor's words.” The man behind him comes forth and speaks to the crowd “Anyone who has seen this man must come forth and give what information they have and if it leads to his capture they will receive a reward of 50 gold shillings.” The bartender's wife begins to speak,” We have seen him yes but he only stayed till the the sun's rise and then rode north” Maxus responds almost instantly, ”what did he pay you with?” ”He traded us with bread and velvet fabric,” states the bartender. Maxus then throws a small bag of gold coins, gives thanks and leaves with his political escort. Maxus and his party ride four moons until they reach the next town. As they approach the outskirts they run into a peculiar women with a black bird on her arm. Her voice was crackly and wispy “ you..... you, are looking for something that you know is a lie, you want to to be fooled because the truth is unbearable in both what happened and what will happen.” Maxus screams at the woman with vigor and anger ”you know nothing of my mind and fate you wretched woman.” Maxus strikes her down from the top of his horse. The political escort that accompanies Maxus is disgusted and horrified by the action, for he knew that killing a innocent woman would most likely end is his sorrow. Maxus starts to ride toward the town and his political escort is forced to follow reluctantly. They hitch Maxus’s horse and enter the tavern. To Maxus disbelief there, before him stands the man they have been searching for. Maxus is quick to unsheath his sword and is about to drive into the unsuspecting man when he suddenly experiences a vision of the witch. He grabs the garments of the man and drags him outside and interrogates him. “Admit to killing my father or I will kill you over the course of days” Maxus demands. The servant looks at him with confusion and replies, ”who are you, and why do you think I killed a man?” Maxus continues,”you were the emperor's servant, you were the only one with access to him” . ”Yes”, the man replies, “ but I was sent on leave by his first son, when I returned my master was dead.” The servant continued, “The first provided me a small amount of gold and told me to leave the city as my services were no longer needed”. As the servant finished his sentence a strange black bird landed on the fence in front of Maxus. He then continues to sheath his sword and then walks to his horse and then he sees his political escort grab his knife and draw it. Quickly Maxus turns and cuts the betrayers hand off then stabs him in the heart. Now every thing is clear and Maxus turns toward to the kingdom of his father with great speed. Maxus uses his time on the journey to formulate his plan. He decides to wait eight days before entering the kingdom. Surely by then his brother will think him dead. Maxus trades his armor to a merchant in exchange for his help.. Without a doubt his brother will have ordered his men to not let him back into the kingdom. He will travel back into the kingdom disguised as travel as a merchant's servant. Once inside he will then silently work his way to the castle. He then paid for some new clothes and blended in with the regular crowd, but the biggest problem was hiding his sword. Just the clear crest of the king could give his true identity away. Maxus knew the risks of taking it with him but he was determined to kill his father's killer with his sword and his sword only. Things have changed in Maxus’s absence. The new emperor is not popular with his guard. In the short of his rule his brother has made severe pay cuts to those who serve and him in exchange for monuments of himself and golden items. Lessing the pay to the people and putting then into a recession. Now a new plan has set itself in front of Maxus and he intends to make the most of it. Maxus bids goodbye to the merchant and departs to travel to a military camp where he can meet an old friend The flap to a tent is thrown open and awakes the man from behind the desk from paperwork. ”So did they just run out of leaders or did they really make something out of a foot soldier” shouts Maxus. A smile creeps across the face of the man behind the desk “Maxus! How great to see an old friend! The soldier quickly closes the tent flap and motion for Maxus to lower his voice. “The emperor has placed a price on your head. He believe that you were in collaboration with your father's servant”. “My brother has the blood of our father on his hands my friend and I need your help”, states Maxus. “ What needs to be done?”, asks the man. “When I tell you I need you to fall behind in the escort with my brother”. “ I will do this for you but one time. It is your only chance. I won't get executed for your vendetta.” states the soldier. Maxus knows the next part of his plan will be the most difficult. He must convince his lifelong enemy, the leader of the Saxon tribe, Jon Snow to join him in his plan. The germanic tribes kept to themselves and often killed outsiders on site. Maxus decided that the best plan of action was to sneak into the camp at night and approach Jon, their tribe leader and just hope he isn't found. Just after midnight Maxus enters through the south side of the camp and starts to work his way through the tents and huts. He eventually found the tent he was looking for but now the hardest part was to get an audience with their leader. There were having a celebration of some kind and made it almost impossible to sneak in. After countless minutes looking for a way in Maxus just decided to walk right in and walk up to Jon and hopes the rest are too drunk to notice. Maxus stands up and walks swiftly through crowd outside. He throws the tent flap over his head and quickly drops to one knee in front of Jon Snow who is sitting in what looks to be a throne on pelts and spilled liquor of some sort. “Who kneels before me and interrupts my daughter's wedding”. “Maxus, son of the emperor”, states Mmaxus. “And why would someone of such high bearing come to talk to me” mocks Snow. ”I come bearing a gift of knowledge to celebrate this glorious day. The next time my brother leaves his kingdom he will only have his personal guard and no military escort.” says Maxus. “And why would you sentence your brother and your emperor to death?”, questions Snow. “My brother wears the blood of our father and I seek revenge” replies Maxus. “I will help you as long as we get to keep all that we find on our way there and back, and there will be no retribution”, bargains Snow. .”I accept your terms” answers Maxus. They shake hands and then Maxus returns to his horse outside of the camp.His plan is now complete and all that was left was to wait. It took his brother three months and nine days to leave the borders of his kingdom. On his way out of he was to meet a military escort just outside of a Thrace that will of course will not be there. The Saxon warriors were quick to attack the party at the city's gates. The much larger germanic tribe made quick work of the guards and then Maxus came face to face with his brother. “You killed our father and now you will die by my sword” screams Maxus. He charges and killed his defenseless brother. Maxus raises his sword exclaiming “vengeance is mine”. Suddenly Maxus ears are met with the sound of screams and death. All around him the Saxon’s move toward the town and kill anyone in there path. Jon Snow and his band of mercenaries killed and plundered all in their path. Jon Snow was quick to name himself as the new leader of Thrace as its residents were quickly enslaved. Revenge of his father was gone and a replaced with a deep feeling of regret. In avenging his death he had lost all that his father held dear. For he had satisfied his vendetta but the cost of hundreds of innocent was not worth the reward. Poems
Am I considered lucky to be born into the purple? I am the daughter of an emperor in Constantinople. Actually, I am a prisoner in anguish and pain. I am forbidden to marry during my father’s reign. All in the court hail the Emperor Constantine. As a father, he has been cruel and mean. Many have called me the most beautiful of our time. However, a woman in her late forties is past her prime. My father has been emperor since Uncle Basil’s death. He is now quite near to taking his last breath. As a result, he has placed his seal on an edict. I am to marry Romanus Argyros, the city’s prefect. This man Romanus had been married previously. My father made him divorce in order to marry me. I have no feelings for Romanus at all. The man catching my fancy is named Michael. Romanus can only be an emperor of the worst kind. A way out of this problem is what I must find. Empress Zoe of the Byzantine Empire lived from 950 to 1022 AD [This poem is told from the perspective of the daughter of the Byzantine Empire. She feels trapped and is annoyed with the way of her life; she doesnt like being called beautiful when she is in her forties. She hates that people think she is lucky to be the emperor's daughter. Last and most important She is kept away from the man she loves and is forced to marry a man that she has no feelings for.] ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- My daughter whom looks beautiful in white Has certainly given me quite a fright She says she does not love this man She says love only just one she can But what am I to answer When all I can come up with is a foolish banter You must love him he is to be the next king As I yell and scream all I can hear is the ding It’s the sound of the fallen ring She runs from the altar and I wonder why she ran Then I think back, when I kept her locked up like bread in a pan When I forbid her love When all she wanted to do was to fly like a dove And now when I made her love a man with instead of her heart her mind Maybe I should have been just more kind Research PaperThe Byzantine Empire
