Table of ContentsIntroductionWeather Events That Shaped World HistoryConclusionReferencesIntroductionIt is tempting, and often comforting, to think that humans control our destiny. The decisions people make in their daily lives can affect many things, and the course of their lives cumulatively reflects these many small decisions. On the other hand, humans cannot control every aspect of their environment, and forces beyond human control frequently intervene in human affairs. Despite many people's belief that the weather has little influence on their lives other than determining what clothes they wear on a given day, the weather has actually caused a radical change in world history, d 'an important way that is still felt today. This raises the question of how weather has changed world history, altering the trajectories of nations and shaping the destiny of individuals and culture. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay Weather Events That Shaped World History Numerous examples from world history document the long-term effects of weather on the formation of cultures and nations. In the 13th century, Khubilai Khan ruled the vast Mongol Empire, which stretched from the Pacific Ocean in the east to the Black Sea in the west, from what is now Siberia in the north to Afghanistan south. To further extend his rule, Khubilai Khan staged two invasions of Japan. Two monsoons, however, forced him to put an end to his attacks. Delgado (2008) describes the legendary accounts of this event: “The legend, often repeated in countless history books, tells of gigantic ships, numbering in the thousands, crewed by indomitable Mongol warriors, and massive losses , with more than 100,000 people. lives lost during the last attempted invasion of 1281” (p. 4). Due to this unexpected defeat, Khubilai Khan decided to stage a third invasion of Japan, but he died before he could realize this ambition. Without these monsoons, Japan could have been defeated by the Mongols and thus lost its identity as a unique culture, with far-reaching consequences for Asian and world history. In the early years of the American War of Independence, which began in 1775, it seemed likely that the British would crush the armies of their colonial territory and reincorporate it into the empire. British troops were a well-trained and disciplined army that was feared throughout the world. In contrast, American troops were newly trained, sometimes poorly organized, and lacked sufficient resources to fight effectively. General George Washington could have easily been defeated at the Battle of Long Island on August 22, 1776. Historical records show that Sir William Howe, the British commander, was clearly defeating Washington at Long Island and winning high the hand (Seymour, 1995). Nevertheless, weather conditions intervened when a thick fog set in, so the American forces were able to retreat, regroup, and survive to fight another day. Because of this fog, the United States was not defeated in its fight for freedom. Therefore, the current United Kingdom of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland does not include the United States. The United States is not a commonwealth of a motherland, as Canada and Australia are, although it still maintains close ties with (1926).