Early modern period facts for kids

The early modern period is a time from 1500–1800 (roughly). This time follows the Middle Ages. It is the start of recognizable nations that we know today.

In the history of Europe, the early modern period follows the Medieval period. It begins around the Fall of Constantinople in 1453, and includes the Renaissance period, and the Age of Discovery. It includes the discovery of America, and the discovery of the sea route to the East. It ends around the French Revolution in 1789.

Europe

In 1453 Constantinople fell to the Ottoman Empire. Science, transport, and communications improved. This is also called the Renaissance. For European countries with many ships, this was the Age of Discovery. Europe was beginning to expand to the New World. Trade with Asia was common, after Europeans found their way around Africa and into the Indian Ocean. Late in this period the European countries started setting up colonies there.

Asia

The Mughal Empire began in 1526. This Empire had a orderly government, widespread economic prosperity and religious tolerance. At this time Asia was flourishing in Math and Science. Also the Ottoman Empire was ruling the Middle East, along with the Persian Empire.

Related pages

• Renaissance

Images for kids

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  Map of the world by Paolo Patrini during the turn of the 18th century

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  A painting depecting the Qing Chinese celebrating a victory over the Kingdom of Tungning in Taiwan. This work was a collaboration between Chinese and European painters.

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  The Great Wave off Kanagawa, c. 1830 by Hokusai, an example of art flourishing in the Edo Period

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  Map of the Gunpowder Empires, the Mughal Empire being the orange one.

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  The Mughal ambassador Khan'Alam in 1618 negotiating with Shah Abbas the Great of Iran.

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  Robert Clive and Mir Jafar after the Battle of Plassey, 1757 by Francis Hayman

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  Ferdinand Pauwels – Martin Luther hammers his 95 theses to the door

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  Gutenberg reviewing a press proof (a colored engraving created probably in the 19th century)

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  Bourgeoisie takes more and more importance throughout the modern era.

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  Cossacks became the backbone of the early Russian Army.

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  The Cantino planisphere (1502), the oldest surviving Portuguese nautical chart showing the results of the explorations of Vasco da Gama to India, Columbus to Central America, Gaspar Corte-Real to Newfoundland and Pedro Álvares Cabral to Brazil. The meridian of Tordesillas, separating the Portuguese and Spanish halves of the world is also depicted

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  Axum and Adal circa 1500.

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  John Trumbull's Declaration of Independence, showing the Committee of Five in charge of drafting the Declaration in 1776 as it presents its work to the Second Continental Congress in Philadelphia

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  World Colonization of 1492 (Early Modern World), 1550, 1660, 1754 (Age of Enlightenment), 1822 (Industrial revolution), 1885 (European Hegemony), 1914 (World War I era), 1938 (World War II era), 1959 (Cold War era) and 1974, 2008 (Recent history).

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  Waldseemüller map with joint sheets, 1507

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  Model for the Three Superior Planets and Venus from Georg von Peuerbach, Theoricae novae planetarum.

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  Gold fueled European exploration of the Americas. Explorers reported Native Americans in Central America, Peru, Ecuador and Colombia were to have had large amounts.

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  Silver, valued as a precious metal, has been used to make expensive ornaments, fine jewelry, high-value tableware and utensils (silverware), and currency coins.

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  Spices were among the most luxurious products, the most common being black pepper, cinnamon (and the cheaper alternative cassia), cumin, nutmeg, ginger and cloves.

See also

In Spanish: Edad Moderna para niños