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Oct 1, 1348
Black Death (1348-1351)
The Black Death took place in Europe during the 14th century. Millions of people died due to this disease. Many people believed that the Black Death was a kind of divine punishment retribution for sins against God. -
Jan 1, 1350
Renaissance (1350-1550)
The Renaissance was spawned by the birth of the philosophy of humanism, which emphasized the importance of individual achievement in a wide range of fields. The Renaissance means "rebirth". The term was first used by Vasari. The Renaissance was a time period of the return of the classics. -
Jan 1, 1415
Council of Constance burns Hus and ends Great Schism (1415-17)
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. -
Jan 1, 1420
Age of Discovery (1420)
During the "Age of Discoevry", leaders of several European nations sponsored expeditions abroad in the hope that explorers would find great wealth and vast undiscovered lands. -
Jan 1, 1450
Exploration (1450-1600)
During the Exploration, European explorers searched for trade routes, overseas wealth, and adventure. Spain, England and France colonized in the New World during the Exploration. -
Jan 1, 1453
Fall of Constantinople; end of Hundred Years' War (1453)
The Fall of Constantinople 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 -
Jan 1, 1455
Invention of Printing Press (1455)
The printing press 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. -
Jan 1, 1492
Columbus encounters American; completion of "reconquista" in Spain (1492)
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. -
Jan 1, 1500
Protestant and Catholic Reformations (sixteenth century)
The Protestant Reformation was the 16th-century religious, political, intellectual and cultural upheaval. Reformers like Martin Luther, John Calvin and Henry VIII challenged papal authority and questioned the Catholic Church’s ability to define Christian practice. -
Jan 1, 1500
Early Modern Society (1500-1700)
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Jan 1, 1500
Price Revolution 1500s
The Price Revolution was when Spain experienced a steady population increase in demand for foods and goods. Spanish colonies also had a demand for foods and goods. The rising prices caused the Spanish to not be able to compete with cheaper products. Prices spiraled up faster than the government could levy taxes to dampen the economy because higher taxes would have cut the public's buying power causing the sale of less goods and a consequent fall in prices. -
Jan 1, 1517
Luther posts 95 Theses (1517)
The significance of the 95 These is that it initially started the Protestestant Reformation. The 95 Theses gave skepticism about the Catholic Church and so people changed religions. -
Jan 1, 1519
Cortez Conquers Aztecs (1519)
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. -
Jan 1, 1520
Religious Wars (1520-1650)
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Jan 1, 1534
Act of Supremacy in England creates Anglican Church (1534)
The significance of the Act of Supremacy is that it put the English king as the "Protector and Only Supreme Head of teh Church and Clergy of England." It created the Anglican Church. 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. -
Jan 1, 1536
Calvin estanblishes reformed faith in Geneva (1536)
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. -
Jan 1, 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. -
Jan 1, 1543
Copernicus publishes heliocentric theory (1543)
The heliocentric theory 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. -
Jan 1, 1545
Council of Trent opens (1545)
The council of Trent 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. -
Jan 1, 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. -
Jan 1, 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. -
Jan 1, 1555
Peace of Augsburgends religious war in Germany; Charles V abdicates (1555)
This 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. -
Jan 1, 1580
Witchcraft Scare (1580-1680)
A period of witch hunts that took place across early modern Europe between the 16th and 17th centuries. 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 the Spainish Armada (1588)
The defeat of the Spanish Armada 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 (1598)
This 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)
Baroque Art 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. -
Dutch East India Company founded (1600)
The significance of the Dutch East India Company is that it 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. -
Commercial Revolution (1600-1700)
The significance of the Commercial Revolution is that it 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. -
Conflict Between Parliament and King in 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 (1603)
The Stuart family 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. -
Age of King Louis XIV (1643-1715)
This age of King Louis XIV 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 (1648)
This 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 exucuted in England (1649)
This 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 of Absolutism 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. -
Commercial Wars (1650-1763)
The Commercial 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)
The rise of Prussia was 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. -
Newton publishes "Principia Mathematica" (1687)
This book 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 in Russia (1688-1689)
The Glorious Revolution resulted in the Bill of Rights and placed clear limits on the power of the English monarchy.
