hDiscuss the ways that the 17th century Dutch Republic differed from its neighbors, telling how these differences contributed to the country's success.
The Dutch republic provides a unique example of government in its time. Most governments around the 17th century were monarchies. Their unique system was a provincial government with 7 provinces instead of one ruler. This prevented any one man from being too powerful. Each of the representatives of the provinces could only act on behalf of his province. The Dutch republic found itself to be more successful than most of its contemporaries because of its wealthy middle class, form of government, and its tolerance of many foreign ways.
The power and wealth of the Dutch Republic gathered in the middle class, and the merchants, differing from most governments, where the power is in the hands of the king, the nobles, or some sort of parliament. The Dutch currency, the florin, was the European form of currency because of the Dutch's vast wealth. The Dutch's vast wealth caused it to be a supreme naval power, with over 10,000 ships in its control. Other attributes of the Dutch wealth are their vast knowledge of agriculture, and high class paintings.
The form of government employed by the Dutch during this time frame was built to have a fair government, and to prevent a tyrant from ruling, and destroying the republic. The Dutch republic was divided up into 7 territories known as provinces, lead by a stadholder. There was no rank above it. There was a house known as the House of Orange, but they could only act on behalf of the people. In wartime, the stadholder was the most powerful person in the republic, but peacetime, a burgher took control of all of the economic portions of the government. There was one attempt in 1795 to break up the republic, but it was quickly pounced on, and the government remained the same.
The Protestant reformation brought many troubles to the Dutch Republic. Joseph Arminius taught his own doctrine, which edited the belief of predestination, believed by the Dutch Calvinists. This challenge was quickly over when the Dutch Republic granted religious freedom, and did not take it back. Most of Europe was enveloped in religious wars. Soon after religious freedom was granted, many Protestants from other countries migrated towards the Dutch Republic in hopes of a better life. The culture of the Dutch was enriched by all of these minorities entering the borders, and the economy was stronger than ever.
The Dutch were largely successful where other countries were not. They had a provincial government, avoiding tyrants. The wealth was in the hands of the many, rather than the few. They were not plagued by religious wars, like almost every other European country, and granted religious freedom, giving a bigger working class to its economy.
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Make up Assignment
In your opinion, was Oliver Cromwell the right person to take over England after the death of Charles I?
Oliver Cromwell took over control in England with the death of Charles I. The English government was changed over the years of his reign more than ever. He changed it from a monarchy, to a republic, and then what can be considered another monarchy. Although Oliver Cromwell entered his reign with good intentions, he was too indecisive, and power hungry to be an effective ruler of England.
Before Cromwell took over in England, England was ruled by an absolute monarch, Charles I. Charles disbanded parliament, and took England into civil war, against the parliament. Both sides lost considerable amounts of money, and men. Charles was finally defeated, and was forced to surrender. He was put on trial after the first civil war, and executed, believing until the end that he was the king by God's will. Cromwell took over afterward and made England a republic.
Upon returning to England, Cromwell did not do things differently than Charles. He dissolved the newly established parliament that put Charles to death. He said that HE was the true parliament, and that they were not any kind of parliament. He established a new parliament supposed to do the job that Cromwell wanted, but he felt that it did not do its job, so he dissolved it the same year he created it.
He established a protectorate, which gave the power to the few high ranking officials. It was a handful of men hand picked by Cromwell, lord Protector. He ran things just like a monarchy. The Protectors made decisions, the people were upset about it. Cromwell was offered the crown, but refused. He was a king, without the title. Finally, the people were so upset, they had Cromwell tried, and executed.
Cromwell was not the right person for the job. He dissolved his own parliaments, and brought England back to where it was after he changed it for the better. He was too indecisive, he never could really decide what it was that he wanted for England. He kept changing it, then changing it back. He installed three different types of parliament, executed a king, and crossed the line with the entire country of England.
Oliver Cromwell took over control in England with the death of Charles I. The English government was changed over the years of his reign more than ever. He changed it from a monarchy, to a republic, and then what can be considered another monarchy. Although Oliver Cromwell entered his reign with good intentions, he was too indecisive, and power hungry to be an effective ruler of England.
Before Cromwell took over in England, England was ruled by an absolute monarch, Charles I. Charles disbanded parliament, and took England into civil war, against the parliament. Both sides lost considerable amounts of money, and men. Charles was finally defeated, and was forced to surrender. He was put on trial after the first civil war, and executed, believing until the end that he was the king by God's will. Cromwell took over afterward and made England a republic.
Upon returning to England, Cromwell did not do things differently than Charles. He dissolved the newly established parliament that put Charles to death. He said that HE was the true parliament, and that they were not any kind of parliament. He established a new parliament supposed to do the job that Cromwell wanted, but he felt that it did not do its job, so he dissolved it the same year he created it.
He established a protectorate, which gave the power to the few high ranking officials. It was a handful of men hand picked by Cromwell, lord Protector. He ran things just like a monarchy. The Protectors made decisions, the people were upset about it. Cromwell was offered the crown, but refused. He was a king, without the title. Finally, the people were so upset, they had Cromwell tried, and executed.
Cromwell was not the right person for the job. He dissolved his own parliaments, and brought England back to where it was after he changed it for the better. He was too indecisive, he never could really decide what it was that he wanted for England. He kept changing it, then changing it back. He installed three different types of parliament, executed a king, and crossed the line with the entire country of England.
