The early modern period lasted from about 1500 CE to 1800 CE. It began during the Age of Exploration, when sea travel connected distant parts of the world. This period included major changes in science, art, and global trade.

The Renaissance and Scientific Revolution introduced new ideas in Europe and beyond. Printing presses allowed books and knowledge to spread more widely. Trade between continents increased, linking Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Americas.

Empires expanded, and new technologies developed. The period ended around the time of major revolutions in the late 1700s.