Abstract
Whatever the importance of Asia before 1500, the modern world was created not in the East but in the West. Christopher Columbus’ journey to the New World and Vasco da Gama’s rounding of the Cape were the forerunners of a movement which culminated in the triumph of Europe’s power in the world. How such a relatively undistinguished group of Europeans ever came to lay claim to the entire world is one of the riddles of the past.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.
Buying options
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Learn about institutional subscriptionsPreview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
Copyright information
© 1991 Helga Woodruff
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Woodruff, W. (1991). The Rise of the West. In: A Concise History of the Modern World. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-349-12232-5_2
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-349-12232-5_2
Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, London
Print ISBN: 978-1-349-12234-9
Online ISBN: 978-1-349-12232-5
eBook Packages: Palgrave History CollectionHistory (R0)