Early modern Europe

Early modern Europe

Early modern Europe, also called the post-medieval period, was a time in European history from the mid-1400s to the late 1700s. This era began with big changes like the invention of moveable type printing and ended around the time of the French Revolution or the start of the Industrial Revolution.

During this time, important events happened, such as the first circumnavigation of the Earth and European colonization of the Americas. New discoveries connected Europe with the Americas, South and East Asia. The Protestant Reformation brought new ideas that changed the religious world.

The 17th century saw the start of modern science and quick technological progress. New ways of governing and law courts appeared, and countries began to form as nation states. Economic changes led to the growth of capitalist economies and the spread of ideas around the world, marking the start of globalization.

Periodization

The early modern period in Europe was a time of big changes. It included the Renaissance, the Reformation, the Scientific Revolution, and the Enlightenment. During this time, science and technology grew quickly. Governments became less controlled by religious leaders, and people started to think of themselves as part of a country.

The early modern period began around the late 1400s or early 1500s. Important events include the invention of movable type printing by Johannes Gutenberg, the fall of Constantinople to the Ottomans, and Christopher Columbus’s voyage to the Americas in 1492. The period ended around the late 1700s, either with the start of the Industrial Revolution or the French Revolution in 1789.

Printing Revolution

Further information: Printing press § Circulation of information and ideas

One print shop in Mainz, Germany, started around 1440. The movable type printing-press quickly spread to about 270 cities in Europe. By the end of the 1400s, it had made more than 20 million books. This helped people learn because they could now read and share important ideas. Printing changed how people shared knowledge, moving from handwritten books to printed books that many could read.

Age of Discovery

Further information: Age of Discovery, New World § Mundus Novus, and Waldseemüller map

The Age of Discovery was a time from the 1500s to the 1600s when people from European countries traveled far across the oceans. They found new lands, made maps, and connected different parts of the world through trade. Famous explorers like the Spaniards and Portuguese were joined later by the English, French, and Dutch.

One amazing journey was the Magellan–Elcano expedition from 1519 to 1522, which was the first to sail all the way around the world. This helped people understand how big the Earth really is. During this time, many new plants, animals, and ideas were shared between Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas. This period changed the world forever and helped create the global community we know today.

Reformation

Main article: Reformation

The Protestant Reformation was a big change in the Catholic Church. It started in 1517 when Martin Luther shared his ideas in a document called the 95 Theses. This led to new types of Christian churches, like Lutheranism and Anglicanism.

The changes affected many parts of Europe. In England, the church separated from the Catholic Church under Henry VIII. In Northern Europe, many people joined the new Protestant churches, while Southern Europe stayed mostly Catholic. The Reformation brought new ideas and changes in how people thought about their faith.

Scientific Revolution

Main article: Scientific Revolution

In the early 1600s, the scientist Galileo Galilei used a telescope to discover new things about space. His work built on ideas from Nicolaus Copernicus, who had suggested that Earth moves around the Sun. Galileo's discoveries challenged old beliefs about the universe, which came from ancient Greek thinkers like Aristotelian physics and Christian teachings.

This time, called the Scientific Revolution, changed how people thought about nature and science. It moved away from old ideas tied to religion. Instead, it focused on learning through watching, using math, and testing ideas with evidence. This new way helped science become stronger and more independent.

Age of Enlightenment

Main article: Age of Enlightenment

The Age of Enlightenment was an important time in the 1700s for European ideas. People began to use reason and logic to understand the world better. They thought using their minds could make life better and change old, unfair ways.

These new ideas helped shape big events like the American and French Revolutions, and also influenced freedom movements in Latin America. They brought new thoughts about fairness and sharing. This time also matched beautiful music from the baroque and classical styles, and art that looked back to older, grand designs.

Difference between 'early modern' and the Renaissance

The term "early modern" is sometimes used to mean the same as the Renaissance, but they are not exactly the same. The Renaissance was a time of important cultural changes that happened over many years in Europe, especially in Italy. It marks the shift from the late Medieval times to the early modern period.

"Early modern" usually refers to Europe and its influence beyond Europe. It can also describe periods in other places, like the Ottoman Empire and the Edo period in Japan, which lasted from 1590 to 1868.

Diplomacy and warfare

The 17th century was a time when wars often happened in Europe. Even with learning and culture growing, many fights were tough and rules were broken.

The biggest of these wars was the Thirty Years' War from 1618 to 1648. It started because of religious disagreements and brought much pain to Germany and nearby areas. Many people were hurt, and communities were torn apart.

The war ended with the Peace of Westphalia in 1648. This agreement let each ruler choose the religion for their land, like Catholic, Lutheran, or Calvinist. It also let people follow their own faith even if it wasn’t the main one of their state. This peace changed how countries treated each other, focusing more on power and land instead of religious fights.

Major states

Holy Roman Empire

Since 1512, the Holy Roman Empire was also called the Holy Roman Empire of the German nation. The House of Austria held the position of Holy Roman Emperors since the mid-1400s. The Austrian rulers tried to build a large empire in Western Europe, but they did not have a strong central government.

The Austrian rulers grew their power by marriage. One ruler married a princess from Burgundy, adding the Burgundian Netherlands to their lands. Later, their son inherited Spain and its territories, and then more lands followed.

Spain

In 1492, Spain’s rulers sent Christopher Columbus to sail west. He landed on a new continent, the Americas. To avoid fights between Spain and Portugal over new lands, they signed a treaty dividing the world between them.

Spain became a very powerful nation under Philip II. Spain kept control of the Netherlands until people there revolted. Spain also controlled parts of Italy and won important battles, making it a leading power in Europe and the world.

France

The system of government in France from about 1450 until the French Revolution in 1789 is called the Ancien Régime. France faced many challenges, including wars and conflicts between different religious groups. Kings tried to strengthen their control over the country, but local nobles often resisted.

England

The time when Queen Elizabeth I ruled (1558–1603) is called the Elizabethan Era. It was a golden age for English culture, with great plays and poems being written. England also explored new lands and started colonies in North America.

Poland

The Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth was one of the largest and most powerful countries in early modern Europe. It had a unique government system and a strong army known for its winged horsemen, the Winged Hussars.

Papacy

The leaders of the Christian Church, called Popes, had much influence during this time. They formed groups of Christian nations to support the Catholic religion. They also started missions to spread their faith around the world and created the calendar we use today, the Gregorian calendar.

Other political powers

Many important countries and regions shaped Europe during this time. Some powerful places included the Ottoman Empire, Early Modern Italy with cities like the Papal States, Republic of Florence, and Republic of Venice. Other notable areas were the Kingdom of Portugal, the Dutch Republic, and the large Holy Roman Empire that included the Kingdom of Bohemia and the Habsburg monarchy. There were also many German states such as the Duchy of Prussia and Duchy of Bavaria. The strong Tsardom of Russia and Russian Empire, along with Early Modern Sweden and Denmark–Norway, played big roles too. Other places like Early Modern Romania and the Kingdom of Hungary were also important during this period.