Interaction of economic growth an Example of the Topic Government and Law Essays by

Interaction of economic growth and technological advancement Introduction The Western civilization has continued to evolve to be what it is today tracing its roots back to the fall of the Roman Empire. Western civilization has continued to flourish up to the present era in the whole of Europe, New Zealand, North America and Australia. The years between 1300-1500 are always classified as the Late Middle Ages and Early Renaissance. One memorable phenomena of this era was the Black Plague or Black Death, a bubonic plague outbreak that wiped close to a 1/3 of Europes population. The plague was rated as one of the most deadly pandemics in the history of mankind. This is because almost 75million people across the world lost their lives with the biggest number of victims being found in Europe where close to 50 million people died. (McKay, Hill, Buckler, 2003). The results of the plague encouraged a radical transformation of the economy and the European society at large. There was an obvious shortage of labor providing a fertile ground for economic diversification and innovation in technology. This period was a very tough period in Europe; there was famine and pestilence, which would lead to the capital accumulation intensification in the urban areas, stimulating the growth of trade and industry (McKay, Hill, Buckler, 2003). Need essay sample on "Interaction of economic growth and technological advancement" topic? We will write a custom essay sample specifically for you Proceed The Protestant Reformation played a very important role in the transformation not only on the dominance of the Catholic Church but the whole of Europe as well. The Reformation came about because the Catholic Church then, wielded so much power that it had become so wealthy and corrupt. This made the likes of Martin Luther revolt in1517 against this authority. His ideas would spread so quickly fueling the flames of Protestantism across Europe, which would eventually bear the fruits of the nation-state. Leaders like Henry VIII used these ideas to break away from the yoke of the Catholic Church (McKay, Hill, Buckler, 2003).. The invention of the movable type by Johannes Gutenberg in 1450 enable the ideas to be printed ant transmitted much faster than before greatly influencing the printing of the Bible and would help the development of academic freedom. (McKay, Hill, Buckler, 2003) During the 14th century the influence of feudalism system was declining giving way to the influence of the middle class in Europe. The middle-class was normally defined as the social class that fell between the nobility on one hand and the peasantry on the other. This class consisted of people with some form of economic independence, and included professionals and merchants some farmers, skilled workers and bureaucrats. This class lacked great social and political power. (McKay, Hill, Buckler, 2003) The rise of the middle class directly influenced the growth of towns and cities and went on to influence the growth of Europe economically. Subsequently the renaissance a new cultural movement in the West started taking shape. Renaissance began in Italy because Italy was generally dominated by city-states. The city-states were to some extent part of the Italy Roman Empire and were overseen either by the Pope of some wealthy aristocrats. It was during the renaissance period that a new age was ushered in, the age of scientific and intellectual inquiry. (McKay, Hill, Buckler, 2003) This era was characterized greatly by various discoveries and technological advancement. Notable examples included Nicolaus Copernicus, the first to discover that planets revolve around the sun as opposed to the geocentric model of the universe as was previously believed, Galileo developed the telescope and Sir Isaac Newton pioneered physics. All this experiments and discoveries would eventually lead to the scientific revolution. Many other changes were taking place in Europe including the reformation, which marked the changes in the Christianity world. (McKay, Hill, Buckler, 2003) Previously Europe was easy target to invasions from areas like Africa, Asia and other non-western regions in Europe, this played a big role in technological backwardness. However this was to change, by 1500 when Europe was soon to overtake the rest of world technologically. A combination of trade and technology would lead to the unprecedented growth of the Western civilization. Europe had come of age and was now a master