Compare and contrast the religious policies of Elizabeth the 1st of England and Isabella I of Spain
Outline: Elizabeth- head of protestant English church, more tolerant of other religions in her realm, Did not follow the catholic church and the pope
Isabella- Wanted her country to be completely catholic, started inquisition which forced moors and Jews either to leave or convert, followed the Catholic Church and the pope.
Elizabeth the 1st and Isabella of Spain were both remarkable monarchs during a period of great religious reformation and change in Europe. The reformation was sweeping across Europe from Germany and the Catholic Church had started its counter reformation. Both rulers had very different religious policies to one another like how in Spain Isabella instigated the inquisition with the support of the Vatican in an attempt to purge Spain of all non-Catholics while Elizabeth in England was more tolerant of religions beside the English church and allowed Catholics to worship in private. Isabella followed the word of the Vatican and the pope while Elizabeth was her own leader in terms of religious policies. Their differences in Religious policies set the stage for England to come out on top of Spain by the 17th century and caused a disaster for Spain that it never recovered from.
Before the marriage of Isabella and her husband King Phillip Spain was not untied, their marriage brought the country together and united it. One of their first acts was to start the inquisition. This was a court supported by the Vatican which basically ordered anyone who was not Catholic in Spain to convert to Catholicism or be either killed or deported. This included all the moors living in the south of the Iberian Peninsula and all the Jews who lived in Spain. Although the inquisition did unite Spain religiously it also made Spain weaker in terms of specialist trade and industry. Many of the people they deported were skilled tradesmen who were forced to leave rather than convert. The inquisition killed Spain’s cultural diversity and weakened its economy.
On the other side of Europe Elizabeth the 1st was ruling as the head of the English Church created by Henry VIII after he split from the Catholic Church. Elizabeth’s policies towards Jews, Catholics and other minority religious sects were much more forgiving even though the Catholics in England strongly supported rejoining the Catholic Church. Elizabeth herself was a politique, meaning she often sacrificed personal opinion for the good of her throne and country. Even if she wanted the Catholics expelled from the country she knew that doing so would cause much resentment. This preserved England’s religious and cultural diversity.
Throughout the 16th century the Popes in the Vatican had wanted to regain England as a catholic nation. Persuaded by Papal power to attack England and restore her Catholicism, in 1588 King Philip and Queen Isabella sent a huge Spanish armada which heavily outnumbered the English fleet into the English Channel to attack and Conquer England. However, bad weather and superior English ships defeated the Armada and almost the entire fleet was crushed. Spain never recovered from this devastating loss and the results of the battle made sure that England now secure against papal invasion.
Isabella and her husband Phillip’s religious policies did not help Spain other than to unite it religiously under Catholicism. They had lost much of their diversity and skilled tradesman when they purged them during the Inquisition and their decision to follow the Vatican’s orders and attack England was disastrous for their Country. Elizabeth’s more moderate policies allowed the English economy to flourish and England to become secure from invasion for centuries to come.
Friday, January 21, 2011
Friday, January 14, 2011
DBQ Exam practice
Analyze how political religious and social factors affected the work of scientists in the 16th and 17th centuries.
The sciences in 16th and 17th century Europe were not only the source of great discoveries but often political tools for rulers like Louis XIV. At this time in history Europe was either dominated by the influence of the Pope and the Church or by a Prince in one of the numerous principalities and empires however the catholic principalities also deferred to the Vatican. Some scientists like Copernicus had papal support and or others like Marin Mersenne were sponsored by the wealthy nobility. This support helped some discoveries to flourish and help the cause of mankind while in other cases it caused important ideas to be suppressed. Although political and religious support funded scientists and philosophers in the 16th and 17th it actually hindered the development of modern ideas and theories among scientists.
