Andy Levenson's Super Awesome and Cool and Incredible and Superb and Excellent and Fantastic and Magnificent and Wonderful and Spectacular and Marvelous and Phenomenal and Breathtaking and Prodigious and Sublime and Academic Weapon of a Timeline
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Jan 1, 1440
{Reformation/Renaissance} Creation of the Printing Press
German Johannes Gutenberg is credited for creating the Printing Press in Europe around 1440. This invention not only skyrocketed literacy rates and made books much cheaper to produce but also made spreading ideas much easier. A big reason why Martin Luther's 95 Theses stuck and caused a movement is due to the creation of Gutenberg's Press allowing for his ideas to be reprinted and distributed all around Europe. Without the Printing Press, the Protestant Reformation likely wouldn't have happened. -
Jan 1, 1450
{Global Exploration} Astrolabe Begins Coming Into Wider Use
There is no exact year, but in the mid-15th century, the astrolabe came into wider use by mariners and travelers. The ancient astronomical instrument told you where you were going, basically a handheld model of the universe. Astrolabes were essential for explorers during the Global Exploration period, like Bartolomeu Dias, Christopher Columbus, and Vasco da Gama. Without the astrolabe, these explorers likely would have been unable to have their expeditions, which have been crucial to history. -
Nov 14, 1460
{Global Exploration} Henry the Navigator Dies
In 1460, Prince Henry the Navigator died. He began the first school of navigation in Sagres, Portugal to prepare people to sail around Africa's west coast by training them in navigation, mapmaking, and science. This was the start of what led to many expeditions sponsored by Henry down the African coast, leading to Portugal taking the lead in global exploration with the Indian spice trade, causing other countries to explore for trade routes. This led to the discovery of the 'New World' & the USA. -
Period: Nov 1, 1478 to
{Reformation/Renaissance} Spanish Inquisition
The Spanish Inquisition was started by King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella to combat heresy, and it consolidated power in the monarchy of the newly unified Spanish kingdom. The country (and colonies) was made Catholic, and they gave Protestants an opportunity to leave. The remaining were tortured and forced to convert to Catholicism, and if they refused many were executed. It resulted in 32,000 dead, and hundreds of thousands of Jews, Muslims, and Protestants were forcibly converted. -
Period: Aug 22, 1485 to
{Age of Absolutism} Rule of Tudors
The Tudor family rose to power in 1485 with King Henry VII, the founder of the Tudor dynasty. The last Tudor monarch was Queen Elizabeth I, who came to power in 1558 and died in 1603. Henry VIII was important for starting the Anglican denomination, Edward VI, who died when he was a teenager was the first monarch raised Protestant. Mary I, or "Bloody Mary", attempted to reverse the English Reformation, and Elizabeth I, or "the Virgin Queen" ended the Spanish Armada and England thrived under her. -
Jan 1, 1488
{Global Exploration} Bartolomeu Dias Rounds the Tip of South Africa
In 1488, Portuguese explorer Bartolomeu Dias rounded the southernmost tip of Africa, later to be called the Cape of Good Hope, looking for the source of Eastern Trade Goods. This event had colossal long term effects. Not only did it prove that crossing Africa was possible, but it also was one of the events that sparked the exploration of the world, leading to the discovery of the New World, and later the creation of the United States and other countries. -
Oct 12, 1492
{Global Exploration} Christopher Columbus Lands in the Bahamas
In 1492 Italian explorer Christopher Columbus accidentally discovered the Americas on an expedition sponsored by King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain to reach Asia by sailing west. This event is important because it was the beginning of many other expeditions to the continents. This is seen in the difference and influence of European countries in the western hemisphere. Examples include England with the United States, France with Canada, Portugal with Brazil Spain with Mexico, and more. -
Jun 7, 1494
{Global Exploration} Treaty of Tordesillas Signed
On June 7th, 1494, the Pope got the leaders of Spain and Portugal, the remaining Catholic countries, to sign the Treaty of Tordesillas. This agreement was the Pope's method of preventing the Catholic countries to go to war and kill each other. A line was drawn through the Earth, and what was west of the line was granted to Spain for exploration, and what was east was given to Portugal. The long term effect of this is seen in the Americas, which were given solely to Spain. -
Jan 1, 1498
{Renaissance/Reformation} Leonardo da Vinci Finishes The Last Supper
Leonardo da Vinci is one of the most famous artists of all time, living during the High Renaissance. One of his most significant works was 'The Last Supper', a depiction of when Jesus told his disciples that one of them would betray him, the moment of highest tension. This painting is important not only for how good and famous it is but also because it is a perfect depiction of many of the themes of the Renaissance, a time of great creativity and expansion to art and many other topics. -
