This book examines the concept of Europe in its relations to those areas of the globe beyond its borders. In particular it is concerned with the historical evolution and contemporary setting of Europe vis-a-vis The United States of America, the developing world and the former Soviet Union. This involves drawing on the perspectives of international history, politics and economics. A unifying feature of the analysis included here is provided by the fact that the "bi-polar world" that emerged in the aftermath of the Second World War has effectively been brought to an end with the collapse first of Soviet control in Eastern Europe, and then by the break-up of the Soviet Union itself and a prospective reduction of American influence in western Europe. What will Europe look like in an increasingly "multi-polar world"? An answer to this depends not only on the evolving external connections between Europe and other parts of the world but also on the internal development of European political and economic integration. The dynamic of this crucial dual relationship is examined here.

Between roughly 1350 and 1650, Europe underwent seismic changes in economics, politics, culture, and religion. Feudal monarchies were reconceived as abstract states. The new technology of the printing press transformed how information was disseminated, bringing texts to different social groups. Painters perfected the artifice of perspective for an increasingly commercial patronage, even as they themselves cultivated the value of their own "genius" through increasingly distinctive styles and visions. Reformers called into question 1500 years of tradition, splitting the One True Church into multiple churches. In the midst of all these changes, Europeans reached farther and farther out into a world they did not yet dominate, even as they lived uneasily under the shadow of an expansionist Islamic Mediterranean. Indeed, that wider world was inseparable from those seismic changes in the political and cultural landscape of Europe. Europe in a Wider World, 1350-1650 offers a concise discussion of these events and the impact they had upon an evolving European society. It provides a clear outline of political events and a lively exploration of developments in the social and cultural landscape. Along with traditional themes, such as Protestantism, the book examines the changing roles of European women and the effects of environmental fluctuation on the history of the continent. By looking at these years as a whole, the authors attempt to restore interconnections among events that are often lost when the time period is viewed through the double categories of "The Renaissance" and "The Reformation." Illustrated with nine detailed maps and twenty-four images, and offering chapter summaries and a chronology to aid students, this text is ideal for undergraduate courses in early modern European history.

When J. H. Elliott published Spain and Its World, 1500?1700 some twenty years ago, one of many enthusiasts declared, ?For anyone interested in the history of empire, of Europe and of Spain, here is a book to keep within reach, to read, to study and to enjoy" (Times Literary Supplement). Since then Elliott has continued to explore the history of Spain and the Hispanic world with originality and insight, producing some of the most influential work in the field. In this new volume he gathers writings that reflect his recent research and thinking on politics, art, culture, and ideas in Europe and the colonial worlds between 1500 and 1800.The volume includes fourteen essays, lectures, and articles of remarkable breadth and freshness, written with Elliott's characteristic brio. It includes an unpublished lecture in honor of the late Hugh Trevor-Roper. Organized around three themes?early modern Europe, European overseas expansion, and the works and historical context of El Greco, Velzquez, Rubens, and Van Dyck?the book offers a rich survey of the themes at the heart of Elliott's interests throughout a career distinguished by excellence and innovation.

This book is a compact, accessible history of the continent, during a time when it did not yet dominate the world in which it was situated. The text discusses the major events of the period, and also seeks to restore interconnections lost by thinkers who divided the period into "The Renaissance" and "The Reformation." With twenty-five illustrations and nine detailed maps, this short textbook is perfect for students of European history.

Focuses on issues of assimilation, translation and misunderstanding as art objects moved between cultures, either literally or imaginatively, and considers how visual culture expresses the increasing contact between Europe and the rest of the world in this era.

New Edition of this market-leading textbook with Dictatorship and Democracy in Europe, 1920-45 revised as the compulsory Documents Study for examination in 2016 & 2017 Covers three popular syllabus topics, two of which students must select for study: Dictatorship and Democracy in Europe, 1920-45 Division and Realignment in Europe, 1945-92 The United States and the World, 1945-89 A sample of a completed research study and detailed guidance notes will help students prepare for this vital area of the course Includes all required Case Studies supported by documentary and visual evidence plus accompanying exercises Exam-focused approach highlights Key Personalities and Key Concepts with end of chapter exercises to aid revision and encourage analysis Modern Europe and the Wider World, together with its companion Modern Ireland provide students with their essential texts for Leaving Certificate History