Many scientists were supported by the Vatican; however, because of this many scientists were in fact hindered in their ability to research and present their findings among their peers. If your findings went against the scripture you could be tried for heresy. A prime example of this was the astronomer Galileo who was persecuted for his findings. The church wanted him to be moderate and to defer to their judgment on the accuracy of his findings. Giovani Campioli and Italian monk wrote this to Galileo, “It is indispensable therefore…to defer to the authority of those who have jurisdiction over the human intellect in matters of the interpretation of scripture.” Galileo released his findings anyway and was persecuted for them. John Calvin the father of the protestant religion Calvinism wrote, “This study should not be prohibited nor this science condemned because some frantic persons boldly reject whatever is unknown to them.” Calvin is arguing in favor of a free form of science that was not mediated over by religious figures in case it went against the biblical views on philosophy. However at this time in history this type of system was no in place. Marin Mersenne was hired by a noble patron to do research in his name. In document 5 we see a letter from Marin to her patron explaining his findings. Marin tells her patron that if he wished any of her findings could be censured because a lot of the experiments seem to support the ideas of Galileo who was persecuted for his ideas. However, Marin urges his patron not to censure his research as all of it has been completely verified multiple times. This shows how the politics of the church and its influence concerning scientific findings often indirectly suppressed works that could be remarkable. Lastly, Thomas Hobbes remarks in his book Leviathan that the whims of the rulers of the land had too much influence among the scientific community and that information could be too easily repressed by disgruntled nobles or papal figures.
In conclusion the influence of the Church on scientific works in the 16th and 17th century while funding many of them often hindered the most important and world changing discoveries if they went against the traditional biblical view of the world and it’s creation.
The sciences in 16th and 17th century Europe were not only the source of great discoveries but often political tools for rulers like Louis XIV. At this time in history Europe was either dominated by the influence of the Pope and the Church or by a Prince in one of the numerous principalities and empires however the catholic principalities also deferred to the Vatican. Some scientists like Copernicus had papal support and or others like Marin Mersenne were sponsored by the wealthy nobility. This support helped some discoveries to flourish and help the cause of mankind while in other cases it caused important ideas to be suppressed. Although political and religious support funded scientists and philosophers in the 16th and 17th it actually hindered the development of modern ideas and theories among scientists.
Many scientists were supported by the Vatican; however, because of this many scientists were in fact hindered in their ability to research and present their findings among their peers. If your findings went against the scripture you could be tried for heresy. A prime example of this was the astronomer Galileo who was persecuted for his findings. The church wanted him to be moderate and to defer to their judgment on the accuracy of his findings. Giovani Campioli and Italian monk wrote this to Galileo, “It is indispensable therefore…to defer to the authority of those who have jurisdiction over the human intellect in matters of the interpretation of scripture.” Galileo released his findings anyway and was persecuted for them. John Calvin the father of the protestant religion Calvinism wrote, “This study should not be prohibited nor this science condemned because some frantic persons boldly reject whatever is unknown to them.” Calvin is arguing in favor of a free form of science that was not mediated over by religious figures in case it went against the biblical views on philosophy. However at this time in history this type of system was no in place. Marin Mersenne was hired by a noble patron to do research in his name. In document 5 we see a letter from Marin to her patron explaining his findings. Marin tells her patron that if he wished any of her findings could be censured because a lot of the experiments seem to support the ideas of Galileo who was persecuted for his ideas. However, Marin urges his patron not to censure his research as all of it has been completely verified multiple times. This shows how the politics of the church and its influence concerning scientific findings often indirectly suppressed works that could be remarkable. Lastly, Thomas Hobbes remarks in his book Leviathan that the whims of the rulers of the land had too much influence among the scientific community and that information could be too easily repressed by disgruntled nobles or papal figures.
In conclusion the influence of the Church on scientific works in the 16th and 17th century while funding many of them often hindered the most important and world changing discoveries if they went against the traditional biblical view of the world and it’s creation.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
The thirty years war
Analyze various ways in which the Thirty Years’ War (1618-1648) represented a
turning point in European history.
