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1053
The Great Schism
Lasting from 1053 until 1054, the Great Schism was the period of time that caused a permanent division between the Catholic Church and Eastern Orthodox Church. This resulted of an argument between the residence of the Papacy. -
1300
The Italian Renaissance
Lasting from 1300 until 1600, the Italian Renaissance was a period of relative peace in Italy that led to an increase of art and culture. Also known as the "rebirth", the Italian Renaissance reintroduced Greek and Roman ideas after they laid dormant during the middle ages. -
1309
Avignon Papacy
Lasting from 1309 until 1376, this was the time span that the seven popes lived in Avignon, a part of France. They stayed in France until Gregory XI moved the papacy to Rome. -
1337
The Hundred Years' War
Lasting from 1337 until 1453, The Hundred Years' War was a series of conflicts between England and France. This feud was centered around who would rule the dynasty, Edward III of England or Philip VI of France. -
1347
The Black Death
Lasting from 1347 until 1350, the Black Death, aka Bubonic Plague, struck Europe and left 25 million dead, about 35% of the continent. It started in Constantinople and Sicily and spread from fleas and rats. -
1358
Jacquerie
Lasting from March 1358 until July 1358, the Jacquerie was a revolt during the Hundred Years' War. It took place in Northern France and put on by French peasants to protest taxation. -
1400
The Northern Renaissance
Lasting from 1400 until 1600, the Northern Renaissance was the start of the Italian Renaissance's effect on Northern Europe. This period resulted in the invention of movable type and the printing press and stressed social reform based on Christian ideals. -
1400
The Age of Exploration
Lasting from the 1400s to the 1700s, the Age of Exploration is a loose term for the early modern era. During this time, many seafaring Europeans explored regions across the globe, most of which was already inhabited. -
1455
War of Roses
Lasting from 1455 until 1485, the War of Roses, also known at the time as "the civil wars", centered around the argument between the Yorks and Lancasters. It was a series of civil wars fought over control of the English throne in the mid-to-late fifteenth century by two branches of the Royal House of Plantagenet. -
Oct 18, 1469
Marriage of Isabella of Castile to Ferdinand of Aragon
On October 18, 1469, Isabella of Castile marries Ferdinand of Aragon in Valladolid, uniting Spain into a dominant world power. They will be known for sponsoring Christopher Columbus' voyage west to find Asia, and introducing the Spanish Inquisition. -
Aug 22, 1485
The Battle of Bosworth Field
Taking place on August 22, 1485, this battle was won by an alliance of the Yorks and Lancasters, ending the War of Roses. Henry Tudor, leader of the Yorks became the first English monarch of the Tudor dynasty while Richard III of the Lancasters was killed in the battle. -
1492
Columbus sets out on his trip out west
Due to funding from Isabella and Ferdinand, Christopher Columbus set sail in 1492 to find a shorter route to Asia. This journey is at the beginning of the Age of Exploration and will open doors to a long history between Europe and the Americas. -
1492
The Columbian Exchange
Lasting from 1492 until 1776, the Columbian Exchange is the name used to describe the exchange of diseases, ideas, food, crops, and populations between the New World and the Old World. Two of the most destructive parts of the exchange were the introductions of small pox and Christianity to the New World. Both of these killed many natives, small pox killing 50-90% of the population. -
1494
The French Invasion of Italy in 1494
The French Invasion of Italy in 1494 is often seen as the beginning of the end of the Italian Renaissance. Charles VIII invaded Italy to stake a claim to the Kingdom of Naples. The army was able to march through Italy without much resistance. -
1509
Rule of King Henry VIII of England
Lasting from 1509 until 1547, Henry VIII succeeded the throne at age 17. Most well known for his 6 marriages, his attempts to have his first marriage to Catherine of Aragon prompted arguments between him and Pope Clement VII. Their disagreements about the annulment led Henry to initiate the English Reformation, separating the Church of England from papal authority. He appointed himself the "supreme head of the church of England". -
Aug 18, 1516
Concordat of Bologna
Taking place August 18, 1516, the Concordat of Bologna was an agreement between King Francis I of France and Pope Leo X. This concordat gave the popes the power to collect all income that the Catholic Church made. -
1517
Reformation
The Protestant Reformation Began in 1517 with the posting of Martin Luther's 95 Thesis and lasted until 1648, after the Thirty Years' War. Many people came forward to start criticizing the Catholic Church. It resulted in the creation of a branch of Christianity called Protestantism. -
Oct 31, 1517
Martin luther nails the 95 Theses
On October 31, 1517, Martin Luther nailed the 95 Theses in Wittenburg, Germany. The document was a series of 95 ideas that criticized the Catholic Church. Luther challenged the Catholic Church's role as intermediary between people and God, specifically when it came to the indulgence system. -
1520
Mannerism Art
Lasting from 1520 until 1580, the period of Mannerism Art was the main style of art during the Italian Renaissance, mannerism is sometimes defined as the “stylish style” for its emphasis on self-conscious artifice over realistic depiction. The main forms were bronze sculptures and paintings. Mannerism is known for extreme colors and odd uses of compression of space. -
