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Period: Jan 1, 1450 to
The Early Modern Period
During the Early Modern Period, Western Europe began a continuous trend of spreading their trade and power over the globe. However, changes began occurring later in the period with Europe losing its economic power. -
Jan 1, 1487
The Portuguese First Reach the Cape of Good Hope
When the Portuguese sailed down the west African coast, they set up factories and trading posts. This ultimately resulted in a major change in the Western labor force: the African slave trade. Because of these contacts, the economic systems of Europe and its colonies were revolutionized into an unprecedented age of productivity. -
Jan 1, 1492
Columbus First Lands in the Caribbean
The Spanish sailor Christopher Columbus landed on the island of Hispaniola the same year of the fall of Granada. This posed a great change in the way the world was run and connected because of the resulting colonies pioneered by Spain. -
Jan 1, 1494
Treaty of Tordesillas
This treaty speficified the colonial areas belonging to Castile (Spain) and Portugal. This is an out of place change because instead of competing as usual, major European powers were collaborating. -
Jan 1, 1532
Brazilian Plantation Colony Begins
Brazil became the first plantation colony in 1532, soon becoming the world's leading producer of sugar. This was a change in the way the New World colonies were run, causing the massive productivity that helped Europe gain so much world power. -
Jan 1, 1533
Beginning of Ivan IV's Reign, Who First Makes European Trading Contacts with Western Europe
Ivan IV, often known as Ivan the Terrible, was the first ruler of Russia to make trading contacts with western Europe. From the European standpoint, this was simply of continuation of their constant pattern of expansion across the world. -
Jan 1, 1545
Discovery and Town of Potosi
In tha Spanish controlled area of Peru, a massive silver mine was discovered that resulted in a massive city the size of London and extensive coerced labor. This was a change in the area that brought much wealth to Spain, however most of the mined silver went to areas outside of Europe. -
Jan 1, 1580
Murder of Nobunaga, Beginning of Persecution of Christians in Japan
Europeans had much earlier forced their way into the Asian trading network and their Christian missionary efforts were embraced by Emperor Nobunaga to counteract Buddhist rebellions. However, when Nobunaga was murdered in the late 1580s, his successor began persecuting Europeans and slowly banning them. This changed the way that Europeans could trade within Asia. -
Japanese Ban on All Foreign Ships
The Japanese persecution and ban of Christians ultimately ended with Japan completely banning ships to or from any foreign lands. This continued the slow increase of Japanese isolation and cut Japan completely off from the world trading network. -
Spanish Colonies Begin Falling to English, Dutch, and French
Throughout the late 17th century, Spain began losing its colonies and power, such as the English taking Jamaica in 1654. This was a change because it meant that Spain was no longer one of the strongest European countries. -
Dutch East India Company Establishes Colony at Cape of Good Hope
The Dutch East India Company set up a colony at the Cape of Good Hope as a post for ships sailing to Asia. The large farms for this colony resulted in its spread and constant conflicts with native Africans. This was a continuation of similar American patterns, but it changed much of the peaceful trade relationships Europe had with African rulers. -
Thesis
During the Early Modern Period, Western Europe began a continuous trend of spreading their colonies, trade, and power over the globe. However, interruptions and changes often occurred in the period with Europe losing its economic power or gaining it in new ways.