The Thirty Years War was a bloody conflict that involved the powers of Europe between 1618 and 1648. Catholics, Protestants fought with and against each other in a battle to determine the power balance of Europe. The aftermath of the war changed Europe forever, it marked the end of the religious wars that had plagued Europe for centuries and completely changed the balance of power. The Thirty Years War and its aftermath in the Peace of Westphalia ensured the rise of France as the dominant power of Europe.
The war itself had ravaged the German states and parts of the Netherlands. France, having joined during the later phases of the war on the side of the protestant league had managed to come out with the least losses and much gain in territory while the power of Spain and the Holy Roman Empire was much diminished after the Peace of Westphalia and 30 years of combat attrition on their economies and armies. This left France as one of the strongest powers in the new European balance of power post-Thirty Years War.
Germany itself remained a fractured country of individual principalities which were either protestant or catholic according to their prince. With much of its population and land destroyed it was easy for France to gain influence in many of the states, more influence even than the now diminished Holy Roman Empire. This gaining of influence and power in Germany constituted to an increase in trade and goods for the French economy.
Moreover after the Thirty Years War the ideas of absolutism were all over Europe. Power in France had become much more centralized and it now had a professional Navy to rival the fleets of the British. The Thirty years war allowed the centralized power of France’s monarchy to flourish with a professional army and navy now in play.
The Thirty Years war culminated in a series of Treaties which in effect divided up Europe and set the rules of diplomacy. The clever time that France joined the war allowed it to come out on top at the end with no losses to territory and fewer casualties. The war also kept the German states fractured and France was able to gain influence in Germany to rival the Holy Roman Empire. The aftermath of the war set the stage for the most famous monarch in French history Louis XIV and put him in place in the right circumstances to make France the dominant power in Europe for decades to come.
Thesis statements:
1. Analyze the ways in which European monarchs used both the arts and the sciences to
enhance state power in the period circa 1500–1800.
- The artists and scientist of Renaissance Europe and who controlled their expertise were used as a way to determine power for European Monarchs from 1500-1800.
2. Analyze the various Protestant views of the relationship between church and state in
the period circa 1500–1700.
- The many
3. Analyze the various effects of the expansion of the Atlantic trade on the economy of
Western Europe in the period circa 1450–1700.
4. Compare and contrast the economic factors responsible for the decline of Spain with
the economic factors responsible for the decline of the Dutch Republic by the end of
the seventeenth century.
turning point in European history.
The Thirty Years War was a bloody conflict that involved the powers of Europe between 1618 and 1648. Catholics, Protestants fought with and against each other in a battle to determine the power balance of Europe. The aftermath of the war changed Europe forever, it marked the end of the religious wars that had plagued Europe for centuries and completely changed the balance of power. The Thirty Years War and its aftermath in the Peace of Westphalia ensured the rise of France as the dominant power of Europe.
The war itself had ravaged the German states and parts of the Netherlands. France, having joined during the later phases of the war on the side of the protestant league had managed to come out with the least losses and much gain in territory while the power of Spain and the Holy Roman Empire was much diminished after the Peace of Westphalia and 30 years of combat attrition on their economies and armies. This left France as one of the strongest powers in the new European balance of power post-Thirty Years War.
Germany itself remained a fractured country of individual principalities which were either protestant or catholic according to their prince. With much of its population and land destroyed it was easy for France to gain influence in many of the states, more influence even than the now diminished Holy Roman Empire. This gaining of influence and power in Germany constituted to an increase in trade and goods for the French economy.
Moreover after the Thirty Years War the ideas of absolutism were all over Europe. Power in France had become much more centralized and it now had a professional Navy to rival the fleets of the British. The Thirty years war allowed the centralized power of France’s monarchy to flourish with a professional army and navy now in play.
