-
1440
Gutenberg's printing press
Before the printing press, books took months, or even years, to be copied because they were copied by hand. The invention of the printing press greatly lessened the amount of time it took to copy a book, making books more accessable to the general public, and not just the wealthy. This allowed the general public to acquire knowledge by themselves, which is a crucial part in creating an educated society. -
1492
European discovery of the New World
Christopher Columbus, meaning to travel around the world to India, accidentally stumbled upon an unknown piece of land called the New World. This lead to European countries conquering the New World and creating the North and South American countries we know today. It also led to the death of many Natives due to both European disease and European cruelty. -
Period: 1517 to
The Protestant Reformation
The Catholic Church had grown away from the Bible's teachings, and used Christians to get money and power, and there was little separation of Church and State. Martin Luther wrote a document called "95 Theses" to start debate on Christianity, and as a result, the Bible was released back into the public. This event sparked a mindset of independence and made it acceptable for people to study God's Word on their own. -
Period: to
The Industrial Revolution
The Industrial Revolution introduced many methods of large-scale production, as well as new inventions, but its one of its most important products was capitalism. As feudalism went away, capitalism grew rapidly, and the economy was strengthened. The presence of child labor, slavery, and class separation was greatened, but these problems would later be fixed. -
Period: to
The American Revolution
America was upset by its British rulers, and opposed many of the laws imposed upon them. In a nearly decade-long conflict, America fought for its Independence, until finally, with the help of France, it forced Britain to surrender in the treaty of Paris. This event established a country that is now a world power in politics, economics, and combat. -
Period: to
The French Revolution
The French Revolution was centered around anger against the Monarchy, and resulted in one of the first republics in the world. There were many revolutionary governments that France cycled through, but ultimately, the war resulted in the end of feudalism and transformed social and political structure around the world. -
Britain passes Abolition of the Slave Trade Act
Britain was the first major power to outlaw slavery. Britain's economy took a big hit by completely disconnecting itself from slavery, but it sent the message that it cared more about morality than money. Other countries soon followed suit -
Period: to
The Boxer Rebellion
Chinese nationalists were angered by the increasing number of foreigners and Christians in China, and occupied Beijing, then called Peking, intent on ridding the country of those they hated. The nationalists were called "Boxers" and burned churches, killed Christians, and killed foreigners. China was later forced to pay a third of a billion dollars in repirations, and the tension between China and Christians sadly still remains today. -
Period: to
World War I
World War I was an entangled mess of political and military conflict that led to a lot of the world being at war. It began a new era of mechanical and chemical warfare, changing forever the way humans waged war. It ended with the governmental embarrassment of Germany, giving birth to the hatred that would lead to a second World War. -
Period: to
World War II
World War II involved almost the entire world, and showed the danger of prejudice, scarring every country involved. Tens of millions of people were killed in internment camps as well as in battle. World War II led to the founding of the United Nations, a major step towards world peace, but also started the Cold War, a four-decade-long period of nuclear deadlock.
