The World as I see it

Dear Journal,
Today I completed the laws of gravity. I feel that man can can perfect himself with his own rational powers and some people in our day and age are paying too much attention to God and his thinking. I feel that it is impossible for one creater to come up with an entire world. I gave Boyle’s mechanical conception of the universe a completion through mathematical proofs and, perhaps more importantly, was very successful in popularising them. I view God as the master creator whose existence could not be denied in the face of the grandeur of all creation. My three laws of motion have become extremely known throughout the country, and i feel that i have advanced the scientific revolution with many of my ideas. Science and mathematics, all of the real facts and information that we can figure out in order to prove something; is becoming increasingly important.
Well, thats all for know, I'll write again soon.
-Newton

Were We Born Free or Were We Born Evil?

Were we born free and equal or were we born evil? Do we have god given rights or were we given a ruler to put us into our place? John Locke stated that "all men were created equal" and were born with a blank slate. John also wrote that people have the rights to " life, liberty, and the pursuit of property. I want believe John Locke because it is a righteous thing to say, however I find it hard to believe this. I was born into a poor family and I do not feel that I have had equal rights to the nobles or monarchs. It would be nice if his words were true but I do not feel that everyone is treated equally and fairly. Another great philosopher has other ideas about the way people are born. Hobbes believes that people are born evil and that is why monarchs were created. He believes that monarchs were created to keep people from getting too evil. As a poor man I have seen many evils, however I do not feel that all people were born evil. I do agree that monarchs are good and help keep the people in check. So now the question comes up again, were equal and we born or were we born evil? I do not know the correct answer to that question, but I do believe that some people are born free and some are born evil. The monarchs were born free. And the crooks and bandits were born evil. However, there is no way to categorize everyone into evil or free.

England and its Women

Dear Journal,

I have noted that England is changing all around us and we women need to take a stance too. It is not fair that men have so many more rights than us and why, because we were born as women? How does that make us different? It is not fair. True character can only emerge among equals. We need to open our minds and enrich our education. We need to form together to find a true place in out society so we are respected and looked up to. I want to help the women of England, and women all around the world, develop a better life for themselves and their children. We need to be equal with the men of our I believe us women need to strengthen society. And as I close this journal entry, I would like to leave you with something to think about,
Make women rational creatures, and free citizens, and they will quickly become good wives; - that is, if men do not neglect the duties of husbands and fathers.

As always,
Mary Wollstonecraft

Importance of Scientific Revolution and Enlightenment

Although the philosophes brought the Enlightenment to its highest stage of development in France, they brought Enlightenment ideas to many people in the united kingdom; especially the ignorant. Harvey, from England, was a doctor who was first to describe the circulatory system of humans and animals. Wallstonecraft tried to acheive a better life for women and children, becoming one of the first known feminists. Bacon, a philosopher, came up with the idea that knowledge is power! John Locke was the first philosopher to devine self. He said that the mind was a blank slate and everyone has the right to life, liberty, and property, influencing in later years the writers of the constitution and declaration of independence in the United States. Hobbes was pro monarchy and believed that all people were bad. Newton came up with laws of motion, still used around the world today, and discussed gravtiy. All of these men were from England. From Scotland, Adam Smith became the father of our economy, and Hume greatly influenced the evolution of western society. In the United Kingdom many new ideas were spread during this time period, influencing many people.

Time for Change

Hume

Wollstonecraft

Bacon

Newton

Adam smith

John Locke

Hobbes

Time for Change

The world around us is changing as quickly as time is. First came Harvey with his description of the circulatory system that shocked the world. The next person to make history was Newton with his laws of gravitation. He explained the laws of gravity and the laws of motion. Next Hobbes came about the philosopher whose book on human nature changed the way we think. He believed that all men were created evil and that is why we are given monarchs, to rule and protect us. He is either a genius or completely mad. However John Locke is my favorite philosopher because he stated that all people have the equal right to life liberty and the pursuit of property. Another great thinker is Frances Bacon, his ideas about thinking analytically instead of just trusting in God made me think. Another philosopher, Wollstonecraft, changed the way that women perceived by standing up for their rights. I also heard about Hume from Scotland, he is a naturalist philosopher wrote the treaties of human nature. Another fellow from Scotland is Adam Smith he wrote Wealth of Nations, about free trade and capitalism. As each new-enlightened person comes about I learn more and more. I am even becoming curious about things I had never thought of before; I think I would like to change the world just like these people have.

Travelogue!

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Parliment Building!
When Elizabeth I was succeeded in 1603 by the Scottish King James VI, (thus becoming James I of England), the countries both came under his rule but each retained its own Parliament. James I's successor, Charles I, quarrelled with the English Parliament and, after he provoked the Wars of the Three Kingdoms, their dispute developed into the English Civil War. This building is where congress met, and an extremely exciting place to visit. Many important events happened here!





Tower of London!
The tower is an historic monument in central London, England on the north bank of the River Thames. Queen Elizabeth I, imprisoned for two months in 1554 for her alleged involvement in Wyatt's Rebellion. This tower has held many more famous rulers and law breakers. The event that have happened there are extremely interesting and there are so many to talk about!

My view on the era (Clergy Member)

Dear Journal,
At this time, England is anything but under control. I personally had a great respect for Queen Elizabeth, but my feelings for King James are not so strong. Elizabeth still asked parliment for power and maintained a balance of power amongust the government even though she could have been more forceful with her actions. King James has not lived up to the greatness of Elizabeth. But, as a member of Clergy, I also believe in the divine right as does the King. If God believed that James should be in power, then I will obey his laws and commands. I will remain faithful to my king because I know the God always makes the right decisions. With God on King James's side, hopefully the English government will come together, I would never doubt my Lord. Well, it's time to pray, goodbye for now.

