In
history, the
early modern period of
modern history follows the
late Middle Ages. Although the chronological limits of the period are open to debate, the
timeframe spans the period after the late portion of the
Middle Ages (c. 1500) through the beginning of the
Age of Revolutions (c. 1800). From a global standpoint, the most important feature of the early modern period was its
globalizing character — it witnessed the exploration and colonization of
the Americas and the rise of sustained contacts between previously isolated parts of the globe. The
historical powers became involved in global trade. This world trading of goods plants, animals, and food crops saw exchange in the
Old World and the
New World. The
Columbian Exchange greatly affected almost every society on Earth.
In the world,
capitalist economies and institutions became more sophisticated and globally articulated. This process began in the medieval North Italian
city-states, particularly
Genoa,
Venice, and
Milan. The early modern period also saw the rise and beginning of the dominance of the economic theory of
mercantilism. It also saw the European colonization during the 15th to 19th centuries which resulted in the
spread of Christianity around the world.
The early modern trends in various regions of the world represented a shift away from medieval modes of organization, sometimes politically and other-times economically. The period in Europe witnessed the decline of Christian
theocracy,
feudalism and
serfdom...
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