Advancement Of The Modern Era example essay topic

As one glances around at his or her surroundings today, it can be seen that during this modern era, civilization is flourishing. Government is developed and organized. Technology is becoming more and more advanced, as are food production and the study of medicine, among many other things. However, none of these things would have ever been achieved without the events that occurred in the medieval era.

According to 20th century American historian J.H. Randall, the medieval era is considered to be an "indispensable link" in the timeline leading up to the modern age. Many new ideas were introduced during this time period. Without the discoveries, achievements, and advancements made by the people of the Middle Ages, life would not be as it is today. Many of the principles of modern government evolved from medieval ideas.

Leaders such as Henry II of England, William of Normandy ("The Conqueror"), Philip Augustus, Louis IX of France, King John of England, and Philip IV of France helped to provide the foundations for ideas used today. Henry the II of England was one of the first people to bring common law to England. He appointed justices and juries; although they were all controlled by him, it is still considered to be a great step toward modern government. Louis IX created a body of law in France, complete with a judicial system, courts, and a bureaucracy. King John of England was forced by barons to sign the Magna Carta, a written structure of government and the rights of the people, which turned into one of the major foundations for documents such as the Bill of Rights. Also, the idea of the separation of Church and State was addressed by many, including Marsi glio of Padua (In Def ensor Pac is), and most successfully pursued by Philip IV of France, who challenged Pope Boniface V and took him out of Rome, causing the Great Schism.

William of Normandy kept a tax record called the Domesday Book; this helped encourage government officials to become more organized regarding the records of their kingdoms. William the Conqueror was also the creator of Curia Regis (King's Court) and Shire Reeve (Sheriff). The technological advancements made in the Middle Ages also contributed to the modern age. New ways of obtaining energy were discovered, including the water mill. The mills, which were plentiful throughout Europe, accomplished tasks previously carried out by slaves. They were used to grind grains for flour, as well as for fulling, which is the process by which cloth is scoured, cleansed, and thickened, which had been done in the past by people trampling the cloth.

After the water mill, wind power soon became popular in the form of sails and windmills (Buckler, Hill, McKay, 276). Many other necessities of the modern era, such as clocks, were also invented in the Middle Ages (Learner. org). Today, one can easily obtain printed materials without consideration of the fact that this wasn't always possible. Johannes Gutenberg was among the first to use the printing press in 1450; he began by publishing the Bible. Along with the increase in population, especially in cities, the new inventions created jobs such as bookkeepers and other positions involving books.

Since books also became more readily available, education became more popular (Learner. org). Universities began to appear in greater numbers. Another contributor to the spread of universities was the ongoing conflicts between many European countries. For instance, the tension between England and France caused English students in Paris to open Oxford University in England (Encyclopedia. com). Many improvements in agriculture laid the foundation for food production in the modern era. Crop rotation and the "three-field" system were very important concepts, because by allowing one third of the soil to lay fallow, it was able to regenerate and stay fertile.

Manure became widely used as a fertilizer, and compost piles consisting of fruit cores, egg shells, and other biodegradable garbage also became popular. Iron plows, spades, axes, pitchforks, and harrows were among the many tools that were used in the later Middle Ages to simplify farming. The use of horses became to prevail over that of oxen because they were much faster and had more endurance (Buckler, Hill, McKay, 306). Because of the discoveries and inventions related to farming in medieval times, the modern era is much more advanced. Guilds were a very prominent characteristic of the medieval period.

They provide a basis for today's unions. Guilds helped to stabilize the Europe's economy by determining the skills and training needed for their craft and providing the opportunity for apprenticeships. Many important ideas were introduced during the Middle Ages. Along with thoughts concerning government, there also were the beginnings of the Scientific Revolution.

People began to question the validity of the Church's explanations for things such as the universe and medicine. Peter Abelard and Roger Bacon were two prominent figures that defied the Church. Peter Abelard, the author of Sic et Non, challenged the concept of authoritarian knowledge. Roger Bacon took these ideas further; he wrote Opus Mai us and developed the first scientific method.

Both men, by going against the beliefs of scholasticism, paved the way for future discoveries regarding scientific exploration. Until the Middle Ages, anything that was written down was done so in Latin. However, with the publication of Geoffrey Chaucer's Canterbury Tales and Dante Alligheri's The Divine Comedy, vernacular language became used more often. By doing so, these men allowed common people to read works in their own language. The modern era was greatly affected by the events of the medieval time period. Without many of the things that were discovered and encouraged during this time, today's civilization would not be anywhere near as advanced as it is.

Although some refer to the Middle Ages as a "dark" period, the principles and achievements from this period shed light on the many things that led to the advancement of the modern era. Buckler, John, Bennet D. Hill, John P. McKay. A History of Western Society. New York: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1999. "Exhibits Collection - The Middle Ages". Learner. org.

Annenberg / CPB. (15 Oct 2003) "Middle Ages". Encyclopedia. com. Alacritude, LLC.

(15 Oct 2003).