Rank The Following People In Order Of Historical Importance

Rank The Following People In Order Of Historical Importance This Shou

Rank the following people in order of historical importance. This should not be a ranking based on greatness or inspiration. Rank them according to their impact on the development of Western civilization. Add someone we discussed in class to the list if you wish. Then, write a summary essay (typed) explaining your top three decisions. (Your assignment, therefore, will be at least three paragraphs - each paragraph about 125 words.) Your paragraphs should give background information but they should emphasize HOW the three people you highlighted impacted history.

How did Western Civilzation change because of them? Be prepared to defend your rankings in class. Leonardo de Vinci, Christopher Columbus, Martin Luther, Charles V, Cardinal Richelieu, Louis XIV, Frederick the Great, Oliver Cromwell, Nicolaus Copernicus, Isaac Newton, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Louis XVI, Maximilien Robespierre, Napoleon Bonaparte, James Watt, Otto von Bismarck, Karl Marx, Charles Darwin, Vladimir Lenin, Joseph Stalin, Adolf Hitler, Neville Chamberlain, Winston Churchill, Mikhail Gorbachev, Ronald Reagan

Paper For Above instruction

Among the numerous influential figures that have shaped Western civilization, three stand out due to their profound and lasting impacts on society, science, and politics: Isaac Newton, Napoleon Bonaparte, and Martin Luther. Each of these individuals revolutionized traditional ideas in their respective fields, creating ripples that continue to influence modern thought and governance. Their contributions mark pivotal turning points in Western history, affecting not only their immediate societies but also the broader trajectory of Western development.

Isaac Newton, an eminent physicist and mathematician of the 17th century, fundamentally transformed the understanding of the natural world. His formulation of the laws of motion and universal gravitation laid the groundwork for classical mechanics, which became the backbone of scientific Inquiry in the Enlightenment and beyond. Newton’s work exemplified the scientific method, favoring empirical evidence over superstition and dogma. This shift propelled Western civilization into an era of rapid scientific advancement and technological innovation, ultimately enabling innovations such as modern engineering, space exploration, and a more systematic approach to understanding nature. Newton’s influence extended beyond science into philosophy and rationalist thought, shaping the Enlightenment’s emphasis on reason and empirical investigation, reinforcing the Western tradition of scientific inquiry and skepticism toward authority.

Napoleon Bonaparte’s impact on Western civilization is primarily rooted in his military conquests, administrative reforms, and the dissemination of revolutionary ideals across Europe. His Napoleonic Wars reshaped geographic boundaries, dismantling old monarchies and imposing a new legal order through the Napoleonic Code, which influenced legal systems worldwide. Napoleon’s reforms in education, bureaucracy, and civil rights fostered modernization, strengthening centralized authority while promoting meritocracy. His dissemination of revolutionary principles—liberty, equality, and fraternity—challenged traditional aristocratic structures, inspiring subsequent liberal movements. Napoleon demonstrated how military power could be harnessed to promote political change and modern nation-states, influencing European political development for generations. His legacy endures in the modern emphasis on national identity, legal uniformity, and the concept of a strong centralized state, which significantly altered the political landscape of Western Europe.

Martin Luther’s role in the Protestant Reformation represents one of the most significant religious upheavals in Western history. His Ninety-five Theses, posted in 1517, challenged the Catholic Church’s practices, particularly the sale of indulgences, advocating instead for salvation through faith alone and emphasizing individual reading of the Scriptures. Luther’s doctrines led to the establishment of Protestant churches, weakening the political and spiritual dominance of the Catholic Church in Western Europe. His translation of the Bible into vernacular languages democratized religious knowledge, empowering individuals and fostering literacy and critical thinking. The Reformation also precipitated a series of religious conflicts, shaping the development of religious freedom, secularism, and the modern nation-state. Luther’s emphasis on personal faith and scripture fundamentally shifted religious authority from the clergy to individuals, influencing Western thought, culture, and governance, and paving the way for subsequent religious pluralism and human rights movements.

References

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