ThinkingWest
@thinkingwest
Followers
143K
Following
58K
Media
4K
Statuses
13K
Literature | History | Philosophy | Religion 🏛️ 📚 ⚔️ Shining a light on the great ideas and minds that built the West
Joined April 2022
Most know Socrates as the celebrated thinker who birthed Western philosophy. But Friedrich Nietzsche called him “anti-Greek” and a “symptom of decline” — a critic who deconstructed Greek culture…. What was Nietzsche talking about? 🧵
61
118
847
The sword you choose says a lot about you—what’s your pick?
15K
10K
102K
The British Empire was, in some ways, a force for good. In many places it occupied it:. -raised the standard of living.-developed infrastructure.-promoted education. It also single-handedly ended slavery for much of the world…🧵(thread)
5K
7K
42K
The British Empire was, in many ways, a force for good. Nearly everywhere it occupied it:. -raised the standard of living.-developed infrastructure.-promoted education. It also single-handedly ended slavery for much of the world…🧵(thread)
3K
4K
30K
A democracy can only last 200 years. At least, that’s according to 18th-century historian Alexander Tytler. He claimed democracies always follow a predictable pattern and are doomed to end in servitude…🧵
687
5K
26K
The French Revolution was a disaster for the human race.
1K
3K
24K
The East India Company was the most powerful corporation of all time. It had an army larger than Great Britain's, and its influence shaped the borders of continents. So how did a company become stronger than most countries?🧵
357
3K
20K
When General von Steuben first set foot at Valley Forge in 1778, a soldier described him as “the ancient fabled God of War”. He turned a ragtag group of militiamen into a disciplined force who took down the mighty British army. Here’s how🧵
189
2K
20K
“Civilizations die from suicide, not by murder,” according to 20th-century historian Arnold Toynbee. He claimed every great culture collapses internally due to a divergence in values between the ruling class and the common people…🧵
238
4K
15K
The East India Company was the most powerful corporation of all time. It had an army larger than Great Britain's, and its influence shaped the borders of nations. So how did a company become stronger than most countries?🧵
243
2K
13K
Trump says he will bring back a “world fair” to celebrate 250 years of American independence. What would you want to see exhibited at the fair? .
1K
693
12K
Kenneth Clark lamented that civilization was a fragile thing. He observed three “enemies” that could topple even the mightiest cultures—what are they?🧵
281
2K
12K
"Since it is so likely that children will meet cruel enemies, let them at least have heard of brave knights and heroic courage.". C.S. Lewis
53
2K
11K
All empires repeat the same cycle, says 20th-century historian John Glubb. He observed that for the past 3000 years every civilization has followed the same 6 stages before decline—what are they?🧵
209
2K
11K
Europe lost the beauty of its monarchies after World War I. Here's a look at all the kings and queens of Europe during the Great War🧵
311
1K
11K
Feudalism was actually a pretty good system. Here’s why:. -everyone had a defined role that served society as a whole: peasants, vassals, and lords all had responsibilities to each other.-it was extremely decentralized.-it’s hierarchy ensured long-term stability.-with
2K
1K
10K
“Civilizations die from suicide, not by murder,” according to 20th-century historian Arnold Toynbee. He claimed every great culture collapses internally due to a divergence in values between the ruling class and the common people…🧵 (thread)
238
3K
10K
Another Caesar is coming, and Western civilization is at a turning point, says German historian Oswald Spengler. He claimed we live in “the most trying times known to history of a great culture.". And there's no offramp. Buckle up. Here's what Spengler predicted. 🧵
374
2K
10K
You’re a medieval peasant farmer. You’re at the bottom rung of society—bound to the land with limited social mobility…. But life isn’t all bad. Here’s what it looks like🧵
183
1K
9K
Alexander’s battle record. Imagine being this good.