History The Byzantine Empire formed as a remnant of the Roman Empire and was even called new Rome. ”The Roman Emperor Constantine I dedicated a “new Rome” on the site of the ancient Greek colony of Byzantium.”(history). This empire was an autocratic. Emperors were considered to be Gods right hand man, or “vice-regent of God”. The empire was seen as having been established by God to last until the end of the world. In the early Byzantine empire the government was very complicated with its rules and guidelines that were slowly formed after Rome fell to the germanic tribes and past senate/military leaders were killed. The capital was moved to Constantinople under Constantine the first, who was the previous emperor of Rome, “the center of the empire, in both cultural and political terms, was Constantinople (previously Byzantium, today Istanbul)” (3.ic.galegroup). The empire was split when Constantine died, “Emperor Valentinian the first divided the empire into western and eastern sections, putting himself in power in the west and his brother Valens in the east.” The empire was split between the two new emperors so they could spread out the power. Many articles tell us that the empire was very ethnically diverse. “its subjects including Greeks, Armenians, Slavs, Arabs, Egyptians, and Latins, although its culture, from the seventh century on, was predominantly Greek.”(3.ic.galegroup). At the empire's height it controlled the lands from the Euphrates in the east to the Strait of Gibraltar in the west. It controlled a good portion of what its predecessors ruled. The empire often had to fight off germanic tribes and they even attacked Thrace. The germanic tribes were unorganized but truly devoted warriors who had more heart than training. The Byzantine Empire stands as a bridge between the ancient world and the medieval and modern worlds. When much of western Europe was plunged in the depths of barbarism, the Byzantine Empire maintained a high level of civilization and political order. The empire's capital was supposed to become a hub of transport and connected the mediterranean to the black sea, “Located on the European side of the Bosporus (the strait linking the Black Sea to the Mediterranean), the site of Byzantium was ideally located to serve as a transit and trade point between Europe and Asia Minor” (history). The government was a tightly confine structure that was at least theoretically, personally coordinated by the all-powerful emperor. In contrast with the Roman system, civil and military functions were carefully distinguished, and a separate administrative structure was created for each branch of the government. The empire was divided into provinces, all of which were grouped into one of four prefectures. The prefectures were governed by praetorian prefects, great officials of state who were responsible to the emperor for the day to day functioning of the state. “Both the provincial governors and the praetorian prefects had lost their military function and they were purely civilian officials.”(3.ic.galegroup). While some emperors did great things there were ones that plunged the empire close to collapse. At the time of Justinian’s death (another emperor later in history), the Byzantine Empire reigned supreme as the largest and most powerful state in Europe. Debts incurred through war had left the empire in dire financial times. “however, and his successors were forced to heavily tax Byzantine citizens in order to keep the empire afloat” (history). The end of an era and what remained The Byzantine Empire fell after its capital was invaded by the Ottoman Empire. They were an islamic power that soon ruled over the same land. The start of the empire's government was horribly unorganized and complicated. When the empire's government slowly became more efficient it became more separate and and less and less communication between the parts. The empire's army was less and less funded throughout war as the empire fell slowly into crushing debt. After this they were heavily taxed and the army became less and less of a concern to the emperors. They mainly started the crusades by asking for help from the west and when the pope did send help to take the land back for the christians the emperor of the time tried to make them swear an oath of loyalty sohe could keep the land. This created a large amount of distrust between the crusaders and the emperor. They then retreated in a battle and caused accusations from the crusaders and almost eliminated all the trust between them. Soon they kept asking for help and no one would give it to the empire/emperor due to the little care of other kingdoms or trust that they could pay them back. There armies were overrun due to under funding, large taxes, and major debt. Their government leaders were not taken seriously and arrested and killed. While the empire was conquered the Byzantine culture did not die. The culture of art, literature, and theology continued to prosper even after the last ottoman conquest. The Byzantine culture would have a large influence on the Western intellectual tradition, as scholars of the Italian Renaissance looked for help from Byzantine scholars in translating Greek pagan and Christian writings. Many of these scholars fled to Italy from Constantinople when it fell. Long after the end, Byzantine culture and civilization continued to have an influence on countries that practiced its Orthodox religion, including Russia, Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia and Greece, with others. |
Project 2 -Oil In Alaskafor this project I took the oil rush in the Middle East and put it in Alaska and contrasted the effect of the two cultures, and the culture of the natives.
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Oil In Alaska
The first people came to Alaska about 15,000 years ago following animals across a Land Bridge. The one migration group continued south to populate all of the Americas. In 1741, A Russian expedition led by Vitus Bering, Danish explorer, along with George Steller, made the first discovery of Alaska landing at what today is Kayak Island. In 1778, Captain James Cook sailed into what is now the Cook Inlet. Captain Cook continued to sail up the coast of Alaska through the Bering Strait, and entered into the Arctic Ocean but was forced to turn back due to ice blocking the way.
In 1784, the first Russian settlement in Alaska was established on Kodiak Island at Three Saints Bay. Russia owned most of the area that is now Alaska from the late 1700s until 1867. It was purchased by U.S. Secretary of State William Seward for $7.2 million or about two cents an acre.
In 1872 gold was discovered near Sitka, as a result During 1888, more than 60,000 people arrived in Alaska in search of gold. Special legislation in 1898 extends the provisions of the Homestead Act of 1862 to the Territory of Alaska allowing adventurous pioneers in the state to stake a claim for 160 acres of public land for development as a homestead. The Klondike Gold Rush occurred in 1897-1900, bringing over 100,000 prospectors who would attempt to travel north and seek their fortunes.
In 1906 Englishman William D'Arcy had obtained a license from the us government to explore the us territory alaska for oil deposits. At this time the automobile industry was in its infancy so the demand for oil was low. However they William D'Arcy believed that oil was going to be in high demand because anything run with coal can be run with oil. He sent his explorer George Reynolds who found nothing for his first 7 years. D'Arcy's personal funds had almost completely run out. He nearly lost his two houses and his London mansion. To conserve funds his staff was also already being laid off. Reynolds received orders from his investors in London for his last well and was told to drill to 1,600 feet and then stop.
