West European Studies

Out of the ruins of the Roman Empire came the Western Civilizationone civilization whose uniqueness has stayed until the modern century today. It has affected not only its concerned countries but as well as their neighboring countries. Today, third world countries continue to feel the effect of the rich history of the Western Civilization.

Before we examine the effects of the environmental, social and material challenges to this particular civilization, one should remember that it was formed in the middle of a rich start of the eastern civilization. Those times, things were simple. Religion was the center of things and law wasnt so complicated yet it can solve the issues of the human race. The early civilizations were one with the nature. They were in harmony. It all changed when in the 4th century, Christianization separated Europe in two, when Mesopotamian cultures lose interest in the Eastern Culture, thus starting the Western Civilization.

In reality, this civilization did have its roots in the rich history of the Greeks. The Greeks started the democratic society. Political freedom was largely exercised among the Greek citizens. Greeks tried to understand the human capacities and the effects it has in the outside world. With these practices did the westerners developed humanistic ideas and a sense of individualistic happiness. However, along with these ideas, there is a prevalent argument that until now haunts the civilization although most people from this civilization seek perfection, there is this reality that people is imperfect. Only God is.

Environment of the civilization
The environment has a great effect in the development and shape of a civilization. By the early signs of western civilization, the dominating environment was an environment of excellence and finding the worth of God in ones life. But by the end of the Hellenistic age, Christianity spread as a dominating character for people who had no sense of individualism and cannot completely interact with the Empire, grasp the ideas of this religion. In the time where physical environment was considered one with life, a sense of belonging to its divine creator had that great impact among the early habitants of the early years of western civilization.

This kind of environment shaped western civilization into a seemingly religious group of people. By the time of the late middle ages, Christianity was interrupted by Islam. And then there were literature, arts, and music. During this time in the west, nations celebrated various inventions, paintings, genres of music, and different sections literature had to offer. There was a challenge to enrich history with talents from the people of the civilization. Indeed this was the rebirth of the western civilization in which they went back to their roots which were nature and God. Again, the concept of humanism emerged as, the concept of the prevailing behavior of the people at that time.

By this time, we may have assume that people from this civilization is concerned in the total human warfare. However, the battle of Lepanto breaks this as the Christians battle with the Islams. Along with this time, science and math progressed giving an analytical edge to the people of the western civilization.

After which, political concepts reigned as Napoleon took over and imposes monarchy more consistently at that time. This kind of environment spread throughout the nations such as Germany, France, and England. As a result, various revolutions were made by different nations to oppose this kind of political system. Since westerners are particular to humanism, monarchy opposes this very nature of the west people.

After this environment, communism was developed. Then came  industrialization. Then democracy which the Americans heads until this day.

This environment shaped the western civilization as it is today. From being humanistic people to feudalistic people, to communists, to capitalists, and now people with liberation. They are the free people of this world. Nations of which are concerned to the wholeness of being human through social and political means, and through freedom.

Social effects
In the early years of the western civilization, almost everything focused on religion and the essentials of man. The prime reason of people was to love God and their fellow human beings. In fact, by the time of the Hellenistic Age, Christianity which was the dominating religion by the time of Middle Ages presented people a sense of belonging to the Creator. Christianity went as far as taming the warrior habits of the German when the first German emperor was crowned as the leader of the then roman empire. By this act, the fusion of traditions and character began (Perry 26).

People saw themselves as part of participants in a great drama of salvation... There was only one avenue to heaven. To the medieval mind, society without the church was inconceivable as life without the Christian view of God. Through teaching higher morality, the church was able to tame the warrior habits of the Germans (26).

With this we can presuppose that the very core of the social norms of the western civilization was to the fulfillment of a person. If we are to examine the modern western civilization, they are rather self-centered and have their own goal as their concerns.  Its a shame for a civilization who started humanism. Nowadays, the idea of humanism is connected with AIDS and Africa which is not the roots of humanism. If we look back to the social roots of western civilization, they were for the total fulfillment of a person, through love of God and fellow humans. Nowadays, its just not evident enough anymore.

Materials that they used
One of the materials that that the western civilization used greatly are wars. From the start of this civilization, Alexander the Great made war as the determinant of power. Over the years of the development of this civilization, many wars have broken out not only against their enemies but among themselves as well (nations vs. nations, cultures vs. cultures).

On the other hand, there are many materials that shaped western civilization. Among them are philosophy, monarchy, politics, and the explosion of manufacture and industrial world. Along with these are music, art, literature and progressive mathematics and sciences. But the most significant material that shaped the very behavior of the westerners is Christianity.

Being a civilization that many nations has patterned their style of government, the environmental, social and material challenges helped in shaping it into a unique civilization. Environmentally, since the civilization developed more in an aggressive manner, people became assertive of their right and a strong believer of justice. However, they connected it to apathy to the other nations. Socially, since they are strong believers of faith, they have this certain compassion for the people who does not have the privilege to experience their lifestyle. Obviously, their material devolpment has set thestandars of western nation into advance and first world countries.