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Period: 1800 BCE to 800
The Maya
The Maya were an advanced civilization that used many different types of agriculture. They also created many cities, such as Tikal. -
Period: 1200 BCE to 600 BCE
The Olmec
The Olmec are thought to be the oldest advanced Mesoamerican culture. They created different kinds of artwork and built three large cities. War and other issues caused their demise. -
1095
Pope Urban Calls for Crusades in the Holy Land
In 1095, Pope Urban wanted to kick the Muslims out of the Holy Land, and launched a series of crusades to do so. -
1200
Europe is a Farming Economy
In 1200, Europe was not as focused on trade. Instead, people farmed goods at a manor and got some food for doing this. This was called feudalism. -
Period: 1200 to 1521
The Aztec
The Aztec were one of the ruling Mesoamerican civilizations until its downfall. They were very strong and formidable, and they often had human sacrifices and took over smaller civilizations. -
1271
Marco Polo Travels to the East
Marco Polo and his family wanted to go east to China to find riches and explore lands not explored by Europeans. -
1289
Crusades End
After 200 years of fighting, the crusaders still couldn't take the Holy Land and rid it of Muslim control. -
1293
Polos Journey Home
The Polos journeyed home by ship, carrying with them lots of riches like ivory and porcelain. Many people died on the journey. -
1298
Polo Imprisoned and Writes His Book
Marco Polo captained a galley ship against Venice's rival, Genoa. He was captured. While in jail, he met a writer who encouraged him to write his book. -
Period: 1300 to
The Renaissance
Renaissance means "rebirth". Europeans started to study Greek and Roman ideas, such as art, science, and writing. -
Period: 1400 to 1532
The Inca
The Inca lived in South America, and their empire was very large. The Inca people expanded their empire and created new advancements in agriculture and the arts until they were decimated by Spanish conquistadors. -
1415
Portuguese Capture Fortress of Ceuta
The capture of this fortress marked the beginning of the Portuguese's explorations and their control of the global gold market. -
1419
Portuguese Discover Madeira Islands
With the help of Prince Henry's funding, the Portuguese could have better ships and equipment, which allowed for this discovery. -
1427
Portuguese Discover Azores Islands
Because of the new research and supplies funded by Prince Henry, the Portuguese could make this discovery. -
1434
Portuguese's Successful Return Voyage Around Cape Bojador
The seas around Cape Bojador were very rough, and there was dangerous fog. After at least 15 failed voyages later, they finally made it around the cape. -
1440
Printing Press is Invented
In 1440, German Johann Gutenberg created the first printing press, which was a huge success. It could print books, therefore helping spread information -
1469
Marriage of Ferdinand and Isabella
When Ferdinand of Aragon and Isabella of Castille were married, they unified Catholic Spain and put Spain in a better position for sea explorations. -
1488
Bartolomeu Dias Sails around Africa's Tip
Dias had gone farther than any other explorer before. On his return voyage, he discovered The Cape of Good Hope. -
Oct 12, 1492
Christopher Columbus Lands At Hispaniola
After Columbus's voyage was financed, he sailed West, intending to reach Asia. Instead, he reached Hispaniola (Dominican Republic/Haiti) -
1519
Cortes Invades the Aztec
Cortez, a conquistador, made his way to the Aztec lands. After finding allies to help defeat the Aztecs, Cortez came to their capital and invaded. -
1529
Pizarro Invades the Inca
Francisco Pizarro was a conquistador sent from Spain to take over the native lands and convert them to Christianity. He and other conquistadors used threats, violence, and other means to suppress the Inca people. -
1532
The Inca Fall Under Pizarro
Pizarro and his conquistadors killed anyone who didn't convert to Christianity, and they killed the Inca ruler, Atahualpa. The Inca were weakened by civil war and plague, and any rebels were killed off. So, the Inca eventually fell. -
Thomas Hobbes Writes "The Leviathan"
Thomas Hobbes, an enlightened thinker, wrote about how he felt about people and government in his book, The Leviathan. It talked about how man needed to be ruled because they will naturally go to fighting and, eventually, war. -
John Locke Writes "The Second Treatise on Government"
John Locke, another enlightened thinker, wrote his book on man and the government. He thought than mankind was gifted with reason and logic, and these things would guide them to make good decisions, so there shouldn't be a strict government. -
The United States Declare Independence
The thirteen British colonies (later known as the United States) thought that they were being treated unfairly and wanted to be free of British rule. They declared independence, then the Revolutionary War ensued. -
France Writes the Declaration of the Rights of Man
Inspired by the United States, the people of France wrote The Declaration of the Rights of Man. They wanted to get rid of their monarchy government and create a new one. -
Haiti Gains Independence
Black people in Haiti were greatly oppressed and often enslaved, and they wanted equal rights to the Spanish. So, Toussaint L'Ouverture helped lead a rebellion that involved many slave revolts and attacks on the Spanish. They practically decimated the White population of Haiti and rose to the top of the social system, gaining independence for Haiti. -
Bolivar and His Soldiers Begin Venezuela's Fight for Independence
When the French took over the Spanish throne, Venezuela was divided on whether to stay loyal to the old Spanish king or become independent. Bolivar fought for independence, joining a rebel group that helped liberate Venezuela. -
Bolivar's Gran Colombia Gains Independence
Bolivar made a group of states called Gran Colombia that he was trying to liberate. After winning battles in Carabobo, Equador, and Quito, Gran Colombia had been officially liberated and was free from Spain. -
Jose de San Martin Frees Peru From Spain
Jose de San Martin joined a rebel group that fought for independence. In order to liberate Peru, he pretended to be sick, but he was really gathering his forces. He first liberated Chile, then he went to attack Peru, and gave them independence. He then became dictator of Peru. -
Mexico Gains Independence
Hidalgo y Costilla lead a rebellion that caused millions of oppressed Mexicans to rise up and fight against the Spanish in 1810. Although this rebellion disbanded and their leader was killed, this was the start of the fight for Mexican independence. They gained this in 1821.
