History Essay

Early Modern Western Civilization

Early modern Western civilization shows the early period of the modern history that is thought to have extended to centuries. This civilization is considered to remain from the end of the Middle Ages to the beginning of the Industrial Revolution, i.e. approximately from the late 15th century to the late 18th century. Several important events happened in early modern Western civilization such as the start of the High Renaissance in Italy in 1490s, the discovery of America and the sea route to the East in 1490s, Protestant Reformation in 1517, and the French Revolution in 1789. Historians are of opinion that globalization was the most important aspect of the early modern period as, for example, exploration as well as colonization of Americas and the increase in contacts of the world with previously isolated parts resulted in increased globalization.
It was also the time from early 15th century to early 17th century, when Europeans started intensive level of exploration of the world resulting in interconnectedness of the world. During these explorations, they made direct contact with many countries such as Africa, Asia, the Americas, and Oceania. Europeans overseas movement resulted in the increased transfer of human populations, animals, plants, and foods. It was also the cause of increased exchange of culture between the Western and Eastern hemispheres of the world. As a result of European exploration, global mapping of the world enhanced leading to a modern view of the world. This period of intensive exploration and globalization along with its contemporary Renaissance movement is considered as the most important connection of the Middle Ages with the Modern era as they helped in differentiating the two different eras in various aspects such as the advent and use of technological changes, and democratic sentiment. Among the other important events of early modern period were the European colonization of the Americas, and the rise of capitalism as well as modern nation states.