The developments in Europe from the late-fifteenth century till the end of the eighteenth century represented a crucial phase in the emergence of the modern world. Scholars refer to this period ass ‘early modern’ and this expression is often associated with ‘the rise of the modern west’.

The pace of change gained momentum during this period undermining the roots of the feudal society. The economic transformation pushed Europe towards capitalism. The forces of change could be located in the diverse spheres of human activities although the scale of change varied from one region to another. The transformation of local economies into the larger European market economy, the geographical discoveries and the new sea routes resulted in the creation of colonial empires based on new forms of exploitation.