The Thirty Years war culminated in a series of Treaties which in effect divided up Europe and set the rules of diplomacy. The clever time that France joined the war allowed it to come out on top at the end with no losses to territory and fewer casualties. The war also kept the German states fractured and France was able to gain influence in Germany to rival the Holy Roman Empire. The aftermath of the war set the stage for the most famous monarch in French history Louis XIV and put him in place in the right circumstances to make France the dominant power in Europe for decades to come.
Thesis statements:
1. Analyze the ways in which European monarchs used both the arts and the sciences to
enhance state power in the period circa 1500–1800.
- The artists and scientist of Renaissance Europe and who controlled their expertise were used as a way to determine power for European Monarchs from 1500-1800.
2. Analyze the various Protestant views of the relationship between church and state in
the period circa 1500–1700.
- The many
3. Analyze the various effects of the expansion of the Atlantic trade on the economy of
Western Europe in the period circa 1450–1700.
4. Compare and contrast the economic factors responsible for the decline of Spain with
the economic factors responsible for the decline of the Dutch Republic by the end of
the seventeenth century.
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Galileo re-do
Why are the trials and tribulations of Galileo often considered both predicative of the future of Western Civilization as well as a perfect encapsulation of the context of his own time?
Galileo was a brilliant scientist who lived in early 17th century papal Europe. He is sometimes even referred to as the father of modern science because of his discoveries in mathematics, physics and astronomy. Galileo was persecuted by the church for his beliefs on a heliocentric universe. This was the idea that the Earth moved around the Sun instead of the common belief of a Earth centered universe. Galileo’s persecution by the church for his controversial support of heliocentric ideas was the catalyst for the scientific revolution and the birth of the scientific method.
In 17th century Europe to go against openly the ideas of scripture and the Catholic Church could be dangerous, even deadly. Galileo was one such man. When he learned of Copernicus’ theory that the Earth and planets orbited the sun rather than the sun and the planets orbiting Earth he became a supporter of the idea. Galileo went on to adopt an unorthodox approach to scripture. He believed that scripture should not be taken literally when one was looking at poetry creative works in scripture as they may not necessarily be true. This was a very uncommon way to look at the bible during his time because most scholars took scripture literally word for word. In 1616 even though the Pope specifically asked Galileo to publish a book with voiced the arguments for Geocentricism and Heliocentricism equally so as not to seem to advocate Heliocentricism Galileo published an argument for heliocentric ideas. The Catholic Church tried Galileo for heresy and he was forced to denounce his beliefs and put to house arrest for the rest of his life.
17th century Europe was not the time to be questioning the ideas of men who studied and took each and every word of scripture literally. The story of Galileo is of a man who was forced to renounce his beliefs and writings because of the time he lived in. Galileo’s ideas, which stemmed from Copernicus’ theories, contradicted scripture. In summary, Scriptures basically said that the Earth did not move and that the universe revolved around it. Because of this Galileo’s writings and ideas about a heliocentric universe were taken by many as heretical nonsense. Also during this time most of the educated men were men of the church, this meant that most of Galileo’s peers followed the biblical view of the universe so Galileo had very little support. Galileo was a man whose ideas were ahead of his time. Later scholars took the ideas and methods that Galileo and other intellectuals at the time were developing, this became known as the scientific revolution and the scientific method.
Although Galileo was confined to house arrest for the rest of his life his trials and tribulations can be predicative of the future of Western civilization. The Catholic Church was actually considering his ideas but because of how brashly he published them after the Pope specifically told him to make his book objective he was tried for heresy. This can be indicative of what the future held for Europe in terms of new scientific discoveries that contradicted scripture. The Church was willing to revise its ideas as long as there was concrete proof that the writings of scripture were incorrect. Although Galileo was indeed tried for heresy after pressure by his enemies the way the Church interpreted the ideas of scripture was more flexible than it had ever been before. Catholic Europe would still be completely under the thrall of the Popes for some time but ways were opening for new scientific discovery.
