Ap Euro Dbq Greek Revolutions

Ancient Greece’s contributions to society helped to shape the modern world in many ways. The Grecians, especially the Athenians, developed the basis for rationalism. This idea led contributed to the advancement of the historical method, the scientific method, different political forms, and of humanism and the power and dignity of man. Without these accomplishments, the way we live today would be immensely dissimilar. Civilization as a whole would not be as far as it is now.

In a time in European history, there was an era from the 5th to the 15th century known as the Middle Ages. The Middle Ages can often be referred to as the “Medieval period”, where buildings looked gloomy as they were made from gray cobblestone, and mankind was still in any idea of innovation, as they had no inspiration. Then during the 14th century, philosophy, art, and music were made exclusive, and became to some degree inspirational. Little did anyone know that was the beginning of a new era known as the Renaissance. Which was slowly but surely building a bridge which would lead the Middle Ages to the Modern Era. The small adaptations to traditions was the small drop of encouragement the world needed. When that muse came, a big change in mankind’s view of the world was just getting started. The purpose of this essay is to inform you on how the Renaissance changed man’s view of the world.

The French Revolution was a radical period in France between 1789-1814. The French Revolution has had a big impact on the infrastructure of France, those impactful ideas are even seen today. These ideas of enlightenment brought to society by French revolutionaries influenced the French Revolution down the line. Their were things that caused the Revolution like the financial state of the common people in France, the political system, and the way the Estates General was set up. All of those led to effects like the “Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen”, the execution of King Louis XVI, and the Rise of Napoleon as well as his Revolution.

About 1280 C.E. a new distinct era, the Renaissance, arose and replaced the turbulent and dark Middle Ages. This new era brought unique ideas and a rebirth of Greek and Roman cultures. Universities and schools were founded for learning, Renaissance people were well rounded in studies, and enlightenment thinkers of the time held strong beliefs that there was a Renaissance. From its beginnings in Italy, the Renaissance spread throughout Europe, and furthermore differencing Renaissance Europeans from the religious medieval people.

Ancient Greek philosophers have influenced areas of modern thought. Philosophy is the study of ideas, nature and the meaning of life. In Document 1 it discusses a quote from Socrates which states “The unexamined life is not worth living.” This is showing that what is the point of living life if you can't question things or ideas. Socrates was a very famous philosopher and people still use his ideas of questioning things and thoughts today. Sadly Socrates questioned the government and was put to death by poison. The philosopher, Aristotle, is another example of someone whose ideas impacted the world today. A quote from document 2 states “...human reason is the most godlike part of human nature…” This is still relevant in the world today because it teaches people to think before they act. Also, Aristotle stressed the

Many of the roots of western civilization can be traced back to the ancient greeks They made long lasting contributions on the areas of art, architecture, philosophy, math, drama, and science. In this essay, it will be proven that the Greeks impacted western civilization

Much of Athenian life and politics was based on stories of Athenian history. These historical events shaped the way and life of Athenian actions. Yet what happens when the histories that become integral aspects of Athens are based on inaccuracies? The history of Harmodius and Aristogeiton and the impact that it had on Athens was so deep that it led to the catastrophe that was the trials surrounding the defacement of the statues of Hermes. However, Athenian misunderstanding of the situation brings into question the legitimacy of Athenian democracy as a whole, something Thucydides uses his retelling of Harmodius and Aristogeiton to convey.

In the Greek literary work Apology written by Plato, Socrates was convicted for refusing to recognize the gods recognized by the state, introducing new divinities and corrupting the youth. It is believed by many critics that Socrates knew he was going to be sentenced to death so, he was able to use his defense as an opportunity to clear his reputation, confront his accusers, but most significantly instruct the Athenians. He wanted them to look into themselves and seek virtue and wisdom before looking into personal interests. We notice throughout Socrates’ defense that there is a continued theme of wisdom and teaching towards the Athenians.

In “Pericles’ Funeral Oration”, Pericles praises Athens, especially its democracy, in contrast to Sparta’s. He states that they are an original

The most important way one can learn about history, is through the utilization of primary sources. Primary sources are sources that are coming directly from an event (or from someone that was there). While primary sources are a gold mine of information, there are struggles that accompany them. Some of these struggles are historical biases, and language barriers. In this paper, language barriers will be broken down, as Herodotus and the Persian Wars will be analyzed in its translated form. Athens, had many challenges, both geographically and alliance wise. The Athenians were advised to appease all feuds within its neighboring polis. Greece was needed to unite under one cause, and that could not be done while the polis in Greece were at war.

In his Eulogy delivered before the Athenians in 431 BCE during the Great Peloponnesian war, Pericles states, “We alone do good to our neighbors not upon a calculation of interest, but in the confidence of freedom and in a frank and fearless spirit.” In this quote, Pericles is communicating the idea that Athenians perform good deeds and help other polies not to benefit from it but for the sake of democracy and chivalry. The Eulogy of Pericles is accurate to a minimal extent because, while on the one hand the Athenians offered protection to their allies, on the other hand they took advantage of them and attacked mercilessly.

As seen with the Mytilene debate where Athens decides whether to slaughter the Mytilene’s for their rebellion, Cleon, a demagogue, explicitly states “I have often seen a democracy is incapable of ruling an empire (67).” He goes on to argue “you relent out of compassion, your softness puts you in danger and does not win the affection of your allies (67).” To him, qualities such as sentiment and indulgence hurt an empire. The Athenian empire must be unyielding and forceful to control its subjugated people for the subjects only follow the Athenians because they “exceed them in strength (67).” This goes against the tenants of democracy where the people supposedly discus their issues and not rule each other with force. Indeed, as the Athenian empire continues, people choose love of empire over love of democracy, and the Athenian are swept up by militarism and excessive patriotism, which ultimately leads to their downfall with the Sicilian expedition. Athens in effect becomes a tyranny of the empire as the people seek to strengthen the empire rather than their city. Thus as a democratic state grows in power, the government will be swamped by excessive pride in

standoff. “The Greeks unwilling to abandon the safety of their position and the Persians unwilling to attack it” (Davis

Classical Persia and Greece are two civilizations that both paralleled and differed from each other. Similarities between the two classical Empires include aspects of their social structure. Differences between classical Persia and Greece comprise of their approaches to politics and their religious practices. Though the two empires were bitter rivals for much of their existences, they still share certain common factors that linked their cultures and histories. It is important to compare and contrast these two societies in order to see where one succeeded where the other failed, and how these factors ultimately contributed to their triumphs as well as their downfalls. Learning from both their mistakes and achievements may help us to shape our own civilizations now and in the future.

Classical Athens and Sparta were notably two of Classical Greece’s most impressive poleis. Classical Athens is appreciated for its devotion to philosophy, mathematics, science, and democracy. Whereas, Classical Sparta is recognized for its devotion to war junta. However, their different objectives ensue that the first is recalled for its libertarian ideals and the latter as a fascist city-state. As such, this essay will consider the political systems implemented by Classical Athens and Sparta during the 5th and 4th centuries B.C.E., in order to determine whether Classical Athens is justly thought of as an advocate of libertarianism and whether Classical Sparta was strictly a fascist city-state.