At 4am the drill reached 1,180 feet below the rock of the klondike and struck oil. A huge gusher of black gold shot 75 feet into the air. Because the site was so remote it took six days before D'Arcy got word by telegram. His stated reply was: "If this is true, all our troubles are over." It was also indeed true, and more wells hit oil elsewhere in the mountains, including a huge one in September.
At the instigation of First Lord of the Admiralty Winston Churchill, the British government became a majority and at-first secret shareholder of Anglo-klondike during World War I. this created a huge problem because the leasing was for the international corporation, with the government investing this was a huge problem. This was a united states territory and the british government technically couldn't buying land like a corporation could. They could only buy mining rights.
Because of this they contracted the people of alaska and other nationalities creating a large population and a mix of cultures. But the biggest problem was when the british left to fight in world war one and more americans took over the factory. When the british came back for their jobs it created a large amount of unrest between the current and past workers. The workers that left to fight, demand there jobs back but they were given to other workers and with there money in the investments like their homes many couldn't leave to find more work. This led to large amount of fights and assaults for the next years. In the year 1920 the british workers rioted for their jobs and created civil unrest which resulted in 8 people dead.
During World War II in 1942, Japan invades the Aleutian Islands of Attu and Kiska. It would be a year before the American military would retake the islands. In 1959, almost 100 years after the purchase of Alaska, it finally became the 49th State. President Eisenhower signed the official declaration on January 3, 1959.
Relations with the native tribes have been worsening over the course of years. In 1981 They couldn't stand the oil rigs on their land and they now are revolting over the violence that threatens their homes and family. They claimed that the land was theres and threatened to sue under “The Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) is passed in 1971, giving Alaska Natives significant amounts of land and capital, as well as establishing the Native Corporations. The Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA) passed in 1980, creating the huge public lands system in Alaska. Over 100 million acres are set aside for preservation and protection throughout Alaska. This was troublesome because they had to close down some pumps and fire a large amount of people.
In 1983 alaska was relatively modern with cities made of steel skyscrapers and relatively known traffic. It has steadily grown to have a population of about 700,000. The british who stayed and became US citizens or renewed their work visa went to do other jobs like start small businesses or work for friends after being fired. This split the groups into separate economic classes with the british living “The American Dream” starting wealthy business while the americans are stuck working in in factories and feeling cheated.
From 1985 to 1987 there was a 47% increase of attacks on individuals of recent british descent. They were blamed for almost every problem and some even went as far to say that the british were the ones causing the attacks. While the rest of the United States all were on good terms with the british the state of alaska had a personal anger against them, that often resulted in violence or death. In 1989 an oil tanker known as the Exxon Valdez runs into a reef in the Prince William Sound, spilling 11 million gallons of crude oil along 1,500 miles of coastline. A massive cleanup begins, lasting more than three years.
The americans were not the only ones not happy with the changes. Native alaskans were furious with how the new arrivals disgracing their previous land with killings. They feared that the violence would wake up old spirits and cause mass destruction. Some took into there hands to buy out who ever they could or push them out by force. When families would leave they sometimes came back to a house burned down. Sometimes they would get sloppy and someone would still be inside. It took till 2003 for everything to calm down to an acceptable level.
In 2019 alaska has started to grow there are a multitude of cities and the majority of the population is british by 42%. Even though they all at this point are american they develop an accent that is a mixture of british and southern. They have learned to work together but there parents still hold grudges against the other groups. The development of the internet also played a significant role in bringing them together. When every group was able to see into each others lives more often it came with a mutual acceptance.
The first people came to Alaska about 15,000 years ago following animals across a Land Bridge. The one migration group continued south to populate all of the Americas. In 1741, A Russian expedition led by Vitus Bering, Danish explorer, along with George Steller, made the first discovery of Alaska landing at what today is Kayak Island. In 1778, Captain James Cook sailed into what is now the Cook Inlet. Captain Cook continued to sail up the coast of Alaska through the Bering Strait, and entered into the Arctic Ocean but was forced to turn back due to ice blocking the way.
In 1784, the first Russian settlement in Alaska was established on Kodiak Island at Three Saints Bay. Russia owned most of the area that is now Alaska from the late 1700s until 1867. It was purchased by U.S. Secretary of State William Seward for $7.2 million or about two cents an acre.
In 1872 gold was discovered near Sitka, as a result During 1888, more than 60,000 people arrived in Alaska in search of gold. Special legislation in 1898 extends the provisions of the Homestead Act of 1862 to the Territory of Alaska allowing adventurous pioneers in the state to stake a claim for 160 acres of public land for development as a homestead. The Klondike Gold Rush occurred in 1897-1900, bringing over 100,000 prospectors who would attempt to travel north and seek their fortunes.
In 1906 Englishman William D'Arcy had obtained a license from the us government to explore the us territory alaska for oil deposits. At this time the automobile industry was in its infancy so the demand for oil was low. However they William D'Arcy believed that oil was going to be in high demand because anything run with coal can be run with oil. He sent his explorer George Reynolds who found nothing for his first 7 years. D'Arcy's personal funds had almost completely run out. He nearly lost his two houses and his London mansion. To conserve funds his staff was also already being laid off. Reynolds received orders from his investors in London for his last well and was told to drill to 1,600 feet and then stop.
At 4am the drill reached 1,180 feet below the rock of the klondike and struck oil. A huge gusher of black gold shot 75 feet into the air. Because the site was so remote it took six days before D'Arcy got word by telegram. His stated reply was: "If this is true, all our troubles are over." It was also indeed true, and more wells hit oil elsewhere in the mountains, including a huge one in September.
At the instigation of First Lord of the Admiralty Winston Churchill, the British government became a majority and at-first secret shareholder of Anglo-klondike during World War I. this created a huge problem because the leasing was for the international corporation, with the government investing this was a huge problem. This was a united states territory and the british government technically couldn't buying land like a corporation could. They could only buy mining rights.
Because of this they contracted the people of alaska and other nationalities creating a large population and a mix of cultures. But the biggest problem was when the british left to fight in world war one and more americans took over the factory. When the british came back for their jobs it created a large amount of unrest between the current and past workers. The workers that left to fight, demand there jobs back but they were given to other workers and with there money in the investments like their homes many couldn't leave to find more work. This led to large amount of fights and assaults for the next years. In the year 1920 the british workers rioted for their jobs and created civil unrest which resulted in 8 people dead.
During World War II in 1942, Japan invades the Aleutian Islands of Attu and Kiska. It would be a year before the American military would retake the islands. In 1959, almost 100 years after the purchase of Alaska, it finally became the 49th State. President Eisenhower signed the official declaration on January 3, 1959.
