World History: New global connection

Question

Discuss how the scientific revolution and renaissance paved the way for a European exploration and colonization. In addition, identify some potential reasons why Europe became a world colonizer rather than any other continental powers.

Answer 1

The original world of Europe before the Renaissance was more focused on exploring the divine, but with the growth of trade routes and cities after the Crusades and especially with the Italian city states where the renaissance emerged, who were too small to carry on warfare, an increase in things other than the divine increased because warfare was less common as feudalism began to break down. This led to an increase in enlightenment ideas, in questioning truths previously held sacred as they had more time to do other things besides work the land. This led to a desire to "civilize" the "lesser peoples" as well as to increase trade.