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Jan 1, 1350
Renaissance
1350-1550
This was significance because is was a time of rebirth of culture. It brought humanism, rationalism, secularism, and it brought a revival of the Greek and Roman classics. The Renaissance brought scholarship and the love of classical learning. -
Dec 9, 1358
Black Death
1348-1351
The significance fo the Black Death was thta it decimated Europe's population. Eventually it led to a rise in wages for the peasants and more job opporunities for women. It also created a crisis in faith as people did not understand why so many of them were dying. -
Dec 24, 1405
Book of the City of Ladies by Christine De Pizan
The significance of this is that it shows Pizan, the women who became the first to earn a living as an author. She wrote about famous women in an effort to refute the stereotypes against her gender. She is also called Europe's first feminist. -
Dec 9, 1415
Council of Constance burns Hus and ends Great Schism
1415-1417
The significance of the council was that it examined the teaching of John Wycliffe and Jan Hus. They adopted seven reform decrees here and also had concordats on some points. Overall, the council failed to get strong reforms. -
Dec 24, 1422
Charles VII begins reign
The significance of this is that in France, Charles VII ended the Hundred Years' War. He also strenghtened the royal finances by implementing taxes on the land and salt. Finally, he impacted France by creating the first permanent royal army. -
Dec 9, 1450
Exploration
1450-1600
The significance of the Age of Exploration was that it led to the start of many colonies in the Americas. It also increased the amount of slaves being taken. It led to the Columbian Exchange and the Commercial Revolution. -
Dec 9, 1453
Fall of Constantinople; end of Hundred Years' War
The Fall of Constantinople was significant because it signified the entrance of the Ottoman Empire. This brought an enemy closer to Europe. The end of the Hundred Years' War was also important because it centralized France, brought a sense of nationalism to France and England, and it brought new weapons. -
Dec 9, 1455
Invention of Printing Press
The significance of this is that it helped increase literacy, it helped increase productivity, and it also helped lead to newspapers. Finally, the printing press is a key component in the spread of the new religions during the Protestant Reformation and of new ideas in Europe. -
Dec 24, 1469
Marriage of Ferdinand of Aragon and Isabella of Castile
The significance of this is that together, Ferdinand and Isabella created a union of the Iberian Peninsula's two most powerful royal houses. Together they completed the Reconquista in Spain and conqured Granada. They also established the Inquisition and expelled the Jews from Spain. -
Dec 9, 1492
Columbus encounters America; completion of reconquista in Spain
The significance of the discovery of the Americas is that it led to the Columbian Exchange. This brought new food, diseases, and animals to both Europe and the Americas. The significance of the reconquista in Spain is that it removed all the Muslims from Spain and forced people to convert to Christianity. -
Dec 9, 1500
Catholic and Protestant Reformation
16th Century
These reformations were significant because the Protestant Reformation led to the creation of many religions such as Lutheranism and Calvinism. The significance of the Catholic Reformation is that is led to some reforms in the church. -
Dec 9, 1500
Early Modern Society
1500-1700
THe significance of this time period is that the world underwent a shift from being centered on religion to focusing on other things. Society became more secularists with the Scientific Revolution and the Enlightenment. -
Dec 9, 1500
Price Revolution
16th Century
The significance of this is that it led to a steady inflation in prices. The influx of gold and silver that came from the Americas and demand for this created a great raise in prices that lasted in Europe. -
Dec 24, 1513
The Prince by Machiavelli
The significance of this book is that it was helpful in advising Italian rulers on the ruthless statecraft needed to unite the war-torn and divided Italy. It was used as a guide for future rulers. -
Dec 24, 1516
Utopia by Thomas More
The significance of this book is that it described an imaginary society located somewhere of the mainland of the New World. It was a place that had religious toleration, humanist education for both sexes, and communal ownership property. This showed a desired society. -
Dec 9, 1517
Luther posts 95 Theses
The significance of this is that it initially started the Protestestant Reformation. The 95 Theses gave skepticism about the Catholic Church and so people changed religions. -
Dec 9, 1519
Cortez conqueres Aztecs
The significance of this conquest is that it led to the downfall of the indigeneous tribes of the Americas. The conquering of the Aztecs led to a loss of culture and a beginning of enslavement of the Native Americans. It also brought diseases such as smallpox and measles to the Americas. -
Dec 9, 1520
Religious Wars
1520s-1600