1524
German Peasants Revolts
The German Peasants Revolts were a series of failed revolts from 1524 to 1527. They were inspired by Martin Luther's 95 Thesis and the rebellions he caused. -
1534
Acts of Supremacy
The Acts of Supremacy were put into place in 1534 by Henry VII, making him "the supreme head of the church of England". This also caused him to replace the Pope, which severed ties with Rome. -
1536
1536 Pilgrimage of Grace
The 1536 Pilgrimage of Grace was a popular revolt beginning in Yorkshire in October 1536, before spreading to other parts of Northern England. The revolt was in protest of the Reformation legislation of King Henry VIII. -
1543
Scientific Revolution- 1543- 1687
Lasting from 1543 until 1687, the Scientific Revolution opens up to the idea that the world can be understood, predicted, and shaped by humans, not just God. The Scientific Revolution focused on the studies of Astronomy and Medicine and introduced many controversial opinions about the universe and introduced more forms of herbalistic medicine, and therefore witchcraft accusations. -
1545
Council of Trent
Lasting from 1545 to 1563, the Council of Trent was an attempt to stop the Protestant religion and re-form the Catholic church. It was brought together to help define the Catholic doctrine and made decrees of self-reform. -
1553
Rule of Mary I of England
Lasting from 1553 until 1558, Mary Tudor, aka "Bloody Mary" had a relatively short reign due to her death in 1558 of influenza. In an attempt to rebuild the Catholic church's power, she persecuted Protestants by encouraging violence and burning nearly 300 people. -
1562
French Wars on Religion
Lasting from 1562 until 1598, the French Wars on Religion were centered around the arguments between Protestants and the Roman Catholics. The spread of Calvinism resulted in an increase of religious tolerance which angered the Roman Catholic leaders. In protest they massacred a Huguenot congregation at Vassy in 1562 which started a long series of uprisings. -
1568
Dutch Revolt
Lasting from 1568 until 1648, the Dutch Revolt was a series of revolts and uprising of the Protestant Dutch against Catholic Spain. These revolted ended up resulting in Dutch separation from Spain. -
1570
Dutch Golden Age
Lasting from 1570 until 1650, the Dutch Golden Age the split from Spain inspired the growth of trade, science, and art that surpassed almost everyone else's at the time. Art consisted mostly of men and women nearly the same clothing, dressed in black and white with women in white bonnets and men in wide brimmed black hats. Dutch Calvinists were often called "quackers" for their constant preaching and ducks were often used in paintings. -
1580
Baroque Art
Lasting from 1580 until 1800, Baroque Art was widely spread over Europe. Characterized for how complex and ornate it was, even contradictory. It focused on drama and tension in the art and covered architecture, music, dance, painting, sculpture, and other arts. One of the more famous Baroque pieces is "Apollo and Daphne", a sculpture by Gian Lorenzo Bernini. -
England Defeats the Spanish Armada
In an attempt to keep Elizabeth I from staying Queen of England, Spain attacked England to try to overthrow her. The battle was mostly over religious views, as Spain was Catholic and Elizabeth was Protestant. England however, won the battle. -
Rule of King Henry IV of France
Lasting from 1589 until 1610, Henry IV's rule of France left him known as "Henry the Great" or "Good King Henry". He was raised a Catholic and tried to rule as one for four years before giving in and converting to Catholicism in order to gain complete control over the kingdom, famously saying, "Paris is well worth a mass". -
Rule of Louis XIII of France 1610- 1643
Lasting from 1610 until 1643, Louis XIII ruled from the age of 9 (without power until 16) until his death. Under his reign, France became a leading European power. Most of his reign was spent trying to control religious struggles in France, and declaring war on Spain in 1635. -
Thirty Years' War
Lasting from 1618 until 1648, the Thirty Years' War was a 4-stage war between the Catholics and Protestants, ending the Reformation with the Treaty of Westphalia. One of the most destructive wars in European history, the Thirty Years' War resulted in a death toll anywhere from 4.5 to 8 million people. -
Life of John Locke
Living from 1632 to 1704, John Locke was an enlightened thinker that believed that the role of the government was to protect people from themselves. He used the idea of Natural Rights, introduced during the French Revolution, and disagreed with the idea of Absolutism. -
English Civil War
Lasting from August 22, 1642 until September 3, 1651, the English Civil War was a series of civil wars fought between Parliamentarians and Royalists, mainly over how England should be governed. It also centered around religious disputes and ended with the execution of King Charles. -
Rule of Louis XIV of France
Lasting from 1643 until 1715, the rule of Louis XIV, also known as the Sun King, he has the record for the longest reign of any sovereign, lasting over 72 years. He embodied the idea of absolutism as a ruler and made himself the center of the universe. He built the extravagant palace of Versailles, in which he ruled from for most of his life. He remains the symbol of absolute monarchy of the classical age in present day. -
