World Civilization & History - Essay Example

Running head: World Civilization & History Introduction Renaissance refers to a period of rebirth or revival/the-humanistic revival of classical art, literature, architecture and learning. Davison describes it as a progression of culture that started in the 14th century in Italy and later spread all over Europe, lasted through the 16th century and marked the transition to modern times from medieval times. Shannon explains that Renaissance is the transition period into the modern day. He further explains that Renaissance is a French word meaning ‘rebirth’ and that it is a perfect way of describing the economic and intellectual changes that occurred in Europe. He asserts that during this time, Europe emerged from the middle ages’ economic stagnation and experienced financial growth. Numerous social changes took place during Renaissance with the most notable advances happening in the areas of political systems, economics, education, religion, culture and art. These social changes were slow, but steady. There was the growth and thriving of cities and rulers begun taxing citizens. By the end of this era, nearly every aspect of the society in Europe had experienced transformation of some kind. There was the development of an intellectual movement called Humanism, which inspired a “Live for Today” attitude rather than the earlier belief that life was a journey through which one had to suffer to attain eternal salvation. Drawn by ancient writers’ rhetorical eloquence and values, people like Lorenzo Valla, Giovanni Boccaccio and Petrarch, in favor of human-centered forms of literature and philosophy, rejected medieval Scholasticism. While Desiderius Erasmus promoted Christian humanism in northern Europe, such writers as William Shakespeare and Francois Rabelais produced works that stressed the intricacies of human character (Brown, 2007). Creativeness blossomed during this period in history and there was abundant development in art, literature, music, sculpting, architecture and painting. Earlier on, the arts were considered unimportant. The European rebirth of art produced some of the most famous works historically. Artists turned to the classics of Ancient Greece and Rome for inspirations. Renaissance sculptors and painters took for their subject, the visible world and practiced consistent with mathematical principles of perspective, harmony and balance. Italian artists including Titian, Michelangelo, Raphael, Sandro Botticelli, and Leonardo da Vinci and Donatello expressed the new aesthetic in their works. Rather than wholly focusing on religious themed subjects, they examined the concept of human potential and Florence, the Italian city, became the Renaissance art centre (Davison, 2006). These were accompanied by advancement in education, which for most Europeans during the Middle Ages, was not a priority. Education, however, became a common undertaking during the Renaissance. Johannes Gutenberg’s invention of the printing press in 1450 was a great turning point that transformed the society. For once, books became widely available and were sold at affordable rates to the masses and new ideas as well as learning spread all over Europe making a profound impact on education. In addition, the invention of the telescope led to the advancement of people’s knowledge and helped in the development of many people’s thoughts. Other contributors included Niccolo Machiavelli who espoused his hypothesis of what made a strong ruler. Machiavelli believed that definitely, nice people finished last. There were also adventurers such as Christopher Columbus who disproved the ancient principle that the world was flat (Brown, 2007). Before the Renaissance, the European economy was declining and foreign trade had nearly ended. Cultural advances during this period made trade between states and cities to pick up again and grow to be prosperous. While there was increased trade in goods, there was a similar growth of trade in ideas. The technology of shipbuilding greatly improved, helping traders in their activities. During this time, trade sailors created the astrolabe, a tool that, to establish latitude, used the sun’s and stars’ position in relation to the horizon. Data collected was compiled from sailors to create maps and there was the creation of financial institutions owing to an increase in trade (Davison, 2006). There was also a significant progress in politics. During the middle Ages, the European political matters had been under the control of the Roman Catholic Church. However, during the Renaissance, the Catholic Church faced great competition from activists including John Calvin and Martin Luther. After forty years, Protestantism became a firmly well established theology and many different branches were established throughout Western Europe. As the Renaissance events unfurled, there was the emergence of a group of great secular leaders all over Europe. This time marked the realization of the original concept of the separation of the state and the church as the centralized government idea was becoming evident (Brown, 2007). The advancements resulting from the Renaissance have influenced the political, social, artistic, scientific, democratic