Sample Essay On History Exam

I
The period between 1500s and the end of 1800s was one the most important in the world history. It grounded the basis for future technological and scientific advances, cultural progress and revolution of the political ideas not only in Europe but also in non-European countries of Asia and Africa.
At the middle of the 15th century, Johannes Gutenberg invented a special press for printing, which allowed the quick spread of literature works among the whole Europe. Further, Machiavelli wrote his famous The Prince and Thomas More finished his Utopia. The Renaissance turned the attention to the human nature. The overall dissatisfaction with Pope’s policies and behavior as well as the introduction of indulgence caused the revolution of the religious thought. Moreover, the development of the anticlerical thought led to the Reformation movement initiated by Marti Luther, John Calvin, Jan Hus, as well as King Henry VIII, who declared himself the Head of Anglican Church after he failed to get the Pope’s bless for divorce. The anticlerical movement generated unspoken competition between the Catholic and Protestant states and led to the major economic changes in further centuries.
On the other hand, Spain and Portugal managed to reconquer the Iberian Peninsula from Muslims. This catalyzed the navigational investigations of both countries and allowed to make major geographical discoveries including Americas found by Christopher Columbus and new ways to Africa as well new destinations there. Besides, the century was prominent because of the scientific discoveries made throughout the Europe. It was the geocentric model by Nicolaus Copernicus, the invention of telescope by Galileo let alone physics fundamentals by Isaac Newton and main insights into the human anatomy by numerous European doctors and scientists.
On the contrary, the empire of Bakongo in Africa achieved major success in political thought with their complex system of division of powers and clan rulers as well as special institutions, which served as policy maker and judicial authority. The religion of Bakongo was based on dualism where the king was both temporal and spiritual.
The progress of the scientific ideas inspired other technological advances of 1600s and 1700s including changes in agricultural practices in England and Netherlands. Trade and finance were also developing all of this time. Due to medical advances, the population of the Europe grew drastically. The technical and financial development as well the growing population and geographical expansion to America and Africa led to the theories of Enlightenment. The works of Thomas Hobbes, Rene Descartes and Francis Bacon were published to announce new ideas of philosophical and political thinking. The notion of classes and national rights introduced by Rousseau and Locke appeared on the stage.
1800s and some years before could be described as the most revolutionary years in the European and American history. For the United States, the previous colony of the British Empire it was the period of gaining independency, state after state. The French Revolution indicated the change in the heart of Europe, having allowed the bourgeoisie to gain political weight and to announce the new period of in the life of Europe, which was devoted to the countries’ unification under the flag of the charismatic leader and the establishment of the democratic and republican ideals. Furthermore, the huge amount of coal led to the industrial revolution, especially in England and English-speaking countries. Steam engine, mass production of textiles revealed the capitalistic course for the next centuries. Despite the Luddite’s protests it was hard to stop the progress. Another issue was very important in 1800s and in the end of 1700s. The slavery was abolished. Firstly, it was prohibited in France and then in the United States and finally in other Eastern European countries.
As for the non-European changes, Sokoto Caliphate and Dahomey empire worth mentioning as the most active participants on their part of the world at that time. The Caliphate exited till the beginning of the 20th century and managed to create and empire from about 30 different emirates. About 10 millions of people were under the rule of the Caliphate. The empire explored the trans-Sahara trade relations. Besides, scientists and writers of the Caliphate investigated the chronicles of Islamic world and preserved them having enriched with their poetry and observations. The Dahomey Empire was the key figure on the political stage of Arica in 1700s and 1800s. It managed to conquer large cities on Atlantic coast. The empire had a well-organized economy, international trade and powerful army with women also enlisted.
II
The role of the individual in history is a broad topic, which is widely discussed by scientists, philosophers and writers. There are millions of people but only few of them are famous for their talents or changes they managed to implement in different areas of human being. There are many pro and contra arguments in this topic. It is still unclear, what features and virtues should a person possess to gain a mass influence on people’s mind. Furthermore, even despite being blessed with unbelievable charisma and grit for holding on the ground, a person is sometimes carried away by the forces he or she cannot control. The period from 1500s to 1800s is rich on changes and personalities, who tried of succeeded in carrying out these changes and modify the society.
The example of Martin Luther indicates the string personality, who managed to oppose the general thinking. He was an ordinary priest on the territory of the Holy Roman Empire. This means that in his spiritual career he did not forget about the common Christian virtues and paid attention to the parish, including the poor. That is why he strongly criticized the idea of indulgences, which guaranteed the heavens to those, who pay for them. According to Luther, everybody can expect the reward, if he or she lived righteously and listened to the God’s will. Besides, Luther advocated that the language of the Bible should be understandable to those, who did not learn Latin. He wrote several letters to the Pope but it has no effect. Furthermore, he was criticized by the Catholic Church. Therefore, he stopped his relations with the Church. Yet, it is known, that he gathered a lot of supporters of his theory and he preached his new knowledge to everybody who listened. Despite all the protests and warnings, Luther succeeded in craving a new religious format, which was later adopted by Northern Europe and modern Czech Republic.
Apart from Luther, Nzinga Mbemba also known as King Alfonso was a promoter of the Catholicism on the territory of his empire. He was a ruler of the Bakongo Kingdom. After Kongo was discovered by Portugals, missionaries appeared in the kingdom. They baptized Mbemba’s father, King Joao into Christianity as well as Alfonso himself. As soon as Alfonso I became the King he vigorously tried to convert the Bakongo to a Catholic world. He founded the Roman Catholic Church on the territory of the empire. Besides, he opened several schools for the noble representatives of the country. More than 1000 pupils studied in such school. They adopted Portuguese names, titles and dresses. They became highly literate. Furthermore, Alfonso sent students to Europe to study and implement the European practices on the land of Kongo. His son received the status of the bishop of the Catholic Church. The motivation behind his massive conversion campaign was not explained in the documentaries left by the King. Possibly, he wanted to gain Portugal’s support against other African countries or unify the Kingdom under the one clearly stated religion. Anyway, his attempt can be described as successful because Christianity and its signs were observed by missionaries in the late 19th century. Yet, his tries to stand up against slavery were not successful. Slavery was a common practice of that time. Despite, Alonso I did not tolerate the slavery, he could not stop it on the premises of his kingdom. Moreover, he understood that it was a part of his economic stability. Therefore, he did not succeed in abolitionism. The general tendency of slavery could not be overcome by the king.