SSCE221_Ass1_Assign1.1_(33749418)_Massango
Essay Question:
a) Assess the impact of the European Renaissance on the arts, sciences, and
society.
INTRODUCTION
The European Renaissance, a time of significant intellectual and cultural change that
spanned the 14th and 17th centuries, is considered to be the most significant period in
human history. Europe experienced an increase in exploration, invention, and
inventiveness throughout this time, which had a long-lasting effect on the advancement
of society, science, and the arts. A great renaissance occurred in many areas during the
Renaissance, which is Italian for "rebirth," including the arts, sciences, and society at
large. In order to assess the extensive impacts of the European Renaissance on these
interconnected spheres, this essay explores how the resurgence of classical
knowledge, the rise of humanism, and the emergence of ground-breaking ideas
revolutionized artistic expression, scientific discoveries, and societal structures. We can
comprehend the Renaissance's strong legacy and the lasting impact it has had on
forming our modern world by exploring its transformative consequences.
The European Renaissance had a profound effect on society as well as the arts and
sciences. It was an intellectual and cultural renaissance that started in Italy and lasted
until the 17th century. Improvements were made in several sectors during this time due
to the rebirth of interest in the ancient civilizations of Greece and Rome (Wallace, 2014).
The arts were significantly impacted by the Renaissance. Artists began experimenting
with fresh approaches and aesthetics as they departed from the rigid forms of the
Middle Ages. Realistic representation and the use of perspective have become standard
in paintings and sculptures. Raphael, Michelangelo, and Leonardo da Vinci were among
the artists who came into popularity during this period in the history of art (Gardener,
1981).
During the Renaissance, science underwent a transformation, moving away from relying
on religious and philosophical ideas and toward choosing experimentation and
observation. Scientists like Nicolaus Copernicus, who challenged the traditional
geocentric idea of the universe and advanced the heliocentric theory, had a huge
influence on how we view the cosmos. Johannes Gutenberg's development of the
printing press during this time period was equally crucial for the dissemination of
scientific knowledge.
Additionally, the Renaissance had a big impact on society as a whole. Education and
the acceptance of humanism both grew as reading and access to literature did.
Humanism's focus on the importance of human potential and achievement has
benefited other disciplines, such as literature, philosophy, and politics. The Renaissance
also saw an increase in wealthy patrons who gave money to academics and artists,
fostering an exciting intellectual and cultural environment (Shapin, 1996).
In conclusion, the European Renaissance had a profound impact on society, the arts,
and the sciences. It brought in a period of humanistic thought and intellectual inquiry,
made way for fresh creative methods and trends, and cast doubt on standard scientific
beliefs. It still has an effect on a lot of areas of our lives today (Schager, 2004).
References
Wallac, W. (2014). The renaissance: a very short introduction. usa: oxford university press.
Wallace, W. (2014). THE RENAISSANCE: A very short introduction. usa: oxford university press.
Assess the economic, social, and humanitarian impacts of the Transatlantic Slave
Trade on Africa, Europe, and the Americas.
Introduction:
One of the most important historical occurrences in recent history was the Transatlantic
Slave Trade, which had far-reaching consequences that are still felt today. The trade
has significant negative economic, social, and humanitarian effects that are still felt
today in Africa, Europe, and the Americas. This essay will evaluate the effects of the
slave trade on each of the three locations, taking into account both the trade's
immediate consequences and its ongoing implications.( Getz, 2003,p129)
Some countries in Europe, especially those who participated in the slave trade, made a
lot of money from the practise. Portugal, Spain, and Britain were all major players in the
slave trade and profited greatly from it. These nations' wealth helped to finance their
colonialism of other parts of the world and improved their power and influence. The
slave trade in Africa had a terrible effect on local economy and social structures. A loss
of productive labour and an exhaustion of resources resulted from the removal of
millions of people from their homes and families. ( Eltis, D., & Richardson, D. 2010.)
A loss of culture and tradition resulted from the destruction of communities and families
in Africa caused by the slave trade. People being driven from their houses resulted in a
breakdown of social ties and a decline of local economies. Additionally, the trade
created an atmosphere of unpredictability and terror that had an ongoing impact on the
African population. A new social structure with slaves at the bottom of the social ladder
was established in the Americas as a result of the slave trade. Slaves were not given
the same rights or protections as free people since they were viewed as property.(
Manning, P. 2010 pg.86)
Humanitarian situations in Africa and the Americas were significantly impacted by the
slave trade. The slave trade in Africa resulted in significant suffering for both those who
were abducted as slaves and those who were left behind. Many slaves died on passage
to the Americas due to the regular cruel and inhumane treatment of slaves. A number of
wars and conflicts in Africa were caused by the trade when different tribes fought for
control of the slave trade. Slaves were regularly abused and mistreated on slave
plantations in the Americas, where situations were often terrible.( Adderley (2018)
pg.34)
Both Africa and the Americas are continually affected by the slave trade's legacy. The
trade in Africa has had a long-lasting effect on the continent's economy and has helped
to keep inequality and poverty in place. Class structures have emerged in the Americas
as a result of the legacy of slavery, which has affected racial relations. The legacy of the
slave trade is still evident in both regions in the form of racial differences, economic
disparity, and social In addition, the slave trade has had a long-lasting effect. impact on
the way that people in Africa and the Americas think about their history and heritage.
(Nunn, N. 2008 p.g 144).
In conclusion, The Transatlantic Slave Trade had significant and long-lasting impacts on
society, the economy, and human rights. In addition to shaping race relations and social
structures in the Americas, the trade left a legacy of poverty, inequality, and conflict in
Africa. The legacy of the slave trade is still having an effect on people's lives today in
both Africa and the Americas, acting as a crucial reminder that we must redress past
wrongs and fight to create a society that is more just and equal.
References
Getz (2003) : 'The economic, social, and humanitarian impacts of the trade were profound' (p. 129).
Eltis, D., & Richardson, D. (2010). The atlas of the transatlantic slave trade. New Haven, CT: Yale
University Press.
Manning, P. (2010). Slavery and African life: Occidental, Oriental, and African slave trades. Cambridge,
UK: Cambridge University Press.
Adderley, M. (2018). New negroes from Africa: Slave trade abolition and free African settlement in the
nineteenth-century Caribbean. Bloomington, IN: Indiana University Press.
Nunn, N. (2008). The long-term effects of Africa's slave trades. The Quarterly Journal of Economics,
123(1), 139-176.