Pulling It All Together Really Old Stuff: Around 1450 to Around 1750

Technology and Innovations Europe became a powerful force during this time period because of their willingness to adapt to three key innovations that existed in other parts of the world: gunpowder weapons, navigations and shipbuilding technology, and finally the printing press (which developed independently in Germany).

New European Technology New overseas Trading Empires

Increased contact meant the spread of new ideas and technology (printing press), and the exposure to new cultures transformed both education and religion. The establishment of new Protestant Churches in northern Europe and the resettlement of large numbers of colonist in the New World.

Role of Women A number of powerful women took charge of the most empires of this time –Elizabeth I of England –Isabella of Spain –Nur Jahan of Mughal, India

Role of Women And spite of the great power and viability of these few women, for the most part, the status of women changed little from the previous period. In Europe, the revolutionary ideas of the Renaissance and the Enlightenment included women. Education was more widely available to all classes, but opportunities for girls lagged far behind boys and the highest level of education were only open to males.

Varied Interactions Japan and China were both highly organized, confident civilizations oWanted to preserve their own cultures –Able to keep the global doors closed

Varied Interactions In Africa, the societies were fragmented. No centralized power existed, so the Europeans were harder to fend off. Europeans were obsessed with penetrating the entire continent

Varied Interactions In the Americas, civilizations were quickly overwhelmed by European technology and disease Ottoman Empire and Arabia, the interaction was somewhat limited because the Europeans weren’t as dependent on the overland routes in their efforts to trade with India and China.

Global Economy In short, sailing, mercantilism, and private investment changed the global economy. Mercantilism and its dependence on the establishment of imperialism married economic and political developments. And the establishments of joint-stock companies took major economic motivation out of the hands of the governments and put it in the hands of the private sector

Global Economy The benefits of economic prosperity were diffused among larger groups of individuals than ever before, governments began to lose their grip on controlling their new economies.