This was the period where there were wars over beliefs in Europe, specifically the French Wars of Religion and the Thirty Years' War. The significance of this is that it led to the toleration of Calvinism is France and let the German states chose their religion. -
Dec 24, 1525
The German Peasants' War
The significance of this war is that it strenghtened the authority of the German nobility once it was over. It also established Lutheranism as a close ally with the established political order controlled by the German nobility. -
Dec 9, 1534
Act of Supremacy in England creates Anglican Church
The significance of this is that it put the English king as the "Protector and Only Supreme Head of teh Church and Clergy of England." This led to a confusion of religion in England. IT also led to conflict over religion. Finally, it made conflict between the pope and the head of England. -
Dec 9, 1536
Calvin establishes reformed faith in Geneva
The significance of this is that it transformed Geneva into a Christian community where activity was heavily regulated. It also spread to France, England, and New England. It became an important religion in Europe. -
Dec 9, 1543
Scientific Revolution
1543-1687
The significance of this is that it revolutionized learning. There was an increase in skepticism and rationalism. There was more literature available. Many great scientists such as Newton, Descartes, and Bacon rose out of this era. -
Dec 9, 1543
Copernicus publishes heliocentric theory
The significance of this new concept was that it changed the perspective of how people thought. Before, society thought he earth was at the center of the universe. This made the church angry. The church believed this was against the Bible. -
Dec 9, 1545
Council of Trent opens
The significance of this is that reformed the Catholic Church and reaffirmed church doctrine. It preseved the papacy as the center of Christianity and reaffirmed the seven sacraments. Finally, it forbade clerical language and reaffirmed Latin as the language of the church. -
Dec 9, 1550
Dutch Commercial Dominance
1550-1650
The significance of this was that it helped have Amsterdam as the financial center of Europe. Also, the Dutch became the bankers of Europe with the Amsterdam Exchange Bank. It also was important because it established the Dutch fleet of 10,000 ships. -
Dec 9, 1550
Age of Crisis
1550-1650
The significance of this is that it was a time of turmoil in Europe where there was poor climate, bad harvests, and food shortages. It was here that the Little Ice Age happened. It led to revolts and riots. -
Dec 9, 1555
Peace of Augsburg ends religious war in Germany; Charles V abdicates
This was significant because it allowed the German princes to choose their own religion and caused problems because it didn't recognize religious groups other than Catholic or Lutheran.
Charles V abdicating was also important because he gave away parts of the Holy Roman Empire, thus dividing it even more. -
Dec 24, 1558
Elizabeth I begins reign
The significance of this is that Elizabeth I made many changes in England. She found middle ground in religion that both the moderate Catholics and Protestants would accept. She also supported explorers such as Sir Francis Drake and led England into a Golden Age. -
Dec 24, 1572
Saint Bartholomew's Day Massacre
The significance of this is that thousands of Huguenots where killed in Paris by Catholics. It started a bloody civil war between the Catholics and Huguenots that lasted for 15 years. -
Dec 9, 1580
Witchcraft Scare
1580-1680
This was significant because it led to the persecution of many old and widowed women. There was doubt and people were scared of all women. It was also important because it show the persecution against the women. -
Defeat of Spanish Armada
The significance of this is that it boosted the English morale under Elizabeth I and lowered the one of the Spanish. It established England as a major naval power in the seas of Europe. -
Edict of Nantes ends French religious wars
This is significant because is granted French Protestants religious tolerance. It also was the first formal recognition by an European monarchy that two religions could coexist. -
Baroque Art
1600-1750
This is significant because it it was a form of Catholic Counter-Reformation method that reaffirmed art that should be employed to stimulate piety. Artists should try to have dramatic works of art that involved worshippers. -
Commerical Revolution
17th and 18th Century
The significance of this is that is led to new entrepreneurs, industries, domestic systems, and joint-stock companies. Mercantilism also developed during this time and there was a rise in capitalism and the bourgeoisie. -
Dutch East India Company founded
The significance of this is that is was a rich company that displaced the Portuguese and gained control of the spice trade in the East Indies. They helped make the Dutch Republic into a rich financial center. -
Conflict Between Parliament and King of England
1603-1689
This was the period when fighting happened over in England. It was significant because it led to the Petition of Right and religious policies. There was also the English Civil War and Glorious Revolution. These were all important since it led to the Bill of Rights. -
Stuart monarchy begins in England