May 20, 1498
{Global Exploration} Vasco da Gama Arrives in India
On May 20th, 1498, Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama became the first European to reach India by sea. The importance of this expedition is that this effectively gave Portugal an even greater advantage over other countries. By effectively cutting out the middleman in the Eastern Spice Trade, Vasco da Gama was able to establish a route for Portugal to sell spices with a profit of over 1,000%, making them the most powerful country. -
Jan 1, 1509
{Renaissance/Reformation} The Praise of Folly Written
Desiderius Erasmus was the best-known Christian humanist who called his religion "the philosophy of Christ", and believed that Christianity should show people how to live good lives on a daily basis, not just provide beliefs to be saved. In his book The Praise of Folly, written in 1509, Erasmus criticized aspects of his society he thought needed reform. These ideas prepared the way for the Protestant Reformation, as it is said "Erasmus laid the egg that Luther hatched." -
Jan 1, 1512
{Renaissance/Reformation} Michaelangelo Finishes Painting the Sistine Chapel
In 1512, High Renaissance artist Michaelangelo finished painting the Sistine Chapel after working on since 1508. The official home of the Pope, the many paintings in the chapel depict different scenes from the Bible. These paintings by Michaelangelo are very important due to the demonstration of many Renaissance artistic themes, how they illustrate much of the Catholic Church's doctrine, the inspiration it provides, and how it is a very popular tourist destination even today. -
Oct 31, 1517
{Reformation/Renaissance} Martin Luther Posts the 95 Theses
On the night of October 31, 1517, German Monk Martin Luther posted his 95 Theses denouncing the Catholic Church on a church door in Wittenberg, Germany. This was the spark that lit the fire, beginning the Protestant Reformation and leading to new denominations in the Christian Faith, which are still seen today. -
Nov 8, 1519
{Global Exploration} Hernán Cortés Arrives in Tenochtitlán
On November 8, 1519, Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés arrived in Aztec capital Tenochtitlán with a small body of troops. This event is major because of smallpox, which later due to the Spanish killed 90% of the Aztecs, an estimated 15 mil. people. The disease became the first ever eradicated relatively recently in 1980. Likely more importantly, this marked the beginning of what led to the conquering of the Aztec empire and later Mexico, which changed the course of South and Central America. -
May 26, 1521
{Reformation/Renaissance} Diet of Worms Ends
In 1521 Charles V, the Holy Roman Emperor called Martin Luther to trial in Worms, Germany to recant his comments about the Catholic Church following Luther being excommunicated earlier. Martin Luther was the clear victor of the debate against the 2nd most powerful man on Earth, and people begin to rethink their past views and think Luther was right. This event is important and had long term effects because it largely changed the course of Western thought and increased Protestantism's popularity. -
Jan 1, 1534
{Reformation/Renaissance} Martin Luther Translates the Bible to German
Contradicting the thought of others, Martin Luther believed that the Bible should be translated into local languages to spread Christianity, rather than keeping it in Greek or Latin. This is important because it spread Christianity to many new people and gave individuals easier access to the Bible, with the help of the Printing Press. -
Jan 1, 1534
{Reformation/Renaissance} Act of Supremacy Passed
The Act of Supremacy in 1534 was a document that finalized England's departure from the Catholic Church in England and the Pope in Rome. The Act established King Henry VIII as "the only supreme head on earth of the [new] Church of England". This document is important because it was the official end, at least at that time, of Catholicism in England, turning the country Protestant. This also led to the creation of Anglicanism, a denomination of Christianity still seen today all around the world. -
Jan 1, 1541
{Reformation/Renaissance} John Calvin Establishes New Government in Geneva
After being ordered to leave in 1538, John Calvin was invited back to the city of Geneva, Switzerland in 1541. Following his return, he established a theocracy, a government ruled by religion, putting strict rules over Genevans. This leads to Geneva being the capital of Calvinism, later leading Calvinism to take over as the most important and dynamic form of Protestantism by the mid-sixteenth century. -
Mar 1, 1562
{Age of Absolutism} French Civil Wars/Wars of Religion Begin
In March of 1562, a French civil war began, which eventually led to 7 civil wars occurring, until religious tolerance stuck with the Edict of Nantes in 1598. This event is significant because an estimated 2 to 4 million people died but it also did lead to the beginning of religious tolerance, and though just a small one, and step in the right direction for France and Europe. -
Sep 26, 1580
{Global Exploration} Francis Drake Returns After Circumnavigating the Globe
