Western Civilization Prosperity in England During the Term Paper

Total Length: 1099 words ( 4 double-spaced pages)

Total Sources: 1+

Page 1 of 4

Western Civilization

Prosperity in England during the 12th and 13th centuries was illustrated by the success of feudalism and continuous proliferation of barons, members of the commercial bourgeoisie, as they aspired to not only hold economic, but political power as well. Under the leadership of Henry III, the barons achieved both economic and political privileges. However, the bourgeoisie's attempts to usurp power from the reigning king led to the development of measures that secures the king's leadership and limit the economic and political powers of the barons. Thus, when Edward I became king, he restored and strengthened monarchial power, while at the same time creating the Parliament, giving the king control of the country's taxation system and the formulation of laws.

Under Edward I's leadership, the Parliament was created in order to give monarchial control over taxation and formulation of statutes. The formulation of the Parliament is largely a measure taken by the monarchy to ensure that the civil war which happened in 1264 will not happen again, wherein the bourgeoisie class tried to usurp power from the king. Thus, with these lessons at hand, Edward I ensured his control over England by creating the Parliament, which is actually a legal and more organized system that monitored the process of the country's taxation system and oversee the conduct of its feudal economy, the main source of finance of the government. Thus, because of these interrelated events, the Parliament was formed to guard the course of the country's economic prosperity and the strengthen the power of 'kingship' (monarchy).

The primary difference between the medieval and scientific understanding of the universe is evident in the shift from theistic to rational thinking.

Stuck Writing Your "Western Civilization Prosperity in England During The" Term Paper?

Where, in the medieval period, knowledge is obtained through faith and belief, the philosophers of the scientific revolution, on the other hand, believed that rationality and empiricism are the primary elements that help individuals acquire and develop knowledge. The dominant influence of the Church during the medieval period withered and became unpopular during the scientific revolution, thereby causing the shift from theism to empiricism. In effect, the medieval period explained the nature of the universe as abstract and cannot be experienced, while scientific thought posited that in order to understand the nature of universe, one must be able to experience it.

Through Nicolas Copernicus and Galileo Galilei, early modern society learned that the earth and other planets are the ones that revolve around the sun, and not the other way around. Copernicus, who proposed this scientific discovery, triggered the changing notion and teaching of the Church, illustrating that changing times also call for changing beliefs in science and its applications. Indeed, the works of Galileo Galilei further reiterated the Copernican or heliocentric theory, which negates the claim of the Church that the earth is the center of the universe (Ptolemaic theory). Johannes Kepler founded the laws of planetary motion in the 16th century; and, with the aid of Isaac Newton, both scientists showed the first principles of astronomy. These principles argue that (a) planets revolve around the sun in elliptical orbits at varying speeds and (b) there exists an attractive force between the Sun and the planets, explained through the law of universal gravitation. In sum, Copernicus and Galileo's heliocentric theories, Kepler's laws of planetary motion, and Newton's law of….....

Show More ⇣


     Open the full completed essay and source list


OR

     Order a one-of-a-kind custom essay on this topic


sample essay writing service

Cite This Resource:

Latest APA Format (6th edition)

Copy Reference
"Western Civilization Prosperity In England During The" (2004, July 25) Retrieved May 9, 2024, from
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/western-civilization-prosperity-england-174031

Latest MLA Format (8th edition)

Copy Reference
"Western Civilization Prosperity In England During The" 25 July 2004. Web.9 May. 2024. <
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/western-civilization-prosperity-england-174031>

Latest Chicago Format (16th edition)

Copy Reference
"Western Civilization Prosperity In England During The", 25 July 2004, Accessed.9 May. 2024,
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/western-civilization-prosperity-england-174031