Wealth, Power, and Inequality in World History Vol. 1 features a unique global focus on political and economic affairs, demonstrating the close interaction between these two subjects throughout the course of world history. The text explores the ever-changing allocation of wealth and power both within individual societies and among different political entities, such as city-states, nations, and empires. Over the course of 17 chapters, this volume discusses the ways in which ruling elites have wielded wealth and power to increase their own privileges, suppress frequent internal revolts, and wage war against foreign entities. Opening chapters cover the beginnings of social inequality at the dawn of humankind, the Agricultural Revolution, the formation of city-states and empires in Mesopotamia, and early empires in Asia, Africa, and Mesoamerica. Students read about the Roman world, the unification of China through the Qin and Han dynasties, the fragmentation of Europe, trade and states in sub-Saharan Africa, the early Americas, and more. Images, maps, and discussion questions throughout inspire student engagement and support the overall learning experience. Wealth, Power, and Inequality in World History Vol. 1 is the first installment in a two-book series. The books are well suited for introductory courses in world history.

Wealth, Power, and Inequality in World History Vol. 2 features a unique global focus on political and economic affairs, demonstrating the close interaction between these two subjects throughout the course of world history. The text explores the ever-changing allocation of wealth and power both within individual societies and among different political entities, such as city-states, nations, and empires to the present day. This volume picks up where Vol. 1 left off, discussing the ways in which ruling elites have wielded wealth and power to increase their own privileges, suppress frequent internal revolts, and wage war against foreign entities. This volume begins with chapters that examine the empires of East and Central Asia from 645-1795, Muslim empires of Asia from 1300 to the 1760s, and political upheaval in the Atlantic world. Additional chapters address the early Industrial Revolution in England, industry and inequality, the rising American empire, the causes of World War II, the emergence of the Cold War, globalization and its discontents from 2000-2020, and more. Images, maps, and discussion questions throughout inspire student engagement and support the overall learning experience. Wealth, Power, and Inequality in World History Vol. 2 is the second installment in a two-book series. The books are well suited for introductory courses in world history.

This two-volume collection of primary documents covers societies across different geographical regions during the last 5,000 years. While chronologically and geographically comprehensive in scope, this reader will focus on a central theme: the unequal allocation of wealth and power both within individual societies and between different polities ranging from small city-states to large territorial empires. The selected documents reveal that people living at different times and in different places have used similar methods to achieve similar political and economic objectives. By reflecting uniformities as well as diversities in ideas and actions, these documents undermine assertions of Western intellectual, cultural, or moral superiority.

This two-volume collection of primary documents covers societies that developed writing systems in different geographical regions during that last 5,000 years. While comprehensive in scope, this reader focuses on a central theme: the unequal allocation of wealth and power both within individual societies and between different polities ranging from small city-states to large territorial empires. The documents reveal that people living at different times and in different places have used similar methods to achieve similar political and economic objectives. By reflecting uniformities as well as diversities in ideas and actions, these documents undermine assertions of Western intellectual, cultural, or moral superiority. These readings also show that the expanding supply of goods and services resulting from technological innovations has led to increasing social, economic, and political, racial, and gender inequality. Selected to give students a deeper understanding of how and why inequalities have emerged in societies around the globe, each document will be introduced by a brief explanation of its historical context. And each document, presented in chronological order, will be followed by 3 or 4 review questions giving students an opportunity to test their understanding of its main points.

This collection of speeches delivered in 1987 presents the widely diverging opinions of four influential men: an eminent politician, a professional soldier, a government consultant, and a distinguished scholar. The first contributor, Senator George S. McGovern, ran as the Democratic candidate for president in 1972 on a platform that called for the withdrawal of American troops from Vietnam. The second speaker, General William C. Westmoreland, commanded American military forces in Vietnam until growing battlefield casualties and economic costs undermined support for the strategy of attrition in the United States. The third essay is by Edward N. Luttwak, a strong advocate for military reform in the United States and a frequent participant in high-level government discussions about American strategic interests throughout the world. The fourth speaker Thomas J. McCormick, is a diplomatic historian at the University of Wisconsin and an astute critic of American foreign policy. Each lecture is followed by a lively question-and-answer session that highlights the key points of agreement and disagreement with respect to the fundamental issues raised in the lectures. In a stimulating foreword, Akira Iriye challenges readers to think about the Vietnam War in relationship to the current debate about the role that the United States should play in world affairs.As a whole, the volume seeks to answer the multitude of questions raised, above all, by our nation's younger generations: Why did the United States become involved in the Southeast Asia? How did American military leaders and foot soldiers conduct themselves during the bitter struggle? Why did the United States fail to accomplish its objectives in Indochina? What lessons can be learned from the frustrating American experience in Vietnam? This book excites valuable discussion and controversy, for the speakers disagree among themselves over these fundamental questions. Their concise presentation of the issues and arguments will help readers not only to gain a deeper understanding of the Vietnam War but also to participate with greater insight in the current debate about the role that the United States should play in world affairs.

This two-volume collection of primary documents covers societies across different geographical regions during the last 5,000 years. While chronologically and geographically comprehensive in scope, this reader will focus on a central theme: the unequal allocation of wealth and power both within individual societies and between different polities ranging from small city-states to large territorial empires. The selected documents reveal that people living at different times and in different places have used similar methods to achieve similar political and economic objectives. By reflecting uniformities as well as diversities in ideas and actions, these documents undermine assertions of Western intellectual, cultural, or moral superiority.

This two-volume collection of primary documents covers societies across different geographical regions during the last 5,000 years. While chronologically and geographically comprehensive in scope, this reader will focus on a central theme: the unequal allocation of wealth and power both within individual societies and between different polities ranging from small city-states to large territorial empires. The selected documents reveal that people living at different times and in different places have used similar methods to achieve similar political and economic objectives. By reflecting uniformities as well as diversities in ideas and actions, these documents undermine assertions of Western intellectual, cultural, or moral superiority.