of the globe the change in Europe was the precursor to the beginning of globalization and modernization. (McKay, Hill, Buckler, 2003) Agriculture was the predominant economic factor in the 1500s and this progress took shape in 2 forms: -Technical innovation and -Agricultural progress This two were interconnected because of the raise of the city-states, agricultural activity became intensified because there existed an incentive to produce more; the large population in urban centers greatly boosted the expansion of agricultural activity. This in turn led to the development of better farming techniques, which included improved drainage, better pasture and the increase in animal population. Agricultural advancement would eventually have serious implications of the reorganization of land from small to bigger farms. The decline in the number of small farm holders led to employment of wage labor and spurred the machinery advancement. (Spielvogel, Jackson J. 1994) Because of the increased methods of food and animal production the food became surplus and new markets for the produce had to be found. Partly this is one of the factors that led the western world to look further a field for not only new markets but resources as well. Western explorers who include such names as Christopher Columbus, James Cook, Ferdinand Magellan and Vasco Da Gamma laid the groundwork for the discovery of new lands. (Spielvogel, Jackson J. 1994) It was Portugal that can be credited with the inventiveness for the exploration of the Atlantic. Riding on the zeal of the Christian missionary plus the thirst for wealth and the thrill for new discovery saw the likes of Prince Henry the Navigator heading and directing major explorations. Through such explorations, new frontiers were opened up. China and Indonesia were reached by 1514 by the Portuguese and by 1542 Japan was already experiencing the Catholic missionary activities. The Portuguese exploration prowess was soon to attract new-comers like the Spanish whose Ferdinand Magellan is credited for sailing the globe in 1519 and laying claim to places like the Philippines. The evolution of new and lethal weapons like muskets and cannons greatly facilitated the imperial expansion both on sea and land by the West, which also included the Ottoman Turks. The new technology was also very instrumental in other empires like the Qing Chinese, Persian and Russian Empires. These empires were to be known as the gunpowder states. (Spielvogel, Jackson J. 1994) The gunpowder states continued to conquer new lands and the relations between states and merchants was soon to replace the role of intermediaries that nomads played. There was also a major transformation of the labor systems because of the growth of slavery and serfdom. Because of these and various other changes it saw an increase in wealth and cultural contacts which increased the number of new opportunities across every field, thereby fueling the Western Civilization. It was during this time also that rapid changes in the environment occurred brought about by the movement of food and animals and with it diseases. (Spielvogel, Jackson J. 1994) This was the beginning of the age of discovery or the age of exploration because of the increase in population in Europe. Because of the improvement of technology there was a need to establish new trading routes. Another driving force for these explorations was the search for gold silver and spices that were more or less trading commodities. The renaissance era had brought with it new technologies and new ideas. This greatly improved navigational skills, cartography, firepower and shipbuilding. This was the beginning of over sea trade, which would eventually lead to slave trade. Conclusion The greatest initiative during the 16th century that can be said to have contributed to the Western Civilization is the Renaissance that brought with it the improvement in navigational skills. Motivated by the quest to search for new trade routes, Portugal and Spain led the pack in Europe by opening up virgin frontiers that would later pave the way for the colonization of new lands. However, Western civilization also brought with it the spread of diseases, slave trade and exchange of food crops across the continents in what was to be later called the Columbian Exchange. (Spielvogel, Jackson J. 1994) REFERENCES McKay, Hill, Buckler, (2003): A History of Western Society Since 1400, 7th ed, Spielvogel, Jackson J. (1994): Western Civilization: Volume I: To 1715. Second edition. St. Paul: West Publishing Company,.

