Part III

The final section of this book looked at the Indian Ocean and its three subsystems, the Persians and the Arabs, The Indians on the west coast with Islamic beliefs, and the Indians on the East Coast that believed in the Hindu religion and Budda. In the first section of part three, we learn about the early links between the west and the east, how southeast Indian societies began and flourished, and the lessons learned from this society. In the second section, we learn the importance or the strait, and the role it played in this society. We learned the importance it had on China as well as the Arab countries, and finally end with the lessons learned from the strait. In the third section of this part we focus on China. We see the role that business and technology played in trade. We are also exposed to the lessons learned by China, and how they tried to come back after they withdrew and their economy crashed. The final section of this part and book explores the ways that the system has changed and will continue to change into the future.

Something that I found interesting in this part was the section on China. I thought it was interesting to read about how China conducted business back then, knowing how they do their business now. Especially when reading about them learning from their mistakes. It was interesting to think about how much they have grown, and continue to grow. It reminds me of the saying forgive but never forget.

This made me think, in which ways did the lessons learned at this time, help China become who they are today. Is it possible that those lessons have shaped them into the country that they have become, or is it just part of the past and has had no impact? I think that history really does reveal lots of answers.