Relations with the native tribes have been worsening over the course of years. In 1981 They couldn't stand the oil rigs on their land and they now are revolting over the violence that threatens their homes and family. They claimed that the land was theres and threatened to sue under “The Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) is passed in 1971, giving Alaska Natives significant amounts of land and capital, as well as establishing the Native Corporations. The Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA) passed in 1980, creating the huge public lands system in Alaska. Over 100 million acres are set aside for preservation and protection throughout Alaska. This was troublesome because they had to close down some pumps and fire a large amount of people.
In 1983 alaska was relatively modern with cities made of steel skyscrapers and relatively known traffic. It has steadily grown to have a population of about 700,000. The british who stayed and became US citizens or renewed their work visa went to do other jobs like start small businesses or work for friends after being fired. This split the groups into separate economic classes with the british living “The American Dream” starting wealthy business while the americans are stuck working in in factories and feeling cheated.
From 1985 to 1987 there was a 47% increase of attacks on individuals of recent british descent. They were blamed for almost every problem and some even went as far to say that the british were the ones causing the attacks. While the rest of the United States all were on good terms with the british the state of alaska had a personal anger against them, that often resulted in violence or death. In 1989 an oil tanker known as the Exxon Valdez runs into a reef in the Prince William Sound, spilling 11 million gallons of crude oil along 1,500 miles of coastline. A massive cleanup begins, lasting more than three years.
The americans were not the only ones not happy with the changes. Native alaskans were furious with how the new arrivals disgracing their previous land with killings. They feared that the violence would wake up old spirits and cause mass destruction. Some took into there hands to buy out who ever they could or push them out by force. When families would leave they sometimes came back to a house burned down. Sometimes they would get sloppy and someone would still be inside. It took till 2003 for everything to calm down to an acceptable level.
In 2019 alaska has started to grow there are a multitude of cities and the majority of the population is british by 42%. Even though they all at this point are american they develop an accent that is a mixture of british and southern. They have learned to work together but there parents still hold grudges against the other groups. The development of the internet also played a significant role in bringing them together. When every group was able to see into each others lives more often it came with a mutual acceptance.
Matthew Brandstedter
Windy Creek Trailhead, N63.3955 W148.958083, Cantwell, AK 99729
(907)-802-9367
[email protected]
March 16, 1982
William Brown
Asset overseer
British Alaskan Oil, co.
Carlisle Castle, Castle Way, Carlisle CA3 8UR, UK
[email protected]
Dear Mr. Brown:
My name Is Matthew Brandstedter, me and the head of the Native Alaskans Organization have come to the realization that your corporation has placed oil wells and refineries on our land and national parks.
This action is goes directly against “The Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA)”. This was passed in 1971, giving us, the Alaska Natives significant amounts of land and capital, as well as establishing the Native Corporations”. We have found that you have placed 13 new oil wells with the operating numbers 136 149. They have been on our land for 17 months and 24 days at the time of this letter. Your wells have been have been pulling oil the whole time they have been set up.
Along with the 13 wells you have been constructing, you started operations of an oil refinery on a national park that is in complete violation of “The Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA) passed in 1980, creating the huge public lands system in Alaska. Over 100 million acres are set aside for preservation and protection throughout Alaska.”
Currently we are prepared to press charges but we don't wish for a large population to lose there jobs so will do nothing as long as we are paid back for the stolen oil, the oil wells are dismantled and taken back, the oil refinery is dismantled, rebuilt somewhere else, and finally that no one is fired except for who approved these actions.
From all of us we wish that we can resolve this humanely and not have to take this to court. Take your time but if we do not hear back in a month we will have to take action.
-Sincerely
Matthew Brandstedter
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Project 3 Ottoman Empire
Ottoman Join the War
The Ottoman Empire joined the Central Powers to make the Triple Alliance with the signing of the Turco-German Alliance in August 1914. The Ottoman Empire formally entered World War I on October 28, 1914, with a bombing of Russian Black Sea ports. The country was divided on whether to join the war and some of the leaders attacked making the nation enter the war. The Allied Powers declared war on the Ottoman Empire on November 4.
Two major factors led to the Ottoman involvement with the Central Powers: the German pressure and the opportunism of Turkish minister of war Enver Pasha. Other motives for joining the Central Powers were the German victories early in the War and Turkey's friction with the Allied Powers. Germany's aim was apparently to keep The Ottoman Empire from joining the enemy (and by gaining Ottoman support, encourage Romania and Bulgaria to enter the Alliance). The German military mission of 1913 to Turkey under Liman von Sanders organized the Turkish army and navy under German leadership and brought forth the Turco-German Alliance. The secret treaty (only five people in Turkey were aware of it, one being Enver Pasha) was signed 2 August 1914.
The Allies had strategic interests in the Turkish Straits but failed to provide a coherent defense of Turkey from Germany. To that extent, Turkey was driven into the Turco-German alliance; but Turkish leadership, fearful of a disintegration of the Ottoman Empire, was divided on a course of action. Turkish ambassador in Paris Rifat Pasha advised that neither side would hesitate to dismantle the Empire. According to Rifat, Germany was not as strong as Enver Pasha perceived and considered Turkey to be merely a pawn. Nonetheless, Enver Pasha defied Rifat's pleas to avoid an alliance with either side and took what he saw as an opportunity to claim a victory in war.
Enver Pasha chose to ally Turkey with the Central Powers, justifying the alliance by citing Germany's early victories in the War. Being on the winning side would provide the opportunity to forge a swift victory over nearby enemies and avoid the imminent disintegration of the Ottoman Empire.
Alliance with the Central Powers appealed more to Turkey than an alliance with the Allied Powers for additional reasons. Friction with the Entente came on two levels: firstly, Turkey and the Allies clashed over Turkey's harboring of German warships and, secondly, over Russia's interest in the Turkish Straits. On top of a long-standing objective to possess that territory, the Balkan Wars caused Russia to fear the loss of access to the straits in 1912. Then in 1913, Russia threatened to occupy Ottoman territory if German military under Liman von Sanders was not removed. Russia was an archenemy and relations with the other Allied Powers were weak.
Enver Pasha
Enver was born on 22 November 1881 in Constantinople. Enver was commissioned into the Turkish army at a young age. Undergoing part of his training in Germany he absorbed, and was impressed with much of its culture, particularly with regard to military training. He consequently determined upon various means of improving the efficiency of the Ottoman armed forces along German lines.
In 1908 Enver was one of three leaders of the so-called 'Young Turk' movement that rebelled against Sultan Abdul Hamid, joining General Mahmud Sevket's Army of Deliverance in marching upon Constantinople.
From 1909-11 he served as military attaché to Berlin. In the latter year, with Turkey at war with Italy, Enver organised Ottoman resistance in Libya. The following year (1912) he was appointed Governor of Benghazi.
1913 saw Enver lead the coup d'etat of 23 January organised by the Committee of Union and Progress, bringing full power to the Young Turks. With the success of this movement Enver remained an influential member of the Ottoman government until 1918, along with Talaat and Djemal.
During the Second Balkan War of 1913 Enver served as Chief of General Staff and, on 22 July, seized Adrianople from Bulgaria, earning himself national renown.
