Themes of the Lecture

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Themes of the lecture

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How and why the fifteenth century marks the beginning of the modern age on a global scale.

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Importance of the fifteenth century

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The fifteenth century is considered a critical turning point due to a combination of technical, geographic, and institutional factors, leading to the development of a "new global interface."

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European willingness and capacity to confront the oceans

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A growing willingness and capacity on the part of Europeans to confront the power of the oceans was central to a great shift.

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The "ocean age" phenomenon

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The "ocean age" should not be seen as a strictly European phenomenon.

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The ocean age benefited Europeans in their quest for competitive advantage beyond their continent.

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The era of exploration and navigation provided Europeans with significant opportunities for expansion and dominance.

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China's missed opportunity in navigation

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China did not capitalize on the potential of navigation, which is considered a crucial turning point in modern history.

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The basic periodization of human civilization

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Ancient, medieval, modern

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Ancient period closure

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The ancient period closed by 500 CE (common era).

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Duration of the Medieval period

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The Medieval period or Middle Ages lasted roughly one thousand years, from 500 CE to 1500 CE.

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Modern period timeline

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The Modern period has stretched from 1500 to the present.