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1325
Mexica start conquering an empire
The Aztecs started to conquer neighboring territories because they wanted to appease their gods with human sacrifices. -
1356
Holy Roman Emperor elected by nobles
The Golden Bull of 1356 allowed the seven leading princes in the Holy Roman Empire to elect the emperor. -
1368
Founding of Ming dynasty
The Ming dynasty overthrows the Mongols to come into power but continues many of the same practices. -
1415
Portuguese capture Ceuta, starting an empire
Portugal captured Ceuta (a Muslim city in North Africa) to convert its inhabitants to Christianity. -
1433
End of Zheng He's voyages
His death made the Ming Empire suspend all voyages and use its resources to build the Great Wall. -
1438
Pachakuti launches Inca conquests
Pachakuti expands the Inca Empire through military campaigns and integrates conquered people and lands into the empire. -
1453
End of Hundred Years' War
The war over the legitimate succession to the French crown against England ended with a French victory. -
1453
Ottoman conquest of Constantinople
The Ottomans used gunpowder and cannons to siege Constantinople for 55 days, renaming it Istanbul. -
1492
End of Reconquista
The Spanish Christian efforts to retake the Iberian Peninsula ended in 1492 when the Muslims were completely driven out. -
1556
Akbar becomes Mughal emperor
He was Muslim, ruled over a Hindu-dominant population, and taxed and controlled agriculture and trade in the Indian Ocean. -
Mikhail Romanov becomes ruler of Russia
Russian nobles offered Romanov the position and he accepted because the line of succession to the Tsar was unclear.