Europa : how Europe shaped the modern world / Julio Crespo MacLennan

An original and innovative examination of the continent--and its culture--that was the epicenter of the world for almost five centuries. European history is deeply embedded in the global civilization that has emerged in the 21st century. More than two thirds of today's nations were once European colonies or protectorates. Europe's legacy is evident in the trajectory of the United States and has influenced aspiring hegemonic powers like China. For centuries, Europe was the heart and soul of the West, and European powers enjoyed unprecedented global hegemony, not only by military and economic means, but also through their influence on politics and culture. The rise and fall of the European era of world supremacy constitutes one of the most epic histories of all time. ere were the extraordinary changes of the Renaissance and its aftermath, which marked the beginning of Europe's imposition of itself over other civilizations, but it was Columbus's "discovery" of America that provided the key to its meteoric rise. Spain and Portugal would form the first global empires, closely followed by Holland, Britain, France and Russia. Following the exploits of navigators like Vasco da Gama and Captain Cook, the conquistador Hernan Cortes, missionary Henry Livingstone and others, Europa reveals the origins of Europe's rapid expansion, which was then expanded upon further by millions of Europeans migrants, who spread their culture and values. MacLennan also reveals how statesmen, scientists, inventors, philosophers, writers, and revolutionaries were responsible for transforming the continent into a civilization that inspired universal attraction. Even into the twentieth century, after reaching the nadir of imperial decline and self- destruction, Europe has once again become a global trendsetter European History Is Deeply Embedded In The Global Civilization That Has Emerged In The 21st Century. More Than Two Thirds Of Today's Nations Were Once European Colonies Or Protectorates. Europe's Legacy Is Evident In The Trajectory Of The United States And Has Influenced Aspiring Hegemonic Powers Like China. For Centuries, Europe Was The Heart And Soul Of The West, And European Powers Enjoyed Unprecedented Global Hegemony, Not Only By Military And Economic Means, But Also Through Their Influence On Politics And Culture. Europa From Myth To Reality: How Renaissance Europe Gave Birth To An Expanding Civilization -- As Far As It Is Possible For A Man To Go: How Geographic Discoveries Laid The Foundations Of European Hegemony -- The World Is Not Enough: The Rise Of The Great European Empire -- Revolution Versus Empire: The Impact Of The Era Of Revolutions On European Empires And The Western World -- Eastern Dreams Of Grandeur: How China, India, And The Rest Of Asia Were Shaped By European Expansion -- In Search Of A Better World: How European Culture And Values Were Propagated By The Great Migratory Waves -- The Power And The Glory: The Golden Era Of European Hegemony -- The First And Last Great Frontier Of Civilization: The Scramble For Africa On Behalf Of Civilization, Christianity, And Imperial Interests -- The Wars That Shook The World: How The Two World Wars Precipitated A New Post-european Era -- Goodbye To All That: The Global Influence Of European Intellectual Migration And Exile -- Experiences With The Truth: How The Legacy Of Imperial Europe Shaped The Postcolonial World -- The European Dream: How Europe Transformed Itself Into A Union That Exerts Universal Attraction -- Conclusion: The Pillars Of A Global Civilization. Julio Crespo Maclennan. Includes Bibliographical References (pages 449-456) And Index. "An original and innovative examination of the continentand its culturethat was the epicenter of the world for almost five centuries. " European history is deeply embedded in the global civilization that has emerged in the 21st century. More than two thirds of todays nations were once European colonies or protectorates. Europes legacy is even evident in hegemonic powers like China. For centuries, Europe was the heart and soul of the West and enjoyed unprecedented global hegemony, not only by military and economic means, but also through their influence on politics and culture. The rise and fall of the European era of world supremacy is one of the most epic histories of all time. Columbuss discovery of America provided the key to Europe's meteoric rise. Spain and Portugal would form the first global empires, closely followed by Holland, Britain, France and Russia. Following the exploits of navigators like Vasco da Gama and Captain Cook, the conquistador Hernan Cortes, missionary Henry Livingstone and others, millions of Europeans migrants spread their culture and values. Statesmen, scientists, inventors, philosophers, writers, and revolutionaries at home were responsible for transforming Europe into a civilization that inspired universal attraction. Even into the 20th century, after reaching the nadir of imperial decline and self- destruction, Europe has once again become a global trendsetter. European history is deeply embedded in the global civilization that has emerged in the twenty-first century. More than two thirds of today's nations were once European colonies or protectorates. Europe's legacy is evident in the trajectory of the United States and has influenced aspiring hegemonic powers like China. For centuries, Europe was the heart and soul of the West, and European powers enjoyed unprecedented global hegemony, not only by military and economic means, but also through their influence on politics and culture. The rise and fall of the European era of world supremacy constitutes one of the most epic histories of all time. Europa reveals the origins of Europe's rapid expansion, which was then expanded upon further by millions of Europeans migrants, who spread their culture and values. MacLennan also reveals how statesmen, scientists, inventors, philosophers, writers, and revolutionaries were responsible for transforming the continent into a civilization that inspired universal attraction.