The Making of Modern Europe (1450-1700)

1. The Making of Modern Europe (1450-1700) Europe began devising new techniques to increase its power and force to such an extent that European dynastic states achieved global domination.

2. I. A New Way of Thinking

3. A. The “New World” (Mundus Novus) • First applied to Columbus’ voyages • Later applied to a new societal outlook • Francis Bacon’s The Great Reversal (1620) • Priority of seeking knowledge through reason and the scientific method • Observation and experimentation valued • Practical knowledge was prized

4. B. The Role of Doubt in the New Search for Truth • Breakdown in the medieval system of unitary belief • Aggravated by the Reformation • Humanism competes rather than complements the Christian tradition • The Essay: a new literary genre • Removal of politics from the realm of religion

5. C. The Printing Press • Intellectual Revolution through the spread of books and tracts • Literacy grows • Communication between scholars grows • Standardization of texts

6. D. The Scientific Revolution • Aristotelian universe comes under scrutiny and attack • The challenge of Copernicus • Theological application of Aristotle’s cosmology • The medieval, Aristotelian cosmos • Aristotle’s understanding of motion • Concept of matter and form

7. II. A “New World” To Explore

8. A. Motivation • Western trade route to Asia • Lust for Wealth • Religious motives • Notion of mercantilism • Joint Stock Companies formed • Nationalistic Competition • Curiosity and Sense of Adventure • Leave personal problems behind

9. B. Method

10. (1) New Inventions • Medieval Navigational methods • Earliest compass appears in Europe in the 1200’s • The development of the astrolabe • Improvements in Cartography

11. (2) New Ships • Medieval Galley Ships • The new Caravel or “Fully-Rigged” Ship • Required new, “tumble home” hull design • Ships become floating cannon platforms

12. (3) Results • European domination of the globe—at a price • Brutal warfare of Europeans and Native Americans • Ecological Revolution • Epidemiological Disaster • The importation of African slaves

13. III. A “New Warfare” to Wage

14. A. The Introduction of Gunpowder • Chinese origins • First guns in Italy during the 14th century • Cannons introduced to Europe during the Hundred Years War • Cannons were instrumental in the Ottoman siege of Constantinople in 1453

15. B. The Impact of this Technological Revolution • Warfare was “royalized” • Associated industries were stimulated --Between 1460-1530, there was a 500% increase in metal production in Europe • Infantry became the primary fighting unit instead of the cavalry

16. C. The New Significance of the Infantry • Cost • Professionalism • Social Impact • Ennobling Aspect of War questioned • New Tactics • Vulnerability of mounted troops

17. D. New Technologies Resulting from Gunpowder Warfare • Improvements in the quality of gunpowder • Shape, size and mobility of cannons are improved • Standardization of the caliber of weapons • Science of ballistics develops

18. IV. New European Dynastic States

19. A. Comparison to Medieval Monarchy • Royal power was restricted regionally • Complex pattern of overlapping jurisdictions • Feudalism • Changes in warfare described previously increased the power of the monarch at the expense of the nobility • Royal efficiency in collecting taxes

20. A. Comparison to Medieval Monarchy (cont) • Royal bureaucracy became a national administration • Global domination by European monarchies for the first time in history • No standing army leads to a less powerful king • Tax immunity for nobles • Medieval institutions “devolved” over time • Geographic shift in European political and economic power

21. B. “Absolutism”: The French Alternative

22. (1) The Definition and Evolution of Absolutism • Sovereignty embedded in the person of the ruler -- “L’etat c’est moi.” • National crisis in France between 1570-1600 is ended by the Edict of Nantes (1598) • The regency of Louis XIII: Cardinal Richelieu • Political power more important than religious purity

23. (1) The Evolution of Absolutism (cont) • Richelieu attacks the power of the French nobility • The regency of Louis XIV: Cardinal Mazarin • The “Fronde” Rebellion • Louis’ near drowning during the “Fronde” • Reign of Louis XIV is the longest of any European monarch in history: 1643-1715

24. (2) Symbol of French Absolutism: Louis XIV • Versailles is the stage for this drama of absolutism • The “Sun King” • Louis’ use of gunpowder warfare • The financial policies of Colbert • Revocation of the Edict of Nantes • Use of secret police • French manners and absolutism copied all over Europe

25. C. Constitutional Monarchy: The English Alternative

26. (1) Background • Elizabeth I dies without an heir • Advent of the Stuart Dynasty --James I: 1603-1625 --Charles I: 1625-1649 • Power of the British Parliament • Powerful minority of Puritans in Parliament

27. (2) Crisis • The “Long Parliament” (1640) • English Civil War: 1642-1649 • Execution of Charles I in 1649 • The Interregnum --Oliver Cromwell

28. (3) Restoration • Charles II agrees to call Parliament often (1660-1685) • Charles II develops a primitive cabinet system • Secret deal to re-Catholicize England • Reign of James II (1685-1688) • Produces a Catholic male heir

29. (4) “The Glorious Revolution” • James II with wife and child fled to France • Bloodless Revolution • Parliament offers the throne to William and Mary • English monarchs accepted they were under the rule of law and sovereignty rested with the people

30. V. William Shakespeare: The Prophet of Modern Europe (1564-1616) • Renaissance focus on Classical Culture • Nationalistic impulses • Exorbitant Ambition • Increasing Individualism • The Anguish and Uncertainty of Modern Man