They were significant because they believed that their authority came from God. They were against the Parliament. This led to the English Civil War and the Glorious Revolution in England. -
Petition of Right
The significance of this petition is that it said that taxes could only be paid by the consent of the Parliament. Also it said that people could only be imprisoned through the law. Overall, this gave more power towards Parliament. -
John Locke is born
The significance of this is that John Locke published influencial books with his ideas. He believed that all people were born with the rights of life, liberty, and property, which was the basic belief for revolutions. -
Frederick William begins his regin
The significance of this is that Frederick William forged the Hohenzollern territories into a strong power. He received the loyalty of the Junkers and in exchange they received full power over the serfs. -
Age of Louis XIV
1643-1715
This was significant because during this time period Versailles was constructed, there was an increase in trade, and a revocation of the Edict of Nantes. Louis XIV became a very famous ruler because of how he ruled by absolutism.. -
Peace of Westphalia ends Thirty Years' War
This was significant because it recognized Calvinism as a permisible faith. It also recognized the sovereign independent authority of the German states. It gave Sweden more land, showing it was a major power. Finally, it recognized the United Provinces of Netherlands as a major power. -
Charles I executed in England
This was significant because it led to the English Civil War. His execution led to the rise of the Commonwealth and the Protectorate under Olvier Cromwell -
Absolutism
1650-1750
The significance was that during this time, rulers said they had the authority from God to rule, and so they had the absolute authority. This led to many famous rulers such as Louis XIV, Elizabeth I, and Catherine the Great. -
Commerical Wars
1650-1763
These wars were significant because they caused conflict between many countries over resources. They led to fights over trade and access to different places. -
Rise of Prussia
1650-1763
This is significant because Prussia became a strong power with w well-equipped army. Under Frederick William I they gained an army of 80,000 people. Military life became very important. -
Royal Society in England founded
The significance of this is that scientists could meet and promote research and spread scientific knowledge. They also helped create an international scientific community by having this society established. -
Newton published "Principia Mathematics"
The significance of this book is that it gave a single mathematical law of universal gravitation. It had concise mathematical formula describing celestial and terrestial motion. This book advanced knowledge in math and science. -
Glorious Revolution; Peter the Great's reign begins in Russia
1688-1689
The significance of the Glorious Revolution is that it resulted in the Bill of Rights and placed clear limits on the power of the English monarchy.
The significance of Peter the Great is that he modernized Russia, expanded Russia's army, and introduced the potato to Russia. -
Glorious Revolution
The significance of this revolution is that England rejected the divine right of kings. It also was the only bloodless revolution in England. Additionally, it placed limits on the power of the English monarchy and England was now a constitutional monarchy controlled by an aristocratic oligarchy. -
Rise of Russia
1689-1815
The significance of the rise of Russia is that Russia became an important military power in the future. It became a dominant power on the Baltic Sea. -
Bank of England founded
The significance of the Bank of England is that it acted as the government's banker and debt-manager. It became a financial center later on in European history. It affected economic and financial activity in England. -
Rise of the Middle Class
18th Century
The significance of the rise of the middle class is that it brought different classes of people. No longer was there few rich and many poor. There was now a middle class with bankers, merchants, artisans, etc... -
Enlightenment
18th Century
The significance of the Enlightenment is that it brought new ideas and emphasized reason, nature and natural laws, happiness, social progress, liberty, and toleration. It led to famous philosophes such as Voltaire, Diderot, and Montesquieu. -
Agricultural Revolution
18th Century
The significance of this is that it led to innovations in agriculture such as the open-field system, enclosed fields, continuous crop rotation, and use of manure as fertilizer. This gave a more abundant food supply to Europe. -
War of the Spanish Succession
1701-1713
The significance of this war is that it left France battered and weakened. The huge debts acquired from this war played a key role in worsening financial and social tensions that eventually exploded in the French Revolution. -
Peace of Utrecht; death of Louis XIV
1713-1715
The significance of this peace is that it ended Louis XIV's efforts to dominate Europe, granted England some land in the Canada region, and led England have the right to supply African slaves to Spanish America.
