Historical Events that Influenced the Development of Western Civilization
- Earliest Civilizations: Before 500 AD The earliest civilizations of the world influenced the growth of the West. ...
- Rise of Christendom ...
- The Fall of Rome ...
- Reintroduction of Greek philosophy to the West ...
- Magna Carta ...
- Rise of Western Schism ...
- The Fall of Constantinople in 1453 ...
- Renaissance: 14th to 17th Century ...
How did Western civilization influence the world?
What one can say with confidence is that Western civilization has had a massive influence across the globe, in all domains of life. Not just in the United States, but across the Americas, and indeed on every continent, Western ideas about religion, science, politics, and art have had an unparalleled influence.
What is the Greek influence on Western civilization?
Greek Influence on Western Civilization. Without this Greek influence there would be no system for the people in place and the common man/woman would not have a say in important decisions that shape their surroundings. This is important because without democracy those things we may view as common place and a birth right would not exist.
What is Western civilization?
'Western Civilization' refers to the art, literature, culture, and ideas that emerged from the eastern Mediterranean basin in the centuries before the common era, that developed in myriad forms through the Middle Ages, and that ultimately took modern shape after the Renaissance.
What was the impact of the 19th century on Western culture?
The British naturalist, Charles Darwin. The 19th and early 20th centuries saw important contributions to the process of modernisation of Western art and Literature and the continuing evolution in the role of religion in Western societies. Napoleon re-established the Catholic Church in France through the Concordat of 1801.
Who influenced Western civilization the most?
Western civilization is what is presently called modern or contemporary society that mainly comprises Western Europe and North America. It is believed that civilization came in through the influence of ancient cultures the two main ones being Greek and Roman.
What caused the rise of Western civilization?
Western civilization traces its roots to 18th and 19th century England, when many disparate developments converged to ignite the Industrial Revolution. This took place in the context of the Enlightenment with its many transformative ideas, fostering the rise of the scientific method, capitalism and democracy.
What cultures influenced Western culture?
Western culture is most strongly influenced by the Greek philosophy, Roman law, and Christian culture. Ancient Greece is considered the birthplace of many elements of Western culture, including the development of a democratic system of government and major advances in philosophy, science and mathematics.
Who contributed to Western Civilization?
The ancient Greeks and Romans were perhaps two of the greatest civilizations of the ancient world. These two civilizations thrived in their ancient environments which eventually led to a vast amount of prosperity within these two cultures.
What was the rise of Western Civilization?
By the 14th century, the middle class in Europe had grown in influence and number as the feudal system declined. This spurred the growth of towns and cities in the West and improved the economy of Europe. This, in turn helped begin a cultural movement in the West known as the Renaissance, which began in Italy.
What is Western Civilization based on?
Western civilization refers to the art, literature, culture, and enduring ideas that emerged from the eastern Mediterranean basin in the centuries before the common era, that developed in myriad forms through the Middle Ages, and that ultimately took modern shape after the Renaissance.
When did Western civilization start?
Western civilization describes the development of human civilization beginning in Ancient Greece, and generally spreading westwards. However, Western civilization in its more strictly defined sphere traces its roots back to Rome and the Western Mediterranean.
What is an example of Western influence?
Democracy, fast foods, and American pop-culture can all be examples that are considered as Westernization of the world.
What are the three pillars of Western civilization?
Important to our understanding of Western civilization are three key pillars that make it distinctive in the world: the Judeo-Christian tradition, democracy and rationality.
What was the most important development in Western Civilization?
The Renaissance and European Expansion Perhaps the most crucial development in the idea of Western Civilization in the pre-modern period was the Renaissance. The idea of the “Middle Ages” was invented by thinkers during the Renaissance, which started around 1300 CE.
What major themes define Western Civilization?
Key themes of Western Civilization are: the Renaissance, the Reformation, the development of overseas empires and the coming of capitalism, the formation of the nation state, the Scientific Revolution, the French Revolution, liberalism and the Industrial Revolution, socialism and the rise of labor, modern colonialism, ...
What defines Western culture?
Western culture is a broad term used to describe the social norms, belief systems, traditions, customs, values, and so forth that have their origin in Europe or are based on European culture. Some of the central characteristics of Western culture include: Democracy. Rational thinking.
When did the Western civilization start?
Western civilization describes the development of human civilization beginning in Ancient Greece, and generally spreading westwards. However, Western civilization in its more strictly defined sphere traces its roots back to Rome and the Western Mediterranean.
What was the most important development in Western civilization?
The Renaissance and European Expansion Perhaps the most crucial development in the idea of Western Civilization in the pre-modern period was the Renaissance. The idea of the “Middle Ages” was invented by thinkers during the Renaissance, which started around 1300 CE.
What are the factors that give way to the rise and fall of each civilization and empire in West Asia?
They are government, religion, education, and a military power.
What is Western civilization in Percy Jackson?
