Changes and Continuity in Western Europe

During the expiration of 1492 to 1750, atomic number 63 experience drastic heightens during their Age of Discovery. As a result of contact and colonization, westbound Europes thriftiness, policy-making, social, and military systems changed, but also maintained definite aspects that enabled them to build strong civilizations. Such changes include change magnitude (international) trade routes, much than centralized governments such as monarchies, decreased unifying influence of the Catholic Church, and increase matter to in military conquest and expansion.In price of the economy, industrialization and manufacturing drove the economy forward, catalyzing change and developments that would contribute to the economy. Advancements in metallurgy produced an increased demand for skilled blacksmiths and detailed metal work. State sponsored trading companies and colonial ventures were investments that had a unchangeable influence. The ventures were mainly directed at the Americas, which were rich sources of gold, silver, sugar, and some other desired goods. This new international trade opened infinite possibilities for the economy to grow and expand.These ventures also brought American crops back to Europe, such as potatoes, which increased specialized agriculture. However, through these increased changes within the economic system, many a(prenominal) aspects remained behind. roughly nonably was in agriculture, where farmers continued relying on the methods and techniques of the Middle Ages, such as the three-field system. Although there were innovations during the 18th century, they were not enough to noticeably improve the productivity, and many old crops were grown along with new crops, which resulted in a bring low gear production of the old crops.Politically, important changes, mainly the Glorious Revolution, impacted Europe in such a way that there is a lasting impression to this day. The decline in feudal balance resulted in more centralized gove rnment states, therefore leading to absolute and parliamentary monarchies. When France, England, and the Netherlands gained military group through international trade, Spain disjointed its dominance while slowly travel behind the new major powers of westbound Europe. Parts of the European governmental systems that remained untouched included the feudal political forms that remained strong, even with introduction of monarchies.Since European states thirsted for expansion of their states, military remained a top priority in backing therefore, the strong feudal forms remained, although with shifted balance. Furthermore, ordinary people were not highly affected by the political changes, because politics did not concern them all they had to head ache about was paying their taxes as usual, and the general economic life was not altered. In terms of the social system and structure, a main change that altered the social structure was commercialization, which created a new social clas s, the proletariats, who suffered from poverty. new(prenominal) notable social changes include the emergence of a European-style family, which emphasized the atomic family structure, and intensified links between family and individual property, and the decline of influence of the Catholic Church, which cause a separation of peoples religious and daily lives. However, women maintained their low statuses as inferiors to men, and have fewer alternatives when Protestants abolished convents. In addition, although the Catholic Church lost its influence, the elite remained powerful and limited cultural movements, mirroring that of the Dark Ages but to a lesser extent because of the Enlightenment.Militarily, the main advancements were evident in the navy, and skills in twist stronger, bigger ships capable of sailing the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. The increased interest in military conquest supported state-sponsored expeditions and ventures. France formed a victor military, and Italy bec ame more militarized, with majority of Western European states improving their navies. Similar to their ancestors, the European states used their dominating armies and navies to expand their boundaries and conquer neighbouring lands.The coastal states gained more grease as a result of having superior naval forces, notably Britain. end-to-end the period of 15th to 18th centuries, the changes that occurred, heavily influenced the development of the states into independent, dominating forces with Western Europeans gaining their own unique identity. Although there were more changes than continuities, the aspects that did last through this period aided in the development of others, such as how the feudal political forms aided the emerging monarchies in becoming stronger, lasting till new-fangled day.Europes Age of Discovery was a time for drastic and rapid changes, changes for the best, and not necessarily for the worst. Guns, Germs, and Steel. Dir. Jerad Diamond. National Geographic, 2005. DVD. Hoffman, Philip T. Prices, the Military Revolution, and Western Europes comparative Advantage in Violence. Economic History Review, Feb2011 Supplement. Vol. 64. 2011. 39. Print. Outline. World Civilizations, AP Edition. Pearson Education, 2010. Web. 11 Dec. 2011. . alteration of the West. World Civilizations. Pearson Education, 2010. Web. 11 Dec. 2011. .