266
625
9K
The future is Art Deco
Art Deco style is popular again, a century after its heyday
179
706
9K
The Holy Roman Empire lasted ~1000 years, and it looked like this:. How did such a fractured political entity last so long?. It has to do with a concept called “subsidiarity”, and it holds the key to implementing responsible government today 🧵 (thread)
186
1K
9K
A road might seem like a simple thing. But it was mastery of road construction that made Rome the most connected—and powerful—empire in the ancient world. Roman roads were engineering marvels in their own right 🧵 (thread)
82
1K
8K
J.R.R. Tolkien’s books have inspired countless fantasy novels since he first published The Hobbit in 1937. But have you ever wondered what works inspired him to write in the first place?. Here are 10 books that inspired Tolkien🧵
86
1K
8K
Galileo called him “superhuman”. Tesla said he was the “ideal” inventor. And da Vinci was directly inspired by him. Simply put, Archimedes was the greatest engineer and mathematician of the ancient world. Here’s why. 🧵(thread)
60
1K
8K
The Roman Empire had its own sin city. Baia, the “ancient Las Vegas,” was described as a "vortex of luxury" and a "harbor of vice" by Seneca. But the fun didn’t last—half the city now rests at the bottom of the Mediterranean sea…🧵
66
748
8K
The French Revolution was perhaps the greatest tragedy in history. It ushered in an era of:. -violence.-class warfare.-authoritarianism. But France’s faith suffered the most—thousands of priests were executed or exiled as a new atheistic religion was thrust onto the people…🧵
267
1K
8K
How in the world do you beat this formation?. Well, it was virtually unstoppable when it was first used in battle—it toppled an empire and became the default fighting formation of the ancient Greek world. An introduction to the Macedonian phalanx…🧵
349
848
8K
“No one is more hated than he who speaks the truth.”. Plato
74
1K
8K
@elonmusk X finally allowed the voice of the people to get through rather than the controlled narrative.
85
346
8K
You need to be buying *physical* books. Here’s why:
175
953
8K
Everyone dreams of fighting in a "last stand"—battling an overwhelming force against all odds. Here are the 10 greatest last stands in Western history to fuel your dreams🧵
229
845
8K
The design of a cathedral is theologically based and instructive in the faith. Though beautiful, its construction is not arbitrary—it wasn’t arranged simply to look pretty. The layout, artwork, statues, and stained glass windows all serve an edifying purpose🧵
73
1K
7K
Everyone dreams of fighting in a "last stand" — battling an overwhelming force against all odds. The 10 greatest last stands in Western history to fuel your dreams🧵
276
854
7K
Among the most visible reminders of Rome's storied hegemony are its aqueducts. These engineering marvels channeled the lifeblood of civilization for near a millennia. Here’s how they worked…🧵
37
935
7K
The French Revolution was one of the greatest tragedies in history. It ushered in an era of:. -violence.-class warfare.-authoritarianism. But France’s faith suffered the most—thousands of priests were executed or exiled as a new atheistic religion was thrust onto the people…🧵
194
1K
7K
Modern man has a severe case of amnesia—he’s forgotten the immense wisdom of the past. Luckily, it can be rediscovered through great literature. 12 old books that will make you wiser… 🧵(thread)
68
956
7K
Alexander the Great’s tomb has been missing for centuries. Over 140 official attempts have been made to locate it. All have failed. But one rogue historian thinks he’s finally found it. He claims everyone's been looking in the wrong place…🧵
129
1K
7K
If you like Homer, Plato, or Cicero, you can thank a monk. More so than on any battlefield, Western civilization was safeguarded within the quiet confines of a monastery. 🧵
105
989
7K
There are a lot of misconceptions about feudalism. Rather than a contrived political system, feudalism was really just a series of loyalties. For near a millennia, civilization was held together by the oaths of honorable men. 🧵
103
840
7K
Rome was the preeminent engineering civilization. Its roads, bridges, and aqueducts ensured an unmatched quality of life for its citizens. Yet its greatest engineering feat wasn’t about providing a comfortable life—the Colosseum was built for a dramatic death🧵
41
723
7K
Art Deco is the incarnation of civilizational energy—the spirit of Achilles and Tesla in architectural form. The ultimate style for high civilization.
