Hy 1010 Western Civilization I Course Learning Outcomes

Hy 1010 Western Civilization I 1course Learning Outcomes for Unit Vii

Analyze the political, cultural, and social contexts out of which the West developed. Evaluate the causes and effects of major historical events, including the influence of key individuals, institutions, and ideologies.

Reading Assignment: Chapters 14 and 15: European Exploration and Conquest, Absolutism and Constitutionalism.

Paper For Above instruction

The emergence of Western civilization was shaped profoundly by a series of interconnected political, cultural, and social developments from the Age of Discovery through the early modern period. This essay delves into these contexts, analyzing the causes and consequences of major historical events such as European exploration, conquest, and the shifts in state governance exemplified by absolutism and constitutionalism.

The political landscape of Western Europe in the 15th and 16th centuries was heavily influenced by the consolidation of power within emerging nation-states. The marriage of Ferdinand of Aragon and Isabella of Castile in 1469 epitomized this trend, leading to the unification of Spain and the eventual expulsion of Muslims and Jews, fostering religious and political homogeneity that bolstered centralized authority. Concurrently, the rise of absolute monarchies, epitomized by Louis XIV of France, signified the shift toward centralized, authoritative rule supported by alliances with the church and the nobility. Conversely, England’s development of constitutionalism, exemplified by the Magna Carta and later the Glorious Revolution, reflected a different approach—limiting monarchical power through legal constraints and parliamentary sovereignty, shaping the unique political culture of Britain.

Culturally, the Renaissance ignited a renewed interest in classical knowledge, humanism, and scientific inquiry, fostering innovations that facilitated European exploration. The rediscovery of ancient Greek texts, coupled with advances in fields such as cartography, geometry, and navigation—led by figures like Prince Henry of Portugal—spurred the Age of Discovery. This period was motivated by economic incentives, religious motives, and national prestige, culminating in the European exploration of new trade routes and the Americas.

The Age of Discovery fundamentally altered the social fabric of Europe and the Americas. The discovery of the New World expanded European territorial ambitions and initiated profound cultural exchange—known as the Columbian Exchange—introducing new crops, animals, and diseases. The tragic consequences of this exchange included devastating epidemics among Native American populations, many of whom were subjected to violence and enslavement. The political and economic motives drove European powers such as Spain, Portugal, France, and England to compete for dominance, leading to colonization, territorial disputes, and confrontations like the Treaty of Tordesillas, which divided the New World spheres of influence.

The rise of absolutism in France and Spain contrasted with the development of constitutional monarchies in England. Spain and France centralized authority through divine right theories, which justified monarchical power as ordained by God. Conversely, in England, events such as the Magna Carta and the Glorious Revolution limited monarchical authority, paving the way for parliamentary democracy, which influenced political thought across Europe. These political shifts were influenced by religious upheavals, including the Protestant Reformation, which challenged the Catholic Church’s authority and contributed further to the fragmentation and transformation of Western political systems.

In conclusion, the political, cultural, and social contexts of the Age of Discovery and early modern Europe were deeply intertwined. The quest for new trade routes and territories was driven by economic, religious, and political motives, and resulted in profound demographic changes, cultural exchanges, and the establishment of new political institutions. These developments laid the foundation for the modern Western world, with enduring impacts on global history.

References

• Burke, P. (1998). The European Renaissance: The pursuit of knowledge. Macmillan International Higher Education.
• Hofstadter, R. (2019). The Age of Discovery: A history of European expansion. Oxford University Press.
• Pagden, A. (2001). European Encounters with the New World: From Columbus to Darwin. Yale University Press.
• Brooke, J. H. (2018). The Reformation. Macmillan International Higher Education.
• Price, J. (2003). The Dutch Moment: War, Trade, and Settlement in the Seventeenth Century. Oxford University Press.
• Parsons, J. (2019). The Rise of Absolutism. Routledge.
• Holmes, R. (2002). The Age of Discovery: The Exploration of the Atlantic, 1400-1600. Routledge.
• Parry, J. (2018). The Age of Exploration. Cambridge University Press.
• Rowland, B. (2020). The Political Thought of the European Renaissance. Oxford University Press.
• Schama, S. (2010). Citizens: A Chronicle of the French Revolution. Knopf.