Galileo and his life are an example of science coming at odds with the church and his example would not be the last. His persecution stemmed from publishing ideas that contradicted scripture, his story began the scientific revolution and was the first case of the controversial “battle” between science and religion for many centuries to come.
Galileo was a brilliant scientist who lived in early 17th century papal Europe. He is sometimes even referred to as the father of modern science because of his discoveries in mathematics, physics and astronomy. Galileo was persecuted by the church for his beliefs on a heliocentric universe. This was the idea that the Earth moved around the Sun instead of the common belief of a Earth centered universe. Galileo’s persecution by the church for his controversial support of heliocentric ideas was the catalyst for the scientific revolution and the birth of the scientific method.
In 17th century Europe to go against openly the ideas of scripture and the Catholic Church could be dangerous, even deadly. Galileo was one such man. When he learned of Copernicus’ theory that the Earth and planets orbited the sun rather than the sun and the planets orbiting Earth he became a supporter of the idea. Galileo went on to adopt an unorthodox approach to scripture. He believed that scripture should not be taken literally when one was looking at poetry creative works in scripture as they may not necessarily be true. This was a very uncommon way to look at the bible during his time because most scholars took scripture literally word for word. In 1616 even though the Pope specifically asked Galileo to publish a book with voiced the arguments for Geocentricism and Heliocentricism equally so as not to seem to advocate Heliocentricism Galileo published an argument for heliocentric ideas. The Catholic Church tried Galileo for heresy and he was forced to denounce his beliefs and put to house arrest for the rest of his life.
17th century Europe was not the time to be questioning the ideas of men who studied and took each and every word of scripture literally. The story of Galileo is of a man who was forced to renounce his beliefs and writings because of the time he lived in. Galileo’s ideas, which stemmed from Copernicus’ theories, contradicted scripture. In summary, Scriptures basically said that the Earth did not move and that the universe revolved around it. Because of this Galileo’s writings and ideas about a heliocentric universe were taken by many as heretical nonsense. Also during this time most of the educated men were men of the church, this meant that most of Galileo’s peers followed the biblical view of the universe so Galileo had very little support. Galileo was a man whose ideas were ahead of his time. Later scholars took the ideas and methods that Galileo and other intellectuals at the time were developing, this became known as the scientific revolution and the scientific method.
Although Galileo was confined to house arrest for the rest of his life his trials and tribulations can be predicative of the future of Western civilization. The Catholic Church was actually considering his ideas but because of how brashly he published them after the Pope specifically told him to make his book objective he was tried for heresy. This can be indicative of what the future held for Europe in terms of new scientific discoveries that contradicted scripture. The Church was willing to revise its ideas as long as there was concrete proof that the writings of scripture were incorrect. Although Galileo was indeed tried for heresy after pressure by his enemies the way the Church interpreted the ideas of scripture was more flexible than it had ever been before. Catholic Europe would still be completely under the thrall of the Popes for some time but ways were opening for new scientific discovery.
Galileo and his life are an example of science coming at odds with the church and his example would not be the last. His persecution stemmed from publishing ideas that contradicted scripture, his story began the scientific revolution and was the first case of the controversial “battle” between science and religion for many centuries to come.
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Dutch Republic Free Response Essay
Discuss the ways that the 17th century Dutch Republic differed from it’s neighbors, telling how these differences contributed to the country’s success.
Coming out of the horrible religious wars in the 16th century was the Dutch Republic. Unlike most of Europe the Dutch republic had no autocrat or dictator, it was one of the few republics in Europe at its time and for the most part it was controlled by the wealthy and educated middle class of its 7 different provinces. It became the most successful trade nation of its time, with an unrivalled trading fleet and many monopolies on popular wares. The frugality in which the Dutch conducted themselves dictated their lifestyle and allowed them to focus on success rather than personal pleasures. Differing from its neighboring countries in many aspects, the Dutch rose from a newly created republic to the most influential and successful nation in 17th century because of their powerhouse economy, their unique system of Government and a mentality which allowed them to get the job done and done the best.
