The complexity of transitioning from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance and, consequently, to modernity implies the need for demonstrating cause-and-effect relationships of events. In this case, they include strengthening the central government, the emergence of individualism, the focus on realism, and the formation of a mechanistic view of the universe. Therefore, these components help analyze the mentioned process in detail to demonstrate their correlation with the present-day world.
The first factor explaining the end of the Middle Ages is the growing importance of centralized politics. It was triggered by the need for controlling territories for protecting them against religious movements causing casualties, such as the Crusades, which substituted the previously existing rights for the elite’s property (Pelz). As a result, the solution was to support monarchies and the middle class as opposing powers (Pelz). The second circumstance resulting in the transition was related to the growth of small businesses, which was significant for the shift as it affected all citizens. Thus, the possibility to gain loans correlated with an individualistic approach to financial affairs (Pelz). The third condition was the formation of realistic perceptions under the influence of the increasing importance of the population in making decisions. It was linked to their growing independence from the lords and political activity (Pelz). The fourth factor, a mechanistic view of the universe, was the outcome of philosophic thought as the perceptions shifted from the divine control over matters to their physical explanation (Fieser). Therefore, the emphasis on reality was underpinned by this provision.
To summarize, the transition from the Middle Ages to modernity was characterized by specific events, a combination of which led to the formation of a new world. Thus, people became more independent due to the rights to exercise control over political and financial spheres. Also, their opinions were formed by realistic notions and mechanistic instruments of cognition. In the end, these historical trends conditioned a new pattern of distributing societal benefits.
Works Cited
Fieser, James. “Renaissance and Early Modern Philosophy.” UT Martin, 20201.
Pelz, William A. “The Collapse of the Middle Ages.” Brewminate, 2017.