Western Civilization is a metaphysical force which moves with the flow of civilization. It is the pure essence of mankind's culture and connects together everything that constitutes humanity's collective spirit and civilization, according to Chiron.
Earliest Civilizations: Before 500 AD
The earliest civilizations of the world influenced the growth of the West. About 10,000 years ago, Mesopotamian civilization started flourishing between the rivers Euphrates and Tigris due the domestication of animals like goats and sheep and the introduction of new crops like the new wheat hybrids (Kishlansky, 2007).
Rise of Christendom
In 587 BC, Nebuchanezzar II of the Neo-Babylonia Empire destroyed the Jewish temple thus forcing the Jewish leaders into exile. The aftermath of the two events was the spread of Judaism’s traditions, values, and texts.
The Fall of Rome
In 476, the last emperor of the Western Roman Empire, Romulus Augustus, was removed by a Germanic chieftain called Odoacer. Before this, the empire was slowly declining. The Western Roman Empire had had control over France, Italy, Spain, England, and Portugal for many centuries.
Reintroduction of Greek philosophy to the West
The works of Aristotle, a Greek philosopher, were reintroduced to the West in 12 th century. This led to the emergence of a new school of thought called scholasticism. This school stressed on scientific observation.
Magna Carta
On 15 June 1215, Magna Carta was sealed under the oath of King John at Runnymede on the river Thames’ bank. This was the first document to be imposed by the feudal barons upon an English king in an effort to legally limit his powers and defend human rights.
Rise of Western Schism
Due to the conflict between the French crown and the Papacy, the court of the papacy was situated between 1305 to 1377 at Avignon. Gregory XI restored it to Rome due to Saint Catherine of Sienna’s request. In 1378, another group of seven Avignon Popes was set up as a rival to Rome.
The Fall of Constantinople in 1453
In 1453, the Ottomans under the control of Sultan Mehmed II fought and defeated a small army of Constantine XI. They destroyed the walls of the ancient city with terrifying new weaponry. The Ottoman invasion forced the Greek scholars westwards who then went to revive the western knowledge of classical antiquity.
What is Western civilization?
What is the study of Western civilization? Western civilization refers to the art, literature, culture, and enduring ideas that emerged from the eastern Mediterranean basin in the centuries before the common era, that developed in myriad forms through the Middle Ages, and that ultimately took modern shape after the Renaissance.
What faiths were developed from the Hebrew Bible?
From the Hebrew Bible grew the faiths of Judaism, Islam and Christianity, and the ethical framework of modern society. From Greek art and literature emerged the masterpieces of the Renaissance and beyond.
Can we celebrate Western civilization?
One can celebrate the achievements of Western civilization without denigrating the world’s other cultures. Indeed, it is a mark of ignorance, not enlightenment, to make claims of superiority for the culture of “the West” – as if there is some singular excellence about the thread of ideas that gradually made its way out onto the narrow European peninsula that extends westward off the Asian continent. Western civilization has produced much that is undoubtedly great, but also much that is undoubtedly not so great. And how could one even begin to make comparative judgments? Who would be able to say, with any authority, that Plato is a greater political theorist than Mencius? Who could compare The Canterbury Tales to The Tale of Genji? How do we evaluate the art of Picasso against the creations of unknown African masters?
What is Western civilization?
Jump to navigation Jump to search. The School of Athens, a famous fresco by the Italian Renaissance artist Raphael, with Plato and Aristotle as the central figures in the scene. Western civilization traces its roots back to Europe and the Mediterranean.
Where did Western civilization originate?
Western civilization traces its roots back to Europe and the Mediterranean. It is linked to ancient Greece, the Roman Empire and with Medieval Western Christendom which emerged from the Middle Ages to experience such transformative episodes as the Renaissance, the Reformation, the Enlightenment, the Industrial Revolution, scientific revolution, and the development of liberal democracy. The civilizations of Classical Greece and Ancient Rome are considered seminal periods in Western history; a few cultural contributions also emerged from the pagan peoples of pre-Christian Europe, such as the Celts and Germans, as well as some significant religious contributions derived from Judaism and Hellenistic Judaism stemming back to Second Temple Judea, Galilee, and the early Jewish diaspora; and some other Middle Eastern influences. Western Christianity has played a prominent role in the shaping of Western civilization, which throughout most of its history, has been nearly equivalent to Christian culture. (There were Christians outside of the West, such as China, India, Russia, Byzantium and the Middle East). Western civilization has spread to produce the dominant cultures of modern Americas and Oceania, and has had immense global influence in recent centuries in many ways.
Why did the colonial empire collapse?