and cultural institutions of United States of America to date. Just to mention a few, the history of the Catholic Church through the Renaissance is filled with spiritual, intellectual and artistic victories. Shannon describes it as a history of doctrinal stupidities and incredible cruelty. He explains that from the configuration of the Christian church, there has not existed a church that is unified. Since the Renaissance period, there have been strong, powerful and obsessive reactions to Catholic Church where churches fight for their beliefs. The Renaissance therefore led to the development of various types of churches, which are still prevalent in the U.S. Were it not for the reform, probably all churches would still be Catholic and Clergy would still be ruling the country. Due to this movement, the Americans have a choice in the kind of church to attend (Shannon, 2008). The second American institution that the Renaissance affected and continues to affect is education. The fifteenth and sixteenth centuries’ Renaissance educational assumption was inclined on upper classes – it was believed that leadership roles should rest in the hands of the best and that education for leadership was vital for the aristocrats’ sons. Even today, America still upholds education as key to her success. Part of what makes her independent and strong are an increase in knowledge as well as in advancements. The rich send their children to the best universities and colleges. America believes that through learning the nation’s citizens can grow both socially and mentally as humans. The U.S also uses education as a means of accessing the rest of the world and in the improvement of the lives of her people. The Renaissance also changed schools’ focus from only the basics (math, writing and reading) and religious studies and incorporated studies in the humanities (health, arts and sciences). This is also the same in today’s American education. Furthermore, the Renaissance led to changes in the locations of schools and universities from aristocratic palace or religious centers to more extensive places that were available to ordinary citizens. Nowadays there are public schools in America and elsewhere and everybody can attend them (Shannon, 2008). Shannon also points that another way in which Renaissance still affects the ideals of education in the U.S. is through the Gutenberg’s invention of the telescope and the printing press – educational tools that the United States of America uses and will continue using even in future. The nation has brought more developments to the original printing press and she has produced heaps of printed magazines, flyers, books and papers. The Renaissance also greatly contributed to medicine by coming up with new surgical techniques, elevating the standing of surgery to levels of expertise and paving the way for great improvements in surgical care. Presently, America has knowledgeable and skilled surgeons and her citizens undergo surgery daily with lower rates of death. The United States of America also emphasizes the importance of economics. Economics affects the Americans’ daily lives as well as the affairs of the nation with the rest of the world. With good information concerning the economy, Americans understand what is happening in the world better. During the time of Renaissance, there was also the conceptualization of the idea of finance and loans. Furthermore, there was the birth of the perception of modern economics. The idea of the development of banks and other financial institutions due to increased trade during the Renaissance also affects the American society. America has improved upon this idea and still uses it to her advantage today. Banks play a vital role in Americans’ lives (Brown, 2007). Conclusion Primarily, the Renaissance was a gradual shift in interest, attitude and concern on the next world to an aroused attention in and concern for the present world. In essence, it was simply the green closure of one of the ‘hardest winters’ of civilization. Although the Renaissance as an ancient times’ movement ended, its effects on modern society were and still are far from finished. It is incredible to look back on Renaissance, a time so long ago, and discover that so much of the things that are of importance to the Americans have their roots in this period. I conquer with Davison in his assertion that devoid of the progress of the Renaissance, there may not be the American society that exists today. References Brown, L. (2007): Beginning of the Renaissance: A Time of Great Social and Cultural Change in Europe. Retrieved February 8, 2010, from http://weuropeanhistory.suite101.com/article.cfm/beginning_of_the_renaissance Davison, B. (2006): How Advances During the Renaissance Influenced Modern US Social, Cultural, and Political Institutions. Retrieved February 9, 2010, from http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/93549/how_advances_during_the_renaissance_pg2.html?cat=37 Shannon, (2008): Social, Cultural and Political Impacts of the Renaissance in the U.S. Retrieved February 8, 2010, from http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/671143/social_cultural_and_political_impacts.html?cat=37 Read More