The introduction of paper significantly increased the speed with which the governments of many civilizations were able to modernize due to improved law enforcement, the ability to record laws and necessary information, and the creation of paper money. The transition from the Middle Ages to the early modern period was facilitated by the introduction of paper. Modernization is the process by which something is changed to meet modern practices or tendencies, civilizations in this case. Although many rulers did not adopt the use of paper right away, once they did, they found it particularly useful. Many Christian Europeans did not initially accept paper because it was introduced to them by Muslims. As a matter of fact, in 1221, Holy Roman Emperor …show more content…
An example of this is the Tang Code, a Chinese legal text written in 653 C.E. by Chinese official and chancellor, Zhangsun Wuji, during the Tang Dynasty. This code established laws and punishments on paper, and served as a basis for other legal codes in Asia. The text outlines the rules and penalties for matters pertaining to taxes, family, marriage, the military, forgery, counterfeiting, and other things as well (Wang). The Tang Code increased imperial power because the Chinese people understood the laws and punishments, which resulted in decreased conflict and instability. Additionally, paper enabled governments to be more efficient because they could record information such as censuses, thereby improving organization and productivity. In China, paper was always in “constant demand from imperial government” because Chinese rulers quickly realized how useful paper was (Strapp 43). The Han Dynasty discovered that they could rule better with paper, and every succeeding dynasty continued to experience the benefits of paper. The Han Dynasty strengthened and unified China by enforcing a common method for recording information on …show more content…
As paper production increased, more material was being written on paper. As a result, more people decided to learn how to read, causing literacy rates to increase. In fact, the Islamic Caliphates from 632-1258 C.E. “had the highest literacy rates among pre-modern societies…after the introduction of printing from the 10th century” (“Islamic Golden Age”). The fact that the arrival of paper in the Islamic Caliphates initiated a rise in literacy indicates that paper was one of the most influential factors in terms of reading and knowledge. One of the reasons that so many Muslims in the Middle East were literate was “the diffusion of paper from China, which led to an efflorescence of books and written culture in Islamic society” (“Islamic Golden Age”). The fact that there was an “efflorescence of books” indicates that more people were able to read and desired to learn the knowledge imparted by books. Paper made learning easier because difficult concepts could be written down so that people could study, reread, and learn at their leisure. Paper enabled authors, scholars, and other intellectuals to record knowledge and disseminate it to others. Prior to the invention of paper, many cultures, including Islamic ones, relied on oral tradition to pass down knowledge. The introduction
This invention was a change to the Chinese because paper was invented in China around 105 CE. So the Chinese have paper and now it allowed an easy way for people to communicate. It caused a change in their culture because with paper they can now pass down culture easier than before. Before its invention the writing surfaces that were used were, bones, tortoise shells, and bamboo slips. But as the Chinese civilization started to grow they proved to themselves that these writing surfaces won’t work because of the bulk and weight.
Books today are everywhere. We find them in many households, libraries and schools all around the globe. We find many different types of books; from stories to educational textbooks, we regard them today as sources of knowledge and amusement. But it wasn’t the case before 1455. That year, one of the greatest inventions in human history was revealed to the world; Gutenberg’s printing press. This press allowed printing in massive quantity, spreading books all around Europe and the rest of the world at a fast rate. The printing press had many positive consequences on society. At first, it standardized grammar and spelling, and then introduced the mass production of books. It finally inspired future printing technologies around the world.
Secondly, another of his achievements was the standardization of weights and measures, writing, and currency. Because Qin wanted everyone to be able to read, follow, and obey his laws, he standardized writing, thereby allowing for easier communication all across China. Additionally, by standardizing weights and measures and having one currency, trade and commerce became easier. "Tools and measures are made uniform, the written script is
The time period that we are calling the Age of Industrialization occurred in the 1700s and 1800s. During this time period, innovations and changes occurred in agriculture, technology, and communication. The first advancements began in Great Britain and soon they spread throughout the world. The rural areas of Great Britain transformed between 1760 and 1830.