There were several reasons for this. Firstly, World War II had devastated European economies and had forced governments to spend great deals of money, making the price of colonial administration increasingly hard to manage. Secondly, the two new superpowers following the war, the United States and Soviet Union were both opposed to imperialism, so the now weakened European Empires could generally not look to the outside for help. Thirdly, Westerners increasingly were not interested in maintaining and even opposed the existence of empires. The fourth reason was the rise of independence movements following the war. The future leaders of these movements had often been educated at colonial schools run by Westerners where they adopted Western ideas like freedom, equality, self-determination and nationalism, and which turned them against their colonial rulers.
What did the Vikings do in Normandy?
In Normandy the Vikings adopted French culture and language, became Christians and were absorbed into the native population. By the beginning of the 11th century Scandinavia was divided into three kingdoms, Norway, Sweden, and Denmark, all of which were Christian and part of Western civilization.
What happened in the 20th century?
In the 20th century, absolute monarchy disappeared from Europe, and despite episodes of Fascism and Communism, by the close of the century, virtually all of Europe was electing its leaders democratically. Most Western nations were heavily involved in the First and Second World Wars and protracted Cold War.
How did the Industrial Revolution affect the economy?
Rapid economic growth following the Napoleonic Wars was the continuing product of the ever-expanding Industrial Revolution. The revolution began in Britain, where Thomas Newcomen developed a steam engine in 1712 to pump seeping water out of mines. This engine at first was powered by water, but soon coal and wood were heavily used. The British first learned to use steam power effectively. In 1804, the first steam powered railroad locomotive was developed in Britain, which allowed goods and people to be transported at faster speeds than ever before in history. Soon, large numbers of goods were being produced in factories. This resulted in great societal changes, and many people settled in the cities where the factories were located. Factory work could often be brutal. With no safety regulations, people became sick from contaminants in the air in textile mills for, example. Many workers were also horribly maimed by dangerous factory machinery. Since workers relied only on their small wages for sustenance, entire families were forced to work, including children. These and other problems caused by industrialism resulted in some reforms by the mid-19th century. The economic model of the West also began to change, with mercantilism being replaced by capitalism, in which companies, and later, large corporations, were run by individual investors.
Which empire suffered a collapse of literacy and organization following the fall of Rome in AD 476?
While the Roman Empire and Christian religion survived in an increasingly Hellenised form in the Byzantine Empire centered at Constantinople in the East, Western civilization suffered a collapse of literacy and organization following the fall of Rome in AD 476.
Which two continents are considered civilizations?
mainly comprises Western Europe and North America. It is believed that civilization
What is the name of the culture that was referred to as Greco-Roman culture?
that was referred to as Greco-Roman culture. This is often known as classical civiliza-
When did the Romans conquer Greece?
ative and intellectual. By the 2nd century B.C. Romans conquered Greece and came to
Overview
Enlightenment
The West in the early modern era went through great changes as the traditional balance between monarchy, nobility and clergy shifted. With the feudal system all but gone, nobles lost their traditional source of power. Meanwhile, in Protestant countries, the church was now often headed by a monarch, while in Catholic countries, conflicts between monarchs and the Church rarely occurred and mo…
The Middle Ages
While the Roman Empire and Christian religion survived in an increasingly Hellenised form in the Byzantine Empire centered at Constantinople in the East, Western civilization suffered a collapse of literacy and organization following the fall of Rome in AD 476. Gradually however, the Christian religion re-asserted its influence over Western Europe.
Renaissance and Reformation
The Renaissance, originating from Italy, ushered in a new age of scientific and intellectual inquiry and appreciation of ancient Greek and Roman civilizations. The merchant cities of Florence, Genoa, Ghent, Nuremberg, Geneva, Zürich, Lisbon and Seville provided patrons of the arts and sciences and unleashed a flurry of activity.
Rise of Western empires: 1500–1800
From its dawn until modern times, the West had suffered invasions from Africa, Asia, and non-Western parts of Europe. By 1500 Westerners took advantage of their new technologies, sallied forth into unknown waters, expanded their power and the Age of Discovery began, with Western explorers from seafaring nations like Portugal and Castile (later Spain) and later Holland, France and England se…
Rise of the English-speaking world: 1815–1870
The years following Britain's victory in the Napoleonic Wars were a period of expansion for Britain as it rebuilt the British Empire. The new United States grew even more rapidly. This period of expansion would help establish Anglicanism as the dominant religion, English as the dominant language, and English and Anglo-American culture as the dominant culture of two continents and many ot…
Continental Europe: 1815–1870
The years following the Napoleonic Wars were a time of change in Europe. The Industrial Revolution, nationalism, and several political revolutions transformed the continent.
Industrial technology was imported from Britain. The first lands affected by this were France, the Low Countries, and western Germany. Eventually the Industri…
Culture, arts and sciences 1815–1914
The 19th and early 20th centuries saw important contributions to the process of modernisation of Western art and Literature and the continuing evolution in the role of religion in Western societies.
Napoleon re-established the Catholic Church in France through the Concordat of 1801. The end of the Napoleonic wars, signaled by the Congress of Vienna, bro…