Peter the Great modernized Russia, expanded Russia's army, and introduced the potato to Russia. -
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 (1694)
The Bank of England 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. -
Enlightenment (1700s)
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 (1700s)
The Agricultural Revolution 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. -
Rise of the MIddle Class (1700s)
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... -
Peace of Utrecht; death of Louis XIV (1713-1715)
This peace treaty 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. -
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 (1740)
The start of this war led to many battles in Europe. The French and Prussians fought the English and Austrians. This fighting even affected the New World. -
Industral Revolution (1750-1850)
During the Industrial Revolution 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. -
Treaty of Paris ends Sevens Years' War (1763)
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. -
American Revolution; Smith publishes "Wealth of Nations" (1776)
During the American Revolution 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 the Age of Revolutions 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 (1789)
The French Revolution 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-1914)
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" (1792)
The femenist movement led to a restructure of gender hierarchies. With femenism, women demanded better rights and started to work more. -
Napolean comes to power in France (1799)
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 (half of the 1800s)
The significance of Romanticism 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 (1815)
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 the rise of liberalism 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" (1848)
The significance of the revolutions 1848 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.
"Communist Manifesto" 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)
Unification and nation-building created new countries. This idealogy created more cultural cohesiveness and led to a network state. -
Realism and Materialsim (1850-1870s)
Realism and materialism 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 Imperialism 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)
Modern ideas and science 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. -
Crystal Palace Exhibition in Britain (1851)
The significance of the Crystal Palace 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 (1857)
The significance of this establishment 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" (1859)
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 (1861)
The significance of the unification of italy 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. -
Unification of Germany; Paris Commune and Third Rebulic in France (1871)
Germany's unification 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 Third Republic in France was a time of confusion. It did not last long and was not loved by people. -
Berlin Conference over imperialism in Africa (1884-1885)
The Berlin Conference 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" (1900)
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 (1905)
Thhis theory challenged traditional conceptions of time, space, and motion.
This revolution led to a massacre that provoked strikes and demands for change. Also, the election of a Russia parliament resulted. -
World Wars (1914-1945)
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. -
War World I Begins (1914)
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 (1917)
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 Versailles ends World War I (1919)
This treaty 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)
Totalitarianism 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 (1922)
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. -
Great Depression Begins (1929)
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 (1933)
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 (1938)
The Munich Conference gave Sudetenland to Hitler. It also discredited the British policy of appeasement. -
World War II begins (1839)
The significance of WWII 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. -
Cold War (1945-1991)
During the Cold War 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 European unity 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 (1945)
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 (1949)
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 (1951)
The ECSC 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 (1953)
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 (1956)
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 launched (1957)
The EEC eliminated trade barriers among its members. It also emerged as the driving force behind economic integration in Western Europe.
Sputnik 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 (1958)
The significance of the fifth republic in France 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 (1961)
The Berlin Wall stopped the flow of refugees and simultaneaously became a symbol of Communist oppression. The Berlin Wall divided the communist and democratic people. -
Cuban Missle Crisis (1962)
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 (1962)
This council 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" revolt (1968)
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 the Prague Spring" revolt is that Czechoslovakia returned to communist control. They also has Russia staying in control behind the Iron Curtain. -
Helsinki Accords- height of détente (1975)
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 (1978)
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 Britain (1979)
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 (1980)
This allows the 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 (1985)
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 (1989)
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 (1919)
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) (1992)
This created the world's largest single economic market. It also created a central bank for the European Union. -
Euro currency introduced (1999)
The Euro currency 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 (2001)
These terrorist attacks caused hatred and anger towards people of the Middle East. It also brought fear to the people in the US, and led to tightened restrictions in the airports. -
Terrorist attacks on United States (2001)
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, and led to tightened restrictions in the airports.
