ge of the new venture. Hence, the end of the Moslem civilization. Europe was now a world power due to the Moslem decline. After the Moslem's reluctance to travel by sea around 1497, the Western European civilization was ready to begin. After Rome's fall, a deterioration occurred in trade, city life, and political forms. Europe was revived by creating new institutions and styles to accompany their adoption of Greek traditions. Between 1450 and 1750, political, cultural, and economic shifts involved Western Europe. Traders and explorers in overseas colonies brought back new techniques and cultural values. Western Europe drew increasing wealth from its global contacts. The western Europeans established colonies in the Americas, Africa, Philippines, and Indonesia. The European expansion had more of an affect on Africa and Asia than the Islamic faith. The commercial expansion in Western Europe focused on improving a European manufacturing base. The European technology greatly improved as well. The wealth in Western Europe increased dramatically. On the whole, the wealth was not evenly distributed. The Western Europeans established cultural contacts with various parts of the Mediterranean. Due to Western Europe's interaction with other countries, scholars gained an appreciation of Greek and Latin literature. Another example of Europe's interaction was the printing press used in Mainz, Germany in 1455. The printing press was originally a Chinese invention. At this point in time, the Europeans believed that knowledge was power. The only way that a person could acquire knowledge was through travel. Around 1400, the Western Europeans were ready for change. Their time did not arrive until the 1500's. The alterations in the medieval structures meant that the Western Europeans were a partially new society. Their thirst for knowledge led them overseas and helped established traditions that endured their society. The period of ...
