Seventeenth century
From Halbeeg, the open encyclopedia · Af-Soomaali
1 languages
The seventeenth century was the period from 1 January 1601 to 31 December 1700 according to the Gregorian calendar. It is marked as a century of transformation in regional states, maritime commerce, and methods of natural inquiry.
Through much of the century, political power in Europe shifted toward centralized monarchies with standing armies and systematic taxation. Simultaneously, merchant companies chartered by states—including the Dutch and English East India companies—dominated the sea trade routes of Asia.
Politics and conflict in Europe
The Thirty Years War (1618–1648) ended with the Peace of Westphalia, which established the principle that each state governs its own internal affairs, particularly in matters of religion. England experienced civil war and the execution of King Charles I (1649), followed by a limited monarchy with a powerful parliament. France, under Louis XIV, exemplified the centralized monarchy in which power was concentrated.
Asia and the Far East
In China, the Ming dynasty fell in 1644 and was replaced by the Qing, originally of Manchu origin. Japan came under Tokugawa rule, which restricted foreign contact. India saw the Mughal empire reach its greatest extent during this period. The Ottoman and Safavid Persian empires remained in contest over Iraq and the Caucasus.
East Africa and the Indian Ocean
The Somali coast and trading cities such as Mogadishu, Barawa, and Zeila participated in Indian Ocean trade, which included the export of livestock, frankincense, and cloth. Portuguese maritime power competed with the Ottomans, Omanis, and European companies. Ethiopia, under the Solomonic dynasty, established Gondar as a center and later expelled Jesuit missionaries.
Science and thought
The century is marked as the beginning of modern scientific method: the telescope and microscope enabled observation of the sky and microscopic life, laws of motion and gravity were formulated, and new mathematics such as calculus emerged. In philosophy, Descartes and others introduced new approaches grounded in skepticism and reason.