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Broadly put, '''Western civilization''' is the set of historical, intellectual, religious and cultural achievements of [[European]] and European-descended societies spanning from [[Ancient Greece|ancient Greek]] times to the present. Western civilization is lauded for its achievements and contributions to humanity in fields such as the arts, [[law]], [[invention]], [[science]], [[Christianity|religion]], [[democracy]], [[commerce]], and [[philosophy]] and has developed a freedom of religion and thought that is lacking in many parts of the world.

Broadly put, '''Western civilization''' is the set of historical, intellectual, religious and cultural achievements of [[European]] and European-descended societies spanning from [[Ancient Greece|ancient Greek]] times to the present. Western civilization is lauded for its achievements and contributions to humanity in fields such as the arts, [[law]], [[invention]], [[science]], [[religion]], [[democracy]], [[commerce]], and [[philosophy]] and has developed a freedom of religion and thought that is lacking in many parts of the world.

Elements of Western civilization have permeated or been merged with other cultures and civilizations throughout much of the planet.  The [[internet]] or [[United Nations]], for example, are products of Western civilization.

Elements of Western civilization have permeated or been merged with other [[culture]]s and [[civilization]]s throughout much of the planet.  The [[internet]] or [[United Nations]], for example, are products of Western civilization.

[[Christianity]] is/has been a very significant component of Western civilization and it has had a very great effect on Western civilization.<ref>[https://www.firstthings.com/article/1994/12/christianity-and-the-westambiguous-past-uncertain-future CHRISTIANITY AND THE WEST] by by Wolfhart Pannenberg, First Things website</ref> It is frequently argued that there is no Western civilization without Christianity.<ref>[https://www.intellectualtakeout.org/blog/theres-no-western-civilization-without-christianity There's No Western Civilization without Christianity] by Daniel Lattier</ref>

[[Christianity]] is/has been a very significant component of Western civilization and it has had a very great effect on Western civilization.<ref>[https://www.firstthings.com/article/1994/12/christianity-and-the-westambiguous-past-uncertain-future CHRISTIANITY AND THE WEST] by by Wolfhart Pannenberg, First Things website</ref> It is frequently argued that there is no Western civilization without Christianity.<ref>[https://www.intellectualtakeout.org/blog/theres-no-western-civilization-without-christianity There's No Western Civilization without Christianity] by Daniel Lattier</ref>

Western civilization was not without its faults, such as allowing a rebirth of [[slavery]] that had largely been extinguished in that part of the world much earlier and colonization of other areas around the globe due to the superior technology that Europe had discovered and implemented.  But much of the colonization brought better health and longer lifespans to impoverished people.

Western civilization was not without its faults, such as allowing a rebirth of [[slavery]] that had largely been extinguished in that part of the world much earlier and colonization of other areas around the globe due to advanced [[technology]] and [[scientific]] improvements that [[Europe]] had discovered and implemented.  But much of the colonization brought better health and longer lifespans to impoverished people.

The achievements of Western Civilization are by far the greatest of all of world history.  Beginning in the 20th Century, attempts to undermine the [[Christian]] and chivalrous foundations of Western Civilization have gained ground in [[Britain]], [[France]], and [[Germany]], but not as much in the [[United States]] and [[Poland]].

The achievements of Western Civilization are by far the greatest of all of world history.  Beginning in the 20th Century, attempts to undermine the [[Christian]] and chivalrous foundations of Western Civilization have gained ground in [[Britain]], [[France]], and [[Germany]], but not as much in the [[United States]] and [[Poland]].

==Decline==

==Decline==

WW1 or the Great War brought on the first decline of Western Civilization, focusing around in Europe due to the millions of young people dying during the conflict. Many of the countries that participated in imperialism and WW1 during the Glided Age were in debt economically, with Germany suffering from hyperinflation and the British Empire, once known as the largest creditor, now being the largest debtor. The Russian Empire dissolved because of the Russian Revolution in which the Communist Bolsheviks, lead by Vladimir Lenin, were victorious over their opposition. The Communist Party had taken over Russia and in 1922, became the Soviet Union, first under Lenin, then by his protegee, Joseph Stalin. Communism being practiced in a country like this, was also a sign that Western Civilization in Europe was declining.

[[World War I]] or the Great War brought on the first decline of Western Civilization, focusing in Europe due to the millions of young people dying during the conflict. Many of the countries that participated in [[imperialism]] and WW1 during the [[Guilded Age]] were in [[debt]] economically, with Germany suffering from [[hyperinflation]] and the [[British Empire]], once known as the largest creditor, now being the largest debtor. The [[Russian Empire]] dissolved because of the [[Russian Revolution]] in which the [[Communist Bolshevik]]s, lead by [[Vladimir Lenin]], were victorious over their opposition. The Communist Party had taken over Russia and in 1922, became the [[Soviet Union]], first under Lenin, then by his protegee, [[Joseph Stalin]]. Communism being practiced in a country like this, was also a sign that Western Civilization in Europe was declining.

== See also ==

== See also ==