Chapter 20 pgs. 589-606

In this chapter Strayer discusses the second wave of the European Conquest of land. During this conquest they focused on taking over Asia and Africa. This conquest was because of the industrial Revolution in which it was able to create military and economic power for the Europeans. It was not surprising that the Europeans had military advantages like guns and they used that power to take over other countries and societies that did not have that of strong weapons or any guns at all. Unfortunately when Europeans took over countries they lost political sovereignty and freedom of action. This also especially hurt small societies. These types of societies would lose their land, homes, life, cattle, and crops. Also this new wave of conquest resulted in a large effect on the way the people worked. Instead of having everything handmade there was not machines in factories that would do the work. Also European’s financed commercial firms took over the trade that Africans and Asian merchants were in charge of. Lastly peasants had to use at least 20% of their land for cash crops in order to pay for their tax obligation and as a result of this many became in debt because they could not meet their tax obligations.