Madelyne Rossmann’s Reviews > The Silk Roads: A New History of the World > Status Update

Britain grapples to keep control of its oil monopoly in Persia, creating a puppet state that is doomed to fail in Iraq. As outside pressure grows, Britain begins to make concessions - though it gains some valuable territory near the Suez Canal in the process. A piece of land they can send unwanted immigrants to, and still maintain control over sea lanes and proximity to oil fields. Hmmmmm...

Crash course in oil and how it was a driving force in politics right before, during, and in the aftermath of WWI. Britain's, and to a lesser extent France's, involvement in the Middle East really paved the way for the world we live in today. Although infuriating, it was interesting to learn the history of oil and its commodification. Makes you wonder about current U.S. involvement in Venezuela...

Russia, France, and Britain banding together because Britain wanted to protect its economic interests in both India and the Persian Gulf. Tensions between Germany and France high after a war. Russia's alliance with Serbia pitting it (and thus Britain and France) against the Austro-Hungarian Empire (pulling in Germany). World War I happens, and empires begin to crumble in the aftermath as America gains prominence.

The Russian empire flexing its political power in the mid- to late-1800s. Britain and France being upset and banding together to (attempt to) neuter it. Russia threatening British interests in India by expanding southeast. So curious how everything awful and inflammatory is being driven by financial interests. I wonder if that could be a bad thing? Who knows!

The rise of the British Empire. The use of the East India Company as a proxy government in India and Bangladesh. The loss of the thirteen colonies from the empire. The smothering of overland trade routes in Central Asia as Britain secures its stronghold. Yikes. Also, kind of neat to learn the history behind the namesake of Yale.

The rise of Britain and its partnership with more powerful Islamic governments to enact retribution against the Catholics. The rise to prominence of the Dutch as they colonized around the world to establish a strong naval presence and gain economic power. The decline of southern Europe as a result. I'm tired. Author doesn't use Oxford comma (boo).

Globalization is achieved. Columbus made it to the Americas, and de Gama made it to India. The author is finally spending more time on India and China, which I'm happy about. I also didn't know that Manila was established as the city linking the East with the West! The "first globalized city" the author called it. The next chapter is about Britain... sad.

Mansa Musa mentioned! Anyway, Christopher Columbus (boo) just made it to the Americas. Conquistadores are ripping through Central America. The transatlantic slave trade is rapidly gaining momentum. Genocide of native populations by Europeans. World economic power has largely shifted to Europe. Don't forget about those crazy Christians continuing to be a fucking problem worldwide (and still are).

The deflation of the Mongols, the Black Death, and Timur... now the stage is set for the discovery of the New World. I'd like to look up if anything from Timur's reign remains, it sounds like the architecture would be insane to see. I also like how the author is able to, quite practically, explain the way northwest Europe was able to gain more prominence following the plague. Also... the Ottoman Empire begins...

Great play-by-play of the Crusades and excellent segue to the Mongols. I truly did not know so much of this history and I'm embarrassed to admit it. Also, how curious is it that the Levant has, since the Crusades, been a powerful location for commerce? Yet its conquering is, every time, hand-waved as religious in nature. Seems like a strategic position that the modern West may like to secure any way they can.