Political:
During this time in Europe the politics were centered around a Parliamentary Government. Many Europeans were transitioning from a monarchy to a parliamentary government at this time. A parliamentary government is a government that is run by cabinet leaders that make decisions for the region or country rather than just one ruler such as a king in a monarchy.
Also during this time in Europe, many Europeans were starting to colonize in different parts of the world. Most of these colonies were in the Americas. Spain and Portugal mostly colonized in Latin America. While the British mostly colonized in North America.
Also, during this time in western europe the Thirty Years war had taken place. It had taken place between 1618-1648. The war had began with difficulties between Protestants and Catholics, resulting from the Protestant Reformation. The war had caused a lot of problems politically. The war had ended in 1648 with Peace of Westphalia.
Economic
Even though much fur wasn't found in Western Europe doesn't mean that they weren't involved in the worlds fur trade. Europeans that were colonized in the Americas at the time had hired Native American to get fur for trade. Due to the Little Ice Age that had taken place at this time in europe led to the high demand of fur and the increasing prices of the fur.
The Spanish had their hands on silver at this time as well. Though, when the prices of silver had dropped throughout the world, spanish silver was of no longer high value in europe.
The spice trade had become very competitive in Europe during the 17th century. The dutch and english had started trading companies which later became trading empires in South and Southeast asia. They had begun to deal goods in bulks rather than just luxury items.
The Spanish had their hands on silver at this time as well. Though, when the prices of silver had dropped throughout the world, spanish silver was of no longer high value in europe.
The spice trade had become very competitive in Europe during the 17th century. The dutch and english had started trading companies which later became trading empires in South and Southeast asia. They had begun to deal goods in bulks rather than just luxury items.
Religion
Christianity was spread throughout the region at this time. Many europeans had believed in the bible, which is the holy book of the religion.
During this time, due to the Protestant Reformation, many people had accepted it because also that it allows people to do for oneself.
During this time, due to the Protestant Reformation, many people had accepted it because also that it allows people to do for oneself.
Society
Woman at this time, much as before were seen as inferior to men. They weren't allowed to hold high positions in the catholic and protestant church. Woman and mothers were often under men supervision. Also, the literacy rate for woman at rapidly decreased due to the fact that they didn't have to read the bible unless it was for oneself which was supported by the Protestant Reformation.
The family structure at this time was different in Europe, often called the European Style family. The new style had pushed marriage back rather than letting the children marry young. They had focused more on family and children rather than the extended family, which was very different from regular traditions.
Intellectual
During this time, printing became highly available. It had also increased literacy rates and to help spread religions. It had also given ways for new thinking and new ideas.
During the years 1500-1750, the time of the scientific revolution, many scientific breakthroughs such as the telescope had given the idea that the planets orbit the sun, and the idea of universal gravitation had occurred in Western Europe. Also due to the scientific revolution, a new form of philosophy was developed. The new philosophy was called the Enlightenment.
During the years 1500-1750, the time of the scientific revolution, many scientific breakthroughs such as the telescope had given the idea that the planets orbit the sun, and the idea of universal gravitation had occurred in Western Europe. Also due to the scientific revolution, a new form of philosophy was developed. The new philosophy was called the Enlightenment.
Arts & Architecture
During this time in Europe one of the most famous writers of all time had lived. William Shakespeare was born in 1546 in England. He had written many famous plays and poems. Some of his most famous works were written in Sonnets. Some of his most famous plays were Romeo & Juliet, Hamlet, Julias Ceaser, and many more. Many of his works are involved in English Literature.
During this time, Renaissance architecture was very famous in Western Europe. The Renaissance architecture had Roman and Greek architecture incorporated with a Gothic style structures. Many Renaissance structures at the time were religious buildings or religious cathedrals.
Near Geography
Sources:
Robert W. Strayer’s Ways of the World Second Edition
http://www.sparknotes.com/history/european/scientificrevolution/
http://academics.triton.edu/uc/rotnfam1.htm
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/parliamentary+government
http://www.parliament.uk/about/living-heritage/evolutionofparliament/originsofparliament/birthofparliament/overview/firstparliaments/
http://www.sparknotes.com/history/european/scientificrevolution/
http://academics.triton.edu/uc/rotnfam1.htm
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/parliamentary+government
http://www.parliament.uk/about/living-heritage/evolutionofparliament/originsofparliament/birthofparliament/overview/firstparliaments/
Jada Black