World History 1450-1750 Lesson: Key Events & Political Changes

Lesson Overview

• The Age of Exploration (1450-1500s)
• Global Trade and Economic Shifts (1500s-1600s)
• Expansion of Empires (1450-1750)
• Political and Religious Changes in Europe
• Scientific and Intellectual Transformations (1600s-1700s)
• Timeline of Key Events (1450-1750)
• Why History of 1450-1750 Matter?

This world history 1450-1750 lesson explores the key events and political transformations that shaped the world between 1450 and 1750. Students will analyze the expansion of global empires, the rise of centralized monarchies, and the effects of colonization. The lesson will also examine political ideologies, conflicts, and revolutions that redefined governance.

The Age of Exploration (1450-1500s)

European nations, particularly Portugal and Spain, led the era of exploration. They sought wealth, new trade routes, and religious expansion. Several factors contributed to this movement:

• Economic Motivation: European rulers and merchants desired direct access to Asian spices and goods to bypass Muslim and Venetian middlemen.
• Technological Advancements: Innovations such as the caravel, compass, and astrolabe improved navigation.
• Religious Influence: Christian missionaries aimed to spread Christianity to new lands​.
• Key Explorers: Vasco da Gama reached India (1498), Columbus arrived in the Americas (1492), and Magellan's crew circumnavigated the globe (1519-1522).

Global Trade and Economic Shifts (1500s-1600s)

European exploration led to increased global trade, connecting Africa, the Americas, and Asia through the Columbian Exchange and Atlantic trade networks.

• Indian Ocean Trade Shift: European powers, particularly the Portuguese, Dutch, and English, established trade posts and controlled maritime routes​.
• Columbian Exchange: The transfer of crops, animals, diseases, and people between the Old World (Europe, Africa, Asia) and the New World (Americas) transformed global diets and economies.
  • To the Americas: Horses, cattle, wheat, sugarcane, and diseases like smallpox.
  • To Europe & Africa: Maize, potatoes, tomatoes, tobacco, and cacao.
• The Atlantic Slave Trade: European demand for labor on plantations led to the forced migration of millions of Africans across the Middle Passage.
• The Commercial Revolution: The growth of banking, joint-stock companies, and mercantilism fueled European dominance in global trade​.

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Expansion of Empires (1450-1750)

During this period, land-based empires grew and consolidated power. These empires used military conquest, bureaucratic governance, and taxation systems to maintain control.

Gunpowder Empires

• Ottoman Empire (Turkey, Middle East, Southeast Europe):
  
  • Conquered Constantinople in 1453, ending the Byzantine Empire​.
  • Used the devshirme system to recruit Christian boys for government and military service.
  • Fought wars with the Safavid Empire over religious and territorial disputes​.
• Safavid Empire (Persia/Iran):
  
  • Practiced Shi'a Islam, leading to conflicts with the Sunni Ottomans.
  • Strengthened its economy through Persian carpets and silk trade.
• Mughal Empire (India):
  
  • Akbar the Great promoted religious tolerance, while later rulers like Aurangzeb imposed Islamic policies.
  • Used the Zamindar system for tax collection.

China and Russia

• Ming & Qing China:
  
  • The Ming initially expanded maritime trade with Zheng He's voyages but later restricted foreign influence.
  • The Qing Dynasty, ruled by the Manchus, expanded China's borders while maintaining Confucian traditions​.
• Russian Empire:
  
  • Ivan III ended Mongol rule, and Peter Great modernized Russia, building St. Petersburg as a "window to the West"​.
  • Russia expanded eastward into Siberia, using military conquest and settlement policies.

Political and Religious Changes in Europe

Europe saw major transformations, including the Protestant Reformation, absolute monarchies, and constitutional governments.

• The Protestant Reformation (1517):
  
  • Martin Luther's 95 Theses criticized the Catholic Church, particularly the sale of indulgences​.
  • The movement led to the rise of Protestant denominations and conflicts like the Thirty Years' War.
  • England's Henry VIII broke from the Catholic Church and established the Anglican Church​.
• Absolutism and Constitutionalism:
  
  • Louis XIV of France ruled as an absolute monarch, controlling all aspects of government​.
  • England moved toward a constitutional monarchy after the Glorious Revolution (1688), limiting the king's power and strengthening Parliament​.

Scientific and Intellectual Transformations (1600s-1700s)

The Scientific Revolution and Enlightenment reshaped thought, emphasizing reason, observation, and natural rights.

• Scientific Revolution:
  
  • Copernicus proposed the heliocentric theory (sun-centered universe).
  • Newton's laws of motion and gravity provided a foundation for modern physics​.
• Enlightenment Thinkers:
  
  • John Locke argued for natural rights (life, liberty, and property)​.
  • Montesquieu supported the separation of powers in government.
  • Voltaire promoted freedom of speech and religion.

Timeline of Key Events (1450-1750)

Let's summarize with a chronological timeline of key events to clarify sequencing:

Why History of 1450-1750 Matter?

The period between 1450 and 1750 was a time of global expansion, political change, and intellectual progress. European exploration led to colonization and trade networks, while land-based empires consolidated power. The Reformation and Enlightenment reshaped religious and political thought, laying the groundwork for modern democracy and global economies. By understanding these events, students can connect the past to the present and analyze how global interactions continue to shape societies today.

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