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.
Dunkle, Roger. "The Classical Origins of Western Culture" Brooklyn College, The City University of New York. 1986 . Web. 29 July 2015.
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.
During the period 1500 to 1815 studied in class there were numerous developments in Europe. In many ways it was a fast growing period. There were numerous reforms that affected the educational, political, and economical system of countries. Furthermore, scientific developments have also occurred which lead to advances in exploration and military. I believe that the most important development was the printing press, which connected Europe, so that ideas can be communicated. Furthermore, the “Age of Exploration,” was a significant development that leads to an increased knowledge of the seas, which eventually helped the welfare of coastal countries. Another development that was important was the scientific revolution, more specifically how their
Rome had fallen. Western Civilization commenced an arduous journey from the Early Middle Ages to the ascension of modern European states. The shifting sands of society were persistent in progressing onwards. Several key events occurred during these eras and affected the route of the modern world. Each of these eras contributed valuable ideas to modern society. Furthermore, several remarkable human beings shaped the course of Western history.
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.
Coffin, Judith G, et al. Western Civilizations: Their History & Their Culture. 17th ed. New York: W. W. Norton & Co, 2011. 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.
Despite the nature, origins and even existence of the Renaissance being subject to intensive investigation by many historians, the traditional understanding of the European renaissance as being defined as the bridge between the Middle Ages and modern era has resonated in society throughout time. Exemplified through the influx of creative arts, literature and philosophy of that time, Swiss cultural historian Jacob Burckhardt defined this bridge as being the result of an immense intellectual transformation in humanity. In fact, the term ‘renaissance’, coined by the French historian Jules Michelet, can be translated to mean ‘new birth’ or ‘rebirth’. Spanning roughly through the 14th to 17th centuries, the renaissance is often recognised as the time of a revolution of cultural revitalization and exploration. These traditionalist ideas of the Renaissance as developed by Michelet and later expanded by Burckhardt were however ultimately disposed by revisionist historians like Charles Homer Haskins who began a revolt against Renaissance idea, motivated by the goal to deny the era any legitimate historical existence and annex the period to the middle ages. However, the perspectives of these historians in this debate are ultimately a reflection of their own context and purposes. Both Michelet and Burckhardt’s approach reflect their own 19th-century world, whilst Haskins was heavily influenced by his liberal, optimistic 20th-century ideals. A more contemporary approach to the debate is exemplified through historiographer Wallace K. Ferguson. Ferguson had chosen to focus and draw conclusions from the mirrored reflections and controversies surrounding the Renaissance idea that persisted amongst past historians. However, despite argua...
The periods of 1200-1450 and 1450-1700 were polar opposites for a multitude of reasons but the most important reasons the two were different were, the invention of the printing press, the enlightenment, along with one man, Martin Luther. These three things changed the course of world history and brought upon a period that led to the updating of human nature at a previously unseen rate. They challenged what was though prior to 1450, and helped humanity to develop and expand. Without the printing press, the Enlightenment, and Martin Luther we would be living similar to the people of the time did, 500 years later.
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.
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.
As previously stated, the renaissance was the rebirth of society. What led to this was a decrease in faith because of the great schism, a conflict between two popes, where both said they were the pope. People were starting to take a secular view compared to what the church told them to believe. Society was changing to where individual viewpoints mattered. With politics starting to matter, and a better economy, places were beginning to be city centered, specifically city states, which are urban societies that have taken secular views.
The start of the Renaissance ended the period in which we refer to as the Middle Ages. The Renaissance began in the 14th century, an age of great creativity and change in many areas. Classical ideas were modified, and political, social, economic, and cultural values were reborn as a result of the achievements of certain individuals. Occurring subsequently, the Reformation was an upheaval of beliefs in religious, political, intellectual, and cultural views that caused fragmentation in Catholic Europe. The era of the Renaissance and Reformation were a significant point in history which effectively ended the medieval period, creating a revolutionary departure from the Middle Ages. The Renaissance Period was a rebirth of ideas and concepts after the Middle Ages, the cultural movement focusing on art, history, and literature, all of which had a considerable impact upon Christianity.
Lynn Hunt et al., The Making of the West: peoples and cultures, a Concise History (Boston:Bedford/St. Martin's, 2003), 43, 45, 132, 136, 179-180