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Period: 1450 to
Period 1
The Fall of Constantinople to the Peace of Westphalia -
1453
Fall of Constantinople
Mehmed II and the Ottomans complete their conquest of the Byzantine Empire and capture Constantinople -
1455
Gutenberg Bible
Gutenberg prints the Bible using his printing press; This changes the access to literature. -
Period: 1455 to 1485
Wars of the Roses
A series of civil wars in England between the houses of Lancaster and York. -
1460
Prince Henry the Navigator (Portugal)
Henry the Navigator (1394-1460), Established a navigation school in 1419 and created the lasting impact of state funded exploration. -
1485
Henry VII of England (1485-1509)
After defeating Richard III at the Battle of Bosworth Field, Henry VII united the houses of Lancaster and York, effectively ending the Wars of the Roses. -
1488
Bartolomeu Dias (Portugal)
Dias reaches the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa -
1492
Christopher Columbus (Spain)
Columbus sails to the New World after receiving the patronage from King Ferdinand II and Queen Isabella of Spain -
1494
Treaty of Tordesillas
This treaty divided the world into two colonial spheres of influence; The Spanish received the west, while the Portuguese received the East -
1498
Vasco da Gama (Portugal)
Vasco da Gama reaches Calicut, India via a southern route around Africa -
1509
Henry VIII of England (1509-1547)
King of England. Best known for having six wives (divorces, beheaded, died; divorced, beheaded, survived). he is also famous for separating from the Catholic Church and establishing the Anglican Church. -
Oct 31, 1517
Protestant Reformation
Martin Luther nails his 95 theses to the Wittenberg castle church in Germany -
1534
Act of Supremacy
English Parliament declared the king of England the head of the Church of England, officially breaking from the Catholic Church. -
1553
Mary I of England (1553-1558)
Known as "Bloody Mary," the first daughter of Henry VIII attempted the re-catholicization of England through violence. -
1555
Peace of Augsburg (HRE)
Ended the religious wars between Catholics and Lutherans within the Holy Roman Empire, and allowed the regional princes to establish the local religion. -
1558
Elizabeth I of England (1558-1603)
The second daughter of Henry VIII reestablished the Anglican Church as the dominant religion in England -
Aug 24, 1572
St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre
Catherine de Medici plots the massacre of Huguenot leaders during her daughters wedding festivities. -
Spanish Armada
Philip II of Spain launches a failed invasion into England. -
Edict of Nantes (France)
King Henry IV of France (1589-1610) declared that French protestants may hold worship services within France. This edict was revoked by Louis XIV in 1685. -
James I of England (1603-1625) & Scotland (1567-1625)
James VI of Scotland becomes James I of England following the death of Elizabeth I. James I believed in the divine right of kings. He lived an extravagant lifestyle, which caused tensions with Parliament when they denied him more tax money. -
30 Years' War: Bohemian Phase (1618-1625)
Holy Roman Emperor defeats the German princes and reimposes Catholicism in many states. -
Period: to
Thirty Years War
Major war of religion between Catholics and Protestants in Europe resulting in the Peace of Westphalia -
Defenestration of Prague
Bohemians resisted re-catholicization attempts by the Austrian Empire. This event is typically known as the spark for the Thirty Years' War. -
Charles I of England (1625-1649)
Charles I (son of James I), constantly argued with Parliament over raising taxes. He often dismissed Parliament and eventually called them back to get more tax money. Charles I and the Long Parliament (led by Oliver Cromwell) would battle each other in the English Civil War. -
30 Years' War: Danish Phase (1625-1630)
The Danish king would take up the cause to protect Protestants; however, the Danish defeat to the Holy Roman Empire resulted in the Edict of Restitution, which expanded re-catholicization in Germany -
30 Years' War: Swedish Phase (1630-1635)
Sweden, under the leadership of King Gustavus Adolphus and funded by the French, gained many victories for the Protestant cause against the Holy Roman Empire. King Adolphus was killed at the Battle of Lutzen -
30 Years' War: French Phase (1635-1648)
Under the influence of Cardinal Richelieu, France enters the war on the Protestant side, while Spain enters on the Catholic side. France used this war not for religious purposes, but as a means to capture territory from the Spanish -
Period: to
English Civil War
Major English conflict between the supporters of Charles I, "Cavaliers," and the supporters of Parliament, "the Roundheads." Although Charles I was executed in 1649, his supporters continued to fight until 1651 -
Louis XIV of France (1643-1715)
King of France and the epitome of Absolutism. Consolidated his power by having the nobility live at the palace of Versailles. -
Peace of Westphalia
Ended the Thirty Years' War and solidified the Peace of Augsburg -
Period: to
Period 2
The Peace of Westphalia to the Battle of Waterloo -
Charles I of England executed
Charles I is found guilty of treason by the Rump Parliament and executed. -
Thomas Hobbes
"Leviathan" is published, which argues for a social contract with a strong central government because individual interests cannot be trusted. -
Oliver Cromwell: Lord Protector of England (1653-1658)
After leading Parliament in the English Civil War, Cromwell dismissed the Rump Parliament and conducted a Puritan dictatorship as Lord Protector. -
Charles II of England (1660-1685)
Following Oliver Cromwell's death and Cromwell's inability to govern efficiently, Parliament restored the monarchy in England. This is known as the Restoration period in England. -
Palace of Versailles
Originally his fathers hunting lodge, Louis XIV transformed this location into the official seat of government and the symbol of absolutism in 1682 -
James II of England (1685-1688)
