“World Civilization”

(Assignment/Take home-exam)

Submitted to:

M. M. Azizul Islam Rasel

Senior Lecturer, General Education Department,

University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh.

Submitted by:
Sadikul Hasan Mridha Atul
ID: 181016024
Department of Electrical & Electronics Engineering,

University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh.

Course Title: World Civilization

Course Code: GED201
Section: 04

Date of submission: 26th March, 2020.

 Section:A
Answer to the question number-01
Q. What do you mean by Renaissance? What are events that ignited
Renaissance, discuss. Why Renaissance first occurred in Italy, explain?
What is the impact of Renaissance?

Answer:

"Renaissance" is a French word that literally means "rebirth". It is considered as

the revival or the renewal of the civilization. Renaissance is used to refer to the
attempt by artist and thinkers to recover and apply ancient learning and
standards of Greece and Rome. In historical terms, the Renaissance is both a
cultural movement and a period. Renaissance gradually spread to the rest of
Europe. As a period it runs from 1350 t0 1600.Until the fifteenth century
Renaissance was restricted to Italy.

Events that ignited Renaissance:

There are several causes, such as: increased interaction between different
cultures, the rediscovery of ancient Greek and Roman texts, Islamic civilization
and the impacts of conflict and black death.

Increased Interaction: The first main cause of the Renaissance was the
increased interaction between different cultures and societies in the time before
and during the start of the Renaissance. The Middle Ages (or Medieval Period)
had several key features such as: feudalismand devout religious faith in the form
of Christianity. These features (along with others) combined to form a society
that was very rigid socially, religiously, and politically. The society was not
open to any kind of major changes. But with renaissance Europe tasted a shift in
their culture. The changes were- vast trade networks across Europe, Asia, and
Africa is the reason behind the increased interaction between different societies.
It causes an exchange in people's beliefs, values and ideas. The largest and most
well-known of these trade networks was the Silk Road.

Crusades: They were a series of religious wars carried out by Christian

crusaders from Europe during the timeframe of the middle Ages, it is known as
crusade. There were nine main crusades and many other smaller ones which
occurred over a period of two centuries. One of the first major impacts of the
crusades was that it increased interaction between different societies and groups
of people. For instance, the crusades caused the religions of Christianity,
Judaism and Islam to clash. In this conflict, people of all faiths traveled vast
distances to fight over the city of Jerusalem. This clash caused a sharing of ideas
between different groups and spread the faith into new areas.

Byzantine Scholars: The study of the civilizations of Greece and Rome and
their classical literature had continued in the Byzantine Empire throughout the
middle ages. With the fall of Constantinople to the Muslim Ottoman Turks in
1453, many scholars living there took their classical manuscripts and fled to the
other lands mainly- Italy. Byzantine scholars who had migrated to Italy in the
15th century maintained close contacts with Constantinople through trade. In
Italy Byzantine scholars gave instruction in Greek language and taught about
their forbearers. In that way they inspired Italian scholars to make trips to
Constantinople in search of Greek manuscripts. In this way most of the Greek
classics, particularly the writings of Plato, the dramatists and the historians were
first made available to Western Europe.

Islamic Civilization: The Arab-Islamic culture preserved the Greek culture and
provided safeguard it from loss and destruction. Arab intellectuals and scholars
what people couldn’t get hold of many Greek works in their original version.
Those works were preserved in Arabic and had been translated by European into
Latin.

Black Death: one of the most important causes of the Renaissance was the
impact of the Black Death. The Black Death occurred during the 14th century
and ravaged human populations throughout Asia and Europe as it spread along
trade routes and through trading ports. Throughout history it has also been
referred to as the ‘Great Mortality’ and ‘Great Pestilence’. The reported death
tolls are massive with some suggesting that it resulted in the deaths of between
75 and 200 million people in Europe and Asia. These high numbers suggest that
between 30% and 60% of people died due to the infectious disease. Black Death
is an important cause of the Renaissance because it caused people to question
and challenge their own religious beliefs. There were no clear reasons for the
spread of the disease and people did not understand how to stop it. As a result,
many people suggested that it was god’s will and used their religious
understanding to explain its spread. This allowed people to question the
authority of the Catholic Church and allowed for new ideas to enter into
European society. Furthermore, the large death rate of the Black Death caused
massive changes in the population and wealth of Europe.
Reason for beginning Renaissance in Italy:

First of all renaissance first occurred in Italy. At that time Italy was enough
systematic, modern and very unique. The reasons why renaissance first occurred
in Italy are given below:

● Because it is a city state that developed in Northern Italy. These were

similar in their size and varied types of government to those of ancient
Greece.

