History 102 with WhatifAltHist's Rudyard Lynch and Austin Padgett

Explaining 17th Century Western Europe

23 snips

Nov 8, 2024

Austin Padgett, a business development executive in agriculture technology, dives into the transformative 17th century in Western Europe. The discussion highlights the role of the Protestant-Catholic divide in shaping modern political polarization. They explore the breakthrough moments that led to agricultural innovation, the rise of Northern European powers, and the decline of absolutism. The conversation also draws intriguing parallels between historical upheavals and contemporary societal challenges, emphasizing the enduring impact of the era on modern capitalism.

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INSIGHT

17th Century: A Bridge Between Eras

The 17th century is a fascinating period bridging the medieval and modern worlds.
It resembles an 'uncanny valley' where past and present intertwine.

ANECDOTE

Science and Superstition

17th-century experts linked sunspot activity to temperature drops, demonstrating early scientific thinking.
Simultaneously, they promoted witch hunts based on religious texts, highlighting a blend of science and superstition.

INSIGHT

17th-Century Political Compass

The 17th century's political landscape differed drastically from today's.
The 'progressive' view then championed a powerful state with divine authority.

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Global Crisis

War, Climate Change and Catastrophe in the Seventeenth Century

Geoffrey Parker

This book by Geoffrey Parker examines the 'General Crisis' of the 17th century, a period marked by revolutions, droughts, famines, invasions, wars, and regicides that affected regions from England to Japan and from the Russian Empire to sub-Saharan Africa and the Americas. Parker uses firsthand accounts and scientific evidence to demonstrate the impact of climate change, particularly the 'Little Ice Age', on global societies. The changes in weather patterns, such as longer winters and cooler, wetter summers, disrupted growing seasons, leading to crop failures, famine, malnutrition, disease, and increased mortality. The book highlights how these environmental factors contributed to social unrest, wars, and revolutions, and discusses the contemporary implications of these historical events in the context of modern climate change.

LEVIATHAN

Thomas Hobbes

Published in 1651, 'Leviathan' by Thomas Hobbes is a comprehensive treatise on political philosophy. The book is divided into four main parts: 'Of Man,' 'Of Commonwealth,' 'Of a Christian Commonwealth,' and 'Of the Kingdom of Darkness.' Hobbes argues that the natural state of humans is one of conflict and anarchy, and that the best way to achieve peace and security is through the establishment of a commonwealth governed by an absolute sovereign. This sovereign, which Hobbes terms the 'Leviathan,' has supreme authority over all aspects of governance, including law, religion, and public offices. Hobbes' work is a foundational text in social contract theory and continues to influence political thought to this day.

The age of reason

Jean-Paul Sartre

The Age of Reason is the first volume of Jean-Paul Sartre's 'Roads to Freedom' trilogy. The novel follows the life of Mathieu Delarue, a philosophy professor, as he grapples with the concept of freedom and the responsibilities it entails. Through Mathieu's experiences, Sartre delves into existentialist philosophy, highlighting the tension between personal freedom and societal expectations.

The End of History and the Last Man

Francis Fukuyama

In this book, Francis Fukuyama posits that human history is moving towards a state of idealized harmony through the mechanisms of liberal democracy. He argues that liberal democracy is the final form of human government, driven by two powerful forces: the logic of modern science and the struggle for recognition. Fukuyama draws on the philosophical ideas of Hegel and Kojeve, suggesting that liberal democracy meets the economic and psychological needs of humanity, including the desire for recognition and dignity. The book explores the implications of this thesis, including the potential paradox that the satisfaction of basic needs might lead to a lack of outlets for human striving and recognition[2][3][5].

The protestant ethic and the spirit of capitalism

Max Weber

In this book, Max Weber argues that the Protestant work ethic, especially as influenced by Calvinism, played a significant role in the development of modern capitalism. Weber posits that the concept of a 'calling' and the this-worldly asceticism of Protestantism fostered a culture of hard work, thrift, and the accumulation of wealth, which were crucial for the emergence of capitalist culture. He contrasts this with the traditional economic attitudes and the medieval monastic ideal of other-worldly asceticism. The book also explores how these religious ideas influenced the development of a rational and disciplined approach to economic activity, which became a hallmark of modern capitalism.

The military revolution

Geoffrey Parker

1632

Eric Flint

In '1632', Eric Flint crafts an alternate history where the small town of Grantville, West Virginia, is suddenly transported from the year 2000 to the Holy Roman Empire in 1631. The novel explores how the modern Americans adapt to and influence the historical context of the Thirty Years' War. The story delves into themes of cultural exchange, technological advancement, and political intrigue as the people of Grantville navigate their new surroundings.

The age of Louis XIV

Will Durant

This book explores the period of Louis XIV's rule in France, highlighting his impact on European civilization through his patronage of arts and literature, as well as his political struggles. It also delves into the broader cultural and intellectual landscape of Europe during this era, featuring figures like Pascal, Molière, and Newton.