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Jan 1, 1300
The Renaissance Begins
The French word for "rebirth," the Renaissance was a philosophical and artistic movement that took place from the 1300s to the 1600s. It was characterized by the revival in Greek and Roman writings and life styles. There was a growing emphasis on science, the arts, and using reason. -
Jan 1, 1450
The Printing Press
German inventor Johannes Gutenberg creates the first printing press that utilizes movable type. He uses it to make printed copies of the Bible. The printing press causes a revolution in the spread of knowledge and its availability. For the first time ever the public has access to knowledge once kept only by the Church and upper class. -
Jan 1, 1500
The Age of Exploration
The Age of Exploration begins in the 1500s with the purpose of finding a new route to Asia and India for the trade of spices, silk, and other goods. Begins with voyages around Africa by Prince Henry the Navigator and Vasco da Gama. Further pushed by Columbus's voyages which lead to the discovery of the Americas, and Ferdinand Magellan's voyage around the globe. -
Jun 3, 1517
The Reformation
The Reformation begins in the Roman Catholic Church after humanists grow tired of non-spiritual Church practices. Catholic priest and teacher Martin Luther posts his 95 Theses, a letter concerning his grievances about the Church selling indulgences and other corruption, on a Church door, is exocommunicated, and starts the Lutheran Church. The appearance of many other sects follows. The Church is divided once more. -
Jan 1, 1543
The Heliocentric Theory
Nicolaus Copernicus publishes a book whose title is translated to "On th Revolutions of the Heavenly Spheres," which describes his new theory on the structure of the universe. In his model, the Sun is the center of the universe. This conflicts with the widely accepted theory at the time, presented by Greek astronomer Ptolemy, that the Earth was at the center of the universe. It also conflicted with Church views. It did, however, publicly present a more accurate model of the universe. -
Jan 1, 1545
The Scientific Revolution
An era in which people began using science and mathematics to explain their world, instead of relying on superstitions and religion for an explanation. The study of nature became more organized. Questions regarding physics, astronomy, and anatomy were finally answered. The basis of modern science was formed. -
The Enlightenment
A philosophical movement during the 1600s and 1700s, it began in Europe, eventually spreading to the Americas. The main focus during the Enlightenment was the use of logic and reason. The result was the spread of the use of the scientific method. -
The Industrial Revolution
Beginning in the 1700s, this was an era of rapid industrial development. It was spurred by the combination of land, capital, and labor; the factors of production. Pushed on by the developments of looms, the spinning jenny, the flying shuttle, and the steam engine. -
The Factory System
A method of manufacturing that first developed in England as a result of the Industrial Revolution. It introduced the use of automated machinery in a factory to produce goods, replacing the cottage industry. The development of the Factory system completely changed the concentration of the work force from the farm to the city, and the availability and production of goods. -
The American Revolution and Independence
United States delegates voted to declare their independence and freedom from Britain. On the fourth of July in 1776, they adopted the Declaration of Independence. Britain responded to the American Revolution with military force. Most fighting took place from 1776 to 1781. The outcome was an American victory. It also resulted in the inspiration of the French Revolution. -
French Revolution
One of the bloodiest revolutions in history, the French Revolution was a struggle that took place between the French people and the powerful French monarchy. Taking place between 1789 and and 1799, it spread very quickly and caused dramatic changes in government. The revolution also spread ideas of a peoples government across Europe, causing upset and wars with other European nations. -
Napoleonic Wars
Named after the general who lead the French armies during the wars, they began in 1796, ending in 1815. Notable were Napoleons war tactics. They were much quicker and more decisive than thore of his opponents. By the end of the wars, Napoleon had formed the French empire. -
Taiping Rebellion
A huge civil war movement in southern Chiina that raged on from 1850 to 1864, the Taiping Rebellion was started by the self-proclaimed holy man Hong Xiuquan. The war was between his Taiping Heavenly Kingdom and the ruling Qing Dynasty. The Qing Dynasty later gained support from nations part of the spheres of influence. It was a bloody conflict that took the life of millions of civilians. -
The Sepoy Mutiny
Also known as the Indian Rebellion of 1857, the revolt began as a mutiny by the sepoy soldiers in Britain's East India Trading Company in May of 1857. Known as India's first war of independence. -
The Scramble for Africa
A period of time between 1881 and 1914 in which there was a heavy invasion and conquest of Africa by European nations. Divided amongst the European nations at the Berlin conference in 1884, without regard for existion nation boundaries in Africa, the continent went under the control of outside nations. -
The Boxer Rebellion
A nationalist movement, and direct result of foreign spheres of influence, that took place in China from 1899 to 1901. It was started by an anti-foreign Chinese group of shadow boxers, who believed their practice would protect them from bullets. -
The Age of Imperialism
Through the system of colonization where one nation, typically first world, extends its authority over another nation, typically third world, many European nations including France, Britain, and the Germany invaded and colonized countries like India and several others in Africa. It was mainly for the purpose of gathering resources, but also for the civilization of more "primitive" nations, as according to the "white man's burden." -
World War I
A culmination of several different mounting factors in Europe, of which the main four were militarism, imperialism, nationalism, and even the alliances between nations. High tensions, made worse by the assassination of Austrio-Hungarian Archduke Franz Ferdinand, plunged more than twenty different nations into a global war centered in Europe that finally came to an end in November 11, 1918. -
Russian Revolution
The result of growing problems within Russia that came to a crisis during World War I. After years of revolution, war, poverty, and class struggle, an end was finally brought to the Russian czarsist regime. -
League of Nations
An organization that began after the acceptance of Woodrow Wilson's Covenant of the League of Nations at the Paris Peace Conference. It had the two aims of promoting international cooperation and keeping peace among nations.