The Commonwealth Period- 1649 to 1660
Lasting from 1649 until 1660, the Commonwealth Period was a period of time where England and Wales, later along with Ireland and Scotland, were governed as a republic. During this period, fighting still continued and was known as the Third English Civil War due to the unrest. -
English Bill of Rights is Written
The English Bill of Rights was signed into law in 1689 by William III and Mary II, who became co-rulers in England after the overthrow of King James II. The bill specifically put laws and rules in place that gave Parliament power over the Monarchy. -
Life of Voltaire
François-Marie Arouet, known as Voltaire, lived from 1694 to 1778 and was a French Enlightenment writer, historian, and philosopher. He openly criticized Christianity, especially the Roman Catholic church, and advocated for freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and separation of church and state. He made waves in Europe for introducing his ideas that disagreed with the authority of the government and religion. -
War of Spanish Succession
Lasting from 1701 until 1714, the War of Spanish Succession was triggered by the death of King Charles II. A war that united Spain and France against most of Europe, it ended with the agreement that Phillip could only be King of Spain, and not both France and Spain, in order to balance power between countries. -
Age of Enlightenment
Lasting from 1715 until 1789, the Age of Enlightenment was an intellectual and philosophical movement that took over the ideas in Europe. Enlightened thinkers questioned traditional authority and explored the ideas that humanity could be improved through rational change. Introduced enlightenment salons, which were safe spaces to broach controversial ideas to others. -
Rule of Frederick the Great of Prussia
Lasting from 1740 until 1786, the rule of Fredrick the Great of Prussia resulted in military successes in the Silesian wars, re-organisation of the Prussian Army, and the First Partition of Poland. He was a brilliant military strategist, and easily lead Prussia into many victories during his rule while also sponsoring a large amount of art during the Enlightenment. -
Neoclassicism Art
Lasting from 1750 until 1800, Neoclassicism Art was portrayed in Greek or Roman styles, but depicted modern scenes. It included decorative and visual arts, literature, theatre, music, and architecture. Neoclassical painting is characterized by the use of straight lines, a smooth paint surface, the depiction of light, a minimal use of color, and the clear, crisp definition of forms. One example is "Napoleon I on His Imperial Throne", a painting by Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres. -
Seven Years' War
Lasting from 1754 until 1763, the Seven Years' War is considered to be the first global conflict in history. Centered around the struggle for world supremacy between Great Britain and France, conflict arose from unresolved issues left by the War of the Austrian Succession, with Prussia seeking greater dominance due to the rule of Fredrick the Great. -
Rule of King Louis XVI of France- 1774- 1792
Lasting from 1774 to just before his execution in 1792, King Louis XVI was the last King of France before the fall of the monarchy during the French Revolution. Louis was immature and lacked self-confidence. He and his wife, Marie Antoinette, ran the country into debt and heavily taxed the Third Estate to make up for this spending which made him quite unfavorable. -
French Revolution
Lasting from May 5, 1789 to November 9, 1799, the French Revolution was caused by a build up of unrest due to the unstable government of France during a time of enlightened ideas. During the revolution, France was controlled by many groups including the Estates General of 1789 and the French Consulate. The revolution ended with unrest and didn't come to a direct conclusion. -
The Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen
The Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen was a human civil rights document that defined individual and collective rights at the time of the French Revolution. It outlined that monarchs were the subordinate to the law, that no person shall be accused, arrested or imprisoned except in those cases established by the law, and that men are born and remain free and equal in rights. -
The Reign of Terror
Lasting from Sep 5, 1793 until Jul 28, 1794, the Reign of Terror was a period of time in which the Committee of Public Safety had absolute power relative to the National Assembly over France. There were over 18,000 people executed in 10 months due to the leadership of Maximilian Robespierre. All of France lived in constant fear and paranoia, and many members of royal families, nobles, the wealthy, and church officials were publicly executed. -
Concordat of 1801
The Concordat of 1801 was an agreement reached between Napoleon Bonaparte and papal and clerical representatives in both Rome and Paris. It also defined the status of the Roman Catholic church in France as the majority church. -
Napoleon’s Reign as the First Emperor of France
Lasting from 1804 until 1814/15, Napoleon reigned as the First Emperor of France and played a key role in the French Revolution. Napoleon was a brilliant military general and rose up in the ranks, even coming from a poor family, to eventually take control of France. He established a French educational system, developed the Napoleonic Code, and started the Napoleonic Wars, in which he modernized France's military.