<P> The expression "early modern" is sometimes used as a substitute for the term Renaissance, and vice versa . However, "Renaissance" is properly used in relation to a diverse series of cultural developments; which occurred over several hundred years in many different parts of Europe--especially central and northern Italy--and span the transition from late Medieval civilization and the opening of the early modern period . </P> <P> The term early modern is most often applied to Europe, and its overseas empire . However, it has also been employed in the history of the Ottoman Empire . In the historiography of Japan, the Edo period from 1590 to 1868 is also sometimes referred to as the early modern period . </P> <P> The 17th century saw very little peace in Europe--major wars were fought in 95 years (every year except 1610, 1669 to 1671, and 1680 to 1682 .) The wars were unusually ugly . Europe in the late 17th century, 1648 to 1700, was an age of great intellectual, scientific, artistic and cultural achievement . Historian Frederick Nussbaum says it was: </P> <Dl> <Dd> prolific in genius, in common sense, and in organizing ability . It could properly have been expected that intelligence, comprehension and high purpose would be applied to the control of human relations in general and to the relations between states and peoples in particular . The fact was almost completely opposite . It was a period of marked unintelligence, immorality and frivolity in the conduct of international relations, marked by wars undertaken for dimly conceived purposes, waged with the utmost brutality and conducted by reckless betrayals of allies . </Dd> </Dl>

How were new ideas that emerged during the renaissance different from traditional european thought