Intro to chapter 4

Early Modern Era

• Columbian exchange: created new networks across the Atlantic and pacific oceans. Religion spread, new ideas and technology spread. Cultural Exchange.
• Scientific revolution took place in Europe and was considered one of the most early signs of "modernity"
• The modern population grew and developed as a result of the recovery from the Black death. Foods from the americas provided nutrition to support a large number of people. 
• Population doubled in the world between 1400 and 1800.
• Cities began to urbanize and commercialized economies centered in large cities. 
• Many economies/cities found themselves producing not for their local economies but for those far out. (cultural exchange)
• "gunpowder revolution"
• Europeans had control of the Americas as well as the sea routes, they did not have total control. Their military and political power was limited in Asia and Africa. China and Japan controlled the European missionaries and merchants. Islam spread rapidly rather than Christianity (Europeans religion)
• Europe was not the powerhouse of the world nor did it have much potential to become one. 
• Gender equality wasn't in the picture. 
• Societies still operated in old traditional ways. 
• Male landowners still remained at the top of the social hierarchy. 
• 1450-1750 can be looked at as a late agrarian era and an early modern age.
• Some people were hesitant to adopt the new ways and urged societies to build off of old traditions and ways of living
• Europeans did not always lead the way to the modern ideas.