AP European History- Renaissance Timeline

Bubonic plague begins

Feb 28, 1347

Thought to have originated in arid plains of Central Asia, bubonic plague, more commonly known as the Black Death, was carried by oriental rat fleas living on the black rats that boarded different merchant ships. It is estimated to have killed 30-60% of Europe’s population. Renewed religious fervour and fanaticism bloomed in the wake of the Black Death. Many Jewish communities were targeted for attacks, and people with any form of skin diseases were exterminated from the community.

Filippo Brunelleschi creates linear perspective

Jan 1, 1413

Linear perspective was very important in differentiating Renaissance art from art created before the Renaissance. Linear perspective is important because it made it so that depth could be shown on a flat surface.This greatly influenced the art that was made during this time period as depth on flat surfaces began to be used more often. Many of the world’s best pieces of art came from this time period because Brunelleschi created linear perspective.

Johannes Gutenberg created the movable type

1450

The creation of the movable type allowed books to be produced at a rate faster than it ever had been before. Since Christianity was so dominant during the time, the bible was usually the book being made the most. Lower class members were able to finally read the book for themselves as the movable type allowed the Bible to be produced at a quicker rate. Before this, only scholars had read the Bible and then they had told everybody else what it said. People's own interpretation was possible now.

Leonardo Da Vinci was born

Apr 15, 1452

Da Vinci is one of the most famous and important men from the time period. He was a scientist, painter, sculptor, engineer, architect, inventor, a perfect example of what a Renaissance man was supposed to be according to the ideas of Humanism. Humanists believed that the perfect man is one who is amazing at many subjects and makes himself the best at whatever he chooses to pursue. His paintings, The Last Supper and The Mona Lisa, clearly exhibits Da Vinci as this Renaissance man.

Ottoman Conquest of Constantinople

1453

Despite the use of ramparts and city walls to protect themselves, Constantinople falls to the Ottoman army and their gunpowder. The capture of Constantinople marked the end of the Byzantine Empire, a continuation of the Roman Empire dating to 27 BC, an imperial state lasting for nearly 1,500 years. The Ottoman conquest of Constantinople also dealt a massive blow to Christendom, as the Muslim Ottoman armies thereafter were left unchecked to advance into Europe without an adversary to their rear.

Cosimo de’ Medici dies

Aug 1, 1464

Cosimo de Giovanni de’ Medici was an Italian banker, a politician, and the first of the Medici political dynasty. Having utilized their economic influence to seize political power in Florence, they later gain influence on the Catholic church as well to expand their power to the other city-states and even to other countries in Europe. While within power, the Medici family sponsors art and literature extensively, serving as a patron for Masaccio and Leonardo Da Vinci.

Michelangelo was born

Mar 6, 1475

Michelangelo was one of the masters of Renaissance. He was very important in the world of art, being a sculptor, painter, architect and poet. He painted the Sistine Chapel, one of the most beautiful works of art in the world, and he sculpted David, Moses, and Pieta, sculptures that have and had a great impact on the world.

Christopher Columbus landed in the New World

Oct 12, 1492

This is important because people found out that there was more land on the Earth that was not Europe, Africa, or Asia. The discovery of the New World led to crops, which people had never seen before, being taken back to Europe. New crops and new animals were exchanged between the two places. Also, new settlements sprang up in the New World shortly after its discovery and its discovery also changed how people viewed the shape of the world.

The French invades Italy

1494

In 1494 the French invaded Italy, taking up Pope Innocent VIII offer of taking over Naples. They were encouraged to do so by Milan, so they invaded Italy with an army of over 20000 men. This First Italian War triggered many wars to follow in succession, leaving Italy in pieces. When the French invaded Italy, it was the beginning of the end of the Italian Renaissance.

Martin Luther posts his 95 Theses

1517

Martin Luther was an Augustinian monk who was a devout Catholic, but when the Church started selling indulgences and finally came to his hometown of Wittenberg, Martin Luther openly opposed them and posted his 95 Theses against indulgences on the Church door for the entire town to see. The Theses spread like wildfire across Europe (at least wildfire for that era), and Luther had begun the process of the Protestant Reformation.

Henry VIII declares himself supreme head of the Church of England

Feb 11, 1531

Henry VIII created the Church of England because of the Pope’s refusal to annul his marriage to Catherine of Aragon. The creation of the Anglican Church signified another decrease in papal supremacy and power. Because of his actions, he could marry Anne Boleyn resulting in another failure in producing male successors, though the union did produce one of the most powerful British monarchs ever, Elizabeth I, an ironic outcome.

Birth of William Shakespeare

Apr 26, 1564

William Shakespeare was an English poet, playwright, and actor. He is famous for his comedies, tragedies, and romances. He expanded the dramatic potential of characterization, plot, language, and genre, so much that throughout history, his works have been repeatedly adapted and rediscovered by new movements in scholarship and performance. His plays remain highly popular and are constantly studied, performed, and reinterpreted in diverse cultural and political contexts throughout the world.