Subject Area Early Modern Times

The era called Early Modern Times encompasses the period between the late 15^th century and the early 19^th century. Since the late 20^th century it is considered an independent field in history at international universities.

Different to Antiquity, Medieval History and Modern Times (Contemporary History) which were each shaped during Enlightenment, the Early Modern Times benefited from methodological and theoretical shifts in social sciences during the 2^nd half of the 20^th century. In the context of decolonisation processes the until then common master narrative about a development of societies aiming at one specific goal only was more and more called into question. Therefore, ever since its establishment as an independent era the Early Modern Times are characterised by historical, cultural (religious) and not least by gender specific diversity.