In the 17th century the Dutch economy and was booming in trade and agriculture. They had around 10000 trade ships trading in goods from all around the World and they were exploring the limits of the known World. At home the Dutch had created a centralized Bank whose currency, the florin, became the World standard of value much like the Dollar is today. Moreover they had developed their agriculture to specialize in dairy and tulips which they exported regularly. Amsterdam was the trade center of the known World; this made the Dutch economically exceptional in success among the rest of its European neighbors.
The Dutch system of Government itself was unique and different for its time. Republics were few and far between in Europe, most nations being controlled by autocratic ruling families. The Dutch however had a system nothing like this. The original republic consisted of 7 provinces each controlled mainly by elected middle class leaders. These leaders were usually successful merchants or bankers and they represented their province at the assembly in the un-official capital of the republic Hague. This system of Government allowed for a nation that did not focus so much on political intrigue with foreign countries and War but prioritized the accumulation of wealth and power for the Dutch republic. The countries government also allowed general religious freedom among its inhabitants so Jews and other minority groups congregated in the Dutch provinces. Because of this the republic became culturally enriched and new ideas flowed through its people. The Dutch government was the most successful of it’s time because it focused on accumulating wealth and it did not prosecute peoples for their religion which made the country diverse.
The frugality and work ethic of the Dutch people was something to marvel at during the 17th century. The people tried not to live in excess as they considered that only worthy of their French counterparts who they disliked and the Calvinist religion which became followed by the majority of the population forbid living in excess. One British ambassador by the name of William Temple wrote, “The merchants and tradesmen are of mighty industry. Never any country traded so much and consumed so little. They buy infinitely, but 'tis to sell again.” The Dutch work ethic was very strong as well. The typical Dutchman was ambitious and hardworking and strived for success. This mentality gave rise to a dominant middle class of smart and wealthy men. The Dutch people’s mentality allowed them to have the most successful middle class in Europe.
The Dutch influence and success peaked in the 17th century and later declined because they did not have sufficient military forces to consolidate their holdings worldwide. However, in the 17th century the Dutch were the most successful. Not because they had a huge military or because they could intimidate other countries into doing their will like other powerful nations at the time but because of the average Dutch middle class man who was the foundation of Dutch success.
Works Cited:
Doenecke, Justus D. "The Dutch Republic in the 17th Century." Website Moved. Web. 13 Dec. 2010..
Coming out of the horrible religious wars in the 16th century was the Dutch Republic. Unlike most of Europe the Dutch republic had no autocrat or dictator, it was one of the few republics in Europe at its time and for the most part it was controlled by the wealthy and educated middle class of its 7 different provinces. It became the most successful trade nation of its time, with an unrivalled trading fleet and many monopolies on popular wares. The frugality in which the Dutch conducted themselves dictated their lifestyle and allowed them to focus on success rather than personal pleasures. Differing from its neighboring countries in many aspects, the Dutch rose from a newly created republic to the most influential and successful nation in 17th century because of their powerhouse economy, their unique system of Government and a mentality which allowed them to get the job done and done the best.
In the 17th century the Dutch economy and was booming in trade and agriculture. They had around 10000 trade ships trading in goods from all around the World and they were exploring the limits of the known World. At home the Dutch had created a centralized Bank whose currency, the florin, became the World standard of value much like the Dollar is today. Moreover they had developed their agriculture to specialize in dairy and tulips which they exported regularly. Amsterdam was the trade center of the known World; this made the Dutch economically exceptional in success among the rest of its European neighbors.
