The Early Modern Age began with the fall of Constantinople to the Ottomans in 1453. This significantly weakened Christian Europe both politically and economically. During this period, economic activity increased through intensified agriculture, trade, and the development of banking and mercantilism. Monarchs also consolidated power by forming strong central governments and armies to curb the influence of nobility. Ideas of humanism, inspired by classical antiquity, emphasized reason and critical thinking which helped drive innovations in science, philosophy and art.

1. Early Modern Age

2. Precedents
• At the end of the Middle Age, several inventions appeared and the new
discoveries opened the mind of the people from the Middle Ages
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6EAMqKUimr8

3. The Early Modern Age
• It begin with the fall of Constantinople (that will be in Ottoman’s hands until
the IWW
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oH-E9uH1nYs
• What significance did this city have for Christian Europe?
• What were the political and economic consequences of its fall?

4. Economic transformation
• Agriculture Increase in agricultural
production
• Three-field system

5. Agriculture
• Agriculture and livestock farming continue toe be the main source of
economic activity
•Societies were vulnerable
WHY?

6. Bad
Harvests
Decrease in
agricultural
production
Less and
lower
quality food
available
Consequences
Hunger
and
disease
Higher
mortality
rate
Decrease in
population
Smaller
workforce

7. Trade
• Intensified Commercial activity, that resulted in a surplus in production
which was sold in the city markets.
• Merchants and traders established trade routes over land and sea

9. Trade
• Expansion of the craftmanship: products were made in workshops and
controled by guilds.

10. Trade
• A new production system was creatred: THE DOMESTIC SYSTEM

11. Trade
• New products were brought to Europe.
• Development od mercantile capitalism

12. Banking
• Economic growth resulted in the development of banking.
• Banks provide loans
• They created the bill of exchange

13. Society

14. Feudal monarchy
• During the Middle
Ages, the King was the
first among equals.
• He needed the help of
the nobles who swore
loyalty pacts

15. Modern State
• During the early Modern Age, monarchs had more resources due to the
comercial profits, the growth in agricultural production and the proceed
from taxes
• They wanted more power and to control nobility

16. Modern State
• Monarchs’ measures:
• To form powerful armies
• To créate a strong bureaucracy
• Centralise the power
• To have a permanent court
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hYyUlWQvlLI

17. Humanism
• Inspiration in Greece and Rome (philosophy, art, culture)
• Anthropocentrism
• Optimism and creativity
• Desire of knowledge (Renaissance Man)
• Critical thinking (scientific method: reason, research and experimentation)
• Use of vernacular languages (French, Italian and Spanish)

19. Renaissance

20. Painting and Sculpture