The 17th century spanned from the year 1601 to 1700 and was marked by significant changes in politics, science, and culture. This period saw the rise of powerful nations, such as France and England, and the decline of others, like Spain. It was also a time of exploration, with explorers like Henry Hudson and Abel Tasman expanding European knowledge of the world. In science, the 17th century was notable for the Scientific Revolution, which included figures like Galileo Galilei and Isaac Newton. Their discoveries laid the groundwork for modern science. Additionally, the century witnessed the flourishing of art and literature, with renowned works from artists like Rembrandt and writers like John Milton.