The Rise of European Empires

1325 Words3 Pages

The one constant theme from any period in history we examine seems to be that of change. As Europe began to take shape, it did so with an expansion and contraction rate that was dramatically impacted by changes in political organizations, positive and negative economic forces, and through shifts in social structure. The path to the creation of the European empires was a long and tedious journey. Sixth century feudalism gave way to the creation of a central authority. The thirteenth century was scarred by the Black Death but it brought about economic changes that would resonate well into the Renaissance period of the fifteenth century. Nation-states began their formation as the need for a centralized government dictated. With each step during this period, the faces of social, economic and political organization changed – all leading to the rise of the European empires.
Prior to fifteenth century Europe, nation states, or countries as we know them today, did not exist. With the decentralization of local governments and the increase of feudalism spurred from the sixth century - “a social system tied together by kinship, regional alliances, [and/or] personal bonds” consisting of fiefs, vassals and lords – there was a marked need for a centralized and more stable form of government. In the tenth century, there was a disintegration of the Carolingian state, which resulted in fragmented political entities consisting of: (1) the elective papacy and empire with their sacred view of political power; and, (2) large hereditary kingdoms that arose within the old Carolingian world and along its borders. Around the twelfth century, the aristocratic society began to lose its stronghold of domination, and the central authority began to shift t...

... middle of paper ...

...cebook: Amerigo Vespucci (1452-
1512): Accounts of His First Voyage, 1497." Last modified July 1998. Accessed December 18, 2013. http://www.fordham.edu/Halsall/mod/1497vespucci-america.asp.
Halsall, Paul. Fordham University, "Modern History Sourcebook: John Cabot (c. 1450-1499):
Voyage to North America, 1497." Last modified July 1998. Accessed December 18, 2013. http://www.fordham.edu/Halsall/mod/1497cabot-3docs.asp.
Ibeji, Dr. Mike. BBC, "Black Death." Last modified March 10, 2011. Accessed December 19,
2013. http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/british/middle_ages/black_01.shtml.
Kishlansky, Mark, Patrick Geary, and Patricia O'Brien. Western Civilization. Boston: Pearson
Learning Solutions, 2013, 266-378.
Library of Congress, "1492: An Ongoing Voyage/Europe Claims America: The Atlantic Joined."
Accessed December 19, 2013. http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/1492/eurocla.html.

Show More
Related

  • Global Power Dbq

    969 Words  | 2 Pages

    In the mid 18th century many different powers in Europe were trying to spread their influence and gain global power. However, this was not without difficulty. There were many regional issues that these powers needed to overcome such as economic complications, struggles with native and conquered peoples, and competing with other European powers.

    Read More

  • Juan Ponce de Leon: The Spanish Explorer

    1092 Words  | 3 Pages

    Washington Irving, Voyages and Discoveries of the Companions of Columbus (New York: Frederick Unger Publishing Company,) 323.

    Read More

  • Bonaparte Betrayed the Revolution

    1622 Words  | 4 Pages

    John Merriman, A History of Modern Europe, Volume 1, (London, New York). Class Notes Class Documents HI 4712 Class Readings HI 4712

    Read More

  • Analysis Of Christopher Columbus's Letter To Luis De Santangel

    1096 Words  | 3 Pages

    In 1492, Christopher Columbus was a self-made man who worked his way up to being the Captain of a merchant vessel. He gained the support of the Spanish monarchs, Ferdinand and Isabella, for an expedition to the Indies. With the support of the Spanish monarchy, he set off to find a new and faster trade route to the Indies. Upon the arrival of his first voyage, Columbus wrote a letter to Luis de Santangel, a “royal official and an early supporter of his venture,” in February 1493 (35). The epistle, letter, entitled “Letter to Luis de Santangel Regarding the First Voyage” was copied and then distributed in Spain before being translated and spread throughout Europe. The Letter is held in such regard with the people as it is considered the first printed description of the new world. Through his description of the nature of the islands, Columbus decided the future fate of the islands. His description of the vast beauty of the nature around him, declares both the economic and nationalistic motivations for colonizing the new world.

