The Chinese empire underwent many economic and technological advances between the 8th and 13th century. In the early 15th century, massive fleets sent on expeditions by the Chinese controlled the Indian Ocean and its trade. During that time, the Chinese had the technological innovations, economy, system of bureaucracy and transportation to secure their place as the powerhouse of “the age of sail”. However, it was European powers that dominated the world and entered the Industrial Evolution before China, or any other empire. The emergence of European power during this time can be explained by the political and religious systems, as well as the geography of European nation states.
Geographically, European nation states
How did Europe and China arrive at their different political systems?
Are geography and environmental (and biological) conditions as important as human activities in determining the course of this history?
At what point does technology become important?
1. Separation of church and state (from the conflict between the Holy Roman …show more content…
Exploration and Colonialism: Not in the way many think though. When the Turks conquered Constantinople, unlike the earlier Moslem empire they cut all the ancient East-West trade routes. This kicked off the European Age of Exploration, as Europeans (the Portuguese first) went looking for an alternate route by sea to the East. Contrary to popular opinion, the colonies more often cost more than they paid back, in terms of supporting vast military forces over seas. However, this exploration and exposure to foreign cultures deeply enriched the Europeans' cultural awareness and more importantly forced them to develop sophisticated and standardized systems and technologies to deal with ocean navigation, fortification, supplying armies spread all over the world, communications, raising $$$ to support all this, etc. etc. etc. These all taught Europeans powerful lessons about social and political organization on a
Geographically, European nation states
How did Europe and China arrive at their different political systems?
Are geography and environmental (and biological) conditions as important as human activities in determining the course of this history?
At what point does technology become important?
1. Separation of church and state (from the conflict between the Holy Roman …show more content…
Exploration and Colonialism: Not in the way many think though. When the Turks conquered Constantinople, unlike the earlier Moslem empire they cut all the ancient East-West trade routes. This kicked off the European Age of Exploration, as Europeans (the Portuguese first) went looking for an alternate route by sea to the East. Contrary to popular opinion, the colonies more often cost more than they paid back, in terms of supporting vast military forces over seas. However, this exploration and exposure to foreign cultures deeply enriched the Europeans' cultural awareness and more importantly forced them to develop sophisticated and standardized systems and technologies to deal with ocean navigation, fortification, supplying armies spread all over the world, communications, raising $$$ to support all this, etc. etc. etc. These all taught Europeans powerful lessons about social and political organization on a