The Western Intellectual Tradition by J. Bronowski and Bruce Mazlish examines different European/American historical periods from the year 1500 to 1900. It focuses on the great thinkers and philosophers from those times, as well as certain historical periods that are considered significant. This essay focuses on chapters 2, 10, 15, 21, and 23. They are about the city-states of Italy, the Royal society, Montesquieu, Thomas Jefferson and the American Revolution, and Edmund Burke respectively. Thinkers throughout history are each very passionate about their thoughts, and many have very different ideas about a wide variety of topics, such as government. As a whole, Western thought became more progressive and more open to changes in society as
…show more content…
As mentioned in the book, the most important of these cities are Milan, Venice, Florence, Rome, and Naples. This chapter is about Italy during the Renaissance during the 1500s. Trade flourished during this time period and merchants were a big part of the recovering economy. There were several extremely wealthy families that had a major influence on Italy. An example is the Medici family of Florence. The Medici family helped to build up a system of banking, manufacturing, and trade. Capitalism began to emerge during this time period. The Medici family was not selfish with there wealth unlike aristocrats that controlled countries from other time periods. The helped to make Florence look better through supporting public works. The book says “Medici wealth is vine in the statement that, from 1434 to 1471, they paid for charities, public buildings, and taxes no less than 663,755 gold florins” (Bronowski and Mazlish 24). City-states of Italy were able to get money from things other that trade and mercantilism, one of which is war. Certain people hired mercenaries from different places to take money from whoever they go to war against. Even under Charles V, mercenaries from Spain and Germany were hired to attack Rome. The Renaissance happen right after the Middle Ages, so feudalism was not far in the past. Many noble families accustomed to warfare from this time period utilized their skills and power to the fullest extent to get …show more content…
Jefferson was a self made man. He started off working in law under George Wythe. He worked his way up and joined the Virginia Committee of Correspondence to protest Britain. By 1974, he published A Summary View of the Rights of British America. This was important because it gave Jefferson a good reputation as a writer, which down the road influenced hi being chosen to write the Declaration of Independence. As most people know, one of Jefferson’s biggest achievements is writing the Declaration of Independence. Since America won, it is known as a patriotic document that is a sign of freedom. However, if America lost it would have most likely been known as the “Seditious Document.” John Locke had a considerable impact on it. Locke, who wrote “Life, liberty, property” was where Jefferson got “life, liberty, and the pursuit of
As mentioned in the book, the most important of these cities are Milan, Venice, Florence, Rome, and Naples. This chapter is about Italy during the Renaissance during the 1500s. Trade flourished during this time period and merchants were a big part of the recovering economy. There were several extremely wealthy families that had a major influence on Italy. An example is the Medici family of Florence. The Medici family helped to build up a system of banking, manufacturing, and trade. Capitalism began to emerge during this time period. The Medici family was not selfish with there wealth unlike aristocrats that controlled countries from other time periods. The helped to make Florence look better through supporting public works. The book says “Medici wealth is vine in the statement that, from 1434 to 1471, they paid for charities, public buildings, and taxes no less than 663,755 gold florins” (Bronowski and Mazlish 24). City-states of Italy were able to get money from things other that trade and mercantilism, one of which is war. Certain people hired mercenaries from different places to take money from whoever they go to war against. Even under Charles V, mercenaries from Spain and Germany were hired to attack Rome. The Renaissance happen right after the Middle Ages, so feudalism was not far in the past. Many noble families accustomed to warfare from this time period utilized their skills and power to the fullest extent to get …show more content…
Jefferson was a self made man. He started off working in law under George Wythe. He worked his way up and joined the Virginia Committee of Correspondence to protest Britain. By 1974, he published A Summary View of the Rights of British America. This was important because it gave Jefferson a good reputation as a writer, which down the road influenced hi being chosen to write the Declaration of Independence. As most people know, one of Jefferson’s biggest achievements is writing the Declaration of Independence. Since America won, it is known as a patriotic document that is a sign of freedom. However, if America lost it would have most likely been known as the “Seditious Document.” John Locke had a considerable impact on it. Locke, who wrote “Life, liberty, property” was where Jefferson got “life, liberty, and the pursuit of