102
703
7K
Great literature usually doesn’t come to mind when imagining the “dark ages.”. But some of the greatest tales that still shape our culture come from the medieval period. Here are 10 of the best 🧵
79
1K
6K
Almost every civilization has dragons—why?. They represent what must be confronted in order to achieve anything worthwhile. If you want to be great, you need to go where the dragons are. 🧵(thread)
103
1K
6K
“Deeds will not be less valiant because they are unpraised.”. J.R.R. Tolkien
19
778
6K
Monks saved Western civilization. During the Middle Ages in particular, monasticism exploded in popularity—thousands of monasteries were founded to pray and care for the needs of society. A crash course on medieval monastic orders🧵(thread)
92
911
6K
The "science vs religion" dichotomy is false. In fact, some of the most groundbreaking scientific discoveries were made by Catholic clergy. Here are the top 5 scientific breakthroughs made by priests…🧵 (thread)
122
1K
6K
There are a lot of misconceptions about the Inquisition. Most people today view it as a medieval witch hunt spurred on by dark age superstition—but its initial intentions weren't so misguided…🧵
113
758
6K
Augustus' empire had problems: falling birth rates, declining religion, and political turmoil. Sounds familiar right — so how did he fix them?. Augustus looked to the past — to tradition — to reform his empire. Here’s what he did, and why it still matters 2000 year later…🧵
83
876
6K
You’ve probably heard the words “Baroque,” “Gothic,” or “Romanesque” in relation to architecture—but what do these terms actually mean?. A guide on the major Western architectural styles🧵 . (you’ll want to bookmark this thread)
44
845
6K
English royal family tree traced back to the 9th century
103
669
6K
If you like Greek or Roman classics, you can thank a monk. Just as much as on any battlefield, Western civilization was safeguarded within the quiet confines of a monastery. 🧵 (thread)
83
884
6K
Modern man has a severe case of amnesia—he’s forgotten the immense wisdom of the past. Luckily, it can be rediscovered through great literature. 12 old books that will make you wiser… 🧵(thread)
85
892
6K
On May 20th, 1910, nine kings gathered at Windsor for the funeral of King Edward VII. The photograph they took is a stark reminder of how drastically European leadership has changed—the men pictured remain symbols of a bygone era of monarchy. Who were they?🧵
122
680
5K
Young Napoleon was bullied by his aristocratic peers. He was aloof, spoke French with a funny accent, and of low nobility. But he sought refuge in books — igniting a lifelong obsession. Reading became a “matter of power” for him. Here’s how books guided his every move…🧵
47
562
5K
Tradition is beautiful. Spanish Catholic women marching through the streets carrying a statue of Mary👇 .
79
658
5K
A democracy can only last 200 years. At least, that’s according to 18th-century historian Alexander Tytler. He claimed democracies always follow a predictable pattern which ends in servitude…🧵
203
1K
5K
@elonmusk The British Empire wasn’t perfect but there seems to be a modern obsession with demonizing every aspect of them. They did a lot of good for the world.
398
136
5K
The Ancient Greeks basically invented Western philosophy. 2500 years on and we’re still studying their ideas. Here are 10 Greek philosophers you need to know🧵
90
883
5K
Kenneth Clark lamented that civilization was a fragile thing. He observed three “enemies” that could topple even the mightiest cultures—what are they?🧵
117
1K
5K
A road might seem like a simple thing. But it was mastery of road construction that made Rome the most connected—and powerful—empire in the ancient world. Roman roads were engineering marvels in their own right 🧵 (thread)
71
722
5K
Early Christians had a complete Bible by the 4th century—but that’s not the only thing they were reading to deepen their faith. Here’s what books the early Church read besides the Bible🧵
66
831
5K
Though Britain had been a global power since the early 17th century, it wasn’t until Napoleon's defeat at Waterloo in 1815 that it emerged as the dominant power. By eliminating France from the world’s stage, Britain was left without a serious competitor.
103
353
5K
@Culture_Crit The inside is equally as magnificent. Goes to show “where there’s a will, there’s a way.” The modern predicament tends to be lack of will.
18
321
5K
Dueling might seem barbaric today, but it actually reveals a culture obsessed with etiquette. Duels served a few purposes:. -settled disputes.-encouraged civility.-channeled aggression. Unlike in modern times, careless words had consequences…🧵(thread)
131
594
5K
A lot of Medieval and Renaissance architecture was inspired by one man. Artists like Michelangelo, Brunelleschi, and Da Vinci learned much of what they knew from an obscure Roman engineer who lived more than 1000 years prior…🧵
37
890
5K
Flags were way cooler when they had dragons, lions, and eagles on them instead of boring striped designs. Medieval coats of arms—which would you pick?
