The Enlightenment: A Deep Dive into 18th-Century Ideals and Key Figures
The Enlightenment
The Enlightenment was a significant cultural and political movement that emerged in 18th-century Europe. This period saw profound changes in ideas and institutions. Two core principles defined the Enlightenment: the use of reason as a tool to reshape reality and the belief in progress to enhance living conditions and increase human happiness.
New Ideological Approaches
The Enlightenment, also known as the Age of Reason, was a historical period of the 18th century. It was part of a
Read MoreWorld War I: From 1917 to the Aftermath
From the Crisis of 1917 to the End of the War
In 1917, a feeling of disappointment and frustration spread. The outbreak of the Russian Revolution and the rise of the Bolsheviks to power prompted a change in the Soviet government’s situation. Russia quit the war and, in 1918, signed the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk. In 1918 came the final outcome of the conflict. On the Balkan front, the British, French, and Italians defeated the Turks, Bulgarians, and Austrians. The Ottoman Empire and the Austro-Hungarian
Read MoreItalian and Spanish Renaissance Art and Architecture
The Italian Renaissance: Rome as the New Art Capital
The death of Lorenzo “the Magnificent” in 1492 marked the end of Florence’s reign as the Italian Renaissance art capital, giving way to Rome. It’s the time of the great geniuses: Michelangelo, Raphael, and Leonardo da Vinci. The Eternal City experienced a Golden Age of the arts under the glorious pontificates of Julius II and Leo X.
Julius II was a great patron of the arts. He initiated the construction of St. Peter’s Basilica, commissioned the
Read MoreThe Manifesto of the Persians: A Defense of Absolutism in 1814 Spain
The Manifesto of the Persians: A Defense of Absolutism
Location
This text is an excerpt from the Manifesto of the Persians. Its origin as a primary source and its content as a political and doctrinal document make it historically significant. Dated April 12, 1814, it was authored by a group of 69 deputies who proposed to King Fernando VII the restoration of absolutism. This document is notable as the first instance in Spanish history where a collective body articulated their political ideas in writing.
Read MoreFranklin D. Roosevelt’s Four Freedoms: Speech & Impact
The Four Freedoms: Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Vision
The Four Freedoms were goals articulated by Franklin Delano Roosevelt, the 32nd President of the United States. In January 1941, he proposed four fundamental freedoms that people “everywhere in the world” ought to enjoy:
- Freedom of speech
- Freedom of worship
- Freedom from want
- Freedom from fear
The first two freedoms, speech and religion, are protected by the First Amendment in the United States Constitution. Roosevelt’s inclusion of the latter two freedoms
Read MoreSpanish Civil War: A Deep Dive into Causes and Key Events
The Spanish Civil War: Causes and Key Events
On July 17, 1936, General Franco, in Tetouan, delivered a manifesto urging the population to revolt against the government of the Republic. The government was unable to control the situation, and communists, anarchists, socialists, Basque and Catalan nationalists stormed barracks and seized Asturias, the Basque Country, Catalonia, and Valencia. That area proved to be loyal to the Republic, while Andalusia, the Balearic Islands, Old Castile, the Canary
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