For many historians, the arrival of Christopher Columbus to the American continent marked the beginning of the Modern Age.
The concept of age , from the Latin word aetas , has several uses. On this occasion we are interested in its meaning as each period into which the history of humanity is divided. The modern , on the other hand, is associated with that linked to recent years or the time of the speaker.
The Modern Age , in this framework, is one of the historical ages. The notion specifically refers to the period between the Middle Ages and the Contemporary Age .
Extension of the Modern Age
By convention , historians indicate that the Modern Age developed between the 15th century and the 18th century . In this way, it succeeds the Middle Ages (which extends from the 5th to the 15th century) and precedes the Contemporary Age (from the 18th century to the present).
Many times certain historical events are taken to delimit ages more precisely. In the case of the Modern Age , its beginning is generally set to the arrival of Europeans to the American continent ( 1492 ) or to the fall of Constantinople that marked the end of the Byzantine Empire ( 1453 ). As for the end of this age, there are those who place it in the French Revolution ( 1789 ), while others mention American independence ( 1776 ).
The French Revolution is usually noted as the closing of the Modern Age.
Main events and movements of the period
The predominance of reason, the development of communications and hope for progress are some of the main values and milestones of the Modern Age . The rise of capitalism and the strengthening of nation states began there, which were consolidated in the Contemporary Age .
In the same way, we cannot ignore the fact that in the Modern Age another important series of events took place such as the Renaissance , the Enlightenment , Absolutism , the birth of national states in Europe or the religious reform. Likewise, events such as the Thirty Years' War , the reestablishment of the Holy Inquisition , the Glorious Revolution ...
Main characteristics of the Modern Age
Regarding the main hallmarks of this historical stage, some such as the following must be highlighted:
– Trade by sea becomes the main element that facilitates the economic development of many nations.
– In the same way, it was characterized because during it the European monarchies were strengthened.
– No less relevant is that it hosted a large number of explorations and discoveries that gave rise to what is known as colonization.
– There was also an important advance at a scientific level. And a great variety of discoveries were carried out in subjects such as anatomy, mathematics, biology, astronomy...
– Likewise, it must be emphasized that the Modern Age is also characterized because it allowed the religious reform that would lead to the appearance of the Calvinist or Lutheran churches, for example.
– Regarding art, it must be noted that there was an enormous development of it thanks to the aforementioned Renaissance, within which some of the greatest artists of all time and works that are distinguished would emerge.