The Modern Age is the moment of history from the 15th to the 18th century and which is temporally located between the Middle Ages and the Contemporary Age.
We can safely say that this period was considered one of intense changes.
It was characterized by a phase of major transformations , revolutions and changes in the western mentality, changes of an economic, scientific, social and religious nature, which defined the capitalist system.
The conceptual divergences regarding the origin and evolution of that system (the capitalist), historians point to the Turkish conquest of Constantinople or the trip of Vasco da Gama to the Indies. Or even, the voyage of Christopher Columbus to the Americas as the landmark of that era.
Otherwise, few dispute the end of this period as July 14, 1789, with the advent of the French Revolution.
In any case, the Modern Age represents the time when distances were shortened, after Europeans launched themselves into seas never before sailed, exploring and revealing nature.
In this way, the main events of the Modern Age were:
- The First Great Navigations
- The Renaissance
- The Religious Reformation
- Absolutism
- The Enlightenment
- French Revolution
Economics in the Modern Age
After the commercial development from the 15th century onwards, the increase in population, the growth of cities and the development of manufactures, it was natural to overcome the Middle Ages.
Thus, a commercial system was structured that is at the heart of Capitalism:Mercantilism.
All overseas colonies had the "commercial exclusive", a rigid monopoly system structured mainly by the obligation of commercial routes passing through the metropolis.
This maritime expansion will, in effect, re-establish the economic foundations of Europe.
Strictly speaking, the most usual economic mechanisms were the practice of "Metalism ", where the assessment of a kingdom's wealth based on the amount of precious metals it held.
The "Colonial Pacts ", which determined the relations between the metropolis and the colony.
The "Commercial Monopolies ", according to which the king defined his privileged and their areas.
And finally, the Policy of "Favourable Trade Balances ", according to which it was necessary to export more than to import.
Politics in the Modern Age
In political terms, we must emphasize that Absolutism it was an established form of government. In it, the King's words were law and his will and desire were a command.
This form of domination was based on theories of "divine predestination ", which pointed to the king as chosen by God and secular texts, such as that of Niccolò Machiavelli, author of “The Prince”.
In this work, he demonstrates forms of government to princes so that they could remain sovereign in their respective kingdoms.
It is worth remembering that in approximately four centuries, European monarchs watched their power crumble through various liberal revolutions, until the French Revolution begins the process that will definitively overthrow the Ancien Régime.
Society in the Modern Age
Regarding Society, this was a period characterized by significant transformations and technological advances that made possible the globalization that began in the Modern Age.
We can cite the "Great Navigations ", which made possible, thanks to the discoveries and advances already mentioned, such as the improvement of the astrolabe and the compass, of more resistant boats for sea voyages and, later, the advent of steam engines.
These transformations made possible an intense accumulation of capital that allowed the European continent to launch itself in the front for the conquest.
It is also worth mentioning that the 18th century was also marked as the apex of the investigative spirit of scientists and enlightenment philosophers , which, in addition to inventing several machines, will create many social and scientific theories.
Beyond the "Enlightenment" , the "Religious Reform ", led by Martin Luther, had also been a major social revolution, dealing a severe blow to the Catholic Church, which reacted with the Counter-Reformation, a movement to quell the progress of religious reform.
Thus, we have to highlight that social movements such as theCommercial and artistic Renaissance , the Enlightenment and the Protestant Reformation changed the social imaginary of that period and its transformations are still felt today.
Read more about Telling Time in History.