The Story of Civilization from the Middle Ages to the Modern Age

With the Middle Ages, great changes began to take place in administration and trade. Kings, princes, and nobles who initially held absolute power would eventually have to share this power with the representatives of the people. While the wars of this period were initially fought to gain political power, they would eventually turn into wars of religion and trade. In some regions, the Parliament would gain strength with the rooting of the idea of freedom. However, the series of events that marked the period were the Crusades. While the world was shaken by religious wars, cities developed in some regions and trade became decisive. As a result of the Renaissance that emerged, art and science began to receive the value they deserved. The invention of the printing press and the development of universities would lead to the questioning of religious phenomena. Martin Luther would ignite the Reformation movement in the field of religion; Calvin and Zwingli would follow him. Due to the formation of nation-states, the Papal states would lose their power and each country would begin to establish its own Church.

Another defining feature of the period was the voyages of discovery. Seafaring travelers who set out to reach the riches of the East found the American continents and established colonies there. Africa, India, and some island nations of Asia would become victims of the great European powers' efforts to create colonies.