Historical eras are certain temporary periods in development of humanity. The similar way of chronology was thought over not so long ago, only several centuries ago after the person could consider events through a retrospective prism.
What is historical eras and in what order they are located? By what principle such chronology was built? What signs are characteristic of each of eras and why any given form of art, technologies developed in a certain period? Modern historians are ready to give answers to all these questions.
What is a historical era
Era in the history is a period of time. Its duration is defined by events, characteristic signs, features of development of the industry, art, mankind in general.
The word definition "era" has Greek, to be exact – Ancient Greek roots, is translated literally as "the significant moment". Not entire historical periods became eras. For example, in any given period there were no considerable events, and they remained in so-called hard times.
It is possible to give the literary facts as an example. Peculiar epoch-making events it is possible to call emergence in literature of such works as "War and peace" or "Quiet Don".
Public formations and formations in art became criteria of a periodization of historical processes. On their basis were allocated:
- Ancient world,
- Middle Ages,
- Modern times,
- The latest time.
And if to consider these temporary periods through "prism" of events, features of development of art, literature, the industry, then it is possible to understand in details what is historical eras.
Each of the listed periods of time of development of humanity can be divided into additional eras of which any given events are characteristic. A bright example of that – an era of the ancient world. In this interval of history of people made enormous breakthrough in development of mineral resources of the earth, introduction let and the simplest, but innovations in the life.
The ancient world as an era in development of humanity
Many historical sources position an era of the Ancient world as the Prehistoric time including primitive the period of development of humanity and the Ancient world. The period of time is divided into several eras:
- paleolith,
- Mesolith,
The longest stage of an era of the Ancient world – a paleolith. It lasts from 2.5 million years B.C. to 10,000 years B.C. The following signs are characteristic of a paleolith – the person lived thanks to what the nature gave, hunted, picked roots, berries, mushrooms. Independently primitive people made nothing, and even food was not exposed to any processing. People simply had for this purpose no tools, they had no skills. Only at the end of an era the person had similarity of instruments of labor and hunting from a stone.
Mesolith era (from 10,000 years BC to 6,000 years BC) is noted not only by achievements of the person, but also the natural phenomenon – the last Ice Age ended and global sea level increased. People began to form the first communities – tribal communities, improved stone tools and expanded the field of their use.
The Neolithic era in the period of the Ancient world has no clear temporary boundary. But at this stage of the development of people passed from collecting to production, found iron, studied its properties and learned to apply it in life, on hunting and other areas of life.
At the last stages of an era the Ancient world the person had a writing, empires and the states where division into the highest and lowest estate began arose. Against the background of development of new lands the wars which became a peculiar push to innovations in development of the industry and military science ran high.
The Middle Ages and its value in the history of mankind
The Middle Ages became the first bright milestone in the history of development of humanity. Significant events and cardinal changes in art, industry are characteristic of this era. Historians consider this time period the beginning of origin of a civilization in Europe.
At the beginning of an era the agrarian sphere, but on the basis of feudalism widely developed. The political system of the countries already represented a certain system which entered
- the feudal estates meeting more only the needs and requirements
- monasteries on the basis of which art and literature arose were conducted chronicles of events which had special influence on history course already in those days,
- the Royal Court which does not have certain "address", constantly changing the location that facilitated control of monasteries and estates, collecting taxes and taxes.
In the second half of the Middle Ages the accelerated evolution of human community began, there were monetary relations and commodity production, that is the manufactories which are releasing a certain type of goods were formed.
Society the religion actually governed. Communities of this plan had a huge impact and on the political system, and on production. An era in an era when the church sought not just to divide with the state of a sphere of influence into society began, and to take all reins of government in hand. The religion slowed down development of science, being afraid that new knowledge will become the reason, a peculiar catalyst to its falling.
Modern times in the history
The era of Modern times (from 1480 to 1790 our era) in the history of mankind is interesting that not all nationalities and the countries entered it at the same time. During this period for the whole world in general Europe and the European states had a huge impact. Origin of civil society, development of laws and the legal framework in general, its acceptance by society is characteristic of an era.
During this time period the philosophy allowing to explain chronology and the principle of development of humanity, production and other spheres in terms of rationality arises. Besides, formation of a capitalist system, and on the basis of civil law and the legislation begins, World War I of community appears. And, strangely enough, on this background there is an estrangement between some states or their groups based on the principles
- nationalism,
- religiousness,
During an era of modern times the world begins to be divided into capitalist and socialist camps, the military blocks destabilizing the world and the relations to honey the countries are formed.
Despite all negative characteristics of Modern times, during this era the development of economy and the industry starts, there are significant changes in art, literature, new technologies are entered into use.
Era of the Latest time in the history of mankind
The era of the Latest time, according to the majority of historical sources and works, begins in 1918. It is the most contradictory and the most critical at the same time. Colonial empires begin to break up, revolutions break out, there are significant changes both in legal, and in the public plan, integration of the religious directions and communities.
In spite of the fact that during this historical period there is a large number of military collisions and economic crises, the industry promptly develops, all new and new innovative technologies are entered, and in many industries there are prompt technological breakthroughs.
Also art changes, its new directions appear, the avant-gardism, the unusual musical directions moves to the forefront, in literature new trends appear.
Historians consider that for descendants the Latest time in the history of mankind will be the most interesting era. This era is how long and will be significant, will judge those to whom its analysis and summing up made will fall to lot.