From reading the introduction to part four, the modern era seems like it will be very interesting to read and learn about because it relates to present day more than the ancient civilizations do. The role that geography played in the development of the western hemisphere was amazing. The oceans that lead to the western hemisphere helped with trade, and lead to further settlement in the Americas. This, however had a negative impact on the Native Americans who were already settled here. Diseases brought over from Europe and Africa lead to a major decline in the native population. Reading of the great dying is very saddening because it hurts to read about how many people had to suffer and die for the world to be where it is today.
The Columbian Exchange, or the network of communication, migration, trade, and the transfer of plants and animals helped the world diversify in the way people ate, farmed, communicated etc. it opened up windows for the world to experience different types of life. This was always meant to happen; it was just a matter of when. Since resources of transportation were available at this time, the Colombian exchange occurred.
Reading about all the different Empires was very fascinating because they were all different in the way they had established and presented themselves. Just like settlers brought disease to the Americas the Russians did the same thing, especially to those in Siberia. The Asian Empire was regional and not global, and therefore did not lead to massive epidemics.
On another note, the slave trade developed from the European Empires. Although, slaves helped on plantations, which therefore helped with the worlds food supply, I wish that it could have been avoided, because thinking about the large amount of people who suffered is poignant.
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