● These city states were different from most of Europe in two fundamental
ways- first, by the late 11 and 12 centuries the city state had developed as
commercial and banking centers and had monopolized the trade in
Mediterranean areas.
● So the merchant of Venice and Genoa carried goods from ports in the
eastern Mediterranean into the Atlantic and from the north of Baltic Sea.
The wealth of these cities came from commerce and industry.
● By the end of the 12 century the city states had ceased to be dominated by
the feudal nobility (who held the land beyond the city walls) or landed
aristocracy.
● The city states of Italy developed republican institutions. They also
devised important theories to defend and justify their liberty and self-
governance in the face of their external enemies.

Impact of Renaissance:

The Renaissance had pervasive impact on the people society, economy and
polity. The impact of renaissance is-

● Emergence of modernity.
● Commerce and industry expand.
● Protestantism fragmented and the unity of the Christianity.
● Middle-class-townspeople increasing in number and wealth were playing
an important role in economic and cultural life.
Renaissance is one of the very important part of world history, civilization
and culture. This brought a massive change in the lifestyle of people.
 Answer to the question number-03
Q. Write an essay on Enlightenment [You have to include 1. definition of
Enlightenment, 2. different Enlightenment scholars and their works and 3.
the importance of their works, impact of enlightenment]

Answer:

The Age of Enlightenment (simply the Enlightenment or Age of Reason) was a

cultural movement of intellectuals in the 17th and 18th centuries, which began
first in Europe and later in the American colonies. Its purpose was to reform
society using reason, challenge ideas grounded in tradition and faith, and
advance knowledge through the scientific method. This movement happens
because people wanted freedom of speech, and they wanted their rights
enlightened by reasons not by superstition.

The age of the enlightenment movement promoted scientific thought,

intellectual interchange and opposed superstition, intolerance by the church and
the state. The ideas of the Enlightenment have had a major impact on the
culture, politics, and governments of the Western world.

The age of enlightenment influenced the political rulers and governance system
in Europe and America. Many preached that age of enlightenment brought
revolution in Europe and America in the 18th century.

It was sparked by philosophers John Locke (1632–1704), Charles Montesquieu

(1689 –1755), Voltaire (1694–1778), Jean Jacques Rousseau (1712-1778), and
many more.

Charles-Louis de Secondat, baron de La Brède ET de Montesquieu,was a

French social commentator and political thinker who lived during the Era of the
Enlightenment. He is famous for his articulation of the theory of separation of
powers,taken for granted in modern discussions of government and
implemented in many constitutions throughout the world. He divided the
government into branches. In the judicial, executive, designation part so the
powers aren't focused to one branch.

Machiavelli was an Italian historian, politician, diplomat, philosopher,

humanist and writer based in Florence during the Renaissance. In ‘The Prince’
Niccole Machiavelli portrays the ideal characteristics of a ruling prince in
Renaissance Italy.His work has been interpreted as the blueprint for power
politics without regard to public benefit. He emphasized that good rulers
sometimes have to learn "not to be good," they have to be willing to set aside
ethical concerns of justice, honesty, and kindness in order to maintain the
stability of the state.

Jean Jacques Rousseaucontributed to many branches of social philosophy. He

believed that rulers should be responsible for their people. They should give
rights and freedom to the people then they can be called as rulers. This
enlightenment helped French people to do French revolution and fight against
monarchy. This trust in the majority contrasts greatly with the ideas of
philosophers who championed minority and individual rights. He created a
contract, The Social Contract is a classic defense of the democratic form of
government. Rousseau trusted the “general will” of a democratic people, as
expressed by a vote of the majority, to make all important decisions.French
revolution occurred in 1789 in France. They read the philosopher's writings
thoroughly and get enlightened.

Impact of Enlightenment:

● Rational analysis of European institutions and beliefs.