The significance of the death of Louis XIV is that he was a great absolutist ruler. He passed on his ruling expertise to his descendents through his journals and he made France in debt. -
Pragmatic Sanction
The significance of this sanction is that it guaranteed Maria Theresa the throne. It also guaranteed the indivisibility of the Hasburg lands. It was violated by Frederick the Great when he entered Silesia. -
Rococo Art
1720-1760
The significance of Rococo art is that it depicted the lighthearted scenes of nobles in their environment. They had light-colored pastels and had highly decorated interior ceilings. This art style showed the mindset of the day. -
War of Austrian succession begins
The significance the start of this war was that it led to many battles in Europe. The French and Prussians fought the English and Austrians. This fighting even affected the New World. -
Industrial Revolution
1750-1850
The significance of the Industrial Revolution is that there were many new inventions that were created to make the textile industry more productive. This marked a shift from human and animal power to mechanical power. -
Neoclassical Art
1750-1800
The significance of this is that it depicted figures as classical heroes. It also had classical virtues of self-sacrifice and devotion to the state. This period also had famous artists such as Jacques-Louis David, Jean-Antoine Houdon, and Thomas Jefferson. -
Treaty of Paris ends Seven Years' War
The significance of this is that the British acquired French Canada and the more land near the Mississippi River. Also France got to keep a few sugar islands and some land India. Finally, Prussia kept its possession of Silesia. -
Pugachev's Rebellion
1773-1775
The significance of this is that there was an uprising of serfs during this time. This rebellion marked the end of Catherine the Great's program of enlightened reforms. Catherine then gave the nobles more priveleges and absolute power over their estates and serfs. -
American Revolution; Smith publishes "Wealth of Nations"
The significance of the American Revolution is that it the people in the English colonies were able to free themselves from England. Thus, England lost a lot of land.
The significance of this book by Adam Smith is that it gave birth to classical economic thought and included his laissez-faire economics beliefs. -
Age of Revolutions
1789-1848
The significance of this time period is that a lot of conflict happened. The French Revolution, American Revolution, Revolutions in the Austrian Empire, and Revolution in Belgium showed the changing ideality of the people. -
French Revolution begins
The significance of the French Revolution is that it was a very bloody revolution in France. It also popularized the guillotine. It led to the Legistlative Assembly in France. However, this did not give women the right to vote. -
Feminism
1790s-1980s
The significance of this age of Feminism is that it led to many demands for equality for women. Eventually, the femenist movement led to more women in science and at work. Also, eventually women were able to vote in European countries. -
Rise of Nationalism
1790s-1914
The significance of nationalism is that it aided in bringing a nation together. Pride for a nation is a great way of getting things done. For example, fighting for a country or making changes in government. -
Wollstonecraft begins feminist movement with "Vindication of RIghts of Women"
The significance of the femenist movement is that it led to a restructure of gender hierarchies. With femenism, women demanded better rights and started to work more. -
Napolean comes to power in France
The significance of this is that when Napolean came to power, he defeated the Second Coalition. He took out democracy and transformed France into a modern state. He was also important because he caused a loss of liberty in France. -
Romanticism
First Half of 19th Century
The significance of this movement is that it influenced art, religion, music, and philosophy. It also inspired a desire for freedom of thought, feeling, and action in the people. -
Abdication of Napolean; Congress of Vienna
The significance of this France was not led by a dictator. It brought an end to a great military man.