Following Charles II death, his brother James II became king of England. The nobles and parliament rebelled against James II because he was Catholic and invited James' son-in-law William of Orange to invade England. James would abdicate the throne in the Glorious Revolution and fled the country. -
The Glorious Revolution (1688-1689)
Also known as "The Bloodless Revolution," Parliament invited William and Mary to take the thrown from Mary's father, James II. James II quickly abdicated and fled to France. -
John Locke
Locke describes a person's natural rights in "Two Treatises of Government" and the social contract that the people are able to replace their government if said government does not act for the people. -
English Bill of Rights
This document established a constitutional monarchy when Parliament required William & Mary to accept the Bill of Rights as a provision of accepting the thrown. The Bill of Rights protected citizens from excessive fines and cruel punishments. It required the approval of Parliament for new laws and taxes, gave Parliament members the right to free speech and the power to meet frequently. This document influenced the US Bill of Rights. -
War of Spanish Succession (1701-1714)
Following the death of the heirless Spanish monarch, France and Austria battle for the crown. -
War of Austrian Succession (1740-1748)
Following the death of the Austrian emperor, Frederick the Great invaded Silesia, challenging the power of the Austria heir, Maria Theresa. -
Baron de Montesquieu
Montesquieu publishes "The Spirit of Laws," which explains the need for separation of powers within a government with a system of checks and balances. -
Seven Years' War (1756-1763)
Known as the French & Indian War in America, this war ended with the French loosing most of its colonial holdings in America and India -
Voltaire
Voltaire publishes his masterpiece, "Candide." He is best known for his criticism of the French Catholic Church. -
Period: to
Industrial Revolution
Typically divided into two revolutions:
1st: 1760-1870 Textiles & Railroads
2nd: 1870-1914 Steel & Mechanization -
Jean-Jacques Rousseau
"The Social Contract" is published, which explains the how the government must promote personal liberty and conduct the will of the the people. -
Adam Smith
"An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations" is published, solidifying Adam Smith as the father of capitalism. -
Declaration of Independence
The official document of America declaring their separation from Great Britain. -
Fall of the Bastille
The angry Parisian mob storms the famous political prison, which officially starts the French Revolution. -
Period: to
French Revolution
From the Fall of the Bastille to the Coup of 18 Brumaire -
Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen
Written by the Marquis de La Fayette, this established the natural rights of French citizen and what the French government was not allowed to do (arbitrary imprisonment). -
Mary Wollstonecraft
"Vindication of the Rights of Woman" is published, which argues better educational opportunities for women. -
Louis XVI of France executed
Louis XVI is convicted of treason and executed by guillotine. -
Marie Antoinette executed
The wife of Louis XVI was found guilty of crimes against the state and executed by guillotine. -
Coup of 18 Brumaire
Napoleon returns from Egypt and establishes the First Consulate of France, effectively ending the French Revolution. -
Period: to
Period 3
The Congress of Vienna to the assassination of Franz Ferdinand -
Battle of Waterloo
Napoleon is finally defeated by the Duke of Wellington -
War of Greek Independence
From 1821-1832, Greece achieved its independence from the Ottoman Empire with the assistance from Great Britain, France, and Russia. -
Decembrist Revolt in Russia
Russian officers attempt to establish a representative government following the death of Alexander I. The new Tsar, Nicholas I, crushed the rebellion within a month and intensified the Tsar's power. -
July Revolution (France)
This Revolution in France ended the Reign of Charles X and established a constitutional monarchy under Louis-Philippe. -
Communist Manifesto
This publication by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels highlighted the issues of the Bourgeoisie and called for the Proletariat to rise up. -
French Revolution of 1848
This revolution ended the reign of Louis-Philippe and established the Second French Republic under the Presidency of Napoleon III -
Crimean War
From 1853-1856, the British and French assisted the Ottomans from a Russian invasion -
Berlin Conference
Led by Otto von Bismarck, this conference established the Scramble for Africa. -
Period: to
Period 4
From the assassination of Franz Ferdinand to the fall of the Soviet Union. -
Assassination of Franz Ferdinand
Gavrilo Princip, a member of a Serbian anarchist group known as the Black Hand, assassinates Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife in Sarajevo. -
Period: to
WWI
From the Assassination of Franz Ferdinand in 1914 to the Armistice in 1918 -
Russian Revolution
From 1917 to 1923 Russia overthrew the monarchy, then the Bolsheviks took power in October 1917, which would lead to a civil war ending in 1923 -
Treaty of Versailles
This treaty ended WWI, established the League of Nations, and forced Germany to accept responsibility (War Guilt Clause). -
Salvador Dali
Dali paints "The Persistence of Memory," which is the most recognizable pieces of Surrealism. -
Period: to
WWII
From the Invasion of Poland in 1939 to VE & VJ day in 1945 -
Nazi-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact
Hitler and Stalin agreed to not attack each other for 10 years -
D-Day invasion
American, British, and Canadian forces land on the beaches of Normandy; opening a new battle front in Europe. -
Period: to
Cold War
The Cold War is a era of indirect conflicts between the US & USSR from the Truman Doctrine to the fall of the Soviet Union. -
Fall of the Berlin Wall
East Berliners flood towards the wall and entire into West Berlin, effectively ending communism in Germany and uniting the East with the West. -
Fall of the USSR