Blog #5 Early Modern World

Moving into the early modern era, I am struck by the sequence of events that have evolved. Without trade and commerce we would never have experienced the globalization we are experiencing today. I believe the first journey across the Indian Ocean opened a vast new world for those trading from Eurasia and Africa. With the individuals came their languages, cultures, plants, food preferences and unfortunately diseases. But a very important component of culture brought along on the journeys was religion. This was not only people’s core beliefs, but created communities within, that allowed individuals to keep their heritage. Although great strides were made in innovation, agriculture remained the important industry of most societies.

Christianity began to spread throughout Eurasia, Africa, and the Americas, thanks to the globalization from Europe. It had not yet reached the worldly religion as Islam had, but it was fast growing, only to be devastated by the Protestant Reformation. The infamous Martin Luther of the 1500’s was the leader in challenging the indulgences of the Catholic Church, written in his Ninety-Five Thesis. He challenged the Pope and his authority which sparked a revolution. The significance of this challenge was based on the writings and interpretation of the Bible. He did not believe salvation came from sacraments or good works, but by faith alone.  What began in Germany quickly spread (thanks to the Chinese invention of the printing press). Political differences had been at the forefront and now added to this was the religious differences. The Catholics countered a reformation creating the Council of Trent, but the Pope’s power had already been challenged. The council attempted to reconcile any abuse within the Church; but the damage had been done by the Protestant’s challenge of allegations.

So how did Christianity grow?  The missionaries set out preaching the word of the Bible, finding followers in Africa, Asia, French, and Spanish. Also, Europeans believed their success was from the power of their Christian God. There was a loss for women as they converted to Christianity; women had prominent roles in other religions, but were not granted any power in the Catholic Church. 

Christianity grew in Mexico and soon parishes were organized around cities. Saints began to grow in importance with statues and annual feasts of saints. Chinese Christianity, on the other hand was very opposite to that of Mexico, and Native Americans. Missionaries needed approval to operate in China, so the missionaries learned Chinese, Confucian texts, and dressed like Chinese scholars.  The Jesuit order brought with them the religious, technological, and secular knowledge from Europe. They were careful not to introduce Christianity as a replacement to Confucianism, but something new to learn. But the conversion was not as great as in Latin America, which remains today.

Islam religion began to renew it self during the early modern era, receiving political backing after the weakening of its empire. The backing was to ensure cultural vitality of Islam as Christianity grew in size.

While Christianity was on the rise, another revolution began; a scientific revolution was taking place in Europe. Scholars did not want to rely on the Bible or philosophy; rather scientific observations gave them the answers they were looking for. This really was the start of a new way of thinking; it was a radical shift in how the world would begin the see their beginnings. Today we think of science as a global approach and forget that it all began in Europe, with a few radical, intellectual thinkers.  Why Europe when China felt intellectually superior and Islam scholars achieved in mathematics and astronomy?  Europeans allowed independence within institutions and universities. Many housed scholars, which had intellectual independence.  Again we see Europe’s approach to reach success compared to that of China who had intellectual scholars but would never have allowed independent thinking. 

It was Copernicus who put the sun at the center of all things, with the earth and other planets revolving around it. It was not long before astronomers and scholars began to build on this theory and then Galileo developed the telescope for observation.  This certainly sparked a cultural revolution as like-minded intellects such as Newton began to discover gravity and more mysteries of the universe.

This must have been a very exciting time, almost an awakening. This was a revolutionary approach to nature, mankind, and just the possibilities of the mind. This spread globally, being of much more interest than Christianity or Islam.

I am still amazed at the immense capacity of the brain when coupled with curiosity. The strides people have taken in discovery; from the simplest to the most complex is something we should always revere.