Western Europe and Russia, 1450-1750.

Western civilization changed dramatically between 1450 and 1750. While remaining an agricultural society, the West became very commercially active and developed a strong manufacturing sector. Many of the core areas of the West transformed; governments increased their powers, science became the centerpiece of intellectual life and ideas on family and marriage changed. These changes resulted from overseas expansion and increasing commercial dominance. Russia on the other hand was heavily concerned with territorial expansion, eventually becoming the chief …

…as the "flying shuttle," improved efficiency and speed in the production of certain products. Following 1730, the alterations in economic activity caused a rapid increase in the growth of population. The proletariats were able to establish jobs in manufacturing business which allowed them to slowly move upward in the society. Internally, the developments of the Renaissance continued, to be succeeded scientifically by the Enlightenment and religiously by the Protestant and Catholic reformations in the sixteenth century.