“Top Ten” List of Western Civilization
The development of contemporary Western civilization constitutes extensive historical transformations that commenced from as early as 12000 BCE. Fundamentally, the shift from one civilization to another signifies the need to adapt to the changing societal circumstances to improve human survival. Hence, the distinct instances of civilization represent human interaction with the environment in the quest for longevity. Thus, even with the complexities associated with these historical shifts, specific cases of civilization instituted far-reaching effects on the development of contemporary Western culture.
Mesopotamia (11700 BCE – 637 CE)
Mesopotamia is a revolutionary period in human history that facilitated the shift from the crude practices of the ice age to the progressive cultures, including agriculture, pottery, architecture, language, and writing, and medicine, among other concepts. Primarily, its significance in advancing Western civilization derives from how the era instituted reformist ideas, upon which early empires thrived. Concisely, the extensive development of the Mesopotamian empires established structured systems that continue to inform breakthroughs in contemporary society.
Ancient Greece (800 BCE to 146 BCE)
Significance of Ancient Greece in the extensive development of Western cultures is largely founded on its association with groundbreaking philosophical values. These philosophical principles incepted intellectual theories that established critical fields, such as ethics, metaphysics, and aesthetics. Concisely, the period characterizes the inception of far-reaching philosophical traditions, hence influencing the cumulative improvement of the Western doctrines.
The Roman Empire (500 BC – 0 AD)
The inception of the Roman Empire is significant in shaping Western culture as it established autocratic form of governments that imposed strict governance systems throughout the conquered territories. These administrative systems would subsequently motivate transformation to more advanced stages, namely the Renaissance and the Age of Discovery in the Middle Ages. Hence, the Roman Empire initiated progressive ideas that informed enlightened practices, the ancient trade and improved utilization of crops, such as the revolutionary consumption of potato.
Medieval Exploration (500 AD – 1500 AD)
Medieval exploration is a crucial stage in the advancement of Western civilization since it capitalized on the predecessor’s administrative values to innovate sustainable livelihoods. This situation necessitated a comprehensive restructuring of populations that motivated the inception of Modernity. Thereby, the period facilitated the establishment of unprecedented ideas, such as scholasticism, mass migrations, cultural renaissances, and Gothic architecture, among other achievements.
The Crisis of the Late Middle Ages (1300 AD – 1500 AD)
Importance of the Crisis of the Middle Ages in shaping contemporary Western civilization hinges on its restructuring effects that aided Europe’s reestablishment in the successive period. Devastating phenomena, such as the Great Famine and the Black Death, signify the end of an old era and the inception of a new age, entrusting societal advancement to a more resilient cohort of humans. While this age exposed millions of individuals to deadly plaques, it is reasonable to attribute its implications to the necessary streamlining to prepare human populations for more challenging demands in the future.
The Renaissance (1400 AD – 1700 AD)
The Renaissance period instituted far-reaching social reforms that refined human relatedness with natural and man-made components in the environment. Therefore, its significance in the development of the Western culture derives from how it employed ancient philosophical ideas to shape enlightened attributes that characterize the contemporary West. Concisely, the Renaissance aspect informed societal shift to present-day organizational models through influential philosophers, such as Niccolo Machiavelli and Rodney Stark, who conceptualized capitalism, Christianity, and responsive governmental systems.
The Protestant Reformation (the 1500s)
The Protestant Reformation aspect is an essential component of Western civilization as it established framework, in which Europeans transformed from the corrupt, church-based systems to more enlightened societal structures. Consequently, the period facilitated the expansion of the political democracy that empowered individuals, such as Martin Luther, to petition church leaders with specific requests. Therefore, based on Protestantism, European society acquired virtuous pillars for instituting progressive political structures.
Age of State Building (1500 AD – 1650s AD)
The Age of State Building in the 16th and 17th century integrated a vital element into the Western culture by instituting necessary subsystems that commenced progressivity of the New World. This phase of civilization brought liberal doctrines that continue to guide governments to balance between critical administrative components, including political, sociocultural, and politico-legal realms. Therefore, it established structural reforms that would subsequently motivate further radical phenomena, like the Industrial Revolution.
Age of Nation Building: Constitutionalism (1754 AD – 1820 AD)
Significance of constitutionalism era in the development of Western culture derives from the emergence of transatlantic revolutionary ideas that challenged paternalistic values in the established social and political structures. These ideals prompted further political debates that later informed fundamental constitutional structures. Hence, based on successful decolonization of America in the 1770s, the West adopted clear constitutional frameworks, spelling out the rights and responsibilities in normal relations, including master vs slave, high class vs low class, and man vs woman, among other variables.
The Industrial Revolution (the 1760s)
The Industrial Revolution era reinforced Western capitalism through the inception of unprecedented industrial power. Hence, the period advanced quest by Western societies to mechanize, intensify, and sustain mass production and monetization of commodities. Notably, the industrial revolution phenomenon empowered Europe and the United States to assume leading socioeconomic and political positions in the contemporary geopolitical environment.
The present-day West is a culmination of extensive historical shifts that facilitated extinction and adoption of successive cultures. From the emergence of Mesopotamia in the 11700 BCE to the rise of the Roman Empire in the 500 BC, the advanced state of Western society signifies cumulative cultural advancements that gradually shaped a refined form of modern civilization. Hence, the identified “top ten” events are perceived to have instituted considerable impact on the development of contemporary Western culture.