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1492
Christopher Columbus discovers the New World
Columbus, an Italian explorer, sails under the Spanish crown and reaches the Americas, marking the beginning of European exploration and colonization of the continent. The discovery of the Americas initiated an intense cultural and human exchange between Europe and the New World. It brought new resources such as food and raw materials. Colonial expansion was often accompanied by the Catholic missionaries playing a crucial role in spreading Christianity in the Americas. -
1556
Elizabeth I begins her reign
Elizabeth I becomes the Queen of England and rules for 45 years, during which England devolps arts, culture, and naval power, marking the Elizabethan Era. Elizabeth’s policies strengthened the power in the hands of the monarchy and creating a moderate Protestant church and affirming separation from Roman Catholic influence. -
1576
The first permanent theatre is built in London
The construction of “The Theatre” marks a significant development in the history of English drama, providing a permanent house for plays like those by Shakespeare. The theatre became an important social gathering place, attracting a wider cultural audience, with performances accessible to different social classes, spreading English language and culture. -
Charles I becomes King of England
Charles I ascends to the throne and his rule eventually leads to conflict with Parliament, his attempt to rule without Parliament created sharp political divisions, which led to the English Civil War.
Charles I was less popular with merchants and the urban middle class due to his tendency to increase taxes and impose authoritarian policies. -
The English Civil War begins
The civil war divided English society between supporters of the monarchy and Parliamentarians. Families and communities were split along political and religious lines,leading to social unrest.The conflict led to the temporary ending of the monarchy and the foundation of a republic under Oliver Cromwell,marking a significant moment in the struggle between monarchy and Parliament for power.The civil war was also a religious war,with Puritans seeking further purification of the Church of England. -
The Restoration
The period between the sovereign's return to the throne in 1660 and the Glorious Revolution of 1688 is known as the Restoration. King Charles II reigned from 1660 to 1685 and sought to re-establish an absolute monarchy within the English political system. He was a weak ruler, however, since his position on the throne was bound to the will of the economic supported him, that is, the wealthy landowners,the merchants and the bankers. -
The Theatres Of London Were Reopened
The restoration of the monarchy brought with it the restoration of the theatre.When the theatres of London were reopened after having been shut for almost 20 years, Charles immediately granted licences to two companies of players The Duke's Men a company of very young actors, and The King’s Company of older and more experienced actors. The reopening of the theatres led to an upsurge of dramatic writing which was markedly different from the drama of Shakespeare. -
The Great Plague of London
The plague devastated the lower classes of London, leading to population changes and a greater awareness of the importance of public hygiene. The plague pushed the government to adopt more organized measures for handling public health emergencies, though it also exposed the limitations of state capacity in managing crises.Many saw the plague as divine punishment, reinforcing religious fervor and the belief in divine influenze in human affairs. -
The Great Fire of London
The Great Fire destroyed much of London but provided an opportunity to rebuild the city with new urban standards, improving living conditions for many citizens. The disaster highlighted the need for more efficient urban management and led to reforms in public infrastructure. The rebuilding of London strengthened the power of monarchy.Some viewed the fire as a sign of divine punishment, but it also led to greater cooperation between various religious groups in the effort to rebuild the capital. -
The victory of the Whigs
The interests of the landed aristocracy and those of the trading bourgeoisie did not coincide.The two classes began to divide politically into opposing parties: the Tories and the Whigs. The Whigs saw the king as a limit to economic development and wished to restrict his powers. The Whigs and Tories represented specific interests and were the expression of a very small electorate. In the 1679 election, the Whigs won the majority however Charles II dissolved the Parliament -
The Bill of Rights
the supremacy of Parliament over the crown was established. The declaration of the Bill of Rights (1689) limited the monarch's power. He lost direct control over the army and the judiciary; he was not allowed to break laws, nor could he suspend them without parliamentary approval. Free elections were guaranteed and the king was forbidden from prosecuting anyone on religious grounds. -
The Bank of England
the Bank of England, founded in 1694. The opportunity to develop credit met the needs of both the merchants' and the Crown's interests. Indeed, the latter was obliged to fund increasingly expensive wars. -
Queen Anne
Queen Anne (1702–1714) was the last Stuart monarch of Britain, reigning from 1702 to 1714. Her rule saw the union of England and Scotland in 1707, forming Great Britain, and Britain’s rise as a global power through the War of the Spanish Succession. Domestically, her reign was marked by fierce political battles between Whigs and Tories. Anne, who had no surviving children, died in 1714, ending the Stuart line and leading to the Hanoverian succession with George I. -
Augustan Age
The Augustan Age was a period of cultural and intellectual growth in Britain, marked by a return to classical ideals of order, reason,and refinement. It produced some of the greatest satirical literature, with writers like Jonathan Swift and Alexander Pope.Politically,it saw major developments like the Glorious Revolution, the Act of Union (1707),and the rise of party politics, while Britain became a dominant European power. The era symbolized stability,sophistication,and intellectual progress. -
Journalism
The 17th century saw the emergence of modern journalism in England, driven by the expansion of printing technology and increasing public interest in news and information. Early forms of journalism included pamphlets, newsletters, and broadsheets that provided news on wars, politics, and trade, primarily aimed at merchants and the educated elite. -
Poetry
Augustan poets were very fond of their ancient masters. They took classical culture as their model and applied its techniques, tropes and forms to achieve the clear, harmonious and polished style of classical models such as Virgil and Cicero. Their works are scattered with allusions to Homer, Horace, Virgil, Juvenal and Ovid. Translation from the classics became a crucial activity and knowledge of Latin and Greek was a prerequisite for aspiring poets. -
The Novel
The 18th century is typically associated with the birth of the novel,a new form of fictional prose which became the primary form of popular entertainment.The rise of the novel is traditionally ascribed to the growth and diversification of the reading public. The educated elite interested in classical letters no longer constituted the majority of readers. In fact,the rise and expansion of the mercantile middle classes led to an increase in the number of people who could read.