James Sterrett's History Blog- Home Page

How to Lower Energy and Gas prices in a supply and demand shock The United States is facing sky-high oil prices… prices are over 100$ a barrel. The current exact price is ~98.91$ a barrel of crude oil, and the price is up ~4.63% today. (Trading Economics, n.d.) As of February 2026, electricity prices are ~298.11$ compared to 277.36$ in February 2024. (Trading Economics, n.d.). The average price of gas as of late March 2026 in the United States in 3.98$ a gallon. (American Aut

Cotton and African Americans in the American South This is a brief and quick analysis of cotton based on one of the best-known history books in its category. The book that this is based on is Empire of Cotton, written by Beckard, Sven. The book is an analysis of cotton based on the typical Black experience; it is also primarily an economic and social analysis. The book analyzes the economic history of cotton and the social impact on African Americans. I decided to write this

Varangian Guard The Vikings were a medieval Scandinavian culture and fighting force that spread its roots throughout Europe. There was a group of Vikings called the Varangian Guard who were elite mercenaries that sold their services throughout Europe, to the Byzantines, Russia, and others. The Varangian Guard also settled some farmland; they were not only fighters. Vikings shaped Europe as mercenaries, elite fighters, and farmers. The Varangian Guard were medieval Scandinavia

Manhattan and the Original New York The original Netherlands, in 1661, had approximately 1,500 people living in “New Amsterdam”; the original name for New York City.[1] These people included tavern keepers, shop owners, soldiers, farmers and sailors. New Amsterdam was a far-off outpost of the Netherlands. New Amsterdam was wary of Native American attacks because they had been violently assaulted multiple times by native Americans previously.[2] New Amsterdam had as much wat

Fascist Italy with Ancient Roman Culture Fascist Italy under Mussolini used Roman symbols to gain legitimacy, power and recognition as pathetic as it may seem today. Fascist Italy under Mussolini used the Fasces an ancient Roman solute as its fascist solute. Ancient Rome had its issues, but it was almost two thousand years before and the context of its time needs to be included. Also, ancient Rome may have been “violent” they may have had “war slaves” they may have “killed” l

Byzantine Empire The Byzantine Empire was the remnant of the ancient Roman Empire. The Byzantine Empire was well known and benefited massively from trade. The Byzantine Empire had extremely fertile fields that massively contributed to Byzantine wealth, population, and military success. The Byzantine Empire defended the world from the powerful Muslim Empire. The ancient Byzantine Empire was a world leader that influenced Western civilization and protected medieval Europe fro