The effects of the Italian renaissance on Europe can be subcategorized into three broad classifications as cultural, political, and economic influences. On the economic perspective, the Italian renaissance influenced the banking practices since the explosion of banking in Florence at the commencement of the 12th century, which dominantly extended into the next 200 years of its eruption. In the ‘catasto’ of 1427, the Florentines introduced the forerunner of the modern tax system (Klaus, 1997). Additionally, the renaissance Italy was an urban capitalist society where wealth determined social status. Most of the European cities modeled their economies based on the renaissance cities such as Venice and Florence. Culturally, the renaissance was exceptionally influential in art, music, architecture, and scholarships.
Humanism, the philosophy of education that considered the knowledge of classical Greece and Rome was established during this period. This brought about the founding of universities and the education of politicians. Humanism, which placed human at the center of everything, brought about the secular worldview. Art spread in Europe during this period, which has remained since that time. Politically, the urban city-states such as Venice and Florence were the first nations to implement diplomacy in their governance, with Lorenzo de’Medici at the center of it all. The resident ambassador was in idea introduced during this period. The medieval feudal structures were first dismantled by the Italian city-states.
In summary, it can be said that the French revolution jolted American and European politics out of the groove of steady development, and jolted the western world into a new perspective. The French revolution is responsible for the Napoleonic dictatorship witnessed in different nations in Europe. It also gave credibility to the idea that dictatorship was feasible. Countries such as Germany, Britain, France, Spain, and Greece struggled with dictatorship systems and mistrust of neighbor and Americans. It also cleared to road for the British world of hegemony, which lasted for about 100 years (Furet, 1981). This revolution also led to the rise of the English language as a universally accepted and popular language in Europe and the whole world.
The most common discrimination in Europe is based on the ethnic origins of the inhabitants. Despite the legal protections against racial prejudice, different countries in Europe discriminate along racial lines and consider people from other parts of the world as foreigners. This has led to racial segregations in the social statuses and economic biases.
References:
Furet, François. Interpreting the French Revolution. Cambridge, England: Cambridge University Press, 1981, Print
Klaus, Václav. Renaissance: The Rebirth of Liberty in the Heart of Europe. Washington, D.C.: Cato Institute, 1997, Print
