THIRTEEN: CONCENTRATIONS OF EUROPEAN AND AMERICAN ACCOMPLISHMENT
The European Core
Certain areas in Europe have historically seen a much higher level of human achievement than others, despite the continent's small size and shared Christian and racial heritage. From 1400 to 1950, a large majority of significant figures originated from Britain, France, Germany, and Italy, collectively known as the "big four," which contributed 72 percent of these figures. When including Russia and the Netherlands, this rises to 80 percent. However, focusing on specific regions rather than countries shows that the majority came from smaller areas within these nations, particularly around cities like Florence and Venice in Italy. A compact area can encompass 80 percent of significant figures, excluding much of Eastern Europe and parts of Italy and France. Within this core area, five regions alone contribute 26 percent of the total figures, highlighting the concentration of talent in specific areas.
Scatter Plots for the European Significant Figures
The importance of regions in European history has changed over time, especially concerning influential figures. The analysis focuses on three historical periods: 1400-1600, 1600-1800, and 1800-1950. The first period begins after the Black Death, marking the Renaissance, where arts and sciences flourished, partly due to the printing press. The second era sees the establishment of the scientific method with figures like Galileo and Bacon, and notable advancements in philosophy and the arts, leading up to the Industrial Revolution by 1800. The final period is marked by numerous scientific and technological advancements, with significant developments in the arts as well. Maps illustrate the geographical origins of key figures from these eras, showing that many originated from well-defined locations. Additionally, areas highlighting the concentration of these figures are displayed using different shades of blue to indicate density across time periods.
Scatter Plots for U.S. Significant Figures
The distribution of significant figures in the United States shows how people settled in different areas over time. The East Coast has the most significant figures because it was the first part of the country where many people lived. By 1950, the northeastern states had produced 184 significant figures, while the former Confederate states had only 24, showing a big difference despite the South’s growing population. Maps illustrate that significant figures are mostly found in the Northeast and near the Mississippi River, with noticeable gaps in the South.
A Postscript on Immigration
Using place of origin to analyze immigration reveals important patterns of mobility. It turns out that most significant figures worked in major cities rather than their places of origin, with cities like Paris and London showing higher numbers of workers. While 12 percent worked in a different country than where they were raised, most movement occurred internally within Europe. From 1800 to 1950, many significant figures moved north and west, often fleeing persecution, particularly among Polish and Russian Jews. Overall, several peripheral countries faced net losses of significant figures, with many relocating to Britain, northern France, and the United States. France and the U.S. saw net gains, highlighting the impact of immigration on their populations, with about 22 percent of American significant figures being immigrants or their children.
The European Core
Certain areas in Europe have historically seen a much higher level of human achievement than others, despite the continent's small size and shared Christian and racial heritage. From 1400 to 1950, a large majority of significant figures originated from Britain, France, Germany, and Italy, collectively known as the "big four," which contributed 72 percent of these figures. When including Russia and the Netherlands, this rises to 80 percent. However, focusing on specific regions rather than countries shows that the majority came from smaller areas within these nations, particularly around cities like Florence and Venice in Italy. A compact area can encompass 80 percent of significant figures, excluding much of Eastern Europe and parts of Italy and France. Within this core area, five regions alone contribute 26 percent of the total figures, highlighting the concentration of talent in specific areas.
Scatter Plots for the European Significant Figures
The importance of regions in European history has changed over time, especially concerning influential figures. The analysis focuses on three historical periods: 1400-1600, 1600-1800, and 1800-1950. The first period begins after the Black Death, marking the Renaissance, where arts and sciences flourished, partly due to the printing press. The second era sees the establishment of the scientific method with figures like Galileo and Bacon, and notable advancements in philosophy and the arts, leading up to the Industrial Revolution by 1800. The final period is marked by numerous scientific and technological advancements, with significant developments in the arts as well. Maps illustrate the geographical origins of key figures from these eras, showing that many originated from well-defined locations. Additionally, areas highlighting the concentration of these figures are displayed using different shades of blue to indicate density across time periods.
Scatter Plots for U.S. Significant Figures
The distribution of significant figures in the United States shows how people settled in different areas over time. The East Coast has the most significant figures because it was the first part of the country where many people lived. By 1950, the northeastern states had produced 184 significant figures, while the former Confederate states had only 24, showing a big difference despite the South’s growing population. Maps illustrate that significant figures are mostly found in the Northeast and near the Mississippi River, with noticeable gaps in the South.
A Postscript on Immigration
Using place of origin to analyze immigration reveals important patterns of mobility. It turns out that most significant figures worked in major cities rather than their places of origin, with cities like Paris and London showing higher numbers of workers. While 12 percent worked in a different country than where they were raised, most movement occurred internally within Europe. From 1800 to 1950, many significant figures moved north and west, often fleeing persecution, particularly among Polish and Russian Jews. Overall, several peripheral countries faced net losses of significant figures, with many relocating to Britain, northern France, and the United States. France and the U.S. saw net gains, highlighting the impact of immigration on their populations, with about 22 percent of American significant figures being immigrants or their children.