Modern history was the abandonment of European confinement. I understand modern history as being the revival of the appreciation of art, ideas, and moral values known as the Renaissance. During and before this time period, the majority of the European population was deeply embedded and blinded by the church. It is my understanding that Modern history is comprised of a sequence of events. It was not limited to specific dates, it was a continuous cycle of religious and political strives for power, establishment, and scientific discovery. The events, formerly mentioned, that took place were the Renaissance, the Reformation, and Exploration.
The first of the sequenced events is known as the Renaissance. The Renaissance was the period in Europe from 1350 to 1550. It is one of the few eras in Western history that named itself. My understanding is that it was a cultural and scholarly movement that emphasized the rekindling and significance of texts and ideologies from antiquity. In my opinion, one of the most influential figures during the Renaissance was Francesco Petrarca, commonly known as Petrarch. It was through his ideology, “Humanism,” that I really began to comprehend what the Renaissance was really all about. (Backman, 2013)
The Renaissance combined the elements of antiquity along with political, social, and economic motivations to create a widespread movement. Over the course of the fourteenth century, the old social and political structures broke down, allowing new concepts to arise. The cultural elite found that those concepts could be used for their own elevation. Italy was not one nation; it was comprised of various city-states. All of which were competing for civic pride, trade and wealth.
Politically, Italy was differe...
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... human potential, art, and society changed for the better. Almost simultaneously, a huge social and political change erupted in northern Europe, with the Protestant Reformation. Peasants revolted, the Catholic Church was questioned, and the power of the Holy Roman Empire was greatly weakened. With the growth of intellect and an interest in furthering human potential came the Age of Exploration. In which countries attempted to expand their countries through colonization of the New World. The social, political, and economic foundations of European society were greatly changing, slowly paving the way for the Modern Era. And I believe that none of the accomplishments formerly mentioned would be possible without the one that preceded it.
Works Cited
1. Backman, C. (2013). The cultures of the west a history. (Vol. 2, pp. 373-412). New York, NY: Oxford University Press.
Clifford R. Backman, The Cultures of the West: A History. Volume 1: To 1750. New York: Oxford University Press, 2013.
Coffin, Judith G, et al. Western Civilizations: Their History & Their Culture. 17th ed. New York: W. W. Norton & Co, 2011. Print.
...c economic system. Furthermore, there were political changes occurring during this era. The concept of the state coupled with the idea of sovereignty further enhanced the growth of modern states. These economic and political contributions brought about the rise of the modern European states.
European society drastically changed from the 14th through the 16th centuries. The Thirty Year’s War was drastically significant to reformation and it winded great majority of European Powers involved in constant warfare. In times like these, struggles were of course inevitable, thus igniting a rebellion of religious controversy that eventually led to political complications, clashes between dominating powers, along with the raised spike of conflict due to greed. Wars of religion and the clash of worldviews also ignited rapid social changes along with a just as rapid rapid population increase; these reformations convicted the changes in religion, economic conditions, and the overall disposition of the populace were the main substantial factors
In conclusion, with the various events that occurred during the Middle Ages, they all show that they developed social, economic and political changes throughout Europe. Although it may have taken a series of fortunate and unfortunate events, the change brought the flourishing age of Renaissance. From the night in shiny armor, comes the flowering of literature, science, art, religion, politics, and most importantly, knowledge by learning.
Coffin, Judith G, et al. Western Civilizations: Their History & Their Culture. 17th ed. New York: W. W. Norton & Co, 2011. Print.
In science people started to question the church and its powerthis may have been because the church's "indulgence" policy was so far out of line; as a result to this curiosity people started to study the natural world, discovering the secrets of the universe. Leonardo da Vinci was a huge part of the advancement in Science, with his inventions and theories. This was also the time period that Galileo discovered that the Earth revolved around the sunmuch to the dismay of the church.
The Italian Renaissance developed in cities such as Florence, Milan, and Venice, which had emerged during the 12th and 13th centuries as new commercial developments allowed them to expand (Paolucci 12). This mercantile society contrasted sharply with the rural, tradition bound society of medieval Europe. A significant break with tradition came in the field of history, as Renaissance historians rejected the medieval Christian views of history (Cole 40). Studies such as the Florentine History (1525) of Niccolo Machiavelli revealed a secular view of time and a critical attitude toward sources (Cole 44). This secular view was expressed by many Renaissance thinkers known as humanists. Humanism was another cultural break with medieval tradition; under its ideas scholars valued classical texts on their own te...
Coffin, Judith G., and Robert C. Stacey. "CHAPTER 18 PAGES 668-669." Western Civilizations: Their History & Their Culture. 16TH ed. Vol. 2. New York, NY: W. W. Norton &, 2008. N. pag. Print.
The Medieval Times for Europe, from the 400 AD till 1400 AD, are often labeled as “The Dark Ages”. This time period has begun after a turning point known as Fall of Rome. It caused Rome to divide into two well-known civilizations: Medieval Europe, Islam, and The Byzantine Empire. Also, Medieval Europe led to a well known utopian period of “rebirth” identified as the Renaissance. The time period between 400 CE and 1400 CE wasn’t a “Dark Age” for Europe because of progress in academic success, blossom in architecture, and religious unity along with government. It wasn’t a cultural decay or decline because of the legendary time period it led to.
Cole, Joshua, Judith G. Coffin, Carol Symes, and Robert Stacey. Western Civilizations: Their History & Their Culture. Brief Third ed. Vol. 2. New York: W.W. Norton &, 2012. Print.
...e been revolutionary; however, that excess amount of time has allowed the Renaissance to make more contributions to the future generations of societies.
Lynn Hunt, Thomas R. Martin, Barbara H. Rosenwein, R. Po-chia Hsia, Bonnie G. Smith. The Making of the West: Peoples and Cultures: 3rd Edition, Volume I.(Boston, New York 2009) 7
The Renaissance (1300-1700) began in Italy and eventually spread to Germany, France, England, and Spain. The Renaissance is also known as the Middle Ages. To understand what the Renaissance exactly is would be to say that it was the cultural rebirth that occurred in Europe through a term called humanism. In other words, the people wanted a Christian worldview through a classical learning style. While many things helped the Renaissance become well known, the political and economic aspects of the Renaissance is what played a huge developing role in which helped it flourish into creating its environment. The economic aspects were just as important as the political aspects of the Renaissance, but it was the political aspects that had the most
The Renaissance was a cultural movement and turning point in European history, originating in Italy and lasting from the 14th to the 17th century. Following the Middle Ages, the Renaissance gave rise to humanism, inducing human achievement rather than religion, breaking away from previous medieval scholasticism and reviving the once lost Greek and Roman interests. During the three centuries, the political structure of Europe took several different forms through its numerous political leaders. This organization of politics reflected the ideals and values of the time, as it broke away from the thought process of the past, such as the heavy influence of religion, and accepted newer ideas such as individualism, humanism, and secularism. Through the political leaders, important developments and advancements have been made not only in politics, but in other fields as well, as throughout the modern world. Due to the political structure, under the rule of certain leaders, Europe experienced a political evolution. This gave birth to the foundations of modern politics through the transition from the Middle Ages, composition of significant political literary works, and the development of diplomacy.