The period between the 15th and the 16th centuries witnessed a great transformation of societies in the Asian, American and European continents. This is a period that marked the later middle age and the onset of the renaissance. Much of the shift and changes in the society was as a result of the need and urge of discovery brought about by most European dynasties which eventually resulted in the colonization of most parts of the world as a means of acquiring wealth and maintaining the status quo. As a result, the world witnessed the growth of bureaucracies and the levying of taxes that facilitated warfare and eventually an expansion in territories. The period witnessed the erosion of social values and the increase in secularism, economic and demographic fluctuations, development of European state systems, and a system of production and trade that was European in centered (Strayer, 624).
The season saw the opening up of trade routes by many European states. Portugal and Spain opened up the Asian parts which later became their colonies. The two countries became the masters of the Indian Ocean trade and later the introduction of slave trade. The religious rifts in the Papacy caused dominance of the topic in the European politics (Strayer, 594). The spread of Christianity and the dominance of the Roman Catholic Church dwindled and this witnessed the emergence of protestant religious organizations in most parts of Northern America while the greater part of the southern America still maintained the catholic faith. On the other hand, the Middle East part of Asia witnessed the expansion of the Ottoman Empire giving rise to the Shiite and Sunni Muslims. Other parts of Asia similarly resorted back to the old Hindu, Buddhist religions while the rest embraced the different forms of Christian faith.
Additionally, the development of the oceangoing ships and the efficiency of the merchant carriers played a major role in the development and rapid growth of trade. The Asian, European and American communities recorded a significant drop in the transportation costs of their commodities over the sea. This also led to the growth and expansion of major towns and cities in the continents in addition to opening up of prospective business ventures (Strayer, 675). Despite the erosion of traditional cultures and values as a result of penetration and introduction of new cultures the discovery of America as well as Asia led to the introduction of new business and trading commodities which included tobacco, logwood, fabric and slave trade. Societies in the 16th century witnessed the emergence of capitalism. The societies in Asia, Europe and America witnessed similar changes as the demographic patterns were the determinants of the life experiences
Strayer (627) maintains that, the growth in population in the countries determined the amount of resources as well as the living standards. The effects were largely felt in the marriage age of the workers and peasants. The increase in population resulted in shortages of land as well as delayed marriages. This implied that in all societies, reproduction was a basic production unit. In the areas predominantly inhabited by the peasants and workers, high mortality rates were reported as a result of lack or inadequate medical care, war, epidemic diseases and famine. The families were unable to meet the needs of the families and the population as a result of capitalism state that was introduced in the regions
The arable land that was utilized by the peasant families to cultivate food for their families was also grabbed and kept under plantations to meet the growing importation needs. In such cases, children in the regions represented the largest majority of the poor and mostly vulnerable (Strayer, 665). To an extent, despite the existence of classes among the origins of the continents, their significance in the distribution and allocation of resources was stamped. The division of persons in classes pegged on the political and financial and political influence was a norm. Additionally, the industrialization phase transformed and dictated upon the kind and amount of work that was to be available for children and women.
In conclusion, the changes in European nations highly shaped the transformation and societies in Asia and America. The middle age, renaissance and industrialization of the region led to the phases of discovery and consequently the reshaping of the religious, economic and political lives of the Asian and American societies. As a result, the world witnessed the growth of bureaucracies and the levying of taxes that facilitated warfare and eventually an expansion in territories. The period witnessed the erosion of social values and the increase in secularism, economic and demographic fluctuations, development of European state systems, and a system of production and trade that was European in centered. The religious rifts in the Papacy caused dominance of the topic in the European politics (Strayer, 665). The spread of Christianity and the dominance of the Roman Catholic Church dwindled and this witnessed the emergence of protestant religious organizations in most parts of Northern America while the greater part of the southern America still maintained the catholic faith. On the other hand, the Middle East part of Asia witnessed the expansion of the Ottoman Empire giving rise to the Shiite and Sunni Muslims.
Work Cited
Strayer, Robert W. Ways of the World: A Brief Global History. Bedford/St. Martin's Publishers, 2009. Print.