299
533
5K
In 1831, French aristocrat Alexis de Tocqueville traveled to the US to study democracy. He saw some positives, but also noted a few flaws such as:. -tyranny of the majority.-isolated individuals.-materialism. He claimed religion was essential to prevent these dangers. 🧵
74
771
5K
This photo is a pretty good litmus test for your politics. Do you regard these men with respect, or disgust?
693
236
5K
In 1831, French aristocrat Alexis de Tocqueville traveled to the US to study democracy. He saw some positives, but also noted flaws such as:. -tyranny of the majority.-isolated individuals.-materialism. He claimed religion was essential to prevent these dangers. 🧵
79
765
4K
Before he died, millionaire Andrew Carnegie built 3,000 public libraries at his own expense—why?. Well, he believed in a concept called “noblesse oblige,” where the rich had a duty to help the poor. But it’s a dying concept that needs reviving…🧵
119
862
4K
The Ancient Greeks basically invented Western philosophy. 2500 years on and we’re still studying their ideas. Here are 10 Greek philosophers you need to know🧵
54
668
4K
Machiavelli promoted a *realistic* approach to governance. It didn’t always involve being nice. More than anything, though, he claimed rulers needed to avoid this one mistake — it was absolutely fatal and ruined nations…🧵(thread)
76
640
4K
Alfred the Great believed he was given divine authority to rule his kingdom. This was not an excuse to abuse his power though. Rather, he saw it as a responsibility to care for his people…🧵
52
500
4K
The Black Death wiped out half of Europe—as many as 50 million people perished as a result of the plague. But it was also a new beginning. The world might look very different today had the plague not set the West on a new course…🧵
58
539
4K
In 1322 an English knight journeyed to China, following in the footsteps of Marco Polo. His trip, however, involved:. -dwarves.-dragons.-centaurs & more. The tale he told made him the most famous man in Europe🧵
46
495
4K
No nation on earth did more to eliminate slavery than Britain. Though empires are often viewed as inherently tyrannical, Britain’s war on slavery shows that immense power can, in some cases, be channeled for good.
85
424
4K
The century following Napoleon's defeat is sometimes called the “Pax Britannica,” because of the relative prosperity enjoyed by Europe during this time. The presence of a single world power created stability and kept conflicts to a minimum.
55
299
4K
Decades before the American Civil War and 13th amendment ended slavery in the US, Britain passed two anti-slavery laws: the “Slave Trade Act 1807” banning the slave trade around the empire, and the “Slavery Abolition Act 1833” which officially made it illegal to own slaves.
59
453
4K
There are a lot of misconceptions about feudalism. Rather than a contrived political system, feudalism was really just a series of loyalties. For ~1000 years, civilization was held together by the oaths of honorable men. 🧵(thread)
80
508
4K
Why is France called the "eldest daughter of the Church"?. It all started with baptism of an ancient king. It might sound hyperbolic, but the baptism of Clovis changed the West — and Christianity — forever🧵
53
506
4K
Christianity conquered Rome—not only spiritually and politically, but architecturally, too. Some of the most iconic churches in the world used to be pagan temples. Here’s how they were transformed🧵 (thread)
39
498
4K
In 1962, C.S. Lewis was asked to name the books that had most influenced his thought. The list he came up with was packed with time-honored classics. Here’s his list of 10 works🧵
40
731
4K
“Darkness must pass, a new day will come. And when the sun shines, it will shine out the clearer.”. J.R.R. Tolkien
17
676
4K
Britain’s unmatched navy is what maintained its dominance. The British Royal Navy was more than twice the size of the next largest navy. Though their ships weren’t vastly superior to others’, their sailors were at sea continuously making them the best in the world.
40
268
4K
Great literature usually doesn’t come to mind when imagining the “dark ages.”. But some of the greatest tales that still shape our culture come from the medieval period. Here are 10 of the best 🧵
66
606
4K
The medieval period was full of theological literature. Far from a dark age, it gave us some of the most intellectually stimulating Christian works. 10 great Christian texts from the middle ages 🧵 (thread)
38
544
4K
The stages are as follows:. “From bondage to spiritual faith; spiritual faith to great courage; courage to liberty; liberty to abundance; abundance to selfishness; selfishness to complacency; complacency to apathy; apathy to dependence; dependence back into bondage”
42
542
4K
"Poor is the nation that has no heroes, but poorer still is the nation that having heroes, fails to remember and honor them.". Marcus Tullius Cicero
26
698
4K