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History of western civilization ii3/25/2023 He mentioned that Stalin when he was coming to power would punish all the family members of the perpetrator, and I immediately thought how barbaric, but then I recalled one of the two presidential nominees wants to execute not only the terrorist but the terrorist's family (plus ca change, plus ca meme chose (the more things change, the more they stay the same)). He mentions that his students learn about justice and injustice by studying what was done right and what was done wrong. The Historian's perspective is refreshing. Usually, I get a philosopher's or a theologian's point of view. It's great to hear a historian talk about the Reformation, Renaissance, Enlightenment, and the other ages covered. A lot of gems like that within this lecture. I loved it when the professor read the poetry from the pre-Romantic era and clearly demonstrated the difference with the Romantics and what that meant for how we will learn to see ourselves differently going forward. That really can't be helped with a lecture series such as this one since such a wide period of time is covered. A lot of dates, a lot of names and events happening at once. The other major focal point for the Professor is the importance that 'balance of power" had in developing the western world. Each step in progress means a dent in the chain of being, the world in which every one has their place as defined by the Aristotelian world of Heaven, Angels (demons), Man (and Woman), Animals, Plants, and Rocks, or from the divine rights of Kings to the peasants place in the universe. Modernity is characterized by a change in the "chain of being". The real focal point for this lecture series is why did "The Great War" happen? He'll take the listener past that point into WW II and through the Cold War, but to understand those events he must first take the listener on to the journey starting at about 1350 (the start of the black plague an event that acts as good as any other demarcation from the old to the new, the medieval to the modern). This lecture looks at all the pieces that went in to making us who we are and will explain how we became that way. The message about the lessons of war, conflict, nationalism and discriminations, but also humanism, romanticism and liberalism, about the importance of art and literature in preserving the memory of generations, - that message at the end of the course hits especially hard these days, with another large war conflict brewing at the east side of Europe.Įverything in the world is the way it is because it became that way and is a past function of things which came before it. This is something that anyone interested in history should be aware and compensate by looking for information from a diverse list of resources/authors. Of course, it means that many times his personal opinions affect the (his)storytelling, which he admits in both introduction and conclusion to the course. He guides you through reasoning behind the certain events, helping you to think about them on a bigger scale and make your own connections with the modern state of the world. Professor Bucholz doesn't just list boring historical facts and dates like the history was taught to me back in school. Highly recommending as a brief refresher on this period and area. If we could make this course a prerequisite for public service, we'd be better off as a country!Ī remarkable and enjoyable journey throughout last 600 years of Western European History. These are lessons that will live with me forever. Professor Buckholz paints a haunting and vivid picture of the many environmental factors that led to World War I, the horrors and realities of that war, the political outcomes of that war, and how they led to World War II and the evolution of the Soviet Union. I was also particularly blown away by the units covering late nineteenth century through WWII. The course left me with eye popping perspective on the religious history of western society. What's great about this course is that Professor Buckholz is a great storyteller, covering all of these old saws thoroughly and dramatically for the novice history student, while filling in the depth, nuance and subtleties expected of The Great Courses. The shortcut versions memorized in high school (the reformation began with a note on a door, World War I was started over an assassination, etc.) are obvious oversimplifications. History, particularly modern history, can of course be explored endlessly. He is a completely engaging teacher, and his style is perfectly suited for a broad survey course of this nature. As much as I enjoyed the predecessor course Foundations of Western Civilization I, I absolutely devoured Foundations II with Professor Bucholz. I got this course directly from The Great Courses on audio CD and it is fantastic.
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