With the downfall of Rome that portion of history called ancient ceases.
The numerous provinces of Europe that had been under the Roman power
were completely under the control of the various barbarians who had
destroyed that power. Out of this condition of anarchy modern Europe
rose. As it consists of a number of countries their separate histories
will not be considered; only such prominent facts regarding the whole
will be observed as seem to indicate and mark its general progressive
steps.
From the fall of Rome in 476 to the time of Charlemagne in 800, Western
Europe was the scene of those operations that determined its present
divisions. The barbaric tribes that occupied it were the Vandals, Suevi,
Alans, Visigoths, Burgundians, Germans, Franks, Lombards, Angles, Saxons
and Huns. The Visigoths founded Spain; the Angles and Saxons formed the
seven kingdoms of Britain; the Germans fixed themselves on the Danube,
and from these grew all the German States; the Lombards had Italy, and
the Franks France. During this period Mohammed founded an empire in
Asia, out of the ruins of which most of the monarchies of Western Asia
arose.
Charlemagne was the ruling spirit of what may be termed the second
period of modern European history, from 800 to 1074. Under him France
took form and rank as one of the first powers of the world, and has
never since been entirely divested of it. He temporarily re-established
the Western Empire, but with his death it went to pieces. Spain was the
theatre of the terrible wars between the Moors and Christians. The seven
Saxon kingdoms were united by Egbert, who became the first King of
England. The whole north of Europe was still barbarous, and frequently
poured its hordes over the civilization in the south that was struggling
for existence. The Danes ravaged England, and became masters of it;
while Germany, under Otho the Great, rose to great power. The other
present European States were still in obscurity.
The third period of modern European history extended from 1074 to 1453.
During this period the German Empire was the scene of constant quarrels
between the Emperors and the Popes, under the factions called Guelphs
and Ghibelines, which dimmed the lustre Otho had conferred on it; Naples
and Sicily were erected into kingdoms by the Normans; Denmark arose to
some importance under Wildemar II.; in France, legislation and police
restraints were introduced, but her power was nearly crushed by Edward
III. of England, which country was in turn deluged in blood by the “Wars
of the Roses;” Genoa and Venice increased in rank and importance; Spain
still suffered from the Moors; Portugal became a distinct kingdom;
Sweden and Norway came into existence; Russia emerged from the barbaric
rule of the Tartars; Poland put on the royal dignity; Hungary and
Bohemia were added to Austria, and the Turkish Empire rose to great
power, putting an end to the Eastern Empire. The arts and sciences began
to be cultivated again in the West, and literature and learning to
flourish. Many inventions were produced, such as paper making, printing,
engraving, painting in oil, gunpowder, and the mariner’s compass, and
this brings us to the fourth period of history, which was pregnant with
events that were to modify and change the general conditions of the
world.
The fourth period extended two hundred years to 1650. In it America and
the West Indies were discovered. The Reformation brought about great
changes in very many respects in nearly every European country, many of
which underwent important revolutions. Germany made important
legislative improvements; feudal government was destroyed in France;
Spain became a Christian kingdom; England rose to great power,
especially under Elizabeth; Italy divided herself into numerous small
States; Switzerland became a republic; the provinces of Holland declared
their independence of Spain; Poland flourished; Denmark became of
importance; affairs in Russia assumed a new appearance, the power of the
Tartars being destroyed, and the Ottoman Empire became grand under
Solyman II.
About 1650, the beginning of the fifth historic period, the political
systems of Europe began to undergo considerable change, which, from
various causes, continued until the time of Bonaparte. Revolutions in
England, France, Germany and Russia caused various modifications, not
only in the limits of the various countries, but also in their
governments. England and France seemed to divide the other Powers about
equally in the support and continuance of their wars; the general
configuration of Europe, however, did not sustain any radical changes.
This period is important in another and new aspect. Colonies from all
the western kingdoms were continually going to the new America—that
country which should in future exercise such control over the destinies
of the world.
From time to time in the history of the world there have arisen single
great men who by the grandeur of their enterprises and the power of
their intellect and ambition, have left indelible impressions of
themselves upon its history and condition. Such were Sesostris, Cyrus,
Alexander, Cæsar and Charlemagne. Though they all possessed many traits
of character which the present age cannot admire, they must ever be
regarded as having given general civilization those great impulses that
have so rapidly evolved the world from barbarism.
At the beginning of the next period another great man appeared, the
waves of whose power were felt over the whole world, and who, by the
grandeur of his conceptions, power and executive will, rose from
obscurity to dictate to Europe, which was at that time the world. From
1789 to 1815 may justly be styled the Bonapartean period. It would be
superfluous to recapitulate his career; nor would it be less so to trace
the rescuing of America from the savages by the resistless advance of
civilization, which, since the settlement of Jamestown, in 1607, has
made such unexampled progress in all things that pertain to greatness,
grandeur and glory—in literature, science, art and government.
Before closing the _resume_ of general history it should be observed
that many great events have been passed unnoticed, the principal aim
having been to follow the western tendency of empire, and to present
only such facts as were prominent in forming standards of progress,
perpetual landmarks and historic eras. In Asia particularly, great
events occurred, such as the career of Ghengis Khan and Tamerlane. The
former, it is computed, slaughtered fifteen millions of human beings
during his reign. The efforts of such as he were the last struggles of
barbarians to arrest the onward course of general progress. Though for a
time triumphant in their course the genius of progress could never be
entirely eradicated where once it had found root and growth. China and
India have been passed because, for the most part, they have been
confined within themselves; the reason whereof will be discussed
hereafter.