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The Crusades were a call for Christian Europeans to unite and defeat the Muslims in order to take back the Holy Land. -
Europe shifted its focus to the trading industry, with power being transferred from the countryside to the cities, eventually building fairs and developing cities. -
Marco Polo, a European voyager known for his publicized travels to Asia and success in trade, was born into a family of merchants. -
After their long expedition to Asia, the Polos begin their journey back to Venice, Italy. -
During a battle between Venice and its rival city of Genoa, Marco Polo was captured and met a writer who motivated him to write a book chronicling his travels to Asia. -
Securing their lead in the race for exploration with Spain, Portugal takes control of the African Fortress of Ceuta, allowing them to set up trading posts and exploit the plethora of resources Africa had to offer. -
Aided by Prince Henry's funding, the Portuguese were able to reach the Madeira Islands, providing an incentive for Portugal to travel farther south on the coast of Africa. -
Following their discovery of the Madeira Islands, Portugal ventured farther south and encountered the Azores Islands, encouraging further attempts to travel south of Africa -
In 1434, after multiple failed attempts to travel around Cape Bojador in the northern Sahara, one ship finally made a successful return to Portugal. -
Ferdinand and Isabella, royalty from Aragon and Castile, married and unified Imperial Spain under the crowns of their respective kingdoms. -
Christopher Columbus presents his plan to King John II of Portugal, consisting of an attempt to reach the Spice Islands through a western route. He is rejected and moves on to asking the same request of the crowns of Genoa, Venice, England, and Spain, all of which initially reject him. -
Bartolomeu Días, a Portuguese explorer, reaches the eastern coast of Africa for the first time, marking a milestone of making it around the southern tip of Africa. -
Columbus's voyage west culminated as he made landfall on the island of Hispaniola on this date. Although he believed to have landed in the East Indies, in reality, he had encountered an entirely new continent. -
At the pinnacle of Portugal's achievements in exploration, the voyage of Vasco da Gama finally reaches India and secures Portugal's position of power and wealth. -
Thomas Hobbes published this philosophical work that focused on the power of the sovereign. -
With a more optimistic outlook on the reason of man, scholar John Locke intends to share his ideas with others through the publication of this paper. -
On this date, the Second Continental Congress officially severed ties with the British crown, adopting this historical document. -
Paralleling the events of a few years prior, the National Assembly of France approves a historical document pertaining to their own revolution. -
The French overthrow their monarchy and adopt the Rights of Man, which declare that all men are equal. However, at the time, Saint Domingue still has slavery. -
Led by Toussaint L'Ouverture, the enslaved people of color on the island rebel against plantation owners -
On this date, the hundreds of thousands of Saint-Domingue's slaves were led to freedom against their oppressors by former slave and general Jean-Jacques Dessalines. -
The French Emperor's hypocrisy influenced leaders like Bolívar to begin a revolution. -
Looking to liberate Venezuela, Simon Bolívar began the Admirable Campaign by invading it with his men. -
Bolívar launches a surprise attack on Spanish soldiers to liberate Santiago. (I was not able to upload a picture, I had the error ETMA-UPL-422 and I am not sure what that means.)
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As the United States is plunged into an economic recession, Moses Austin's wealth evaporated. Planning to gain back what he had lost, Austin designs a plan for American families to move to Texas and start a colony. -
Although his son discouraged the plan, Moses was resolved to follow it through. He reached Texas and eventually ventured to San Antonio later that year. -
After capturing and freeing the capital of Peru, Bolívar creates Gran Colombia. -
In the beginning of the year, the Imperial Colonization Law was passed, ensuring Austin's colony's success. Because of the law, he was able to bring in more families from the United States. He returned to Texas in the spring. -
Shortly before the creation of the Republic of Bolivia, Bolívar became dictator of Peru. -
In 1824, Austin appointed San Felipe de Austin the capital of his colony. -
Austin was able to attain four more contracts for colonies between this year and the following six. -
San Felipe's population grew quickly, attaining between 100 and 200 residents at this time. -
An argument over a cannon spurred this battle, and the Texans reigned victorious. -
Texan soldiers marched towards Goliad, looking to gain land on the Mexican soldiers. They succeeded, increasing morale and gaining military supplies. -
A skirmish where the Texans intended to intercept Mexican cavalry and take their supplies, only gaining grass. -
The Texans gain control of San Antonio, and many American volunteers return to their homes, believing that the Texans are safe. -
Mexican troops bombard the Texans, aiming to take back control of the Alamo from the Texans. -
Led by Santa Anna, Mexican troops killed over 200 Texans at the Alamo. -
Santa Anna ordered the execution of Texan prisoners. Some escaped in the gunfire, but many were killed. -
Avenging their fallen soldiers, Texans rush into battle with the cries "Remember the Alamo!" and "Remember Goliad!"