During the period 1500 to 1815 studied in class there were numerous developments in Europe. In many ways it was a fast growing period. There were numerous reforms that affected the educational, political, and economical system of countries. Furthermore, scientific developments have also occurred which lead to advances in exploration and military. I believe that the most important development was the printing press, which connected Europe, so that ideas can be communicated. Furthermore, the “Age of Exploration,” was a significant development that leads to an increased knowledge of the seas, which eventually helped the welfare of coastal countries. Another development that was important was the scientific revolution, more specifically how their
China was without a doubt one of the most innovative countries by reason of their many advances made throughout the Shang Dynasty to the Qing Dynasty. Numerous accomplishments were archived by this empire. Their form of government was based on Dynasties, which are series of rulers from the same family. Different dynasties brought out different successes, such as the famous Great wall, which was a 13,170 miles fortress built around around 206 A.C. by millions of people. This structure was ordered to build by China’s first emperor, Qin, in the interest of protecting the Empire from invaders. Another extraordinary Chinese invention was paper. This universal utensil was created in the 2nd century B.C. by Cai Lun. The creating of this material
Norman Davies, a leading English historian, wrote, “There is an air of immobility about many descriptions of the medieval world” (Davies 291). However, these descriptions he refers to do not capture the true essence of the Middle Ages of Europe, which were a continuation and a formation. They were a continuation of old Rome in race, language, institutions, law, literature, arts, and in cultures independent of Rome. Nevertheless, the Middle Ages were not merely a continuation; they were the formation of our world. Many modern-day historians argue that the so-called Dark Ages were a period of ascent rather than of descent, that with the withering of the pagan classic civilization came the first budding of a new culture that was to develop into our modern civilization. James M. Powell, a prominent historian, agreed with this argument concerning the untold progress of this age. Powell believed that the Medieval Ages was a multi-faceted period of time in which the roots of modern civilization began to emerge, and that it was. This time period was critical because, although it seemed to be a dark age, seeds were being planted for future generations such as ours. These seeds have sprouted and have given us templates to work with regarding issues of centralization, the economy, scholasticism, education, expressions of art, and religion.
...alebi, M., Yusoff, K., and Nor, M.R.M,. (2012). The Impact of Islamic Civilization and Culture
After unifying the Chinese empire, Qin Shi Huangdi made several reforms that enhanced Chinese society. Unification of the empire was crucial because it marked the rising of Qin Shi Huangdi(leader of Qin Dynasty) and how he established 40 prefectures, or states (Perkins OL). Soon after extending the empire, Shi Huangdi set up what could be debated as the most important reform in Chinese history. The standardization of weights, measures, and Chinese writing was a crucial step towards enhancing the Chinese society (Barrett 95). With this, mathematics would flourish and communication would be more efficient. Even more inventions expanded upon this which were pottery, agriculture, a calendar, herbal medicine, and a single coinage (Perkins OL). Agriculture was a plus for the Qin Dynasty because surplus amount of food would be produced. When there is a surplus amount of food, people are able to stay healthy and the military will strengthen. The development of fine roads would ease transportation and trade very much. The Qin Dynasty had a great start to their success which opened a beacon of light for China’s future.
After unifying the Chinese empire, Qin Shi Huangdi (leader of Qin Dynasty) made several reforms that enhanced Chinese society. Unification of the empire was crucial because it marked the rising of Qin Shi Huangdi and his establishment of 40 prefectures, or states (Perkins OL). Before unifying the empire, China was simply a group of city-states, separated from each other. Soon after unifying the empire, Shi Huangdi set up what could be debated as the most important reform in Chinese history. Standardization of weights, measures, and Chinese writing was a crucial step towards enhancing Chinese society (The World Book Encyclopedia 4). Internal trade was promoted through the standardized weight and measurement system (Barrett, Kleeman, and Terry 95). Introduction of a single coinage would further add to the economic progress (Perkins OL). A network of roads connected provinces together which facilitated travel and trade within the states (Perkins OL). The simplified Chinese characters would facilitate communication. A standardized alphabet would make writing simpler and readable for everyone. Another major contribution was the promotion of agriculture through irrigation systems, which resulted in a surplus food supply (Perkins OL). With a surplus food supply, people were able to stay healthy and the ...
Rome fell in 476 AD, the subsequent 1000 years made up a period of time called the Middle Ages. The Middle Ages are often referred to as the Dark Ages because of the way of life in Europe during that age. William Manchester suggests that this time period was actually a dark age, in his A World Lit Only By Fire. Manchester describes the ‘Dark Ages’ as a “mélange of incessant warfare, corruption, lawlessness, obsession with strange myths, and an almost impenetrable mindlessness”. He also states how famines and plague repetitively thinned the population, and that “rickets afflicted the survivors”.
The economy mostly seen in the early middle ages was feudalism, Europe’s form of government
The Medieval Era The Medieval era is so easily generalized into the three orders of those who fight, those who work, and those who pray, or even simply divided into the privileged and unprivileged. These distinctions are important, for the ability of the church and manor to influence a peasant's actions and to take a peasant's earnings was obviously a central component of a peasant's life. However, when peasants constituted such a sizable majority of the population (over 90 percent), it is also important to recognize the distinctions among them. Some peasants were free and some were serfs. Some peasants were well off and some were barely subsisting.
Throughout time, history has taken some strange turns. A single ruler establishing some new form of government can transform entire civilizations, or a single event can lead to the creation of a great new people. Whatever the case, history can repeat itself in time. One possible exemption of this could be Britain’s time period of the Middle Ages. Bearing a distinct and unique culture relative to the time period, some of the values and the customs held during this time have yet to be repeated in history. It is perhaps the most unique period of all time for the British Isles.
Books are the oldest medium of communication. Book has been the largest surviving source of print media. Although modern technology and electronic media have greatly influenced the mindset of people, books are still referred as the most essential tool to gain knowledge and information. History recalls that education and learning reached towards every person after print media; especially after printing of books. Preservation of information, education and past events of history have been stored and known to us only because of the influencing and effective books.