History Archives

The Impact of the Black Death: Parallels to the COVID Pandemic?

What were the origins of the Black Death? What impact did the plague have on society? Are there similarities to the Covid-19 pandemic? In The Silk Roads, historian Peter Frankopan discusses the Black Death in the context of East-West dynamics. He notes how it changed the world economy and the balance of power. Some commentators compare that shift to today’s Great Resignation. Keep reading to understand the impact of the Black Death and how it compares to what we’re seeing with Covid-19.

A History of Democracy in England: Local Politics & the Rule of Law

What difference did the Magna Carta make? Why was medieval England particularly disposed to democracy? In the Middle Ages, England stood out from the rest of Europe. Political economist Francis Fukuyama discusses the Magna Carta, English society’s long-standing organization around local politics, and its emphasis on the legal system as the source of political legitimacy. Keep reading for a brief history of democracy in England that shows how it was unlike any other nation of its time.

Kandiaronk: The First Philosopher Behind the Enlightenment?

Who was Kandiaronk? Did his ideas influence the Enlightenment in Europe? Kandiaronk, a leader of the Wendat people in North America, was an intellectual whose ideas made their way to Europe in the late 17th and early 18th centuries. In The Dawn of Everything, David Graeber and David Wengrow argue that these ideas gave rise to the Enlightenment. Continue reading to learn about this intriguing character and his philosophy.

The Impact of the Crusades: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

What were the Crusades about? What impact did they have on the world? Muslim conquests in Asia, Africa, and Europe—and threats of further conquests—sounded the alarm for the Christian Byzantine Empire. The emperor asked Western European Catholics for help. The resulting Crusades would shape the world in ways that we see still today. Keep reading to learn about the impact of the Crusades.

Limitations of the Rule of Law: Examples From History

Are democracies safe as long as they respect the rule of law? What does history tell us? A major component of modern liberal democracies is the rule of law—the belief that the state is constrained by some higher standard of conduct. However, the rule of law is not a complete safeguard of democracy. Continue reading to learn about the limitations of the rule of law.

The Dawn of Everything: A New History of Humanity (Overview)

Why does inequality exist, and when did it start? Is inequality a necessary evil of any large, complex society? David Graeber and David Wengrow attempted to answer these questions by looking at historical and anthropological research. They found that our beliefs about the evolution of societies have been wrong. They discuss their findings in the book The Dawn of Everything: A New History of Humanity. Keep reading for an overview of this thought-provoking book.

The Rise of the British Empire: From Obscurity to Center Stage

Why did Spain and Portugal decline in power? How did England take their place as the economic center of Europe? As the Middle Ages gave way to the early modern period, Europe began to enjoy global economic dominance. One power, in particular, emerged in the 17th and 18th centuries: England. Historian Peter Frankopan explains how this small nation became so powerful. Read more to learn about the rise of the British Empire.

Why Is the Rule of Law Important to Modern Democracies?

Why is the rule of law important to modern democracies? Where does it come from? A major component of modern liberal democracy is the rule of law. Francis Fukuyama explains where the rule of law comes from, how it affects the political order, and how its absence (or weakness) leads to authoritarianism. Read more for a discussion about the rule of law and its importance to society.

Islam in the Middle Ages—From the Prophet to the Crusades

How did Islam start? What made it grow so successfully? What difference did the Crusades make? In The Silk Roads, historian Peter Frankopan writes about Islam in the Middle Ages in the context of the relationship between the East and the West. He discusses how Islam started and grew, the Abbasid Caliphate, and the Crusades. Keep reading for this brief but engaging history.

The Origins of Government: From Families & Tribes to States

How were societies originally structured? How and when were governments first formed? In The Origins of Political Order, political economist Francis Fukuyama discusses the earliest social structures: families and tribes. He explains how their dynamics were an obstacle to the formation of states and thus influenced political development. Continue reading to learn about the origins of government.