Rise of Modern West - I

It is a general and concise course which would provide the basic information on the rise of Modern West. The course has been designed specially to meet the requirements of the undergraduate students.The course is meant to acquaint learners with the history of the rise of Modern West with the critical evaluation of social, religious, economic, intellectual and political history and developments in the early western European societies between 14th and 16th centuries. Early European society is treated thematically with numerous interpretations within the framework of the various controversies and debates that crop-up while examining the period. Holistic attempts have been made to deal with the period. The course starts with an introduction to the early modern west and then goes on to examine the broad interpretations of transition from feudalism to capitalism as analysed by eminent historians such as Maurice Dobb, Rodney Hilton, and E.J. Hobsbawm. The transition from medieval to early modern Europe was a historical process extending over centuries and was not dependent upon any single event or any single political, socio-cultural and economic factor. The role played by various factors such as trade, class or class struggle as highlighted by various authors is carefully delineated.It also examines the voyages and discoveries in this period and tells us how the developments in scientific and technical knowledge facilitated the understanding of these voyages. This in turn led to the process of early colonisation, especially of Portugal and Spain. The early colonisation led to slavery and slave trade and bullion flow into Europe which ultimately led to the foundation of capitalism.It further analyses the Renaissance and Reformation which led to new discoveries, inventions, humanism, work ethics, art and aesthetics which further enabled the transition to early capitalism. Again, it deals closely with the plantation economies and slave trade and examines how the plantations were based on an expanded agro-management techniques and slavery.It takes a look at the commercial revolution which laid the foundations for capitalist growth, and further examines the development of the European state systems and rise of absolutist monarchies. After successful completion of this course learners are expected to understand history of modern European society, debates on transition from feudalism to capitalism, Renaissance, Reformation, discovery and voyages, early colonisation, slave trade, capital flow, commercial revolution and emergence of European state system.