In 1914 Enver, Minister of War since replacing Izzet Pasha in February (and having conducted a purge of senior officers unsympathetic to the Young Turks), conducted secret negotiations with both Germany and Russia aimed at constructing military alliances with each.
Of these only the former came to fruition, leading to Turkey's entrance into the war on the side of the Central Powers in November that year. Among Enver's war aims was a plan directed at uniting the Turkic peoples of Russian Central Asia with the Ottoman Turks.
Unfortunately these same plans led to a calamitous defeat on 29 December 1914 at Sarikamis, where much of the Third Army directly under his command was lost through casualties or capture. The Russians, under Yudenich, continued to inflict severe reverses upon Ottoman forces throughout the following year.
With his credibility battered at home Enver nevertheless recovered ground with the defeat of the Allied expedition to the Dardanelles in 1915-16. Russia's withdrawal from the war, and the February Revolution of 1917, presented Enver with the opportunity to lead the Ottoman forces that occupied Baku in 1918.
The arrival of the armistice and the end of the war - and with it the fall of the Young Turk administration in October 1918 - caused Enver to flee in exile to Germany. While there he met Bolshevik leader Karl Radek and subsequently travelled to Moscow. Regarded with suspicion by the Bolsheviks his plan to overthrow Mustafa Kemal's Turkish regime found little support.
Disappointed, Enver left for Turkestan with the aim of assisting the organisation of the Central Asian republics. Instead however he joined the 1921 revolt by the Basmachi against the Bolsheviks, in the course of which he was killed during fighting with the White Russians against the Red Army on 4 August 1922; he was 40.
The Early battles fought in the war were:
Enver Pasha898 Axshmed Road
October 2, 1914
Mehmed bin Murad Khan
Ottoman Empire
178 Quatsod Street
Dear Mr. Mehmed bin Murad Khan,
Sir, I am responding to your request for my opinion regarding joining Germany and the Central Powers in this war. I believe it is in our best interest to align ourselves with Germany. They have many recent victories, and the progression towards modernization of their armed forces makes them the likely victor. Joining forces would keep the Ottoman Empire together, and strengthen our ties with the allies.
The Germans have won some hard battles and show progression on the Western Front. During the First Battle of the Marne, Germany was hoping to avoid fighting on two fronts by knocking out France before turning to Russia. Their offensive is having some success in these early days. Although, I think it would be foolish not to note that the Battle of the Marne also marked the end of mobile warfare on the Western Front. Following their retreat, the Germans re-engaged Allied forces on the Aisne, where fighting began to stagnate into trench warfare. I believe that if we join the fight, we could reignite the mobile warfare where we will take France and then attack Russia.
Currently, our army is exhausted from our involvement in the Second Balkan War, and this could be our chance to modernize our military. Germany has promised to send us leaders to help build and construct our military. Also, we would solidify our alliance with Germany and Hungary. The British have decided to stay out of the war-making a victory for us a definite possibility. We could quickly eliminate the French and then move on to taking Russia. If we win, we would have a significant amount of land to occupy.
The victory and additional territory could grow and meld our Empire. The land from France and Russia would provide us one of the largest land occupations. Then, we could draw resources making our empire wealthy. This influx of capital will allow us the ability to grow and take back our lost land and dissipate our enemies.
We can use this war to secure our stronghold and become the most influential empire ever! No one could stand against us, and we would be virtually unstoppable. We could even buy or take the land won from this war from our current allies. With so many positives I feel that it would be in our best interest to join with our allies in the battle.
The Ottoman Empire joined the Central Powers to make the Triple Alliance with the signing of the Turco-German Alliance in August 1914. The Ottoman Empire formally entered World War I on October 28, 1914, with a bombing of Russian Black Sea ports. The country was divided on whether to join the war and some of the leaders attacked making the nation enter the war. The Allied Powers declared war on the Ottoman Empire on November 4.
Two major factors led to the Ottoman involvement with the Central Powers: the German pressure and the opportunism of Turkish minister of war Enver Pasha. Other motives for joining the Central Powers were the German victories early in the War and Turkey's friction with the Allied Powers. Germany's aim was apparently to keep The Ottoman Empire from joining the enemy (and by gaining Ottoman support, encourage Romania and Bulgaria to enter the Alliance). The German military mission of 1913 to Turkey under Liman von Sanders organized the Turkish army and navy under German leadership and brought forth the Turco-German Alliance. The secret treaty (only five people in Turkey were aware of it, one being Enver Pasha) was signed 2 August 1914.
The Allies had strategic interests in the Turkish Straits but failed to provide a coherent defense of Turkey from Germany. To that extent, Turkey was driven into the Turco-German alliance; but Turkish leadership, fearful of a disintegration of the Ottoman Empire, was divided on a course of action. Turkish ambassador in Paris Rifat Pasha advised that neither side would hesitate to dismantle the Empire. According to Rifat, Germany was not as strong as Enver Pasha perceived and considered Turkey to be merely a pawn. Nonetheless, Enver Pasha defied Rifat's pleas to avoid an alliance with either side and took what he saw as an opportunity to claim a victory in war.
Enver Pasha chose to ally Turkey with the Central Powers, justifying the alliance by citing Germany's early victories in the War. Being on the winning side would provide the opportunity to forge a swift victory over nearby enemies and avoid the imminent disintegration of the Ottoman Empire.
Alliance with the Central Powers appealed more to Turkey than an alliance with the Allied Powers for additional reasons. Friction with the Entente came on two levels: firstly, Turkey and the Allies clashed over Turkey's harboring of German warships and, secondly, over Russia's interest in the Turkish Straits. On top of a long-standing objective to possess that territory, the Balkan Wars caused Russia to fear the loss of access to the straits in 1912. Then in 1913, Russia threatened to occupy Ottoman territory if German military under Liman von Sanders was not removed. Russia was an archenemy and relations with the other Allied Powers were weak.
Enver Pasha
Enver was born on 22 November 1881 in Constantinople. Enver was commissioned into the Turkish army at a young age. Undergoing part of his training in Germany he absorbed, and was impressed with much of its culture, particularly with regard to military training. He consequently determined upon various means of improving the efficiency of the Ottoman armed forces along German lines.
In 1908 Enver was one of three leaders of the so-called 'Young Turk' movement that rebelled against Sultan Abdul Hamid, joining General Mahmud Sevket's Army of Deliverance in marching upon Constantinople.
From 1909-11 he served as military attaché to Berlin. In the latter year, with Turkey at war with Italy, Enver organised Ottoman resistance in Libya. The following year (1912) he was appointed Governor of Benghazi.
1913 saw Enver lead the coup d'etat of 23 January organised by the Committee of Union and Progress, bringing full power to the Young Turks. With the success of this movement Enver remained an influential member of the Ottoman government until 1918, along with Talaat and Djemal.
During the Second Balkan War of 1913 Enver served as Chief of General Staff and, on 22 July, seized Adrianople from Bulgaria, earning himself national renown.
