Oxford Museum

BLOG 2

It has become obvious that technology is the key to power, especially when considering the modernization theory. I had the opportunity to visit the Oxford museum and a specific section caught my attention. There was a display concerning various weapons from other countries throughout Britain’s expansion, complemented by British weapons. The two groups of weapons were completely different, considerably those British compared to everything else. One of the weapons from Africa were for melee combat, spikes worn and held around ones hands to encompass the fist. Whereas the British had a gun with an axe head fixed upon the end so it could double its purpose (death). They also had an extravagantly designed long barrel rifle that was encrusted with carvings and gems. Whether brutality or fashion was important, I’m sure it still did well in getting the job done. Maybe this technology came from intelligence or innovation but what about conflict. British history is filled with it, the necessity to create such devastating devices lead to their power especially sooner than that of the colonized nations. One could consider the possibility that these nations that are being exploited modernized peaceful means to solving things before European nations. Look at Okonkwo in Things Fall Apart and how he was banished for a certain period of time to reflect on what has happened when he did ill. And now they must pay the reaper for rational thinking rather than abusive. From what I know until Europeans showed up in Africa they merely had sparse tribal warfare more on culturally based terms that complete destruction of a foe one loathes like the British and the French.

Seggeling