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Period: 1500 to
The Witchcraft Trials
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Period: 1547 to
Reign of Ivan the Terrible
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1555
Peace of Augsburg
The Peace of Augsburg was a peace treaty signed by Charles V that aimed to end the religious struggle in Germany. It allowed princes to choose their subjects' religion, whether Catholic or Protestant. -
1558
Elizabeth Tudor Becomes Queen of England
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Period: 1562 to
French Wars of Religion
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Period: 1580 to
Golden Age of Literature
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Defeat of the Spanish Armada
King Philip II of Spain sent a fleet of warships to England. His goal was to invade the country and overthrow Protestantism. The Spanish Armada was defeated by England's quicker and more nimble ships. Philip's troops retreated, sailing around Scotand and Ireland, but they were hit by a series of storms. The event marked the start of the end of Spain's reign of power. -
Edict of Nantes
King Henry IV of France issued the Edict of Nantes to solve the 30-year-long war between the Catholics and the Huguenots. It recognized Catholicism as the official religion of France, and at the same time gave Huguenots the right to worship. They could use all political privileges such as holding public offices. Both the Catholics and the Huguenots were pleased with the edict. -
Period: to
Economic and Social Crises in Europe
Spain's economy was failing because its mines produced less silver, leaving its ships vulnerable to pirate attacks. The economy was hurt by the loss of artisans and merchants. Italy also had an economic decline. Due to a warmer climate and increased food supplies, Europe's population began to grow, increasing from 60 million to 85 million. For a little while, it leveled off, before declining again. Warfare, plague, and famine were all causes of the loss, also helping to create social tensions. -
Cavaliers vs. Roundheads
King Charles I of England believed in the divine right of kings, meaning he had absolute authority and got his power from God. Parliament issued a petition that placed limits on the king's power, and in return, he tried to impose more ritual on England's church. The Cavaliers, supporters of the king, and the Roundheads, parliamentary supporters, slipped into a civil war after complaints grew. Parliament won the battles, mostly because they had the military genius, Oliver Cromwell, on their side. -
'Leviathan' Is Published
Thomas Hobbes published the Leviathan in an attempt to deal with the difficulties of disorder. He claimed that before organized society, humans were guided by a ruthless struggle for self-preservation, rather than by reason and moral ideals. To prevent their own destruction, the people made a contract, agreeing to form a state governed by an absolute ruler with unlimited power in order to suppress rebellion and to preserve order. -
The Restoration of the Stuart Monarchy
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Period: to
The Glorious Revolution
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'Two Treatises of Government' Is Published
John Locke was against the absolute rule of one person. He published his book, Two Treatises of Government, which stated that before society was organized, humans lived in a state of equality and freedom rather than in a state of war. He claimed that all humans had certain natural rights that they were born with, including rights to life, liberty, and property. -
Legacy of Louis XIV
France's Sun King died in 1715 at 76 years old. He left many of his people in poverty and his country surrounded by a vast amount of enemies. While on his deathbed, he called for his great-grandson, his successor, and remorsefully gave him advice. “You are about to become a great king," he said. "Do not imitate me either in my taste for building or in my love of war. Live in peace with the nations. Strive to relieve the burdens of your people in which I have been so unfortunate as to fail.”
