Changes And Continuities

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The early modern era only is 300 years, but some profound and long-lasting changes happened during this time. The western hemisphere was able to be in continuous contact with the eastern hemisphere for the first time. Technological innovations, political organization were strengthened, and economic wealth all contributed to the transformation of world trade patterns. With the technology advancements and the enthusiasm of political leaders to invest in, it made sea based trade exteremely important. Soon, land based empires lost their power to the new sea based powers. The new trade patterns significantly altered the transformed agriculture, religion, diets and population around the world.

JAPAN / CHINA

Japan started off this era with …show more content…

China was providing luxury exports like silk, and demanding silver in exchange. Wealth poured into the Chinese economy. The Chinese emperors were captivated by Europeans’ technology and scientific developments that they even advanced ideas about firearms. There was a presence of Jesuits, but it had a minimal impact on China. Ancestor worship, Confucianism, Daoism, and Buddhism were still the main Chinese religions. Even with a strong European presence in China, imperial government regulation, Confucian bureaucracy, dynastic patterns, and culture identity remained unchanged. The Chinese continued to follow their traditions despite Western Europeans best efforts to change …show more content…

Once Columbus and other Western European nation explorers discovered North America, they were heavily influenced by the Europeans by the Columbian Exchange. The Columbian Exchange brought horses, cows, pigs, wheat and other things from Europe to the Americas. As a result of this, plantation crops began to rise, there was a strong need for more laborers. Originally, Native Americans were used as laborers on plantations and in mines, but many quickly ended due to the spread of European diseases. The Americas began importing African slaves and the plantations were able to produce a profitable exports to European countries. The increase in crop production profits made birth rates and population grow. Even with the death of Native Americans, they were replaced by African slaves and Western European settlers. Europeans also introduced domesticated animals to the Americas. The animals were used to increase farm-work productivity and