Final answer:
The period from 1450 to 1750 saw the transformation of Europe from early empires to nation-states, driven by cultural solidarity and the establishment of common governance. The development of printing technology and increased maritime exploration aided economic development and competition among emergent empires. This era was characterized by imperialism, resource-driven expansion, and the foundation of state governance.
Step-by-step explanation:
State Building and Expansion from 1450 to 1750
The process of state building and expansion during 1450 to 1750 saw the transformation of Europe from a region of early empires to nation-states. As the concept of nations based on similar people unifying under a common government emerged, the states of Western Europe began to take distinct shapes through regional solidarity driven by culture, language, and religion. The period was marked by strategic navigation, bolstered by the development of the printing press that influenced community and national consciousness.
Political entities such as the Holy Roman Empire, which was an alliance of German principalities, struggled with maintaining large land empires akin to their Asian counterparts. However, the nascent nation-states began to engage in wars and peace treaties, which defined international borders and sovereignty, despite minor effects on local commoners. Absolute monarchies organized some nations, while others shared power among different national groups, paving the way for modern state governance.
Imperialism or empire-building activities proliferated during this time. Europeans financed voyages of discovery, to find new markets and resources, resulting in a significant progression of economic development. Tensions and competition for natural resources among growing empires led to the establishment of ports and colonies across Asia and Africa.