The significance of this congress is that it enacted a settlement that was acceptable to both the victors and to France. It created a balance of power in Europe until German unification. -
Rise of Liberalism
1830s-1870s
The significance of this is that it led to a belief in natural rights that governments must protect. People also believed in a support of civil liberties including freedom of the press, assembly, and religion. It led to an opposition of full democracy and wanted laissez-faire. -
Revolution in France; Belgian and Greek independence
1830-1831
The significance of this is that Louis Philippe became a "citizen king" who then moved to support France's business interests.
The significance of this in Belgium is that Beligium became a neutral state. The significance in Greece is that Greece was also able to become an independent state. -
Revolutions of 1848; Marx and Engels publish "Communist Manifesto"
The significance of these revolutions is that it led to a new age of political realism. Also, it is important to know that peaceful reforms let England avoid these revolts.
The significance of this book is that it it affected the thought of people. He wrote about the dialectical process of thesis, antithesis, and synthesis. He argued that women were exploited by men and capitalists. -
Unification and Nation-Building
1850-1875
The significance of unification and nation-building is that it created new countries. This idealogy created more cultural cohesiveness and led to a network state. -
Realism and Materialism
1850-1870s
The significance of realism and materialism is that it disenchanted with romanticism. It instead focused on the concerns of real people, meaning workers and peasants. It also led to criticism of the cruelty of industrial life. -
Second Industrial Revolution
1850-1914
The significance of the second industrial revolution is that there were new industries; new sources of power, such as electricity, oil, and gasoline; new forms of communication and transportation, such as the telephone; and new industrial powers. -
Imperialism
1850-1914
The significance of this age is that vast regions of the world were being controled by European nations. Protectorates were establishes and spheres of influence were set up in China. Also, during imperialism, many European countries took charge of Africa. This let to destroyed native cultures, a global economy, and intensified European rivalries. -
Modern Ideas and Science
1850-1920s
The significance of modern ideas and science is that it led to new things suchs as women's rights, mass politics, the bacterial revolution, and the theory of evolution. This led to a better understanding of the world. -
Rise of Modern Society
Second Half of 19th Century
The significance of this rise was that there was a population growth and urbanization. There were also changes in women's rights and mass politics. -
Crystal Palace Exhibition in Britain
The significance of this exhibition was that it provided a national center for the enlightened people. It symbolized the industrial, economic, and military superiority of Great Britain. It basically let Britain show off its greatness. -
Britain esthablishes direct rule of India
The significance of this is that India became subject to British rule. This then brought some British culture into India. They also took most of the resources that were available in India. However, they contributed infrastructure and postal services to India. -
Darwin publishes "Origin of the Species"
The significance of this is that it challenged the idea of special creation by proposing a theory of evolution. It reaffirmed the Malthusian belief that only the "fittest" species could survive and that natural selection picked off people. -
Italy unified; Russian serfs emancipated
The significance of Italy's unification is that Northern Italy was urban and industrialized while Southern Italy was rural and poor. The government was still in heavy debt after unification, thus affecting it later on.
The significance of the emancipation of serfs is that although the serfs were free, the peasants could not own the land. This created some freedom, but the lower class still was restricted. -
Modern Art
1870-1920
The significance of modern art is that new techniques were seen in art, such as modernity, impressionism, and cubism. Famous artists were also from this time period such as Picasso. -
Unification of Germany; Paris commune and Third Rebulic in France
The significance of Germany's unification is that it created a new European balance of power. The German empire industrialized quickly and became the strongest state in Europe and a rival to Great Britain.
The significance of the Third Republic in France is that it was a time of confusion. The Third Republic did not last long and was not loved by people. -
Berlin Conference over imperialism in Africa
1884-1885
The significance of the Berlin Conference it divided Africa among European nations. It put the Congo under Leopold II in Belgium. Finally, it put up rules for the race to colonize the African territories. -
Freud publishes "Interpretation of Dreams"
The significance of this book is that Freud was among one of the first psychologists to analyze dreams through experiments and clinical trials. He also used his own experiences in his research. This provided knowledge as to what dreams were. -
Einstein publishes relativity theory; Revolution of 1905 in Russia
The significance of this theory is that it challenged traditional conceptions of time, space, and motion.
