What are secondary (derived) civilizations? (2)(Europe)(2)
5. Carolingian Empire (800-888 CE)
Location: Western and Central Europe, centered in what is now France and Germany.
Key Features:
Established by Charlemagne (crowned Holy Roman Emperor in 800 CE), who united much of Western Europe for the first time since the Roman Empire.
Revival of learning and culture during the Carolingian Renaissance, including reforms in education, administration, and the arts.
Feudalism became the dominant political system, with kings, nobles, and knights controlling land and people.
Charlemagne’s empire laid the groundwork for the Holy Roman Empire and influenced medieval European kingdoms.
Legacy: The Carolingian Empire helped shape the political and cultural development of Western Europe, particularly in France, Germany, and Italy.
6. Holy Roman Empire (962-1806 CE)
Location: Central Europe, primarily in what is now Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and parts of Italy.
Key Features:
A loose confederation of territories in Central Europe, with the emperor considered the protector of Christianity in Europe.
The empire was a complex political entity with decentralized power, where regional princes and kings held significant autonomy.
Played a major role in European politics, especially in the Middle Ages and early modern period.
Influenced by Roman law, Catholicism, and the Germanic traditions.
Legacy: The Holy Roman Empire was instrumental in shaping Central European history, culture, and religion until its dissolution in 1806.
7. The Renaissance (14th – 17th centuries CE)
Location: Originated in Italy but spread throughout Europe, particularly in France, Spain, the Netherlands, and England.
Key Features:
Marked by a revival of interest in classical Greek and Roman thought, art, and science.
Flourishing of the arts, with figures like Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Raphael, and Shakespeare.
The development of humanism, which emphasized the potential and achievements of humans rather than divine authority.
Advancements in science, exploration, and political theory (e.g., Machiavelli).
The invention of the printing press (by Gutenberg in 1440) revolutionized communication and knowledge dissemination.
Legacy: The Renaissance laid the foundation for modern Western thought, science, politics, and culture. It was a major force in the development of Europe’s cultural identity.
8. The Age of Enlightenment (17th – 18th centuries CE)
Location: Primarily in Western Europe, including France, England, Germany, and the Netherlands.
Key Features:
Intellectual movement that emphasized reason, science, and skepticism of traditional authority, particularly the Church.
Key figures include philosophers such as Voltaire, John Locke, Immanuel Kant, and Jean-Jacques Rousseau.
Emphasis on individual rights, democracy, and secular governance.
Led to political revolutions, including the American and French Revolutions, which promoted democratic ideals and individual freedoms.
Legacy: The Enlightenment shaped modern political and philosophical thought, leading to the rise of constitutional democracies, secularism, and the modern nation-state.
9. Modern European Civilization
Location: Throughout Europe.
Key Features:
Europe today consists of diverse nation-states that form part of the European Union (EU) and other international organizations.
The Industrial Revolution (18th – 19th centuries) transformed European societies, leading to urbanization, technological advancement, and global colonial empires.
European powers played central roles in global history through the 19th and 20th centuries, including two world wars, the rise of totalitarianism, and the Cold War.
Post-World War II Europe saw the development of the European Union, with efforts to foster political, economic, and cultural cooperation.
Legacy: Modern European civilization is marked by democratic governance, advanced technological and scientific achievements, and a strong commitment to human rights, education, and culture.
Conclusion:
European civilizations, from the ancient Greeks and Romans to modern Europe, have profoundly influenced global history and culture. Each civilization contributed to Europe’s rich cultural, political, and intellectual heritage, shaping the continent’s development and its impact on the world.