My Life as a Peasant

Dear Journal,
I despise the new king; King James. He is nothing like Elizabeth. He even had the nerve to tell congress "There are no privledges and immunities which can stand against a divinely appointed King." I am personally an independent person, and I do not like my decisions made for me. The fact the King James is assuming so much control is extremey unacceptable in my eyes. I do not agree with him or his values. Queen Elizabeth has left him in debt, and he has done nothing to help out his people. His extravagant courtyard shows his carelessness of the life of the common people. He also publically flauts his male lovers. I have lost all respect for my king. Well, I have to go tend to my children, goodbye for now.

What was the most significant change to happen to the United Kingdom this year?

The most significant change to happen to the United Kingdom occured during Henry VIII's reign. King Henry VII wanted a divorce from his wife but it was not allowed in the Catholic faith. His solution was to creat his own new religion, Anglicanism. Anglicanism is very similar to Catholicism but divorces are allowed. This shifted the country's religion from Catholic to Anglicanism. No longer can Catholics practice their religions. The church of state is now anglican and so the people must become anglican. This was only put into effect for the kings benifit, to secure his dynasty.

Changes in Our Nations

There have been many political changes over the past years. King Henry VIII had many wives and many children. First Catherine of Aragon gave him Mary. During Mary's reign many Anglicans died. Next Ann Boylen gave him a daughter named Elizabether who is now the rightful heir to the throne. She is now requiring for the Chuch to conform to to protestantism. And now Mary Queen of Scots has come to live with her. Mary was tried for murdering her husband and was forced to flee the country. Not only did Elizabeth face that but now she is facing the fact that Ireland, our ally, has decided to go against the Church of England and become and Catholic state.

English Politics.,

Recently King Henry VIII divorce struck up a load of controversey. He created a new religion, anglicanism, to make his divorce possible. His new religion attracted many working class citizens and bought him new approval from the people. Yet next he married Ann Boylen and had a daughter named Elizabeth, the only heir to the throne. And just the other day Henry VIII created the Act in Restraint of Appeals which declared him to be the supreme sovereign in England and forbade judicial appeals to the papacy. He also created the Supremacy Act this declared the king the supreme head of church in England.

My view from Parliment by a Noble

Do we ever have complete power? Do we even have any power? I do not understand our role in English politics. This is so frustrating. Yes, I realize that Queen Elizabeth asks us for our signatures and approvals, but does she really take them into account? What if we had said no and vetoed the bill, would she listen, would it matter? I believe that she just comes to us with these ideas out of pity. She wants to make us feel as if we are a part of the laws made and the bills passed here in England. I wonder what our signatures actually mean. I think we need to speak up, things need to be different. We have to have at least some sort of power. Although we do not meet so often we are a big part of the English government, or so we are told. I'm afraid though, will they listen to me? No, probably not, I am just one small voice with one small opinion. Do others think like me? Oh well, I cant say anything, i wont. ill just keep doing my job and supplying for my family. Little Jenny is 9 now and Taylor is 13. Boy how times flies! We may be moving to the country side soon, Margaret is sick and the doctors believe that the country will be better for her. I am not sure if I will be able to leave here, with my high position and all, that easily.

English Links

Unit 1
The Renaissance - http://www.learner.org/interactives/renaissance/
The 100 years War - http://www.theotherside.co.uk/tm-heritage/background/100yearswar.htm
Renaissance Art - http://www.learner.org/interactives/renaissance/symmetry_sub.html


Unit 2
The English Reformation - http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/reformation.htm
The Spanish Armada - http://www.britainexpress.com/History/tudor/armada.htm
Anglicanism - http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01498a.htm

Unit 3
Queen Elizabeth - http://www.luminarium.org/renlit/eliza.htm
English Monarchy - http://www.britannia.com/history/h6f.html

My Country by Queen Elizabeth

Finally, it is my turn to be queen. After years of living in the shadows of my brother Edward and sister Mary, it is finally my turn to rule. My father was Henry VIII and my mother was Anne Boleyn, one of his many wives. What a long complicated family I have!
I began to think of Edward today. I got along well will him, at times. More so than with my sister. One day when I was with him we began to talk about England and what being a good monarch means. I said "what a family is without a steward, a ship without a pilot, a flock without a shepherd, a body without a head, the same, I think, is a kingdom without the health and safety of a good monarch." I need to protect my citizens and encourage the improvement of my country as a whole. I want to be known as one of the greatest monarchs England has ever seen. My success will hopefully come from my political flexibility, my devotion, my ability to manage finances well, my wise selection of ministers, and my sense of royal dignity. I hope I will be remembered forever.
Well I'm off to help England. Good bye for now.

Society in England Units 1 and 2

During this time the black death, also known as the bubonic plaque was going around Europe. It had taken longer to spread to England so many people lived in fear. At this time medicine was not up to par and thousands of people would die because of this. The church also began to deteriorate during this time. This put a lot of doubt and fear into those in most of Europe. Also very common was the amount of peasant revolts throughout England during this time. Literature began to grow and there evolved many new authors, like Geoffery Chaucer who's most famous work was Canterbury Tales. Art became popular and at this time many different styles emerged. This was a time of changes for all aspects of society and many new things evolved.

The Ruler of England

As the time of absolutism and constitutionalism began Queen Elizabeth I was in power in England. She was looked at with much respect and held a large amount of power. Although there was another force, Parliament, they did not hold any power. However, she did acknowledged their existence and went to them so they could sign off on taxes and laws. The type of government this represents is constitutionalism. This is when there does not have to be a written law for the rule to be enforced, it only has to be established. There is a balance of power between the government and their subjects. At this time England was converting from absolutism to constitutionalism and it would be a slow process.