Understanding The Global Economy

The definition of a nation-state is a more unified country, which means the people share a common culture and language that means that they are loyal to their sovereign. An absolute monarchy was starting to develop more power over their subjects now that the church was starting to lose papal rule. Governments were becoming more centralized, everything started to revolve around the monarch, because now the king could pass any laws that he pleased. Just as Louis XIV stated “I am the state” this meant his word was law and nobody could say otherwise. This meant that no one could question the law of the king, because it was treason to do so. They could make changes to anything they choose in their domain ranging from local trading to public affairs aboard in their expanding colonies. They influenced the expanding colonies by controlling the trade of local merchants and tariff that forbidded a merchant from trading with other countries. These were the key factors to world powers becoming a superior nation-state.

But more importantly they appealed to certain loyalty to the king linked those religious morals, being like minded, and having the same political bonds. Another vital belief is that the people shared that the government should act in best interest of the people. An early form of a nation-state developed during the Hundred Year War. Most of these battles were about territory, and having power that came with it. Most lords hired people to fight the war, without caring about their language. As those warriors became loyal to their country they learned the language of their lord and shared the same ideals as their ruler. Also by the end of the war Britain and France hated each other and Britain separated from Europe and became its own government.

Britain was the first nation-state to show that there methods were effective, because they had an excellent economy, because of their colonies. So Spain and other countries in power tried to utilize the same methods without getting satisfactory results. Nation-states owned more colonies and its colonies massed produced its raw materials, giving the colonists its profits just as the nation-state. Also to meet the supply of these processed goods many colonies experienced the beginning of mass consumerism. To feed the masses new agricultural techniques were being used such as the three-field system, which meant only a third of the field was left unplanted to restore fertility. A new aspect of this modern economy was manufacturing, it organized production and sales. One of the many things that were manufactures in England was textiles, metal products, and wool. As the food supply increased the quality of living also skyrocketed. Ordinary colonists were able to live the life style that they wanted and also left room for opportunities for poor colonists to move up on the social ladder.

Life for the average person during this time was rich because the Renaissance was occurring, which opened up doors for people who have not really had an education. Also the literacy rates went up, because of the printing press. Books were produced in mass numbers and became available to people who do not usually access to books. Also the poor’s standard of living also improved by having tapestries to decorate their house, feathered beds, and fine china. Despite this stability during the time, women were being persecuted for witchcraft.

Countries have always wanted power and profit that came with owning a colony that you are using for resources for the well being of a nation-state. However, the quality of living improved for many of the colonists because of they had access to processed goods and were able to have better living conditions. However, despite this period of stability women at the time were being charged for being witches and paranoia was contagious.