The significance of this revolution is that it led to a massacre that provoked strikes and demands for change. Also, the election of a Russia parliament resulted. -
World Wars
1914-1945
The world wars were very significant. This era was a time with rivalry and conflict. It showed that a balance of power and peace was necessary to keep countries in check. The League of Nations resultred from the first world war and the United Nations from the second. -
World War I begins
The significance of this is that it set in motion events that put most of Europe into war. It led to many battle, with Germany in the middle of the action. World War I was important because the world was trying to become more peaceful together. -
Bolshevik Revolution in Russia
The significance of the Bolshevik Revolution is that it ended in the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk. Russia then lost a quarter of its European territory and a third of its population. -
Treaty of Brest-Litovsk
The significance of this treaty is that it ended Bolshevik Russia's engagement in World War I and was negotiated by Vladimir Lenin. It also was nullified when Germany was defeated by the Allies. -
Treaty of Versailles ends World War I
The significance of this treaty is that it forced Germany to sign a war-guilt clause and pay for war damages. It disolved Austria-Hungary into different states and gave land back to France. It created the League of Nations and left bitter feelings between Germany and the winners. -
Totalitarianism
1920s-1945
The significance of totalitarianism is that it put total control over the lives in citizens. It also manipulated and censored the information people received. It was significant because it was a form of government that tried to mold loyal citizens. -
Fascists and Mussolini come to power in Italy
The significance of this is that all political parties were then outlawed except for Fascists. Also, Mussolini effected Italy by making people think he was always right. Mussolini controled the corporations in Italy. -
The Locarno Pact
The significance of this pact is that it was an agreement between France and Germany to respect their barriers. Also, it started a time of lower tension between European countries. -
Kellogg-Briand Pact
The significance of this pact is that it outlawed war as a means of national policy. However, it was violated many times during the 1930s. -
Great Depression Begins
The significance of this is it transformed the optimistic spirit of the late 1920s with a sense of doubt and fear. It also created uncertainty and insecurity for millions of unemployed workers. It increased the intervention of government in economics. It also gave opportunities for dictators to take office. -
Hitler comes to power in Germany
The significance of this is Hitler convinced Germans to follow his leadership. He used the people's fears to his advantage. He then created a totalitarian state in Germany. He essentially controlled what everyone could do. -
Munich Conference-height of appeasement
The significance of the Munich Conference is that it gave Sudetenland to Hitler. It also discredited the British policy of appeasement. -
World War II begins
The significance of this is that many battles were fought during this time. Also, most importantly, the Holocaust began and a mass murder happened of Jews. It also was important because is resulted in the United Nations. -
The Nazi-Soviet Nonaggression Pact
The significance of this is that it created a nonaggression pact signed by Adolf Hitler and Joseph Stalin where they agreed that they would remain neutral if the other became involved in war. It also divided eastern Europe into German and Soviet zones. -
Cold War
1945-1991
The significance of the Cold War is that the Soviet Union and the USA built huge arsenals of missiles and explosives. Also, the Warsaw Pact, NATO, and military blocs were formed. It created conflicts that led to the Vietnam War and the Korean War. -
European Unity
1945-present
The signifance of this is that most European nations were joined. They were unified together. This later leads to the European Economic Community and the European Union. -
World War II ends; United Nations founded
The significance of World War II is that it led to the construction of the United Nation Nazi. Also, the Nazi regime ended in Germany and the Berlin Wall was set up.
The United Nations was significant was that it set up a political union in which countries could participate in. -
NATO formed
The significance of this is that ten European nations joined with the US and Canada to set up defense preparatiosn. This was significant because it marked America's breaking away from isolationism. -
European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) formed
The significance of the ECSC is that it called for a tariff-free trade in coal and steel among the countries of France, West Germany, Belgium, Italy, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands. -
Stalin dies
The main significance of Stalin's death is that the regin of terror in the Soviet Union ended upon his death. This led to Nikita Khrushchev as the new leader. -
Krushchev's de-Stalinization speech; Hungary revolt
The significance of the de-Stalinization speech is that it involved having a shift toward producing consumer goods, curbing the power of the secret police, and granting more freedom to writers and intellectuals.