The Dutch system of Government itself was unique and different for its time. Republics were few and far between in Europe, most nations being controlled by autocratic ruling families. The Dutch however had a system nothing like this. The original republic consisted of 7 provinces each controlled mainly by elected middle class leaders. These leaders were usually successful merchants or bankers and they represented their province at the assembly in the un-official capital of the republic Hague. This system of Government allowed for a nation that did not focus so much on political intrigue with foreign countries and War but prioritized the accumulation of wealth and power for the Dutch republic. The countries government also allowed general religious freedom among its inhabitants so Jews and other minority groups congregated in the Dutch provinces. Because of this the republic became culturally enriched and new ideas flowed through its people. The Dutch government was the most successful of it’s time because it focused on accumulating wealth and it did not prosecute peoples for their religion which made the country diverse.
The frugality and work ethic of the Dutch people was something to marvel at during the 17th century. The people tried not to live in excess as they considered that only worthy of their French counterparts who they disliked and the Calvinist religion which became followed by the majority of the population forbid living in excess. One British ambassador by the name of William Temple wrote, “The merchants and tradesmen are of mighty industry. Never any country traded so much and consumed so little. They buy infinitely, but 'tis to sell again.” The Dutch work ethic was very strong as well. The typical Dutchman was ambitious and hardworking and strived for success. This mentality gave rise to a dominant middle class of smart and wealthy men. The Dutch people’s mentality allowed them to have the most successful middle class in Europe.
The Dutch influence and success peaked in the 17th century and later declined because they did not have sufficient military forces to consolidate their holdings worldwide. However, in the 17th century the Dutch were the most successful. Not because they had a huge military or because they could intimidate other countries into doing their will like other powerful nations at the time but because of the average Dutch middle class man who was the foundation of Dutch success.
Works Cited:
Doenecke, Justus D. "The Dutch Republic in the 17th Century." Website Moved. Web. 13 Dec. 2010.
Friday, December 10, 2010
Great fire of London links
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=UTF8&msa=0&msid=113041917894041223574.00049646761c55b129cec&t=h&z=14
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&gl=us&ie=UTF8&oe=UTF8&msa=0&msid=102698758919003605813.0004964676770de983be4
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&gl=us&ie=UTF8&oe=UTF8&msa=0&msid=102698758919003605813.0004964676770de983be4
Monday, December 6, 2010
Galileo Free Response #1
Why are the trials and tribulations of Galileo often considered both predicative of the future of Western Civilization as well as a perfect encapsulation of the context of his own time?
Galileo was a brilliant scientist who lived in early 17th century papal Europe. He is sometimes even referred to as the father of modern science because of his discoveries in mathematics, physics and astronomy. He was an apt supporter of the ideas of the astronomer Copernicus which contradicted the scriptural theory of geocentricism. This was the idea that the Sun moved around the Earth instead of the reality which is a heliocentric universe. Galileo’s trials and tribulations both point to the future of Europe and show the harsh realities of the time he lived in.
In 17th century Europe to go against openly the ideas of scripture and the Catholic church could be dangerous, even deadly. Galileo was one such man. When he learned of Copernicus’ theory that the Earth and planets orbited the sun rather than the sun and the planets orbiting Earth he became a supporter of the idea. Galileo went on to adopt an unorthodox approach to scripture. He believed that scripture should not be taken literally when one was looking at poetry creative works in scripture as they may not necessarily be true. This was a very uncommon way to look at the bible during his time because most scholars took scripture literally word for word. In 1616 even though the Pope specifically asked Galileo to publish a book with voiced the arguments for Geocentricism and Heliocentricism equally so as not to seem to advocate Heliocentricism Galileo published an argument for heliocentric ideas. The Catholic Church tried Galileo for heresy and he was forced to denounce his beliefs and put to house arrest for the rest of his life.
17th century Europe was not the time to be questioning the ideas of men who studied and took each and every word of scripture literally. The story of Galileo is of a man who was forced to renounce his beliefs and writings because of the time he lived in. Galileo’s ideas, which stemmed from Copernicus’ theories, contradicted scripture. In summary, Scriptures basically said that the Earth did not move and that the universe revolved around it. Because of this Galileo’s writings and ideas about a heliocentric universe were taken by many as heretical nonsense. Also during this time most of the educated men were men of the church, this meant that most of Galileo’s peers followed the biblical view of the universe so Galileo had very little support. Galileo was a man whose ideas were ahead of his time.
