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1555
Peace of Augsburg divides Christianity in Germany
The Peace of Augsburg is a significant park of history because it marked the beginning of religious freedom. The Peace of Augsburg was a treaty that ended religious warfare in Germany. Each German state was allowed to choose if their state would be Catholic or Lutheran. The Peace of Augsburg paved the way for people to demand for religious freedom. -
Ivan the Terrible came to power as first Russian czar
The beginning of Ivan the Terrible’s reign started a new period in Russian history. Before the czars, Russia was run by Mongols. When Ivan the Terrible official named himself czar, he created the start of the Russian empire we know today. -
England defeats the Spanish Armada
During King Philip II reign, he sent a Spanish armada to attack England due to their “Protestant ways and unfaithfulness toward Catholicism”, believing he would defeat the English forces easily. Queen Elizabeth’s forces however destroyed the Spanish Armada with her fleet. The few ships that escaped were abolished in a storm on their journey back to Spain. This shook Spain’s wealth, leaving King Philip II bankrupt and knocked Spain out of the the running for “Most Powerful European Country”. -
King Henry IV issued the Edict of Nantes and ended the Wars of Religion
The issuing of the Edict of Nantes ended the Religious Wars in France. It recognized Catholicism as the official religion of France, but also granted religious freedom to Protestant Huguenots. This pleased the people of France and not only ended the Religious Wars in France, but signaled the end of religious wars in Europe as a whole. -
The Tudor dynasty ended
The death of Queen Elizabeth I in 1603 marked the end of the Tudor dynasty. The Stuart line then followed along with many civil wars between Parliament and the Stuart kings. The death of the Tudor family signaled the beginning of a long period of civil war, death, and unrest in the government due to divine right of kings, politics, and religion, the Stuart kings believed they were entitled to. -
Jamestown was founded
Jamestown was the first official English settlement in North America. This marked the beginning of European pioneers in America and the English hold in the New World. Jamestown was just the start of English colonization of North America. -
Thirty years war started
The start of the Thirty years war began one of the first major wars in history. Many different nations, including Denmark, Sweden, France, and Spain, came together to fight in the religious war turned political. The Thirty Years’ War opened the gate way for multi-country warfare. -
Shakespeare’s first folio is published
Shakespeare’s first folio marks the beginning of the many sonnets and plays he wrote. His works had a major effect on English literature, then and now. Additionally, Shakespeare was a rather important figure in history due to his insight of the human nature within his works. -
Thomas Hobbes published the Leviathan
The publishing of the Leviathan by the philosopher Thomas Hobbes was extremely important because the Leviathan was one of the most influential books of the seventeenth century. This book expressed the fear that Hobbes felt during the civil wars in England. The Leviathan still is read and impactful today. which was a major topic in the book. This book was, along with the Leviathan, one of the most influential books of its time period. -
Louis XIV begins absolutist rule in France
Louis XIV is still considered the best example of an absolutist rule today. At age 23, in the year 1661, Louis started his reign of France. His reign is considered the best example of absolutism because of the length of his rule, seventy-two years, and the fact that he had all the power and made so many of the decisions. -
English Bill of Rights was passed
The English Bill of Rights being passed is majorly important to England and America too. The Bill of Rights allowed the Parliament to have more of a say in the countries’ affairs including war and laws that got passed. The Bill of Rights also made England a constitutional monarchy and started the ball rolling for the United States’ democracy. -
John Locke published Two Treatises of Government
John Locke’s Two Treatises of Government was not only important when it was published, but it also was the basis for Thomas Jefferson when he was writing the Declaration of Independence. In his book, Locke emphasized the importance of protecting your natural rights, which was a major topic in the book. This book was, along with the Leviathan, one of the most influential books of its time period. -
Peter the Great visits the West
Peter the Great’s visit to the west had a major impact on his country, Russia. When he returned home, he brought back many customs and ideas that helped modernize and advance Russia. Peter turned Russia into a powerful nation with a good trading system, the ‘window to the west’, after his visit. -
St. Petersburg was built
St. Petersburg was built under the rule of Peter the Great and remained the capital of Russia for two hundred years. St. Petersburg has also has gone through three different names and was a great port at the time it was built. Today, it is one of the most actively developing regions in Russia. -
Louis XIV dies
The death of Louis XIV is a very important event because it was the end of his long and powerful reign as king of France. His absolutist rule, as aforementioned, finally ended after seventy-two years of sitting on the throne. His reign was one of the longest, longer than any other known European ruler, and his reign had a large impact on the culture of France as well.