The 15th to 18th centuries was a period that prided itself on classical precedents and continuity, yet witnessed dramatic change and innovation that revolutionized warfare. From Europe to Asia to North America, major historical vents took place resulting into radical socioeconomic changes.
However, depending on one’s perspective, the events and activities that occurred between the 15th to 18th centuries can be either revolutionary or evolutionary. It is also imperative to note that historians do not exhibit similarities in knowledge base since each historian analyses past events differently.
Thus, it is imperative to examine the same events and present them as both evolutionary and revolutionary simultaneously. To start with, revolution is an impulsive, far-reaching, or absolute deep-seated change in the manner of thinking regarding something. On the other hand, evolution is a change in a definite course of a progression, incessant alteration from straightforward to more intricate, with the results representing an enhanced state; or a course of steady, social, political and economic progress[1].
Between the 15th and 18th centuries, many things happened, some taking a short life span and others a long life span. Thus, it is imperative to look at some examples and analyze whether they are evolutionary or revolutionary.
For instance, the path towards the making of American constitution was revolutionary. Starting in 1775, the Battles of Lexington and Concord were the foundation of the American Revolution. However, a critical analysis of the situation reveals how the process was more of evolution than revolution. In fact, the American Revolution itself did not commence arbitrarily, but was a matter planned very well.
Additionally, before the real war started, many developments took place. Some historians claim that the foremost thing that led to the Revolutionary War was the influx of Europeans into the land of America and the dictatorial control. The Sugar Act of 1764 was also another thing that triggered the American Revolution. From these examples, it is fair to say that the period between 1500 and 1800 was both revolutionary and evolutionary.
The 15th to 18th centuries also saw United States enter into a civil war, which many term “the second American Revolution”. The American States fought amongst themselves to control the affairs of the entire region. Although the Civil War matched the characteristics of a revolutionary process, its causes were on the contrary different.
Undeniably, some factors dominant in this period for example, slavery were evolutionary because, from the initial stages of colonialism, slavery had been one of the American institutions. However, as time went by, the northern states plotted a move to abolish slavery. On the contrary, the southern states continued practicing it. However, the election of a sympathetic President and some constitutional amendments such as the right to vote almost abolished servitude. Clearly, this was an evolutionary process.
Another instance, which actuary took place between the 15th to 18th centuries is industrial revolution. History is replete with information on people abandoning coal as the form of energy and adopting electricity as the new source. In overall, social and economic revolution occurred during this period and jobs opportunities increased. Technologically, various countries for example, United States and Britain adopted new technologies by abandoning the old mechanizations.
In Britain for example, great industrial revolution took place and caused the rise in prices of commodities and fostering of the money economy. At first, many countries found it hard to adapt the new technological innovations due to lack of expertise. Thus, in order to deploy the new technology, countries had to seek expertise from other country familiar with the technology. Even today, most developing countries encounter challenges in deploying technological innovation to warfare[2].
References
Braudel, Fernand. Civilization and Capitalism 15th-18th Century. New York: World History Center, 1985. Web.
Lewis, Hackett. Industrial Revolution. New York: HarperCollins, 1992. Web.
Footnotes
- Fernand, Braudel. Civilization and Capitalism 15th-18th Century (New York: World History Center, 1985).
- Fernand, Braudel. Civilization and Capitalism 15th-18th Century (New York: World History Center, 1985).