In this course we will explore how five common food stuffs have affected history. We will look for example at how the trade in sugar is tragically linked to the expansion of the slave trade, and how our search for tea had a role to play in revolution and war. As well as exploring the history we will explore how these profound changes in our social, political and economic lives are still influencing us to this day.
Course aim
This course will focus on five common food stuffs and explore how these affected history, both at the time, and to the present day.
Do I need any particular skills or experience?
- This course is for beginners
By the end of the course I should be able to:
- Be able to describe how the trade in sugar is linked with the expansion of the slave trade
- Discuss the role that tea played in the Chinese Opium wars of the 1840s
- Be able to describe how the trade in bananas is linked to the creation of banana republics, repression and revolution
- Discuss the history of beef consumption and the current environmental impact of its consumption
What else do I need to know?
- What you need: You will need an internet connection, speakers, a microphone and a webcam so that you can use our video learning platform, Zoom. If you’d like to understand more Zoom please visit: http://bit.ly/ZoomSpec
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