Write a Report

Assignment: During the early modern era (approximately 1500-1800) the peoples of the world came in to closer contact with one another than ever before; but not all regions of the world followed the same paths. As European societies became more powerful, individuals and groups ventured out into the world, first as explorers, and then as settlers and traders, backed by the early stages of capitalist finance and supported by constitutional states and monarchies. Eastern societies, such as those of the Chinese, the Japanese, and the Islamic Empires were more insular and followed different courses, largely retaining control of their own affairs. Compare and contrast the historical trajectories of Europe with those of China, Japan, and the Islamic Empires during the early modern period. How and why did Europeans become so powerful? What did Europeans have in common with Chinese, Japanese, and Islamic societies and how were they different? How did the manner in which Chinese, Japanese, and Islamic Empires operated in the larger world set the stage for future developments? Finally, how did European expansion affect the societies with which the Europeans came into contact, especially in the Americas and Africa?