An introduction to Europe between 1500 and 1800. Early modern is the term used by historians for the period between the end of the Middle Ages and the start of the 19th century. It examines society, religion, the economy and politics. List of Illustrations ix List of Contributors xiii Editor's Acknowledgements xv Editor's Introduction xvii Prologue: Europe and the World Around 1(28) Anthony Pagden Europe: The Myths of Europe A Continent and its Peoples The Cultural Inheritance Frontiers and Boundaries Technologies and their Impact The Sense of being European The Quest for Peace and Union I. The Sixteenth Century, c. 1500--c. 1618 29(106) The Conditions of Life for the Masses 31(32) Alison Rowlands Who were the Masses? The Peasant Household The Peasant Life-Cycle Ways of Coping Winder Links: Village, Lordship, Market The Processes of Change The Effects of Change The Urban Experience of the Lower Orders Conclusion The Power of the Word: Renaissance and Reformation 63(39) Euan Cameron The Renaissance and the Word The Word Written and Printed The Ancient Word and the Ancient Tongue The Word of Exhortation Describing the World and the Universe The Word of Faith: The Old Faith The Reformation Challenge Reformed Churches and Reformed People The Old Church Responds Conclusion War, Religion, and the State 102(33) Steven Gunn States and Borders The Habsburgs and their Rivals War and the State Courts and Government Society, Justice, and Sovereignty The Impact of Religious Change The Impact of Religious Division The Weak Monarchies of the East and the Coming of the Thirty Years War II. The Senenteenth Century, c. 1618--c. 1715 135(96) Colonies, Enterprises, and Wealth: the Economies of Europe and the Wider World 137(34) R. A. Houston Introduction: Europe and the Wider World in 1600 People Land Cities Manufactures States, Colonies, and Commerce Europe and the Wider World Conclusion: An New World Economy? Embattled Faiths: Religion and Natural Philosophy 171(35) Robin Briggs The Legacy of Renaissance and Reformation Religion: Rigour and Reform Religious Motives in Politics and War Dogma, Faith, and Society The Decline of the Devil Reason and the 'Crisis of Conscience' The Reception and Resumption of the New Science Matter and Void: Descarter's System and its Opponents New Instruments and New Sciences The Quest for Practical Applications Conclusion Warfare, Crisis, and Absolutism 206(25) Jeremy Black The Expansion of Europe Warfare as an Agent of Change The Thirty Years War' in Europe, 1618--48 Conflict between France and Spain The British Civils Wars 'Absolutism' Louis XIV Louis XIV's Foreign Policy Vienna Saved The Rise of Russia Conclusions III. The Eighteenth Century, c. 1715--c. 1789 231(114) A Widening Market in Consumer Goods 233(32) James C. Riley Population Work and Income: One Conundrum Agriculture Manufacturing and Industry Trade and Transport The State Sector Consumption Wages and Prices: Another Conundrum Conclusion The Enlightenment 265(33) Norman Hampson The Scale of Change Man in his Universe Economy and Society Politics Diversity across Countries and Regions The French Revolution and the Enlightenment Conclusion Europe Turns East: Political Developments 298(47) H. M. Scott The Wars of c. 1680--1721 and Europe's Balance of Power The Burdens of War and their Impact upon Government Frederick the Great and the Rise of Prussia Modern States or Composite Monarchies? Englightened Government Russian Expansion and French Crisis Epilogue: The Old Order Transformed 1789--1815 345(30) T. C. W. Blanning The Outbreak of the French Revolution The Creation of a New France and a New World The Failure of the Constitutional Monarchy The Coming of War and the End of the Monarchy Counter-revolution and the Terror Towards Military Dictatorship Reconstruction at Home The Conquest of Europe Decline and Fall The Legacy Further Reading 375(6) Index 381