Free Essays on Cinderella

The story of Cinderella has a universal appeal. Cinderella consists of several versions that reflect different cultures. In the Nigerian â€Å"Cinderella† version, the tale was recorded in the (West Africa) Hausa language and published, originally, in 1911 by Frank Edgar. The story is about a man who had two wives, and they each had a daughter. The wife he disliked fell ill, and she died. Her daughter moved into the home of the favored wife and became a maidservant. She befriended a frog at the borrow-pit, and the frog showered her with gifts for the chief’s festival. The chief was in search for a wife and he chose Cinderella. In contrast to the Native American â€Å"Cinderella† version, the tale was told, originally, in the Algonquin language. The story is about an Invisible man, who is under the care of his sister. His sister takes walks in the park and girls get all dressed up to see the Invisible man. Yet, they are unable to see him. In a village, there was a widower and his three daughters. The cruel, older sister tortured the youngest, ill daughter. She was known as the â€Å"Oochigeaskw- the rough-faced girl.† The tale concludes with the rough-faced girl becoming the wife of the Invisible man. Both tales resemble each other in some ways; while at the same time contrast each other. In the Nigerian version, the role of a festival is of great importance. Cinderella was a maidservant in the home of her stepmother. As a result, she made friends with a frog, which she fed the scrapings from the pot. A festival took place in the honor of the chief’s son in order for him to find a wife. The frog showered Cinderella with gold, silver, and jewels. The chief found favor in the eyes of Cinderella and off she left leaving behind her golden shoe. As a result of the role that the festival had, caused Cinderella to be adorned with this golden shoe that inevitably fit her. In contrast to the Native version, there is the absence of a festival. ... Free Essays on Cinderella Free Essays on Cinderella In reviewing the transition of Cinderella’s tale, an apparent difference arises from entertainment and optimism replacing didactics and morals. This is due to the changing view of childhood throughout the centuries; much like the aspect of romanticizing the child became a plague in children’s literature during the time of the Grimm brothers. Now the modern child in the twenty-first century may not have the similar life experiences, that is death, slavery or amputation is not common to see, but they are certainly made aware of those events through television. The setback to that is the explicit presentation of the media ceases the use of imagination. Since the events that children are familiar too shift, therefore, literature must also make an adjustment to spark the interest of a child. Another change present is the length: the modern version is one page (without illustrations) while the nineteenth century version is five. In view of this, two probable reasons of such s hortage are that children have a short attention span, and the other is that there is room for the use of imagination. Instead of a child reading that Cinderella wore â€Å"splendid silver dress†¦silver slippers† from the later version, â€Å"wonderful ball dress† allows the child to think of a dress and shoes with a color of his/her choice. It is also evident that the tale is set in the children’s viewpoint: where the setting is in the â€Å"big house†, characters are good or evil, themes are not depressive. The removal of a large portion of the Grimm version is due to the depressive and traumatic events within it. Some of the tale’s characters were eliminated. The young readers fail to notice the removal of a mother’s role or in this case a mother â€Å"lying on her deathbed†. In perceiving the view of a child the presence of a mother’s character is not missed, because they have a protagonist that brings climax to the story. Furthermore, the real mother cha... Free Essays on Cinderella The Tales of Trembling and Cam Throughout time and around the world, the story of â€Å"Cinderella† is an ongoing legend. In all these versions, the theme of the story is about struggles, suffering, love, and good winning over evil. The Cinderella fairy tales also reflect the culture, social norms, and traditions of the people during the time that the stories were written. All those elements play a role in how and why the main character differs along with the suffering endured to them. The supernatural element in these stories comes from varying sources. However, the universal theme in the two stories is triumph of good over evil and how everyone has feelings. The two versions I will focus on are â€Å"Fair, Brown and Trembling,† Ireland’s version by Jeremiah Curtain and â€Å"The story of Tam and Cam,† the Cinderella tale for Vietnam. Although both versions are written during different times, the authors reflect their version around the, culture, beliefs and society during that time. In the Irish version â€Å"Fair, Brown, And Trembling† Trembling is the youngest of three girls and the most beautiful. Fair is the eldest and meanest sister. As a result, Trembling is mistreated by her two jealous sisters. After seven years of trying to attract the princes attention, Fair wins the heart of King Omanya’s son. One Sunday morning, the henwife grants Trembling’s wishes to be able to go to church and attend mass lavishly dressed. The henwife puts on the cloak of darkness and Trembling’s wishes are granted. The orders of the henwife were, â€Å"You must not to go inside the door of the church, and the minute the people rise up at the end of mass, do you make off, and ride home as fast as the mare will carry you.