Although Galileo was confined to house arrest for the rest of his life his trials and tribulations can be considered predicative of the future of Western civilization. The Catholic Church was actually considering his ideas but because of how brashly he published them after the Pope specifically told him to make his book objective he was tried for heresy. This can be indicative of what the future held for Europe in terms of new scientific discoveries that contradicted scripture. The Church was willing to revise its ideas as long as there was concrete proof that the writings of scripture were incorrect. Although Galileo was indeed tried for heresy after pressure by his enemies the way the Church interpreted the ideas of scripture was more flexible than it had ever been before. Catholic Europe would still be completely under the thrall of the Popes for some time but ways were opening for new scientific discovery.
Galileo and his life are an example of science coming at odds with the church and his example would not be the last. His persecution stemmed from publishing ideas that contradicted scripture, his story showed that the future of Europe would still be under heavy papal influence for some time and he lived much too ahead of his time.
Galileo was a brilliant scientist who lived in early 17th century papal Europe. He is sometimes even referred to as the father of modern science because of his discoveries in mathematics, physics and astronomy. He was an apt supporter of the ideas of the astronomer Copernicus which contradicted the scriptural theory of geocentricism. This was the idea that the Sun moved around the Earth instead of the reality which is a heliocentric universe. Galileo’s trials and tribulations both point to the future of Europe and show the harsh realities of the time he lived in.
In 17th century Europe to go against openly the ideas of scripture and the Catholic church could be dangerous, even deadly. Galileo was one such man. When he learned of Copernicus’ theory that the Earth and planets orbited the sun rather than the sun and the planets orbiting Earth he became a supporter of the idea. Galileo went on to adopt an unorthodox approach to scripture. He believed that scripture should not be taken literally when one was looking at poetry creative works in scripture as they may not necessarily be true. This was a very uncommon way to look at the bible during his time because most scholars took scripture literally word for word. In 1616 even though the Pope specifically asked Galileo to publish a book with voiced the arguments for Geocentricism and Heliocentricism equally so as not to seem to advocate Heliocentricism Galileo published an argument for heliocentric ideas. The Catholic Church tried Galileo for heresy and he was forced to denounce his beliefs and put to house arrest for the rest of his life.
17th century Europe was not the time to be questioning the ideas of men who studied and took each and every word of scripture literally. The story of Galileo is of a man who was forced to renounce his beliefs and writings because of the time he lived in. Galileo’s ideas, which stemmed from Copernicus’ theories, contradicted scripture. In summary, Scriptures basically said that the Earth did not move and that the universe revolved around it. Because of this Galileo’s writings and ideas about a heliocentric universe were taken by many as heretical nonsense. Also during this time most of the educated men were men of the church, this meant that most of Galileo’s peers followed the biblical view of the universe so Galileo had very little support. Galileo was a man whose ideas were ahead of his time.
Although Galileo was confined to house arrest for the rest of his life his trials and tribulations can be considered predicative of the future of Western civilization. The Catholic Church was actually considering his ideas but because of how brashly he published them after the Pope specifically told him to make his book objective he was tried for heresy. This can be indicative of what the future held for Europe in terms of new scientific discoveries that contradicted scripture. The Church was willing to revise its ideas as long as there was concrete proof that the writings of scripture were incorrect. Although Galileo was indeed tried for heresy after pressure by his enemies the way the Church interpreted the ideas of scripture was more flexible than it had ever been before. Catholic Europe would still be completely under the thrall of the Popes for some time but ways were opening for new scientific discovery.
Galileo and his life are an example of science coming at odds with the church and his example would not be the last. His persecution stemmed from publishing ideas that contradicted scripture, his story showed that the future of Europe would still be under heavy papal influence for some time and he lived much too ahead of his time.
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