Posted: OCTOBER 14, 2024
My First Blog Post
Hi everyone! This is my first post on "Economic Origins," and I'm very excited to get this blog started. I've been thinking about creating a space where I can share my thoughts on how economic forces have shaped pivotal moments in history and now feels like the perfect time to begin.
My Interest in Economics and History
History has always captivated me—not just the dates and names, but the stories behind what happened.
From a young age, I found myself drawn to the stories of the past—the rise and fall of empires, the lives of influential figures, and the events that have shaped our world. Growing up in Turkey, a land rich with history, I was surrounded by the remains of ancient civilizations and the echoes of past times. I used to spend a lot of time watching history documentaries. Whether it was the stories of wars and revolutions, I was eager to learn and understand the stories that have defined humanity.
When I was 10 years old, my family moved from Turkey to the United States. This transition was not just a change of scenery but also an eye-opening experience that deepened my understanding of how economic forces can shape the fabric of society. At that time, families in Turkey were facing significant social challenges stemming from certain economic policies that led to high inflation and the devaluation of the Turkish Lira. I witnessed firsthand how these economic issues affected the people around me—friends and loved ones who struggled as their purchasing power diminished and daily life became more difficult. Observing these hardships sparked my interest in figuring out why certain events happened the way they did.
Why I Started This Blog
I started noticing that a lot of big moments in history – ancient or recent – have economic reasons and incentives behind them. Whether it's the scramble for resources that ignited wars, the economic disparities that led to revolutions, or the trade dynamics that fostered alliances, economic motivations often sit at the heart of historical turning points.
My curiosity deepened during a 9th-grade assignment on the Oil Crises of the 1970s. As I delved into the complexities of that period, I learned how geopolitical conflicts in the Middle East, like the Yom Kippur War, led to oil embargoes and skyrocketing prices. The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) used oil as a tool to influence foreign policy, which resulted in severe fuel shortages and economic shockwaves around the globe. In the United States, people faced long lines at gas stations, inflation soared, and unemployment rates increased. It was eye-opening to see how a single commodity like oil could have such a profound impact on economies and societies worldwide. This realization highlighted how economic dependencies and decisions could ripple across the globe, affecting everyday lives and altering the course of history. It became clear to me that economic factors often serve as the key forces driving historical events.
That assignment made me realize how interconnected economics and history really are. I started thinking more about:
I found myself wanting to explore these questions further, and that's how the idea for this blog was born.
History has always captivated me—not just the dates and names, but the stories behind what happened.
From a young age, I found myself drawn to the stories of the past—the rise and fall of empires, the lives of influential figures, and the events that have shaped our world. Growing up in Turkey, a land rich with history, I was surrounded by the remains of ancient civilizations and the echoes of past times. I used to spend a lot of time watching history documentaries. Whether it was the stories of wars and revolutions, I was eager to learn and understand the stories that have defined humanity.
When I was 10 years old, my family moved from Turkey to the United States. This transition was not just a change of scenery but also an eye-opening experience that deepened my understanding of how economic forces can shape the fabric of society. At that time, families in Turkey were facing significant social challenges stemming from certain economic policies that led to high inflation and the devaluation of the Turkish Lira. I witnessed firsthand how these economic issues affected the people around me—friends and loved ones who struggled as their purchasing power diminished and daily life became more difficult. Observing these hardships sparked my interest in figuring out why certain events happened the way they did.
Why I Started This Blog
I started noticing that a lot of big moments in history – ancient or recent – have economic reasons and incentives behind them. Whether it's the scramble for resources that ignited wars, the economic disparities that led to revolutions, or the trade dynamics that fostered alliances, economic motivations often sit at the heart of historical turning points.
My curiosity deepened during a 9th-grade assignment on the Oil Crises of the 1970s. As I delved into the complexities of that period, I learned how geopolitical conflicts in the Middle East, like the Yom Kippur War, led to oil embargoes and skyrocketing prices. The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) used oil as a tool to influence foreign policy, which resulted in severe fuel shortages and economic shockwaves around the globe. In the United States, people faced long lines at gas stations, inflation soared, and unemployment rates increased. It was eye-opening to see how a single commodity like oil could have such a profound impact on economies and societies worldwide. This realization highlighted how economic dependencies and decisions could ripple across the globe, affecting everyday lives and altering the course of history. It became clear to me that economic factors often serve as the key forces driving historical events.
That assignment made me realize how interconnected economics and history really are. I started thinking more about:
- How do economic motivations influence the decisions of nations?
- In what ways have economic pressures led to conflicts or alliances?
- Can we trace the rise and fall of civilizations back to their economic foundations?
I found myself wanting to explore these questions further, and that's how the idea for this blog was born.
What You Can Expect Here
In "Economic Origins," I plan to dive into various historical and current events to uncover the economic factors that influenced them:
Join Me on This Journey
I'm still learning, and I definitely don't have all the answers. But I think it would be awesome to share what I find and hear your thoughts, too. Feel free to leave comments, share your ideas, or suggest topics you'd like me to explore.
Thanks for stopping by, and I hope you'll join me as we explore the economic origins of the events that have shaped our world.
In "Economic Origins," I plan to dive into various historical and current events to uncover the economic factors that influenced them:
- Dive Deep into Events: Analyze events through the lens of economic motivations.
- Engage Experts: Bring to light lesser-known economic drivers by conducting research and interviews with experts in their fields.
- Encourage Discussion: Create a space where ideas can be shared, and different perspectives are welcomed.
Join Me on This Journey
I'm still learning, and I definitely don't have all the answers. But I think it would be awesome to share what I find and hear your thoughts, too. Feel free to leave comments, share your ideas, or suggest topics you'd like me to explore.
Thanks for stopping by, and I hope you'll join me as we explore the economic origins of the events that have shaped our world.