† (Curtain) Fair goes to the outside of the church and is noticed. Her sisters become very jealous since they are no longer the center of everyone’... Free Essays on Cinderella The story of Cinderella has a universal appeal. Cinderella consists of several versions that reflect different cultures. In the Nigerian â€Å"Cinderella† version, the tale was recorded in the (West Africa) Hausa language and published, originally, in 1911 by Frank Edgar. The story is about a man who had two wives, and they each had a daughter. The wife he disliked fell ill, and she died. Her daughter moved into the home of the favored wife and became a maidservant. She befriended a frog at the borrow-pit, and the frog showered her with gifts for the chief’s festival. The chief was in search for a wife and he chose Cinderella. In contrast to the Native American â€Å"Cinderella† version, the tale was told, originally, in the Algonquin language. The story is about an Invisible man, who is under the care of his sister. His sister takes walks in the park and girls get all dressed up to see the Invisible man. Yet, they are unable to see him. In a village, there was a widower and his three daughters. The cruel, older sister tortured the youngest, ill daughter. She was known as the â€Å"Oochigeaskw- the rough-faced girl.† The tale concludes with the rough-faced girl becoming the wife of the Invisible man. Both tales resemble each other in some ways; while at the same time contrast each other. In the Nigerian version, the role of a festival is of great importance. Cinderella was a maidservant in the home of her stepmother. As a result, she made friends with a frog, which she fed the scrapings from the pot. A festival took place in the honor of the chief’s son in order for him to find a wife. The frog showered Cinderella with gold, silver, and jewels. The chief found favor in the eyes of Cinderella and off she left leaving behind her golden shoe. As a result of the role that the festival had, caused Cinderella to be adorned with this golden shoe that inevitably fit her. In contrast to the Native version, there is the absence of a festival. ...

Globalisation has led to the loss of cultural identity in Britain Essay

Globalisation has led to the loss of cultural identity in Britain. Discuss - Essay Example The first effect of globalisation was experienced by the people that migrated to Britain. In the early years of 1950’s and 1960’s, many immigrants found their way into the British territory. Many people from the West Indies and Asia migrated to Britain and established their lives and thus culture. Many people were attracted to the job vacancies available and were interested in filling them. As such, they made Britain their permanent residence. However, this would affect the culture of the country. Since many people find it difficult to change their culture, they stick to their culture. Similarly, they have their strong beliefs and experiences that are mixed in the society. In the light of this statement, Britain is now considered a multicultural state, evident from the existent mixed cultures. With such situations, it is not easy to identify Britain with a single culture. Identifying the country with a single culture would be impossible, as other cultures would be suppr essed. Globalisation has led to sprouting of behaviours that are not acceptable by many cultures. For example, there has been a rise of gay marriages and gay relationships. Many people are not at ease with the issue of gay relationships. The core origin of such behaviours and relationships is believed to be globalisation. When people move from one place to another, they extend their behaviour to other parts of the country. Therefore, when gay immigrants settle into the country, they are likely to influence the other people that reside closely. In today’s world, it is almost impossible to contain gay relationships. The behaviour is widespread and many people are engaging in such relationships. This has affected the culture in a negative way, since it does not fully accept such. Apparently, the most outstanding opposition to such behaviour are religious entities. They state that it is unacceptable behaviour to the church fraternity. In the early centuries, culture was defined by the fo ods and delicacies that are savoured by the nation. Many people were connected to their staple foods as they connected them to their culture. However, with the aspect of immigration, many cultures were interconnected. This brought change in the foods that are savoured by the nation. Many residents had to adapt to the new culture as they adopted consumption of other foods brought by immigrants. This has affected the British culture, as they are not openly identified by their foods. This is a cultural experience that many people would have not thought of, or even practiced were it not for globalisation. For example, in the ancient times, people were vigil on the foods that were consumed. They identified healthy foods that had little or no effects on the human life (Tisdell and Sen 2004:32). However, with the exchange in the cultures and consumption of other foods, many people are feeling the pinch. For example, most people in the country are relying on junk foods. These foods are savo ured in the country due to a mixture of cultures. Were it not for globalisation, majority of the population would not savour some of these foods. Globalisation has had an effect on the lifestyle of people. Many cultures are identified by the music, way of life and social activities. However, this has changed due to globalisation. With the interdependence between countries, there is exchange of music and other