    Read More

  • Protestant Reformation Dbq Essay

    598 Words  | 2 Pages

    The period 1550 to 1660 was a period of extreme dislocation and major change, within which saw periods boom and bust in various regions across Europe. This was followed by a much quieter period in the later 17th century that most economic historians would call recessionary. Along with the religious consequences of the Reformation and Counter Reformation came deep and lasting political changes. Northern Europe’s new religious and political freedoms came at a great cost, with decades of rebellions, wars and bloody

    Read More

  • Dbq New Monarchs

    395 Words  | 1 Pages

    A second piece of evidence that supports the argument in the passage that the New Monarchs of Western European states during the 16th and 17th centuries consolidated their power by centralizing their government is Philip II’s creation of an effective bureaucracy. In the mid 16th century, Philip II organized the nobility in

    Read More

  • What Is The Letter To Christopher Columbus Santangel

    1002 Words  | 3 Pages

    In 1492, Columbus sailed the ocean blue. However, even after centuries later, little is truly known of the mysterious voyage and findings of the new world.1 By examining “Letter from Columbus to Luis Santangel”, one can further contextualize the events of Columbus' exploration of the New World. The letter uncovers Columbus' subtle hints of his true intentions and exposes his exaggerated tone that catered to his lavish demands with Spain. Likewise, The Columbian Voyage Map read in accordance with the letter helps the reader track Columbus' first, second, third, and fourth voyage to the New World carefully and conveniently. Thus, the letter and map's rarity and description render invaluable insight into Columbus' intentionality of the New World and its indigenous inhabitants.

    Read More

  • Expansion of western europe

    1089 Words  | 3 Pages

    The expansion of Western Europe started with the Iberian phase. Spain and Portugal, the two countries of the Iberian Peninsula, had a short-lived yet important role in European expansion. European expansion then turned to Western Europe. Western Europe consists of the Dutch, French, and British. While Western Europe was exploring new worlds overseas, the Russians were expanding westward across all of Eurasia.

    Read More

  • The Similarities And Differences Of The Carolingian Empire And The Roman Empire

    1201 Words  | 3 Pages

    Throughout the middle ages, many empires were working on expanding their territory, but it was not always a success unless they had the appropriate leadership to guide them in the right direction. The main empire that grew to extraordinary lengths is that of the Roman Empire. Through many conquests and battles and with an amicable government, it attained its fortune. However, on the other hand, there was another government that shared similarities with that of Rome; this was the empire of Charlemagne, otherwise known as the Carolingian Empire, but it failed to have a prosperous eternity.

    Read More

  • European Imperialism in Africa and Asia

    1516 Words  | 4 Pages

    Introduction: The epoch of imperialism cannot be defined simply as a proliferation of inflated egos tied to the hardened opinions of nationalists, but also a multi-faceted global rivalry with roots of philosophies tainted with racism and social Darwinism. The technique of each imperialist was specific to the motivations and desires of each combative, predominantly Western power and subsequently impacted the success of each imperialist and its colonies. Driven by industrialization, Europeans are aware of the urgent need for raw materials and new markets to maintain a constant rate of expansion and wealth. Imperialism became a competition; in general, the European countries led with fervor while the non-Western regions deemed likely to be stepped on.

    Read More

  • The Rise of the American Empire

    1633 Words  | 4 Pages

    WWII has a ripple effect across the globe causing changes both internationally and domestically. Internationally, The sun finally began to set over the British Empire with the majority of her majesties colonial possessions gaining independence in the years following the war. Britain’s stage left exit from its hegemonic role resulted in the start of a new “Great Game” between two burgeoning superpowers. A new world order began to take shape with the United States and USSR vying to establish their own hegemony.

    Read More

  • The Middle Ages by Joseph Dahlmus and Feudal Society by Marc Bloch

    1696 Words  | 4 Pages

    Barendse, R.J. “The Feudal Mutation: Military and Economic Transformations of the Ethnosphere in the Tenth to Thirteenth Centuries.” Journal of World History 14, no. 4 (2003): 503-529. EBSCOhost (accessed April 8, 2014).

    Read More

  • How the Reformation Affected 16th Century Civilization

    826 Words  | 2 Pages

    The Reformation spurred a wave of political devolution throughout Europe in the early 1500s, the most obvious example being that of the Holy Roman Empire. Although the nobility of the Holy Roman Empire had managed to keep hold of its power throughout a time of political unification, the Reformati...

    Read More

  • The Decline and Fall of Empires

    1115 Words  | 3 Pages

    Most of the civilizations throughout history have been taken over or replaced by other civilizations due to disunity and chaos. Although an empire might seem prosperous, the decline and fall of empires are sometimes inevitable. Even though an empire might seem invincible, there are many factors that could lead to the sudden decline or fall of an empire. Over many centuries, historians have composed many reasons, such as weak militaries, economic burdens, dynastic successions, and external enemies, which have been known to contribute to the rise and fall of many once successful empires.

    Read More

  • The Impact of Education in European, Asian, and Islamic Societies from 900-1300 AD

    1408 Words  | 3 Pages

    Zanden, J. L. (2014, January 4). Economic growth in a period of political fragmentation, Western Europe 900-1300. International Institute for Social History/ Utrecht University , pp. 6-12.

    Read More

More about The Rise of European Empires

Open Document