The World Economy Begins
nThe rise of the West from the fifteenth and eighteenth centuries involved distant explorations and conquests
resulting in a heightening and
redefining of relationships among world societies.
nDuring the classical era, larger regional economies and
culture zones had developed,
as in the Chinese Middle Kingdom and the
Mediterranean basin, but international exchanges were not of fundamental importance to the societies involved.
nDuring the postclassical period, contacts increased and
were more significant.
nMissionary religions—Buddhism and Islam—and trade influenced important changes.
nThe new world relationships after 1450 spelled a new
period of world history.
nThe Americas and other world areas were joined to the
world network, while older
regions had increased contacts.
nTrade became so significant that new relationships
emerged among societies and
prompted reconsideration of existing political
and cultural traditions.