History Sem 1 PDF

THE BEGINNING OF THE MODERN WORLD Periodization of history 3 PERIODS ➔ Prehistoric (earliest) ➔ Ancient ➔ Medieval ➔ Modern They all have 4 characteristics that set them apart from other periods: ➔ Political ➔ Economics ➔ cultural/religious ➔ Soci...

THE BEGINNING OF THE MODERN WORLD Periodization of history 3 PERIODS ➔ Prehistoric (earliest) ➔ Ancient ➔ Medieval ➔ Modern They all have 4 characteristics that set them apart from other periods: ➔ Political ➔ Economics ➔ cultural/religious ➔ Social Classifying things helps ➔ organize ➔ understand the many historical events and changes over time ➔ Past in Perspective ➔ See the turning points and transition periods with more clarity A PERIOD OF TRANSITION Historical events differ from country to country on the stage of development in that region. The modern age started in the 15th century. In India, it started in the mid-18th century ➔ The major turning point in India's transition from the medieval to the modern age was the conquest of India by the British. India has been invaded and conquered by foreigners. However, unlike the earlier conquers, the British did not settle to adapt to an Indian way of life. For the first time, India was ruled from the outside by foreigners and subjected to an alien rule for about 200 years. The sharp divide between the British and the Indians was never bridged CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF THE MODERN AGE: 1. Urbanization: The growth of cities as more people move from rural areas to live and work in urban areas. 2. Technological Advancement: The development of new tools, machines, and systems that make life easier and more efficient. 3. Democratic Institutions: Organizations or systems that help run a government where people vote to make decisions. 4. Fundamental Civil Liberties: Basic rights and freedoms that every person should have, like freedom of speech and the right to a fair trial. 5. Industrialization: The shift from an agricultural society to one where factories and machines produce goods. 6. Humanism: A belief in the value and importance of human beings, focusing on human needs, rights, and abilities. Source materials That vast range and quantity of source materials for the modern age in India help us to study the history of this period in great detail with accuracy. The source materials for the modern age have 2 kinds: ➔ Primary sources ➔ Secondary sources Primary sources Many of the primary sources from the modern period have been preserved in archives and museums, an example is a roman gladius (sword) many other examples are: ➔ Original documents/official records ➔ Literary works (novels, plays, short stories and poems) ➔ Historical works ➔ Artistic works (paintings, sketches, engravings and drawings) ➔ Photographs ➔ Audio cassettes ➔ Films ➔ Videotapes ➔ Newspapers ➔ Archaeological remains ➔ Oral history Secondary sources They include: ➔ Books ➔ Reviews ➔ Reports ➔ Articles Written by historians and scholars who study and research primary source materials, interpret evidence, and arrive at conclusions Since the modern age began with the advent of British rule, the roots of the transition from the medieval period must be tracked back to Europe. To understand the impact of British rule on Indian history, it is imperative to understand the changes that were taking place in Europe. Medieval world The medieval world was very superstitious. People used to believe that the earth is falt and not round, they used to think that women are witches so they would put them in water and if they would float they were a witch and would be burned alive, they also used to think that birtmarks were a sign that the person is a witch Modern period in Europe Europe entered the modern age in the 15th century. Important changes had occurred by that time - feudalism had declined, new towns had developed, trade had increased and the rights of the individual had become stronger. Despite these changes, much of the European continent remained feudal in the 16th century, Eastern Europe remained backward almost till 18th century The renaissance In the three centuries between 1300-1600, A great movement of change and Discovery spread across Europe that radically altered the pattern of people's lives and their ways of thinking This movement representing a new spirit in every field of life is referred to as the Renaissance it is a French word that means rebirth or Revival. The Renaissance ushered in Revolutionary changes in Europe and marked the transition from the medieval to the modern age in Europe important factors that contributed to the beginning of the Renaissance: ➔ the expansion of trade - one very important explorer was christopher collumbus ➔ the voyages of Discovery by Italian merchants ➔ their interaction with various society and their wealth and prosperity An important event with far-reaching consequences was the capture of Constantinople by the ottoman turks the capital of the Byzantine Empire (Eastern Roman Empire) in 1453, by the Ottoman Turks. A large number of Greek Scholars played from Constantinople (a great centre of classical Greek and Roman learning) to Italy with rare manuscripts,ancient artifacts,literary works,paintings,sculpters,discoveries/explorations which was the significance of this event. These scholars were patronized and encouraged but the rulers, the scholars, and the rich Italian merchants of Rome, Florence, Milan, and Venice. Libraries were set up and universities were established to promote classical and modern learning. The Renaissance of the revival of classical Graeco-Roman learning inspired and encouraged people to question and challenge long-established ideas and institutions that had been imposed on them by the church and the kings. they refused to blindly accept the decisions of their rulers And the Church they demanded to know the truth based on logic and reason and rejected everything that didn't fall within the yardstick of reason This new spirit of rationalism led to the rise of a scientific temper and the spirit of inquiry, this scientific temper and the desire to enquire or speak the truth led to new and varied developments in the field of: ➔ Art ➔ Architecture ➔ Sculpture ➔ Painting ➔ Literature ➔ Science ➔ technology Renaissance scholars and thinkers shifted the focus from divine fest to human affairs. the spirit of Humanism was Central to the new learning.Humanism means the truth based on logic and reason. Medieval preoccupation with religion, the afterlife, heaven, and hell was replaced with a deep and abiding interest in human affairs- their joys and sorrows, desires and fulfillment, freedom and creativity in this life. The spirit of the Renaissance period found expression in every aspect of human life. This period saw a great outburst of creativity and brilliance The influence of the renaissance The renaissance has a great influence today, there have been many technological advancements, new discoveries, the belif systems have changed, peoples attitude towards kings and the church has changed, people question the belif system and rely on facts and the types of entertainment has also changed. The literary works are now studied to find new info. Voyages of discovery The mid-15th century saw a significant shift when the Ottoman Turks captured Asia Minor. They cut off direct land routes between Asia and Europe, seized key ports in the eastern Mediterranean, attacked European ships, and imposed heavy taxes on goods passing through their territory. This severely disrupted European trade with the East. As a result, Europeans were driven to find new sea routes to continue their trade. This urgency sparked an era of exploration and adventure, leading to the discovery of new lands and trade routes. It was a time of great voyages that transformed the world. Important discoveries In the 15th century, Portuguese Prince Henry the Navigator played a key role in advancing exploration by sponsoring expeditions, creating maps, and teaching navigation, even though he never sailed himself. One of these expeditions, led by Bartholomew Diaz in 1488, reached the southern tip of Africa, later named the Cape of Good Hope, symbolizing hope for finding a sea route to India. In 1497, Vasco da Gama succeeded in reaching India’s west coast using the same route, establishing a vital trade route. Meanwhile, in 1492, Italian explorer Christopher Columbus, supported by Spain, sought a shortcut to Asia by sailing west across the Atlantic for 2 months. Instead, he landed in the Caribbean Islands and unknowingly discovered the Americas, believing until his death that he had reached Asia. These discoveries had a profound impact, sparking growth in trade and commerce, with merchants becoming wealthy and helping reduce the king’s reliance on feudal lords. This rise of the merchant class also contributed to the emergence of a middle class, including professionals like doctors and teachers, who drove societal progress. Additionally, these explorations enriched geographical knowledge, boosted Europe’s economy, and spurred the colonization of Asia, Africa, and Latin America, marking a turning point in global history.