The Age Of Transition Essay, Research Paper
The period of time from the 1350 to 1650 in Europe has been called the “Age
Of Transition.” A group of people known as the middle class played a
significant role during this time, and more specifically in the Renaissance, the
Protestant Reformation, the Commercial Revolution, and the rise of national
monarchies. Around the mid 14th century, Italy began to grow rich from
trade with the Middle East. There was an obvious geographical advantage,
and Italian traders were taking advantage. A wealthy and powerful group of
merchants and bankers emerged as the new middle class. For the first time,
common people had the time and money to pursue outside interests. These
interests included the arts and education.
The Renaissance was a rebirth of Greek and Roman ideas. Ideas such
as Humanism, Individualism, and naturalism became important to many.
Painters, sculptors, and architects created many fine works which reflected
these ideas. Some of the middle class created art themselves, but most used
their money to support the work of artists. The Medici’s were a wealthy
Italian family who supported many great artists in the northern Italian city of
Florence.
The Protestant Reformation also brought about great changes in
Europe. Before this time, any religious writings (including the Bible) were
only written in Latin. Books had to be copied by hand, so they were very
hard to come by. Two things happened that changed that. First, in 1450
Johann Gutenberg printed the first European book with movable type. Also,
in the 1520’s Martin Luther translated the New Testament from Latin to
German. For the first time, middle class Europeans could not only afford a
Bible, but they could read it too, because it was written in a language that
they could understand. This had dramatic effects. People no longer relied on
the clergy for biblical enlightenment. They could now read it themselves.
Towards the end of the 15th century, many European nations
became very interested in exploring and exploiting the wealth of foreign
lands. Christopher Columbus’ unexpected discovery of the Americas in 1492
triggered an even more intense desire for exploration. People in the middle
class had a lot to gain from their country’s exploration of new lands. It
offered many opportunities for adventure and wealth. These opportunities
caused the Commercial Revolution. A business venture (such as trade with
other countries) required an enormous amount of wealth. Some times
prospective businessmen formed something called a The period of time from the 1350 to 1650 in Europe has been called the “Age
Of Transition.” A group of people known as the middle class played a
significant role during this time, and more specifically in the Renaissance, the
Protestant Reformation, the Commercial Revolution, and the rise of national
monarchies. Around the mid 14th century, Italy began to grow rich from
trade with the Middle East. There was an obvious geographical advantage,
and Italian traders were taking advantage. A wealthy and powerful group of
merchants and bankers emerged as the new middle class. For the first time,
common people had the time and money to pursue outside interests. These
interests included the arts and education.
The Renaissance was a rebirth of Greek and Roman ideas. Ideas such
as Humanism, Individualism, and naturalism became important to many.
Painters, sculptors, and architects created many fine works which reflected
these ideas. Some of the middle class created art themselves, but most used
their money to support the work of artists. The Medici’s were a wealthy
Italian family who supported many great artists in the northern Italian city of
Florence.
The Protestant Reformation also brought about great changes in
Europe. Before this time, any religious writings (including the Bible) were
only written in Latin. Books had to be copied by hand, so they were very
hard to come by. Two things happened that changed that. First, in 1450
Johann Gutenberg printed the first European book with movable type. Also,
in the 1520’s Martin Luther translated the New Testament from Latin to
German. For the first time, middle class Europeans could not only afford a
Bible, but they could read it too, because it was written in a language that
they could understand. This had dramatic effects. People no longer relied on
the clergy for biblical enlightenment. They could now read it themselves.
Towards the end of the 15th century, many European nations
became very interested in exploring and exploiting the wealth of foreign
lands. Christopher Columbus’ unexpected discovery of the Americas in 1492
triggered an even more intense desire for exploration. People in the middle
class had a lot to gain from their country’s exploration of new lands. It
offered many opportunities for adventure and wealth. These opportunities
caused the Commercial Revolution. A business venture (such as trade with
other countries) required an enormous amount of wealth. Some times
prospective businessmen formed something called a joint-stock company.
Several investors would put their money together for a commercial
undertaking, and share the profits. Sometimes a company would sell huge
shares or stocks to many people, and profit immensely. The Dutch East India
Company and the English East India Company were two such examples.
By the early 1500’s England, Spain, and France had developed strong
central governments whose rulers were called absolute monarchs. Powerful
government, such as these, usually brought peace and prosperity to a nation.
Businessmen did not have to worry about such inconveniences as constant
civil disorder, wars between neighboring kingdoms, different monetary units
produced by different lords, and expensive taxes by individual rulers. The
government also produced a standard currency for the entire country. This
made doing business easier, and many middle class people became bankers.
In general the rise of national monarchies brought peace and economic
stability to the region.
The middle class played a significant role in the Age of Transition.
They supported artists during the Renaissance. They learned to read the bible
and helped to spread Protestant ideas. They encouraged, invested, and took
part in overseas expeditions during the Age of Exploration. The rise of
national monarchies made their business easier to conduct and more
prosperous.
joint-stock company.
Several investors would put their money together for a commercial
undertaking, and share the profits. Sometimes a company would sell huge
shares or stocks to many people, and profit immensely. The Dutch East India
Company and the English East India Company were two such examples.
By the early 1500’s England, Spain, and France had developed strong
central governments whose rulers were called absolute monarchs. Powerful
government, such as these, usually brought peace and prosperity to a nation.
Businessmen did not have to worry about such inconveniences as constant
civil disorder, wars between neighboring kingdoms, different monetary units
produced by different lords, and expensive taxes by individual rulers. The
government also produced a standard currency for the entire country. This
made doing business easier, and many middle class people became bankers.
In general the rise of national monarchies brought peace and economic
stability to the region.
The middle class played a significant role in the Age of Transition.
They supported artists during the Renaissance. They learned to read the bible
and helped to spread Protestant ideas. They encouraged, invested, and took
part in overseas expeditions during the Age of Exploration. The rise of
national monarchies made their business easier to conduct and more
prosperous.