Final answer:
Modernity began during the Industrial Revolution in the late eighteenth century, reflecting societal changes due to industrialization. Philosophical and cultural shifts toward modernity started earlier with events like the fall of Constantinople and the Renaissance.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term modernity is often associated with the societal changes that occurred alongside industrialization and mass production. While there are different interpretations of when modernity began, a key period is the Industrial Revolution in the late eighteenth century. This era marked significant advances in basic areas such as clothing, food, heating, lighting, and sanitation, as well as transportation and entertainment.
Additionally, Modernism in the arts, which reflects a set of attitudes that emerged in the early 20th century, is a part of the broader context of modernity. It is important to note that modernity takes various forms depending on sociocultural and historical contexts, with different societies expressing their versions of modernity.
In the philosophical and cultural sense, the journey to modernity in Western Europe began with the Crusades and the Renaissance, propelled by significant events such as the fall of Constantinople in 1453, the arrival of Europeans in the Americas in 1492, the rise of Protestantism starting in 1517, and the Scientific Revolution that followed. This period led to questioning and interrogation of previously held beliefs and the acceleration of human interactions.
The rise of modern America is often identified as starting at the turn of the 20th century, even though many of the changes took root in the 19th. Over time, the features of modernity, such as mass media, wage labor, and the concept of the nation-state, began to shape society even in agrarian or pastoral communities. The idea that societies are either 'traditional' or 'modern' has been dismissed, with the understanding that all societies are modern in their distinctive ways.