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Jan 1, 1300
Renaissance and Reformation
New age in western Europe expressed by remarkable artists and thinkers. Europeans called this age the Renaissance meaning "rebirth". This marked the transition from Medieval Times to the early modern world. In the 1500s the Renaissance in northern Europe led to a religious upheaval that affected all Christianity -
Jan 1, 1520
Protestant Reformation
Some Europeans calling for Church reform would unleash forces that would drastically change Christianity. One of the leaders in this movement was Martin Luther in 1520. -
Jan 1, 1530
Catholic Reformation
As the Protestant Reformation spread throughout northern Europe a strong reform movement took hold within the Catholic Church led by Pope Paul III. The goal was to revive the moral authority of the Church and roll back the Protestant tide. -
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Jan 1, 1550
Scientific Revolution
At the heart of this revolution was the belief that mathematical laws govern nature and the universe. Therefore, the physical world could be known, managed, and shaped by people. -
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The Enlightenment
Through the use of reason the thinkers of this period believed that people and governments could solve every social, political and economic problem. -
Enlightened Depots
Some monarchs did accept Enlightenment ideas. These were absolute rulers who used their power to bring about political and social change. -
Industrial Revolution
This started in Britain and became a long process in which production shifted from simple hand tools to more complex machines. This revolution brought about rapid urbanization resulting in significant social impact. -
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The French Revolution
As a result of a severe financial crisis, unrest exploded in Paris in April, 1789. It would ultimately become a full blown revolution. -
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Latin American Independence
By the late 18th Century revolution had spread from western Europe to Latin America. Their discontent can be traced to the social, racial and political system that existed during 300 years of Spanish rule. -
Democratic Reform in Britain
Britain was a constitutional monarchy with a parliament and two political parties. Reformers were pressing for change. -
The Irish Potato Famine
Video Irish Potato FamineA blight destroyed the potato crop and the result was a terrible famine the Irish called "The Great Hunger". -
The Second Industrial Revolution
Nations moved from a reliance on coal, steam and iron to electricity, steel and oil. -
Japan Modernizes
Japan chose to abandon its long history of isolation and quickly transformed itself into a modern industrial power. It then set out on its own path of Imperialism. -
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German Unification
Unification of GermanyUnder Bismarck the German speaking people were determined to build a strong, unified state with Prussia at its head. -
The Partition of Africa
Within a period of 20 years European countries had carved up the African continent and dominated millions of Africans. -
The Great War
The assassination of Archduke Ferdinand set off a series of events which led to World War I. As a result of existing alliances, most of the nations of Europe were dragged into this war.