● A German Philosopher Imanuel Kant saw enlightenment as the

bringing of light into the dark corners of the mind.
● Enlightenment attcked religious fanaticism and intolerance, corruption
of the aristocracy, the use of tortues, terrible prision condition, slavery
and violation of natural rights.
● Criticism of church and clergy was reduced.

● Enlightenment initiated modern and liberal thought.

● Stated humanitarianism, religious liberty and freedom and modernity.

● Created the intellectual background of American (1775) and

started French Revolution (1789).
 Answer to the question number-04
Q. Discuss different groups of Mesopotamian civilization and overall
achievements of the ancient Mesopotamian Civilization.

Answer:

Mesopotamian civilization began in the Tigris-Euphrates valley. This

civilization was formerly known as Babylonian or Babylonian-Assyrian
civilization. The civilization was founded by Sumerians. It was founded in
3500 BCE. There were different groups that thoroughly ruled the Mesopotamia
civilization.

● Sumerians.

● Acadian.

● Amorites.

● Old Babylonian.

● Assyrians.

● Chaldeans.

Sumerians: The Sumerians settled in the lower Tigris and Euphrates around
3500 BCE. Most likely they came from central Asia. Their culture bore certain
similarity to the earliest civilization of India. Sumerians City states flourished in
lower Mesopotamia by c. 2800-2340 BCE. Sumerians the two most important
city states were Ur and Lagash. Sumerians first founded the civilization. They
invented the writing system. They had significant contributions towards the
development of religion, laws, science and commerce.Agriculture was the
principal economic sector of the Sumerian.Commerce was the second important
sector of Sumerian economy. They would use bills, receipts, notes, letters of
credit etc.The Sumerians developed a distinctive system of law. They couldn’t
develop a highly developed religion. Their religion was polytheistic and
anthropomorphic. The Sumerian religion was mainly a mundane religion. The
religion was not spiritual.

Acadian:Acadian Attack from the north led by the mighty Sargon of Akkad (c.
2334-2279 BCE). Acadians were from near east (West Asia/Middle
East).Under Sargon’s leadership Acadians established the first extensive
military empire in Mesopotamia. It declined in 2200 BCE. Acadians were
replaced by Sumerian revival by the city of Ur.

Amorites:The Sumerian Revival did not last long. Around 2000 BCE
Amorites, another group of Semites invaded the Sumerian cities from the
West. The Amorites founded a new empire and Babylon as their capital. Since
then they began to be known as Babylonian or Old Babylonians.

Old Babylonian: This Old Babylonian opened the second stage of

Mesopotamian civilization. The Babylonian established an autocratic state.
The most famous king of the Babylonian is Hammurabi (c.1792-1750 BCE).
Hammurabi extended the empire north to Assyria.The empire of the Old
Babylonian declined gradually and completely fell down when it was
overthrown by the Casitas at around 1550 BCE. After the fall of the Old
Babylonian, the civilization passed 600 years of chaotic time.Local autonomy
curbed Authoritarianism. Power of the king became supreme. Introduction of
royal taxation. Compulsory military service.

Assyrians: This group of Semitic people had founded a tiny kingdom on the
plateau of Assur some 500 miles up the Tigris. Their rise to power marked the
beginning of the third stage of Mesopotamian civilization. They began to
expand at around 1300 BCE and established their dominance in the whole
northern valley of the civilization. They overthrew Kassite power in Babylonia
in the tenth century. The Assyrian empire reached its pinnacle in the eighth
and seventh centuries under Sargon II (c. 722-705 BCE) and Sennacherib
(705-681 BCE). Assyrian built their magnificent capital at Nineveh in Tigris. The
empire at that time expanded to the Near East (Syria, Phoenicia, the Kingdom of
Israel and Egypt). The Assyrians were preeminently a nation of warriors. Neither
the economic nor the social order was sound. The frequent military campaigns
depleted the energies and resources of the nation. Assyrians adopted the law of
the Old Babylonians. But also introduced some new elements.

