ABSTRACT

The European World 1500-1800 provides a concise and authoritative textbook for the centuries between the Renaissance and the French Revolution. It presents early modern Europe not as a mere transitional phase, but a dynamic period worth studying in its own right. Written by an experienced team of specialists, and derived from a perennially successful undergraduate course, it offers a student-friendly introduction to all major themes and processes of early modern history.

Structured in four parts dealing with socio-economic, religious, cultural and political issues, it adopts a deliberately broad geographical perspective: Western and Central Europe receive particular attention, but dedicated chapters also explore the wider global context. For this thoroughly revised and improved second edition, the authors have added three new chapters on ‘Politics and Government’, ‘Impact of War' and ‘Revolution’

Specially designed to assist learning, The European World 1500-1800 features:

  • state-of-the-art surveys of key topics written by an international team of historians
  • suggestions for seminar discussion and further reading
  • extracts from primary sources and generous illustrations, including maps
  • a glossary of key terms and concepts
  • a chronology of major events
  • a full index of persons, places and subjects
  • a fully-featured companion website, enhanced for this new edition

The European World 1500-1800 will be essential reading for all students embarking on the discovery of the early modern period.

chapter |10 pages

Introduction

part |2 pages

PART I STARTING POINTS

chapter |10 pages

Europe in 1500

chapter |12 pages

Beyond Europe c. 1500

part |2 pages

PART II SOCIETY AND ECONOMY

chapter |10 pages

Rural Society

chapter |11 pages

Urban Society

chapter |10 pages

Marginals and Deviants

chapter |10 pages

The Early Modern Economy

part |2 pages

PART III RELIGION Church and People at the Close of the Middle Ages

part |2 pages

PART IV CULTURE

chapter |10 pages

The Renaissance

chapter |13 pages

Expanding Horizons

chapter |10 pages

Arts and Society

chapter |10 pages

The Scientific Revolution

chapter |12 pages

Witchcraft and Magic

chapter |10 pages

Popular Culture(s)

chapter |13 pages

Enlightenment

part |2 pages

PART V POLITICS

chapter |36 pages

(A) Surveys

chapter |54 pages

(B) Themes

part |2 pages

PART VI TRANSITION POINTS

chapter |9 pages

Europe in 1800

chapter |13 pages

Beyond Europe c. 1800

chapter |2 pages

Appendices

chapter |6 pages

Maps