MMa

During the 1930s, the Japanese militarists had almost complete control over the government. The militarists came to power due to [|Japan's economic crisis] that worsened after World War I. [|The Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923] and the Great Depression of 1919 intensified their situation. The failure of the party government in Japan to provide national leadership in the late 1920s gave the militarists their opportunity to rise to power. A small group of military leaders set up a dictatorship in Japan. The Japanese militarists assassinated many political enemies and communists were persecuted. They arrested people who opposed the government, commanded censorship, and formed a secret police force to punish enemies of Japan. The militarists set up this government with economic motives and the desire for [|western-style imperialism].

Christopher Columbus was a European explorer who sailed across the Atlantic Ocean in 1492. His voyages were sponsored by [|Queen Isabella] and King Ferdinand, the queen and king of Spain. He hoped to find a water route to India to trade spices, silk, and other valuable items. Between the years of 1492 and 1504 he had four expeditions to the West Indies. He discovered islands in the Caribbean Sea and when news of his discovery spread, it led to a new age of exploration and colonization for European countries. While in the Caribbean, Columbus met and ruled over an Indian tribe called the Arawaks. Columbus captured many of these people and enslaved them. Although Columbus was arrested for his crimes, he was given another chance to prove himself with another expedition. We continue to celebrate Columbus's discoveries today.


 * Pieter Aertsen-Meat Still Life**

This painting is called [|Meat Still Life] by [|Pieter Aertsen]. It pictures freshly butchered meat at a stall in a market. This piece features a background scene of [|Flight into Egypt]. Pieter Aertsen made Meat Still Life unique by bringing the objects forward, therefore, overshadowing the people; even the largest person is minute compared to the size of a sausage. Pieter Aertsen uses perspective through this. As well as meat in the market stall, there is also fish, pretzels, cheese, and butter, holy foods. This painting has a very non-secular theme, and there are many religious symbols. Despite all of the religious symbolism, [|humanism] does still play a role in Meat Still Life. The story behind the flight into Egypt is about human survival. One major part of humanism was the revival of Roman history, and because Egypt was part of the Roman empire, it helps people to learn about Rome's past. This still life is also about every day life and human interest. Many people of the Renaissance time period were [|merchants] who sold food and other items at markets. These markets were the center of town. Meat Still Life portrays people's work and lives.