By Truleigh Kelly
Author’s Introduction
I wrote this poem in Introduction to Western Civilization as my final project. I wanted to express my love for poetry and excitement for history while also covering every major part of history we discussed in class. I chose poetry not only because I love to write it, but also because poetry has the ability to communicate so much with so little. In other words, I could distill the entirety of a historical event into a single line or stanza. History tells a story, and the best way I knew to tell that story was through poetry, which, in and of itself, is meant to capture the beauty and sorrow of our lives, and in this case, of the history that precedes us.
Topics Covered
Galileo
John Locke: Second Treatise of Government
Mary Astell: Questioning Women’s Submission
Louis XIV
Abbe Sieyes: The Third Estate
Voltaire
Wordsworth
The Monroe Doctrine
French Revolution of 1830
The First Opium War
Recession of 1873
The Scream
The Hague Convention of 1907
The Great War of 1914
Nazi Germany
World War 2 1939
Looking Forward: A Greater World
Inventions, Ideal Intentions, a star scattered sky, and a pope who wouldn’t listen
Heliocentrism and Catholic pretension
Galileo tried, but no one dared stir tension
Then there was Hobbes
Conclusion of Absolutism: Who is to be in charge?
Locke argued the nature of Law and God
Freedom, Choice, Morals
The Earl of Shaftesbury and Locke had no quarrels
The kings have no right to bring court into session
Failed succession, a Glorious Revolution
All acts of Men
“But what of women?” said Mary Astell
With paper and fresh ink, she began to rethink
The submission of Women
In agreement with Locke concerning political representation
“Women have a voice,” she declared to the nation
And stirred the beginnings of a feminist political vocation
In her home, England
Ruled Louis XIV, who feuded with feudalism—
The Edict of Nantes, frustrated Huguenots, absolute monarchy—
And died a murderer of the French Protestant Minority
Then came Abbe Sieyes and his organized views
The French Revolution and The Third Estate his muse
Wrote to his king a pamphlet to be read
From Artists, Merchants, Manufacturers
Demanding the right to vote—to say what must be said
Established in 1789, the common people of France were given their time
Then steps in an author—rather, a philosopher,
Voltaire to be exact
Freedom of Religion: Church and State should separate
His criticisms, the Roman Catholics refused to enact
Then Wordsworth expressed his dismay
In ways that only a poet could say
Published “The Prelude” and Lyrical Ballads
Coolidge concurred and made their work valid
Next, the Monroe Doctrine against European concern
America agreed internal meddling would not occur
A doctrine against Colonialism presented to the President
Made apparent the concern of each political party resident
Meanwhile, in France, a revolution began
Intending to overthrow King Charles the Tenth
With the creation of a Constitutional Monarchy, Europe had succeeded
Three days were all that they needed
At the same time, China declared war on the United Kingdom
Prompted by Opium, they sought trade relations freedom
China had lost and Britain regained composure
With trade rights to Hong Kong, the United Kingdom found closure
From having goods to trade to having nothing to eat
The Recession of 1873 assured America and Europe’s financial defeat
With the Coinage Act at its core, the government desired silver no more
Gold was its standard, until 1879 when protective tariffs kept money safe over time
With all that had happened, academics went awry
Expressionism took its course, began its rise
Edvard Munch felt the need to create a peculiar scream
One that could be felt within the colors of his painting
A person holds their face in horror at the earth
Yearning for an old love—for Artistic Rebirth
Later, the Hague Convention of 1907
Resulted in naval weapon suppression
Until the World War’s ascension
The great powers of Europe fought unhinged
As Germany and Austria-Hungary infringed
Imperialism, Nationalism, Militant Men
America swore it would never happen again
But Hitler stirred his country to restlessness
A Jewish-demeaning socialist
Who left Germany hopeless
An Aryan race is what he desired
The death of millions is all he acquired
He who was found dead in his bunker
Left Germany no choice but to surrender their plunder
Meanwhile World War II
A deadly battle of Ally and Axis
Soviet power succeeded, despite madness
Lives lost, despair, and joy kept hidden
Men, Women, Animals, Children
With buildings bombed and bodies buried
Berlin and Germany became Adversaries
Peace Treaties were signed and the League of Nations formed
Uniting our Countries, establishing political norms
Scientists
Feminists
Authors
Many have shaped the world that now prospers
These events, these dates, these significant losses
Shaped our countries, expanded them, made them blossom
But history, as we know, is a cautionary tale
And some seek success, to no avail
Decisions are ranked and voices are heard
As we take from our past and apply what we’ve learned
Every day is an opportunity for Peace and Prosperity
A chance to attain Universal Solidarity