Library search paper - Admission/Application Essay Example

Journal
of
Early
Modern
History Journal
of
Early
Modern
History The scholarly article by Stan Randolph traces the occupation of early modernity. It details the pre-modern historic times, post-medieval times and challenges to histo-graphical conventions of several centuries back and histories of countries. The author suggests alternatives to misled widespread usage of these terms in reference to the pre-historic times. The article outlines the factors that led to early modernization and its spread.

It talks in details the merchandise that contributed to the transforming trade in details.Randolph starts off his article by defining what early modern period means. He reiterates that although there are no fixed years for the historic time, it spans the era after the latest portion of the Middle Age. His refers to the period between the 1500 AD and 1800 AD. He further gives another alternative to the definition of the time as the period between the Fall of Constantinople in the 1453 AD (also known as the Age of Discovery or Renaissance) and the French Revolution of 1789 (Stan, 65).

The author notes the most crucial elements of the period as globalizing of the world. The period saw exploration of the universe and colonization of some parts of the globe like America. The period marked increased contact between the West and other parts of the world that were deemed isolated. Historic powers became the leaders of international trade. An exchange of animals and animal products, plants and plant products, minerals and slaves saw the creation of a new world. A form of trading exchange that altered all forms of trade and interaction in the world was the Columbian Exchange.

Stan Randolph explains how international trade led to modernization. He says that capitalistic institutions and economies became exceedingly sophisticated. The article points out that this kind of globally articulated capitalistic economy began in Medieval North Italian city states. Milan, Venice and Genoa were the power sources of the said sophistication. Mercantilism arose and began dominating as the most revered economic theory. Christianity spread to most parts of the world within this period.

This was done at the same time as colonization of Africa and the rest of the world by European countries. Earliest modern trends characterized a paradigm shift from medieval modes of organization. The shift was both political and economic. A number of events took place in Europe during the time. Happenings such as the decline of feudalism that included the disastrous thirty years war across Europe, the Golden Age of Piracy, European colonization of the Americans and the Commercial Revolution marked this period of time.

Another landmark happening of the moment was Ming economy which was a result of renewed trade among the Dutch, the Spanish and the Portuguese (Stan, 95). Old World venerated gold, silver and spices as the most valuable merchandise. The Western countries had advanced technologies to traverse the world and reach markets that the Mediterranean powers could not match. Gold was the one major fuel of European exploration of America after its accidental visit by Christopher Columbus. The article points out that the native America and Central America Colombia, Ecuador and Peru were had large deposits of gold.

Silver, on the other hand, was a precious metal used to make expensive ornaments, high quality tableware and currency coins. Of the most sought after spices of the time, black paper, sugar and cinnamon had the largest market. Due to the necessity of these products, the author reiterates that they were some of the products that led to discovery of the world and widespread modernization (Stan, 32).The title uses some of the most trustworthy sources. It uses testimonials from the oldest museums in the world.

It provides a trusted source for reference for those interested in studying the early modernity and the factors that led to its spread. However, the article fails considerably to provide a distinct period that marks the beginning and the end of the early modernization. Any reader will be have unsatisfied zeal to find out about the exact years.BibliographyStarn, Randolph. "The Early Modern Muddle." Journal of Early Modern History 6, no. 3 (2002): 296-307. From http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/brill/jemh/2002/00000006/00000003/art00004