The significance of the Hungary revolt is that the Soviets came in and crushed this revolt. -
Treaty of Rome creates European Economic Community (EEC); Sputnik lauched
The significance of the EEC is that it eliminated trade barriers among its members. It also emerged as the driving force behind economic integration in Western Europe.
The significance of Sputnik lauching is that it became a symbol of Soviet technological prowess. It played a key role in contributing to the space race between the US and the Soviet Union. -
Fifth Republic in France under DeGaulle
The significance of this is that the new policies under DeGaulle granted Algeria full independence, withdrew French military forces from NATO, developed nuclear weapons for France, and opposed Great Britain's entry into the EEC. -
Berlin Wall erected
The significance of the Berlin Wall is that it stopped the flow of refugees and simultaneaously became a symbol of Communist oppression. The Berlin Wall divided the communist and democratic people. -
Cuban Missile Crisis
The significance of the Cuban Missile Crisis is that it underminded Khrushchev's, the leader of the Soviet Union, credibility and played a key role in his ouster from power in 1964. -
Second Vatican Council begins
The significance of this council is that it acknowledged the seperation of the church and state, renounced war, ordered wide-ranging reforms in religious life and training of clergy. This affected how Catholics viewed the world. -
Student revolts; Czech "Prague Spring" revolts
The significance of the student revolts is that there were many protests throughout Europe. It concluded with the the police usually arresting many of them.
The significance of these revolts is that Czechoslovakia returned to communist control. They also has Russia staying in control behind the Iron Curtain. -
Helsinki Accords- height of détente
The significance of the Helsinki Accords is that they marked the high point of the Cold War detente. It made the signers recognize and protest basic human rights and ratified European territorial boundaries. -
John Paul II elected pope
The significance of John Paul II is he became the most-traveled pope, the pope who appointed the most cardinals, wrote the most books, and called the most influential figure of his time by the London Times. -
Soviet Union invades Afghanistan; Thatcher elected prime minister in England
The significance of this invasion is that it put a lot of stress on the economic system of the Soviet Union. It also caused a lot of social discontent with the people in the Soviet Union.
The significance of having Thatcher elected is that she allowed to right to buy a council house, put reforms that established London as the financial center, and lowered the industry in Britain. -
Solidarity founded in Poland
The significance of this is that Polish voters elected their own Solidarity candidates over the Communist Party in 1989. This showed the first time the people in a state could peacefully exit a Communist regime. -
Gorbachev comes to power in Soviet Union
The significance of this is that Gorbachev put up many new reforms in Soviet Union. He put up a program of economic restructuring, had democratization, and encouraged Soviet citizens to discuss ways to reform their society. -
Berlin Wall falls and collapse of communism
The significance of this is that the reunification of Germany occured as a result of the collapse of teh Berlin Wall. It marked the end of the Cold War in Easter Europe. -
Break-up of Soviet Union; Balkan conflicts begin in former Yugoslavia
The significance of this break-up is that different ethnic groups were able to revolt and demand their own freedom, since they had lost their fear of the Communist party under Gorbachev.
The significance of the Balkan conflicts is that it led to a devolution of the Balkan peninsula. These conflicts led to ethnic nations forming, such as Kosovo. -
Maastricht Treaty creates European Union (EU)
The significance of this is that it created the world's largest single economic market. It also created a central bank for the European Union. -
Euro currency introduced
The significance of this was that it showed the unification of Europe under the European Union. It also made the transfer from one country to another easier, while using the same currency. -
Terrorist attacks on United States
The significance of these terrorist attacks is that it caused hatred and anger towards people of the Middle East. It also brought fear to the people in the US. Finally, it also led to tightened restrictions in the airports.