In 1914 Enver, Minister of War since replacing Izzet Pasha in February (and having conducted a purge of senior officers unsympathetic to the Young Turks), conducted secret negotiations with both Germany and Russia aimed at constructing military alliances with each.
Of these only the former came to fruition, leading to Turkey's entrance into the war on the side of the Central Powers in November that year. Among Enver's war aims was a plan directed at uniting the Turkic peoples of Russian Central Asia with the Ottoman Turks.
Unfortunately these same plans led to a calamitous defeat on 29 December 1914 at Sarikamis, where much of the Third Army directly under his command was lost through casualties or capture. The Russians, under Yudenich, continued to inflict severe reverses upon Ottoman forces throughout the following year.
With his credibility battered at home Enver nevertheless recovered ground with the defeat of the Allied expedition to the Dardanelles in 1915-16. Russia's withdrawal from the war, and the February Revolution of 1917, presented Enver with the opportunity to lead the Ottoman forces that occupied Baku in 1918.
The arrival of the armistice and the end of the war - and with it the fall of the Young Turk administration in October 1918 - caused Enver to flee in exile to Germany. While there he met Bolshevik leader Karl Radek and subsequently travelled to Moscow. Regarded with suspicion by the Bolsheviks his plan to overthrow Mustafa Kemal's Turkish regime found little support.
Disappointed, Enver left for Turkestan with the aim of assisting the organisation of the Central Asian republics. Instead however he joined the 1921 revolt by the Basmachi against the Bolsheviks, in the course of which he was killed during fighting with the White Russians against the Red Army on 4 August 1922; he was 40.
The Early battles fought in the war were:
- First Battle of the Marne (land)
- Gallipoli (sea to land)
- Jutland (sea)
- Battle of Verdun (land)
- Battle of the Somme (land)
- Brusilov Offensive (land)
- Third Ypres Campaign (land)
- German Spring Offensives (land)
- Battle of Amiens (land)
- Battle of Megiddo (land)
- Letter: Enver Pasha/ Commander-in-Chief of the Ottoman Army
- Writes to Mehmed V/ Sultan of the Ottoman Empire
- Justifies with the germans winning battles
- keeping the ottoman empire together after their last lost
- make new allies with two of the stronger powers and that the germans would modernize their army
Enver Pasha898 Axshmed Road
October 2, 1914
Mehmed bin Murad Khan
Ottoman Empire
178 Quatsod Street
Dear Mr. Mehmed bin Murad Khan,
Sir, I am responding to your request for my opinion regarding joining Germany and the Central Powers in this war. I believe it is in our best interest to align ourselves with Germany. They have many recent victories, and the progression towards modernization of their armed forces makes them the likely victor. Joining forces would keep the Ottoman Empire together, and strengthen our ties with the allies.
The Germans have won some hard battles and show progression on the Western Front. During the First Battle of the Marne, Germany was hoping to avoid fighting on two fronts by knocking out France before turning to Russia. Their offensive is having some success in these early days. Although, I think it would be foolish not to note that the Battle of the Marne also marked the end of mobile warfare on the Western Front. Following their retreat, the Germans re-engaged Allied forces on the Aisne, where fighting began to stagnate into trench warfare. I believe that if we join the fight, we could reignite the mobile warfare where we will take France and then attack Russia.
Currently, our army is exhausted from our involvement in the Second Balkan War, and this could be our chance to modernize our military. Germany has promised to send us leaders to help build and construct our military. Also, we would solidify our alliance with Germany and Hungary. The British have decided to stay out of the war-making a victory for us a definite possibility. We could quickly eliminate the French and then move on to taking Russia. If we win, we would have a significant amount of land to occupy.
The victory and additional territory could grow and meld our Empire. The land from France and Russia would provide us one of the largest land occupations. Then, we could draw resources making our empire wealthy. This influx of capital will allow us the ability to grow and take back our lost land and dissipate our enemies.
We can use this war to secure our stronghold and become the most influential empire ever! No one could stand against us, and we would be virtually unstoppable. We could even buy or take the land won from this war from our current allies. With so many positives I feel that it would be in our best interest to join with our allies in the battle.
The Great War
MS. WENDY WRITER
Enver Pasha
The Regrets of Leaders
___
By Matthew Brandstedter
MS. WENDY WRITER
Enver Pasha
The Regrets of Leaders
___
By Matthew Brandstedter
Background: Enver Pasha was an architect of the Ottoman-German Alliance, and expected a quick victory in the war that would benefit the Ottoman Empire. As soon as the war started, 31 October 1914, Enver Ordered that all men of military age report to army recruiting offices.
Recent News: Recently Enver Pasha was placed into a hospital and was given 3 weeks to live. We Sent one of our best writers to interview him and this is what he told us.
Q: What do you feel that you could have done differently to make sure you won the Great War?
A: I think that I was caught up in my progress and should have listened to the german strategists more.
Q: In your personal life do u have any large regrets?
A: Well I planned most things out in my life and my only regret is not having more kids.
Q: What do u think you could have done differently to keep the Ottoman Empire?
A: “HA”..The only thing I could have ever done was not join the war.
Q: Do you think you could have done more for the Ottoman Empire as the Sultan?
A: I honestly think that if I was the Sultan I could have made more people join my side and made the war a more sound effort. Then we could have maybe won the war.
Q: If you could go back and restart your life would you?
A: I have lived my life to the best of my ability and i'm happy with where I ended up so, no.
Q: What Is your biggest flaw?
A: I believe my biggest flaw is that i’m too confident in my ideas.
Q: What was your saddest moment?
A: When the Empire fell.
Q: What was your biggest accomplishment?
A: Getting promoted to the commander of the army.
Q: If you can reflect what was your happiest moment?
A: When I married my wife Emine.
(After asking and answering questions the doctor told us it was time to wrap the interview)
Q: We have been talking for a while now and we have our most important and last question, what is your biggest regret?
A:... I've thought about this night a lot, My biggest regret is definitely joining the war.
Project 4- Guns and Swords
I started my project with a poll to see where everybody stood on gun control. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdRN4rTXqZddORyjz8SvTPoL67OanUjuv8Dxg22vH_OrNe-gQ/viewform?usp=sf_link
then I discussed the topic with someone who stood on a different side.
then I discussed the topic with someone who stood on a different side.
Gun Control
Beliefs:
I personally support gun control but also believe that we shouldn't make it illegal or impossible to carry or own a firearm.
