Europe's Transition to Modernity from the 14th to 18th Centuries

Europe's Transition to Modernity from the 14th to 18th Centuries

The period from the 14th to the 18th century marked a profound transformation in European society, characterized by the decline of feudalism, the flourishing of the Renaissance, the upheaval of the Reformation, the expansion of global exploration, and the rise of centralized nation-states. These interconnected developments reshaped economic structures, social hierarchies, political systems, and cultural paradigms. The waning of feudalism, driven by economic shifts like the rise of trade and urbanization, created space for new social classes and political centralization. Concurrently, the Renaissance revived classical humanism, fostering advancements in art, science, and literature that emphasized individual potential and empirical inquiry. The Reformation fractured religious unity, challenging ecclesiastical authority and sparking conflicts that redefined Europe’s spiritual landscape. Meanwhile, the Age of Exploration expanded European influence globally, motivated by the pursuit of …