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Period: Feb 15, 1564 to
Galilieo Galilei
Galileo was a brilliant mathematician and scientist. He was the first to use the telescope for astronomy. Using the telescope, he was able to observe the surface of the moon, and the rotation of Jupiter’s moons. In addition, he set up the basic laws of motion. In 1632 he published Dialogo dei due massimi sistemi del mondo. The following year he was arrested for supporting the Copernican theory, as stated in his work. -
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Cardinal Richelieu
Richelieu was the prime minister of France during Louis XIII’s reign. Because Louis was not a strong ruler, Richelieu ruled the country for him. He weakened the power of nobles, punished dissidents, used intendants to collect taxes, and utilized a stealthy network of spies. -
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Charles I
King of England from 1625 until his death in 1649, Charles is best known for never getting along with Parliament. In his first few years as king he dissolved all three Parliaments. Following the eleven years of his personal reign, England was wisked into a civil war. Charles’ reign as king was brought to an end when he was charged and executed for treason. -
Gunpowder Plot
The Gunpowder Plot was a failed attempt to kill James I by provincial Catholics, organized by Guy Fawkes. The plan was to blow up the House of Lords during the State Opening of Parliament. All members of the Gunpowder Plot were executed. -
Johannes Kepler publishes Laws of Planetary Motion
Kepler was a strong believer in the Copernican theory. He supported the heliocentric theory. Kepler was able to disprove Aristotle’s theory that the planets move in a circular motion. He proved that planets move in a elliptical orbit. -
Galileo proves the Copernican theory
Galileo was the first to use the telescope for astronomy. With the telescope he discovered Jupiter’s moons and the phases of the planet Venus. Before the telescope, Galileo was forced to teach the geocentric theory at the University of Padua. But once he heard of the heliocentric theory, he was able to prove it was correct with his telescope. -
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30 Years War
Catholics, Lutherans, and Calvinists were violating the Peace of Hapsburg. As a result the Protestant Union was formed and on the opposing side, the Catholic League. The war began with a Protestant attack on German Emperor Ferdinand’s officials. The war ended with the Peace of Westphalia. -
Galileo recants
Upon his arrest, Galileo is questioned by the Inquisition. Consultants then examine his Dialogue. Galileo is then offered a plea bargain in which his sentence will be lightened. He admits that he will take back all that he said concerning the Copernican theory in Dialogue. In 1993 the Church apologized for wrongly accusing Galileo. -
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Louis XIV
Louis became king of France at the age of four. His personal rule began after the death of his prime minister, Cardinal Mazarin. Louis is best known for his use of intendants and building the Palace of Versailles. He also had a strong belief in divine right and mercantilism. -
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English Civil War
The English Civil War was fought between the Charles I, the Royalists, and Parliament, the Parliamentarians. It was fought in three phases. After the second phase of the war, Charles I was executed for treason and his family went into exile. The Parliamentarians won the war leaving England as a commonwealth. -
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Isaac Newton
As a physicist and mathematician, Newton discovered the law of gravitation and the three laws of motion. He basically laid out the foundations of physics, also known as Newtonian mechanics. In addition to all of Newton’s other discoveries, he invented the reflecting microscope and calculus. -
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the Fronde
The Fronde started when the French parliament wanted to limit Louis XIV’s power, the nobility wanted to be able to voice more opinion in government, and the citizens were unhappy with the taxes. The Fronde convinced Louis XIV that an absolute monarch was best and that the noble should be tax exempt. -
Charles I is beheaded
At the Battle of Preston during the English Civil War, Charles I was defeated by the Parliamentarians. He was then charged with treason against England. Charles refused to enter a plea and therefore was found guilty of treason. His last words were, ”I go from a corruptible to an incorruptible crown; where no disturbance can be, no disturbance in the world.” -
Newton invents the first reflecting telescope
Using his knowledge of optics, Newton was able to invent a reflecting telescope. He used the telescope to come up with more accurate theories. -
Anton van Leeuwenhoek describes bacteria with the microscope
Due to his invention of the microscope, Anton van Leeuwenhoek was able to create microbiology. He also discovered animalcules, or what we call microorganisms today. In addition, van Leeuwenhoek was the first to observe muscle fibers, bacteria, spermatozoa, and small blood vessels.
