Throughout history, numerous attempts have been made by rulers, scientists, mathematicians, and inventors to change their world, and make a lasting mark in history. Unfortunately, not every one succeeds in changing the world, even with their greatest efforts. Galileo, for example, worked for years to prove that the Copernican theory was correct, but he was stopped by the church. On the other hand, some people can change the world, such as John Locke. His thoughts and ideas of government have been used throughout history, and still are today. Hitler, also changed his world during his time, but his influence has faded over time. He was able to bring down the population of Jews, Slavs, and Gypsies, and today there is still some racism against these ethnic groups, just not as severe.
As an English philosopher, John Locke was one who based his theories on natural law, a universal moral law that could be understood with reason. Locke agreed with Thomas Hobbes, another English philosopher, that the government was based on a social contract, and that order needed to be established. However, unlike Hobbes, John Locke believed that people, in their nature, are reasonable and moral, and have natural rights. In his writing, Two Treatises of Government, Locke declared that the purpose of government was to protect people’s natural rights, the rights to life, liberty, and property, and that governments functioned best with limited powers, with the ability to overthrow it in the hands of the citizens if it did not protect their natural rights. Throughout Europe and across the globe, his writings were read, and early American colonists used many of his ideas. In writing the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson included many of Locke’s ideas and beliefs about government. Having such a lasting impact, this proves how someone can change the world.
Sometimes a person may have everything that is needed to change the world, but the people around them stop them dead in their tracks. In 1609, Galileo Galilei built his own telescope, and discovered moons circling around the planet Jupiter. Figuring that not everything revolves around the Earth, he viewed it possible that some planets revolved around the sun, proving that the Copernican Theory was correct. In 1632, Galileo published his ideas, which were shortly followed by severe opposition by the church. Believing that it contradicted the church, Pope Urban VIII demanded Galileo to go to Rome for a trial. Using death and torture threats against Galileo, the Pope soon forced him to abandon his statements, by publicly stating that he “went too far” in some of his writings. Today, Galileo’s discoveries are known, but he was unable to change the world during his time.
Not only philosophers and scientists can change the world, but rulers can as well. Hitler for example was the dictator of Germany, who strived to make changes in Europe, and throughout the world. During Hitler’s rule, he believed that the growing population of Germany needed more living space, so he began his policy of expansion. Starting with Rhineland, Hitler realized that the Versailles Treaty would not be able to be enforced, allowing him to conquer much land. Wanting to create a “New Order” in Europe, Hitler imagined enslaving all conquered people, taking advantage of the land’s resources, and getting rid of anything that was undesired, such as Jews, Slavs, and Gypsies. Beginning in 1941 was the Holocaust, which was Hitler’s way to get rid of those people. Murdering more than 6 million Jews and millions more Slavs and Gypsies, Hitler definitely changed the world in his time. However, his impact on today has faded, with the amount of hate crimes decreasing yearly, stated a press release on Anti-Jewish hate-crimes in the Los Angeles County. Unfortunately, stated the press release, the amount of religion related crimes is still at an alarming level.
Many people in history have made great attempts to change their world, but in the end, not everyone can succeed. People like John Locke, Galileo Galilei, and Adolph Hitler all wanted to make changes to the world based on their own view, and opinion of what it they think the world should be like. John Locke, for example, has made a change in the world because many people agree with his ideas, and beliefs. Galileo Galilei could have changed the world, but he was prevented from doing that because the church disagreed with him. Adolph Hitler was another person who made an enormous attempt to change the world. Yes, most people didn’t agree with him about killing people just because they are worth nothing to you, but that was his opinion, and how he viewed the world should be. Anyone can try and change the world, but someone will always be there to oppose your beliefs and ideas. Therefore, it is extremely difficult for anyone to change the world forever, but some ideas and beliefs may be more widely accepted, allowing them to prevail for hundreds of years.
