Overview

Western civilization encompasses the development of political institutions, cultural achievements, religious ideas, and intellectual traditions rooted in Europe and its historical outposts. This topic explores the ancient foundations and transformative movements that shaped modern Western society.

Key Themes and Concepts

• Ancient Western Asia and Egypt: Early river civilizations, political organization, law codes (Hammurabi), and writing systems.
• Classical Greece and Rome: Democracy in Athens, the Roman Republic and Empire, philosophy (Plato, Aristotle), legal traditions, and Christianity’s rise.
• Medieval Europe: Feudalism, the Catholic Church, crusades, manorialism, scholasticism, and the Black Death.
• Renaissance and Reformation: Humanism, art and science innovation, the printing press, Protestant Reformation, and Catholic response.
• Scientific Revolution and Enlightenment: Empiricism, scientific method, and new views on government, rights, and rationalism (Locke, Voltaire, Rousseau).
• Modern Europe and Imperialism: Industrial Revolution, nationalism, colonization, liberalism, socialism, and revolutions (French, 1848, Russian).
• Twentieth Century and Beyond: World Wars I and II, totalitarianism, Cold War, European integration, decolonization, and democratic expansion.

Quick Tip

Western civilization is a blend of ancient traditions and revolutionary change. Knowing the roots of law, democracy, science, and human rights helps connect past events to today’s institutions and global issues.