Terminology and usage Modern history

1 terminology , usage

1.1 pre-modern
1.2 modern
1.3 contemporary

terminology , usage
pre-modern

in pre-modern era, many people s sense of self , purpose expressed via faith in form of deity, in single god or in many gods. pre-modern cultures have not been thought of creating sense of distinct individuality, though. religious officials, held positions of power, spiritual intermediaries common person. through these intermediaries general masses had access divine. tradition sacred ancient cultures , unchanging , social order of ceremony , morals in culture strictly enforced.

modern

the term modern coined in 16th century indicate present or recent times (ultimately derived latin adverb modo, meaning ). european renaissance (about 1420–1630), marked transition between late middle ages , modern times, started in italy , spurred in part rediscovery of classical art , literature, new perspectives gained age of discovery , invention of telescope , microscope, expanding borders of thought , knowledge.

in contrast pre-modern era, western civilization made gradual transition pre-modernity modernity when scientific methods developed led many believe use of science lead knowledge, throwing shroud of myth under pre-modern peoples lived. new information world discovered via empirical observation, versus historic use of reason , innate knowledge.

the term modern introduced in english language in 1930s. distinguish time between call middle ages , time of late enlightenment (1800) (when meaning of term modern ages developing contemporary form). important note these terms stem european history. in usage in other parts of world, such in asia, , in muslim countries, terms applied in different way, in context contact european culture in age of discovery.

contemporary

in contemporary era, there various socio-technological trends. regarding 21st century , late modern world, information age , computers forefront in use, not ubiquitous present in everyday life. development of eastern powers of note, china , india becoming more powerful. in eurasian theater, european union , russian federation 2 forces developed. concern western world, if not whole world, late modern form of terrorism , warfare has resulted contemporary terrorist acts.