Chaldeans: Chaldeans sealed the fate of the Assyrians. In the seventh century
Kaldians overthrew Assyrians and made their capital in Babylon. Chaldean
empire fell in 539 BCE when Persian emperor Cyrus the Persian conquered the
Kaldian empire.The Chaldeans tried to revive the culture of Old Babylonian.
The religion became astral.
These groups had different kinds of achievement in different terms. Sumerians
achievement was their commerce and trade. Commerce was an important
sector of Sumerian economy. They would use bills, receipts, notes, letters of
credit etc. Writing system (cuneiform), Science, Mathematics, Water clock and
lunar calendar were their intellectual achievements. The Sumerians were the
first who believed astrology and they had pioneered astronomical observations
and studies. They built Ziggurat. Old Babylonian had achievement in the
sector of law, there was law for partnership, storage and agency, deeds, wills.
There was code provided penalties for failure to cultivate a field and for
neglect of dikes and canals. Private ownership of land was permitted.
Assyrians had the world's first and the one of the largest libraries. There were
over 30000 tablets in the library. They built the paved streets and they used
plumbing. They built the first canal system. It was first to use locks and keys.
Chaldeans were the most capable astronomers in all of Mesopotamian history.

Section:B
Answer to the question number-01
Q. What is Scientific Revolution? What is the time period of Scientific
Revolution? Give one or two ideas/ discoveries during this time which
challenged previous knowledge.

Answer:

Scientific revolution:

‘Scientific revolution’ term was coined by Alexandre Koyré in 1939, according

to him- “Scientific revolution was a time of intense debate between science and
religion.”

Scientific revolution was the emergence of modern science during the early
modern period, occurring developments in mathematics, astronomy, biology,
physics, medicine, chemistry transformed view of society and nature. By
tradition, the ‘Scientific Revolution’ refers to historical changes in thought &
belief, to changes in social & institutional organization.
Time period of scientific revolution:

‘Scientific revolution’ unfolded in Europe between roughly 1550-1700;

beginning with Nicholas Copernicus (1473-1543), who asserted a heliocentric
(sun-centered) cosmos, it ended with Isaac Newton (1642-1727), who proposed
universal laws and a mechanical universe. According to traditional accounts, the
scientific revolution began in Europe towards the end of the Renaissance era
and continued through the late 18th century, influencing the intellectual social
movement known as the Enlightenment.

Major two inventions of this epoch:

Nicholas Copernicus (1473-1543):

“Heliocentric model: Earth revolves around the sun not the earth, as the center
of the universe.” The earth-centered universe of Greek astronomer Ptolemy
held sway on western thinking for almost 2000 years. Then Copernicus
Nicolaus, renaissance mathematician and astronomer formulated heliocentric
model of the universe which placed the sun rather than the earth at the center.

Sir Isaac Newton (1642-1727):

Laws of Motion / Gravity:

“Newton's laws of motion relate an object's motion to the forces acting on it. In
the first law, an object will not change its motion unless a force acts on it. In the
second law, the force on an object is equal to its mass times its acceleration.”

“Newton's Law of Gravity says that gravity is a force that acts between any two
objects with mass, and that force increases if the mass increases and decreases if
the distance between the two objects increases. This force is always attractive,
that is, it always works to pull the objects closer together.”

Isaac Newton was the most influential scientist, English physicist and
mathematician figure during ‘scientific revolution’.

This two inventions of ‘scientific revolution’ challenged earlier postulations or

knowledge.
 Answer to the question number-04
Q. What are monarchy, oligarchy and timocracy?

Answer:

Monarchy: a monarchy is a country that is ruled by a monarch. Monarchy is a

form of government with the monarch as a head. Monarchy is an old form of
government, and the word has been around a long time.

Oligarchy:Oligarchy means a small group of people having control of a

country or organization. An oligarch means the head of oligarchy.

Timocracy: Timocracy means, a state where only property owners may

participate in government. Timocracy is an Aristotle's Political theory.

Answer to the question number-05

Q. Write the characteristics of Sumerian Law.

Answer:

Sumerians were the founder of Mesopotamia civilization. The Sumerians

developed a distinctive system of law. The characteristic of Sumerians law-

● There was an unusual form of government that was pretty close to

an early form of democracy.
● A council of elders and wise men (called assembly) used to be elected.
● King used to pass a law and everybody had to obey it, if you did not
you would be punished.
● Each city-state had its own royal family. If a king used to pass a law
and if it was a good law pretty soon every city-states used to follow it.
● Kings were not acknowledged as a god, they were acknowledged as
a mortal common man.