European relations and overall existence in the world have changed dramatically since 1500. Starting from the period of exploration immediately following the stagnant medieval period, a new world was truly discovered and set in motion a series of events that no man would have could imagine. From the scientific and religious revolution, to industrialization and capitalism; Europe has gone from a world-leading power to a follower power waiting for leadership to help it. The question is: will they be able to find the top again? Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay The era of global contact between the old and new worlds is what changed life as we have always known it. It is what has led to the global exchange of people, food, language, culture and customs. The meeting of these different civilizations "led to conquest, forced migration, devastating population losses, and brutal exploitation." This set the tone for what the rest of the world would be like for generations to come. Modern versions of this world would be seen through the slave trade, imperialization, and ethnic cleansing. As culture, empire, and economics changed, it also became necessary to change the way nations governed. This took on further importance during the eras of revolutions, especially the Industrious Revolution, because empires now had to compete to modernize and produce a more efficient global market that required competent leadership. In England, to maintain commercial leadership in the changing century, they found it necessary to increase national military and private wealth through the mercantile system of what became known as the Navigation Acts. These acts not only restored the monarchy's way of governing, but demonstrated the beginning of an economic monopoly. This trend towards economic warfare would set the stage for economic competition between nations, which would then intensify in the modern world. Along with the economic revolution came the interconnected revolution of religion and politics. The difference in religious ideologies around the world encouraged people to challenge traditional views, which in turn would change their views on how the country itself should look and be run. Debate arose about how much power should be given to the Church and State, from there this became an argument about how much individual freedom should be given to citizens, this argument would be seen to this day. In France the division of classes and government by religious order began to be questioned in the 1800s, as seen in Abbie Sieye's book, What is the Third Estate?, “2 If we eliminated the privileged order, the nation will not be something less but something more. So what is the third state? Everything, but everything that is free and flourishing. You can notice it without it; everything would be infinitely better without the other two orders.” The restructuring of national governments, competitive markets, and rising living standards due to the industrial revolution led to what became the overall turning point and the downfall of Europe as a world leader: nationalism. Each nation felt superior to all others,” 3 As Europe entered an era of increasing global interaction, these powerful ideas would lead to aggression and conflict, as powerful nation-states supported by patriotic citizens competed with each other on the stage international". These feelings of exclusion and pride began to manifest themselves both within states and outside, with.