The European World 1500-1800 provides a concise and authoritative textbook for the centuries between the Renaissance and the French Revolution. It presents early modern Europe not as a mere transition phase, but a dynamic period worth studying in its own right. Written by an experienced team of specialists, and derived from a successful undergraduate course, it offers a student-friendly introduction to all major themes and processes of early modern history.
This third edition features greatly expanded coverage of ‘The Wider World’, with added chapters on relations with the Ottoman empire, European settlement overseas and the global exchange of goods. Other new content includes an overview of early modern medicine and comprehensive timelines for each of the thematic parts.
Specially designed to assist learning, The European World 1500-1800 features:
The European World 1500-1800 will be essential reading for all students embarking on the discovery of the early modern period.
Praise for this edition:
'This is one of the only textbooks to portray the early modern period as a distinctive era in its own right and to fully explore its richness and diversity. The European World provides an authoritative survey of the period's characteristic developments, an overview of the latest scholarly perspectives and an original selection of easily accessible source fragments.'
Bart Lambert, University of York, UK
Praise for previous editions:
‘An informative, synthetic account of the major themes in early modern European history. The authors introduce readers to an array of "histories" (social, economic, religious, etc.) which they may not have encountered before and encourage further specialised reading . . . the illustrative examples are useful and pertinent.’
Stephen Bowd, University of Edinburgh
‘This impressive textbook provides a firm basis for any further student research. Easy to read, it delivers in-depth considerations of the most important developments of the European early modern period.’
Renate Dürr, University of Tübingen
‘Didactically, it is all brilliantly executed, especially compared to some German textbooks and it is easy to read, without being simplistic.’
Wolfgang Reinhard, Zeitschrift für Historische Forschung
‘One of the best introductions to this period I have seen.'
Retha Warnicke, Arizona State University
'A student-friendly text, well written by excellent scholars who make the reader want to turn the page. The European World, 1500-1800, contains analytical chapters on a variety of both traditional and recent historical topics while excelling in comparative descriptions of life throughout Europe, between different centuries, and between Europe and the wider world.'
Richard M. Golden, University of North Texas
This is a well-organized, thoughtful and thought-provoking survey of a seminal period in the history of Europe. It draws upon current scholarship to provide a useful overview the major themes of early modern European history. Its thematic approach is especially helpful in getting students to think about the past in new and fruitful ways.
Christine Kooi, Louisiana State University.
Figures and Acknowledgements
Tables
Notes on Contributors
Preface to the First Edition
Preface to the Second Edition
Preface to the Third Edition
Abbreviations and Symbols
Part I: Starting Points
I.1 Introduction: Beat Kümin
1.2 Europe in 1500: Humfrey Butters
Part II: Society and Economy
II. 1 Gender and Family: Bernard Capp
II.2 Rural Society: Steve Hindle
II.3 Urban Society: Penny Roberts
II.4 Marginals and Deviants: Penny Roberts
II.5 Sickness and Health: Claudia Stein
II.6 The Early Modern Economy: Steve Hindle
Part III: Religion
III.1 Church and People at the Close of the Middle Ages: Beat Kümin and Peter Marshall
III.2 The Long Reformation – Lutheran: Henry J. Cohn
III.3 The Long Reformation – Reformed: Penny Roberts
III.4 The Long Reformation – Catholic: Anne Gerritsen, Kevin Gould and Peter Marshall
III.5 Religious Culture: Peter Marshall
III.6 Jews and Muslims: Henry J. Cohn
Part IV: The Wider World
IV.1 Beyond Europe c. 1500: Anne Gerritsen and Anthony McFarlane
IV.2 European Relations with the Ottoman World: James Baldwin
IV.3 Expanding Horizons: Anne Gerritsen and Anthony McFarlane
IV.4 Europe Overseas: Anthony McFarlane
IV.5 The Global Exchange of Goods: Anne Gerritsen and Giorgio Riello
IV.6 Europe and the World c. 1800: Anne Gerritsen and Anthony McFarlane
Part V: Culture
V.1 Renaissance: Humfrey Butters
V.2 Arts and Society: Luca Molà
V.3 From Pen to Print: Mark Knights and Angela McShane
V.4 The Scientific Revolution: Claudia Stein
V.5 Witchcraft and Magic: Penny Roberts
V.6 Popular Culture(s): Bernard Capp
V.7 Enlightenment: Colin Jones
Part VI: Politics
A) Surveys
VI.1 The Theory and Practice of Politics and Government: Humfrey Butters
VI.2 Dynastic Politics, Religious Conflict and Reason of State c.1500-1650:
Humfrey Butters and Henry J. Cohn
VI.3 European Politics from the Peace of Westphalia to the French Revolution c.1650-1800:
Colin Jones and Mark Knights
B) Themes
VI. 4 Courts and Centres: Stéphane van Damme and Janet Dickinson
VI.5 Centre and Periphery: Steve Hindle and Beat Kümin
VI.6 The Impact of War: Jonathan Davies
VI.7 Riot and Rebellion: Bernard Capp
VI.8 Revolution: Bernard Capp and Colin Jones
Epilogue
Europe in 1800: Humfrey Butters
Appendices
Maps
Glossary
Index