Kyra believes that gun control is a bad idea and believes that if everyone carried a gun like in the old west there would be a lot less crime.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We started by reading an article that talks about gun control and gives the main points that wanted to touch on and personally believe. Then we looked over an article that supported her views. For two days we talked second period and argued over certain regulations that should be put in place for ownership of a firearm. This is what we came up with.
http://www.press.uchicago.edu/Misc/Chicago/493636.html
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/oct/05/we-need-fewer-guns-the-activists-who-are-rejecting-half-measures-on-firearms
Laws of Firearm Ownership
Our new laws:
Current laws:
Any individual or dealer selling a handgun is required to sell or transfer it at the place of business of a licensed dealer or county sheriff’s office. Transfers of all firearms (handguns, rifles and shotguns) by a licensed dealer are subject to an instant records check of the purchaser. The purchaser must sign a transfer application/record of sale for the purchase of a handgun. No transfer application/record is necessary to transfer a rifle or shotgun. There is a $2 fee for the instant check and a $3 firearm sale surcharge to cover telephone costs. Transfers of handguns between spouses, parent and child, grandparent and grandchild or between active law enforcement officers are exempt from the above requirements. Rifles and shotguns may be transferred between unlicensed individuals. Antique firearms are exempt from the requirements regarding transfer of firearms through dealers.
Combination:
I personally support gun control but also believe that we shouldn't make it illegal or impossible to carry or own a firearm.
Kyra believes that gun control is a bad idea and believes that if everyone carried a gun like in the old west there would be a lot less crime.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We started by reading an article that talks about gun control and gives the main points that wanted to touch on and personally believe. Then we looked over an article that supported her views. For two days we talked second period and argued over certain regulations that should be put in place for ownership of a firearm. This is what we came up with.
http://www.press.uchicago.edu/Misc/Chicago/493636.html
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/oct/05/we-need-fewer-guns-the-activists-who-are-rejecting-half-measures-on-firearms
Laws of Firearm Ownership
Our new laws:
- An owner must have no criminal or mental disorder history.
- An owner must submit a proof of a safe place to keep said firearm (somewhere no child or home invader could easily get to).
- Must go under a psychological exam before purchasing.
- Owner must identify who will have excess of said firearm.
- Owner must undergo a firearms safety course (which goes safety rules laws and starters tips).
- To purchase a firearm the recipient must have a G.E.D.
- Past military may skip safety course, but must go through a more extensive physiological exam.
- Only American citizens can purchase a firearm.
- Owner must pass a test that goes over the laws of there state and neighboring states.
- Owner must carry a firearms license when every they cary said firearm
Current laws:
Any individual or dealer selling a handgun is required to sell or transfer it at the place of business of a licensed dealer or county sheriff’s office. Transfers of all firearms (handguns, rifles and shotguns) by a licensed dealer are subject to an instant records check of the purchaser. The purchaser must sign a transfer application/record of sale for the purchase of a handgun. No transfer application/record is necessary to transfer a rifle or shotgun. There is a $2 fee for the instant check and a $3 firearm sale surcharge to cover telephone costs. Transfers of handguns between spouses, parent and child, grandparent and grandchild or between active law enforcement officers are exempt from the above requirements. Rifles and shotguns may be transferred between unlicensed individuals. Antique firearms are exempt from the requirements regarding transfer of firearms through dealers.
Combination:
- The dealer or individual selling the firearm must check the buyer by performing an extensive background check.
- An owner must have no criminal or mental disorder history as viewed by the background check.
- When the buyer want to purchase a firearm for the first time they must submit to a physiological test administered by a licensed professional.
- An owner must submit a proof of a safe place to keep said firearm (somewhere no child or home invader could easily get to). Such as a safe, locked cabinet, or hidden firearms location.
- Owner must identify who will have excess of said firearm. (family members or friends living in the home)
- Owner must undergo a firearms safety course (which goes safety rules laws and starters tips).
- To purchase a firearm the recipient must have a G.E.D.
- Past military may skip safety course, but must go through a more extensive physiological exam.
- Only American citizens can purchase a firearm.
- Owner must pass a test that goes over the laws of there state and neighboring states. (such as the test for a hunting license).
- Owner must carry a firearms license when every they cary said firearm.
- Anyone who wants inherit a firearm must go through the same process as a person purchasing one.
history
The History of Gunpowder
Around 850 A.D. Chinese monks were experimenting with what they believed was a life-lengthening elixir. Through their research, they happened upon an explosive substance now known as gunpowder. Their explosive invention would become the basis for almost every weapon used in war from that point on, from fiery arrows to rifles, cannons, and grenades.
The monks had been playing with saltpeter, (the common name for the oxidizing agent is potassium nitrate). Saltpeter has been in medical compounds for centuries. When mixed with sulfur and charcoal, the result was a mysterious powder that wasn't yet explosive, but it was certainly flammable. Observers stated in a text dated from the mid-9th century, that the smoke and flames were a result of the powder. The monk’s hands and faces were burnt and the house where they were working burned down as well.
Gunpowder was quickly put to use by the reigning Sung Dynasty against the Mongols, whose constant invasions into the country plagued the Chinese. The Mongols were the first to be subjected to flying fire. Flying fire was an arrow fixed with a tube of gunpowder that ignited and would propel itself across enemy lines. More gunpowder-based weapons were invented by the Chinese and perfected against the Mongols in the next centuries. The Chinese can be credited with developing the first cannons and grenades The psychological effect of the mystifying new technology that sounded like thunder and looked like fire, likely helped the Chinese win battles against the Mongols.
Gunpowder somehow remained only in China until the 13th century, when the science was passed along the ancient silk trade route to Europe and the Islamic world. The use of gunpowder undoubtedly became a deciding factor in many Middle Age skirmishes. By 1350, rudimentary gunpowder cannons were commonplace in the English and French militaries, which used the technology against each other during the Hundred Years' War. The Ottoman Turks also employed gunpowder cannons with abandon during their successful siege of Constantinople in 1453. The powerful new weapon essentially rendered the traditionally walled fortification of Europe that was impregnable for centuries, weak and defenseless.
The next important step for gunpowder came when it was inserted into the barrel of a handgun, which first appeared in the mid-15th century and was primarily a cannon shrunk down to portable size. Guns literally put weapons into the hands of the individual, creating a new class of soldier (infantry) and giving birth to the modern army. Gunpowder is still the basis for many modern weapons, including guns, though it's probably no longer the most explosive force available to troops. If you find the need to celebrate a victory in battle, gunpowder is there for you.
The powder is at the heart of fireworks that make the Fourth of July and other holidays so unique. To produce the aerial spray of reds, golds, and blues, pyrotechnicians pack a tube with gunpowder, colorizing chemicals and small pellets that create the shape and shimmer of the firework.
A World Without Gunpowder
An Alternate Timeline
What if gunpowder never existed?
To answer this question, we first need to have some context. Gunpowder was made in China by monks trying to make a potion for everlasting life, and in the process burnt their house down. But from the rubble came a new invention that would shape the world into what we know today.
Gunpowder was first used by the Chinese against the Mongols who had been fighting ever since China was created. In its early stages the powder wasn't as explosive but definitely was flammable. The first weapons were more of a flame thrower than a firearm, but over time they refined the powder and made the first bombs and cannons. Even with the new invention, they could not stop the Mongols from taking over.
