In the late 18th century, the Western European elite had lost their certainty in truth of Christianity. By the mid-19th century, the middle-class rebelled against their native traditions. By the middle of the 20th century, this process was complete when the masses had overturned almost every tradition of the 19th century Europe. Except science.

CAUSES

Population explosion

From the 18th century onwards, the European population expanded rapidly due to advances in agriculture, trade, eradication of communicable diseases.

With more people, came more noises. Ideologies, difference of opinions, perceptions and aspirations spread due to printing and trade.

One solution was to send these young men to toil in distant lands: colonisation was the end-result. However, the noises did not stop. They will return to the mainland, and exact heavy price in the form of wars.

Superiority

While Europe advanced, other races and religions were in the periphery: lived a life deep in slumber, wilful neglect or superstitious paranoia. Later, they were subjugated.

The Europeans were left alone to deal with their demons, with no interference from ‘the others’. The pond became toxic, as ‘other’ ideas were considered as inferior and not looked into.

Science

In the end, the European urge of seeking the truth unravelled every tradition known to their ancestors.

By the late 18th century, American Founding Fathers had lost their faith in Christianity as their guiding light: the inconsistencies in the Bible were too much to be meaningful. The American Senate will not have any clergy, as was/is the tradition in Europe. Soon, the Napoleonic Revolutions spread that same message in Europe and Central/South America. The stubborn Russian elite were massacred by the Communist revolutionaries a century later.

By the mid-19th century, driven by Industrial revolution, the Middle Classes pushed the boundaries. The scent of hypocrisy from elite mansions became intolerable. In seeking a share in power and comforts, the masses worked hard – to accept and empower science. Fairness, equality, justice, etc became meaningful words: at least for the European population willing to work and empower science.

From the mid-20th century onwards, a European child could relate to their ancestors only in terms of race and reason. Customs, traditions and practice of religion saw a sea-change.

IMPACT

Follow the sub-sections for more.