Western civilization changed dramatically between 1450 and 1750. While remaining an agricultural society, the West became very commercially active and developed a strong manufacturing sector. Many of the core areas of the West transformed; governments increased their powers, science became the centerpiece of intellectual life and ideas on family and marriage changed. These changes resulted from overseas expansion and increasing commercial dominance. Russia on the other hand was heavily concerned with territorial expansion, eventually becoming the chief power of Eastern Europe. From there,…