After Genghis Khan took over most of Asia, he established longer trade routes that transported the new invention throughout the western world. Gunpowder was adopted by the Islamic world and Europe seeing the new device used against them. Over time we saw crude cannons shrunk down making the first mortars, then hand cannons, and our current portable handguns.
Guns then changed the way we fought. It no longer matters that you trained all your life, a random farmer could kill you by the aim of his arm. The most trained and battle-hardened navy could be taken out by a single ship with mounted cannons. Such ships allowed the Conquistadors to take over the Aztecs. Armies became less trained in hand to hand combat, and more money was put into weapons development. The leader in this field was the British. Because Europe was in almost constant war, they soon had much better weapons than the rest of the world, and that led them to their ability to colonize vast territories.
Now let's remove all of that. What if gunpowder never existed? Well, China would probably still fall to the Mongols. This changes two things, one war is much less devastating in scale, and two there's much more of it. The effect on the pace of war would be drastic. While cities could still be sacked, pillaged and burned; but that happened over days, perhaps even weeks. Gunpowder made that possible in a couple of hours. In this alternate timeline, a war would still be fought with swords, crossbows, and amour. Sure crossbows wound be improved, but arrows were expensive to make and would never be able to be used as bullets, like in World War 1. How we protected our homes would be different as well. We would still be building physical barriers such as stone and wooden walls.
In this timeline what changes the most is Europe and its relationship with the rest of the world. They would not have been able to take over on as large of a scale as they did. The would lose the power to dominate any force that came in their path. Although, they would still have had an advantage in places like the Americas due to the population being ravaged by smallpox and the use of a calvary still being efficient.
Naval warfare still would consist of ramming ships and bordering each other. Without gunboats, the Europeans would never have impressed the Japanese with their technology, and Japan would have remained a Samurai state. It is still possible that the Aztecs would have fallen, but more resources would have been required on the Conquistadors. In this alternative timeline, we would most likely see the development of stronger metals to create stronger armor and swords. The industrial revolution might still happen just later in the timeline or maybe not in Britain.
Around 850 A.D. Chinese monks were experimenting with what they believed was a life-lengthening elixir. Through their research, they happened upon an explosive substance now known as gunpowder. Their explosive invention would become the basis for almost every weapon used in war from that point on, from fiery arrows to rifles, cannons, and grenades.
The monks had been playing with saltpeter, (the common name for the oxidizing agent is potassium nitrate). Saltpeter has been in medical compounds for centuries. When mixed with sulfur and charcoal, the result was a mysterious powder that wasn't yet explosive, but it was certainly flammable. Observers stated in a text dated from the mid-9th century, that the smoke and flames were a result of the powder. The monk’s hands and faces were burnt and the house where they were working burned down as well.
Gunpowder was quickly put to use by the reigning Sung Dynasty against the Mongols, whose constant invasions into the country plagued the Chinese. The Mongols were the first to be subjected to flying fire. Flying fire was an arrow fixed with a tube of gunpowder that ignited and would propel itself across enemy lines. More gunpowder-based weapons were invented by the Chinese and perfected against the Mongols in the next centuries. The Chinese can be credited with developing the first cannons and grenades The psychological effect of the mystifying new technology that sounded like thunder and looked like fire, likely helped the Chinese win battles against the Mongols.
Gunpowder somehow remained only in China until the 13th century, when the science was passed along the ancient silk trade route to Europe and the Islamic world. The use of gunpowder undoubtedly became a deciding factor in many Middle Age skirmishes. By 1350, rudimentary gunpowder cannons were commonplace in the English and French militaries, which used the technology against each other during the Hundred Years' War. The Ottoman Turks also employed gunpowder cannons with abandon during their successful siege of Constantinople in 1453. The powerful new weapon essentially rendered the traditionally walled fortification of Europe that was impregnable for centuries, weak and defenseless.
The next important step for gunpowder came when it was inserted into the barrel of a handgun, which first appeared in the mid-15th century and was primarily a cannon shrunk down to portable size. Guns literally put weapons into the hands of the individual, creating a new class of soldier (infantry) and giving birth to the modern army. Gunpowder is still the basis for many modern weapons, including guns, though it's probably no longer the most explosive force available to troops. If you find the need to celebrate a victory in battle, gunpowder is there for you.
The powder is at the heart of fireworks that make the Fourth of July and other holidays so unique. To produce the aerial spray of reds, golds, and blues, pyrotechnicians pack a tube with gunpowder, colorizing chemicals and small pellets that create the shape and shimmer of the firework.
A World Without Gunpowder
An Alternate Timeline
What if gunpowder never existed?
To answer this question, we first need to have some context. Gunpowder was made in China by monks trying to make a potion for everlasting life, and in the process burnt their house down. But from the rubble came a new invention that would shape the world into what we know today.
Gunpowder was first used by the Chinese against the Mongols who had been fighting ever since China was created. In its early stages the powder wasn't as explosive but definitely was flammable. The first weapons were more of a flame thrower than a firearm, but over time they refined the powder and made the first bombs and cannons. Even with the new invention, they could not stop the Mongols from taking over.
After Genghis Khan took over most of Asia, he established longer trade routes that transported the new invention throughout the western world. Gunpowder was adopted by the Islamic world and Europe seeing the new device used against them. Over time we saw crude cannons shrunk down making the first mortars, then hand cannons, and our current portable handguns.
Guns then changed the way we fought. It no longer matters that you trained all your life, a random farmer could kill you by the aim of his arm. The most trained and battle-hardened navy could be taken out by a single ship with mounted cannons. Such ships allowed the Conquistadors to take over the Aztecs. Armies became less trained in hand to hand combat, and more money was put into weapons development. The leader in this field was the British. Because Europe was in almost constant war, they soon had much better weapons than the rest of the world, and that led them to their ability to colonize vast territories.
Now let's remove all of that. What if gunpowder never existed? Well, China would probably still fall to the Mongols. This changes two things, one war is much less devastating in scale, and two there's much more of it. The effect on the pace of war would be drastic. While cities could still be sacked, pillaged and burned; but that happened over days, perhaps even weeks. Gunpowder made that possible in a couple of hours. In this alternate timeline, a war would still be fought with swords, crossbows, and amour. Sure crossbows wound be improved, but arrows were expensive to make and would never be able to be used as bullets, like in World War 1. How we protected our homes would be different as well. We would still be building physical barriers such as stone and wooden walls.
In this timeline what changes the most is Europe and its relationship with the rest of the world. They would not have been able to take over on as large of a scale as they did. The would lose the power to dominate any force that came in their path. Although, they would still have had an advantage in places like the Americas due to the population being ravaged by smallpox and the use of a calvary still being efficient.
Naval warfare still would consist of ramming ships and bordering each other. Without gunboats, the Europeans would never have impressed the Japanese with their technology, and Japan would have remained a Samurai state. It is still possible that the Aztecs would have fallen, but more resources would have been required on the Conquistadors. In this alternative timeline, we would most likely see the development of stronger metals to create stronger armor and swords. The industrial revolution might still happen just later in the timeline or maybe not in Britain.