This is a very simple thread, possibly following the bandwagon that has been the recent history threads in the Discussion section. What would you perceive as a "turning point" of history? An event that had a relatively important impact on human development, society, ideals, and history in general? Examples would be quite lovely.
The Renaissance Era. Not only did it enlighten those within Europe to open themselves up to society, rather than be held down by the Roman Catholic Church, it also allowed them to explore new ideas and use their creativity in an artistic way. The Renaissance also brought forth a mindset of individualism, rather than conforming in on one person's (or a group of people's) views on life. Not to mention, it stimulated the studying of classical Greek and Roman works, which overall bettered the education of the European people.
9/11 - it made it harder for everyone to get through airport security and killed one of the tallest structures in America. You can't get through there with pepper spray anymore and they have a rule about liquids too.
To me, the turning point in history was when World War II happened. Especially when the Holocaust happened. In turth, even though it happened a long while ago, it's still has an impact on history today. It shows us how cruel people can be in our human society, weither we like it or not. It also gives us an example so we don't repeat history again. Not only the Holocaust effected us when World War II happened, other events as well that made America a little more stronger today.
The point turned when the Revolutionary War ended for the Colonists and English. If that never happened, we'd never have The Declaration Of Independence, the Preamble, or any others. It was crucial for American history, as well as a turning point for the world.
for the u.s. in particular id go with the civil war... its something ive always loved to study in school and it really made a big difference to the way we function today as a country :D
Stone tools. Fire. The wheel. Domestication. Farming. Cities. Need I go on? These are the major turning points in our race's history. These are what separated us from the animals of the time - we no longer had to rely on the environment to supply us with life - we could make it.
The control over fire and the introduction of agriculture hands down. Also, the Age of Enlighthenment deserves recognition as a turning point. Very much agreed although I'd have liked to see the extinction of dinosaurs in your summary. Humans weren't around yet at the time but it's still a turning point in history.
Yea, but I thought we were talking human history. If not, then the point about 3 billion years ago (I think), when the Earth got hit by something the size of Mars was probably another turning point, since it stripped away the thick atmosphere we probably had, thus saving us from Venus' fate. That also probably created the Moon. Also, the Cambrian Explosion.
From recent history, the collapse of the Soviet Union. Quite a few countries finally gained their independence after decades under a socialist rule. The Cold War finally ended. And then there was the '90's recession in Finland. >.< I'd say 9/11, but it was so recent that it's effect on history can't be said. (Technically, you can't talk of anythings effect on history until it's been 50 years.)
I would like to state that alot of history doesn't just concern Western history, South America, Asia and Africa have all contributed to human development. China in particular were the inventors of paper, gunpowders, bells, the compass and wonders. ANd if we are talking general history, how bout the creation of life on this planet? Pretty important. I agree that the basic techniques and social contructs seperate us from other animals, but seriously, we always have and always will rely on the enviroment. Food harvests, bodies of water, coal fuel, all raw and natural materials that humans use an need to function in modern society, I mean without nature we woldn't even have the earth we stand on.
Right, but before we discovered how to control fire, our ancestors ran in terror from it. Before we invented the wheel, we had to haul things ourselves. Before we figured out how to mine coal, we used wood fires or nothing at all. My point is, after these discoveries were made, we were no longer at the mercy of mother nature. Now, to an extent, we control nature, and force it to give up what we need. Granted, it can still kill us (tsunamis, earthquakes, etc), but in the long run, we control it. And, now it seems, we can kill it, but that's a rant for another thread.
I agree with Rissy, the Ending point of the revolutionary war is certainly a turning point. America would have never been born if it hadn't happend, which would have effected the world.