After leaving on December 13, 1577, on September 26, 1580, Francis Drake, the most renowned sailor in England, returned to Plymouth, England, after circumnavigating the globe, becoming the first British navigator to sail the Earth. While traveling Drake privateered many Spanish ships and also settlements at the Queen's request. This event is significant because it gave English ships and sailors a good reputation, but more importantly, was one of the factors leading to the Spanish Armada. -
{Age of Absolutism} Spanish Armada Ends
In July of 1588, King Philip II of Spain's Spanish armada was defeated by the British. The armada's purpose was to hold off the English navy long enough to get soldiers across to the Netherlands because of a rebellion, though it did not work. There are several reasons why this event is significant. It left Spain bankrupt, with a weak and mostly gone army. England became the most powerful country in Europe, and also people begin to question their religion, as the Protestants beat the Catholics. -
{Age of Absolutism} Reign of Henry IV of France Begins
In 1589, Henry of Navarre became king of France as Henry IV. This was an important event because he brought unity and prosperity to France, successfully ending the French civil wars. Henry is also known for writing the Edict of Nantes, and converting to Catholicism to gain control and connect with his people, saying in his famous line "Paris is well worth a mass". -
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{Age of Absolutism} Edict of Nantes
In April of 1598, The Edict of Nantes, written by King Henry IV was passed in France. This document was one of the first decrees of religious tolerance in Europe, granting Huguenots more rights. The Edict of Nantes was officially revoked by King Louis XIV in 1685, taking away the Huguenots' civil and religious liberties. This forced over 400,000 Huguenots to leave the country, which deprived France of its most industrious commercial class. -
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{Global Exploration} Mercantilism Most Dominant in Europe
Mercantilism is an economic system where countries are constantly trying to make more money than the countries around them, trying to achieve a favorable Balance of Trade. This policy was especially dominant in Europe between 1600 and 1800. This is important because the colonies took the brunt of this, having unfair restrictions. This eventually led to many fights for independence, including the American Revolution. -
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{Global Exploaration} Dutch East India Company
In March of 1602, the Dutch East India Company was founded. The company was a trading company founded in the Netherlands, and to this day was the richest company in history being worth 7.5 trillion dollars. This was important because it was the first multinational corporation, connecting the East and the West; it also changed the balance of power. The effects are seen today in the rich and technologically advanced city of Amsterdam in the Netherlands. The company went bankrupt in December 1799. -
{Age of Absolutism} Peace of Alais/Alès Signed
In June of 1629, King Louis XIII, the father of the famous Louis IV, signed the Peace of Alès, a treaty negotiated by Cardinal Richelieu that contained clauses banning private armies for Huguenots and city walls around their cities. This set the stage for Louis XIV to later revoke the Edict of Nantes and expel Huguenots. -
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{Age of Absolutism} Reign of King Louis XIV of France
"The Sun King" Louis XIV was the King of France for 72 years, the longest of any European monarch. During his reign, he got France into a golden age, and also later would be known as a symbol of an absolute monarch. By the end of his reign, France was the most centralized country in Europe. He revoked the Edict of Nantes as well, expelling Huguenots. Louis' strong will as a leader got him to effectively transform France into the most centralized country. He also built his palace, Versailles. -
{Age of Absolutism} English Commonwealth Begins
In May 1649, following the Civil War between the Cavaliers and Roundheads (New Model Army led by Oliver Cromwell) and the execution of Charles I, England for the first time was without a monarch, for 11 years. During this time, the country was a republic run by elected officials, and Calvinism became the official religion. Later after finding Parliament difficult, Oliver Cromwell set up a military dictatorship after removing Parliament, until the monarchy's return after his death. -
{Age of Absolutism} Jean-Baptiste Colbert Becomes Minister of Finance
In 1661, Jean-Baptiste Colbert was named Minister of Finance of France by King Louis XIV. The strictest mercantilist, he kept track to see if France had a favorable Balance of Trade. Trusted by King Louis XIV, Colbert was responsible for developing trade and industry, improving France's economy, and making the country into a Mercantilist powerhouse. -
{Age of Absolutism} Glorious Revolution Ends
In 1689, the Glorious Revolution in England occurred. This resulted in the overthrow of Catholic King James II and the ascension of William the Orange of the Netherlands and his wife, Mary, James II's daughter. Parliament wanted William, a Calvinist, to overthrow James, so they made sure the king had no army. This event is significant because it was an overthrow of a monarch with little bloodshed, and it also permanently established Parliament as the ruling power of England.