Friday, December 10, 2010
Monday, December 6, 2010
Free Response Practice Essay
Explain how the trials and tribulations of Galileo pointed towards the future of Europe, while at the same time, demonstrated the realities of his own time.
The trials of Galileo took place during a time of turmoil between the Church and the secular world. Italy was experiencing a Renaissance and people were now more focused on secular things rather than religious, secular meaning worldly, and non-religious. Galileo was one of the prime free-thinkers, and regarded by some as the father of modern science. His discoveries lead to the scientific revolution. The Church was against most of his discoveries, as they contradicted many of the Churches most hallowed traditions. Galileo's trials were a symbol of the times Europe was experiencing, where modern science was beginning to form, and the original Church had its control start to slip from its grasp.
Galileo's trial took place in the middle of the Reformation. In the Reformation, people were starting to question the beliefs of the Church instead of just follow its laws without question. Before the Renaissance, faith was the only thing that most people had, but with the Renaissance, people's sole purpose was not longer just to get into heaven. People became more secular. The Church also was losing some it its longest traditions because of modern science. Galileo backed up the ideas of Copernicus, that the Sun was the center of the universe. The Church damned these ideas, saying that Christian belief states that the Earth is the center. However, no where in Scripture does it say that the Earth is the center.
Europe was torn between moving with the times, and keeping with its Church tradition during the time of Galileo. Many were focused on art, and inventions, while the clergy still kept its hold on things. It used to be that the clergy had the run of the law, now it was the secular world. Modern science was beginning to take its form. The Church was highly against the scientists because they were under the impression that there is no place in the world for science and religion to coexist peacefully. Scientists were often put on trial, just like Galileo, for their ideas that the Church found a "problem" with.
Galileo's trials moved Europe towards the future. Modern science began with Galileo. Some call him the father of modern science. Galileo discovered Jupiter with his new invention, the telescope. Modern science has discovered 4 planets since Galileo built his first telescope. Modern science has improved on his telescope more than Galileo could have ever imagined. He was one of the first people to practice physics. He expanded of the Heliocentric idea of Copernicus, and backed it up with enough facts that it has been proven to be correct. Most of the ideas Galileo discovered, and theorized are taught in schools today. Since Galileo's trial, the Church and science have not tried to coexist, some believe they can, but after his trial, most believed they cannot. As a result, he was excommunicated. If it was not for Galileo, we would not have modern science at all, and would still be living in a world dominated by the Church's teachings
Galileo is most likely the most important figure concerning modern science, and the battle between The Church and science. Galileo has since been acquitted, and had his full honor restored by the Church. Pope John Paul II remarked he wished that the Church had handled his trial much better. Galileo's ideas were in a sense, Europe moving forward, and the Church's argument against him, trying to cling on to the old ways, even though they were dying and on life support as it was.
The trials of Galileo took place during a time of turmoil between the Church and the secular world. Italy was experiencing a Renaissance and people were now more focused on secular things rather than religious, secular meaning worldly, and non-religious. Galileo was one of the prime free-thinkers, and regarded by some as the father of modern science. His discoveries lead to the scientific revolution. The Church was against most of his discoveries, as they contradicted many of the Churches most hallowed traditions. Galileo's trials were a symbol of the times Europe was experiencing, where modern science was beginning to form, and the original Church had its control start to slip from its grasp.
Galileo's trial took place in the middle of the Reformation. In the Reformation, people were starting to question the beliefs of the Church instead of just follow its laws without question. Before the Renaissance, faith was the only thing that most people had, but with the Renaissance, people's sole purpose was not longer just to get into heaven. People became more secular. The Church also was losing some it its longest traditions because of modern science. Galileo backed up the ideas of Copernicus, that the Sun was the center of the universe. The Church damned these ideas, saying that Christian belief states that the Earth is the center. However, no where in Scripture does it say that the Earth is the center.
Europe was torn between moving with the times, and keeping with its Church tradition during the time of Galileo. Many were focused on art, and inventions, while the clergy still kept its hold on things. It used to be that the clergy had the run of the law, now it was the secular world. Modern science was beginning to take its form. The Church was highly against the scientists because they were under the impression that there is no place in the world for science and religion to coexist peacefully. Scientists were often put on trial, just like Galileo, for their ideas that the Church found a "problem" with.
Galileo's trials moved Europe towards the future. Modern science began with Galileo. Some call him the father of modern science. Galileo discovered Jupiter with his new invention, the telescope. Modern science has discovered 4 planets since Galileo built his first telescope. Modern science has improved on his telescope more than Galileo could have ever imagined. He was one of the first people to practice physics. He expanded of the Heliocentric idea of Copernicus, and backed it up with enough facts that it has been proven to be correct. Most of the ideas Galileo discovered, and theorized are taught in schools today. Since Galileo's trial, the Church and science have not tried to coexist, some believe they can, but after his trial, most believed they cannot. As a result, he was excommunicated. If it was not for Galileo, we would not have modern science at all, and would still be living in a world dominated by the Church's teachings
Galileo is most likely the most important figure concerning modern science, and the battle between The Church and science. Galileo has since been acquitted, and had his full honor restored by the Church. Pope John Paul II remarked he wished that the Church had handled his trial much better. Galileo's ideas were in a sense, Europe moving forward, and the Church's argument against him, trying to cling on to the old ways, even though they were dying and on life support as it was.
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