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1347
The Black Death
The Black Death ravages Europe for the first time. By changing the economic situation, the devastating disease helps lay the preconditions for Renaissance. -
Period: 1347 to
Renaissance
The Renaissance was a period in European history, from the 14th to the 17th century, regarded as the cultural bridge between the Middle Ages and modern history. -
1454
The "Gutenberg Bible"
The "Gutenberg Bible" is published. It marked the start of the "Gutenberg Revolution" and the age of the printed book in the West. -
1469
Lorenzo de Medici
Lorenzo de Medici takes power in Florence. His rule is considered the high point of the Florentine Renaissance. -
1517
Reformation
The Reformation begins. This religious split divides Europe spiritually permanently and is heavily influenced by Humanist thinking. -
Period: 1550 to
Age of Absolutism
The Age of Absolutism describes a period of European history in which monarchs successfully gathered the wealth and power of the state to themselves. Louis XIV is the poster image of the absolute monarch. -
1558
Elizabeth I
Elizabeth I succeeds to the throne in England. This started the English "Golden Age". -
1571
Battle of Lepanto
The Battle of Lepanto in 1571 was important. It was important because nothing was gained and it showed that Philip did not really have the best judgement. -
Spanish Armada
The Spanish Armada was a Spanish fleet of 130 ships that sailed from La Coruña in August 1588, under the command of the Duke of Medina Sidonia with the purpose of escorting an army from Flanders to invade England. -
Palace of Versailles
Louis XIV of France created the Palace of Versailles. It shows he was devoted to his work and that he cared about his environment. -
Period: to
Enlightenment
The Enlightenment included a range of ideas centered on reason as the primary source of authority and legitimacy, and came to advance ideals like liberty, progress, tolerance, fraternity, constitutional government and separation of church and state. -
Peter the Great's Journey to the West
Peter the Great set out on a journey to the west. He went to the west to explore their culture. When he got back he made the noblemen shave their beards and wear Western European clothes to look more professional. -
"Serious Proposal to the Ladies"
Mary Astell wrote "Serious Proposal to the Ladies". This stated that women needed to become better educated -
The Steam Engine
Thomas Newcomen invents the first steam engine. It was not very useful yet, but the idea of using steam to make machines go will be important to the Industrial Revolution. -
Period: to
Industrial Revolution
The Industrial Revolution was the transition to new manufacturing processes. -
Peter the Great's Death
Peter the Great died. He left with a mixed legacy. He died with some success. He expanded Russian Territory created a great army, and many more. -
"Philosophic Letters to the English"
Voltaire published "Philosophic Letters to the English". It criticized problems facing France at the time. -
"The Spirit of the Laws"
Montesquieu published "The Spirit of the Laws". The condition of the country determined the political and social structure. -
"The Encyclopedia"
Diderot published "The Encyclopedia". It was considered the most important work of his lifetime. -
Spinning Jenny
James Hargreaves invents the spinning jenny. The machine spins more than one ball of yarn or thread at a time, making it faster and easier to make cloth. -
Period: to
American Revolution
The war of independence waged by the American colonies against Britain influenced political ideas and revolutions around the globe, as a fledgling, largely disconnected nation won its freedom from the greatest military force of its time. -
"Systems of Nature"
Holbach published "Systems of Nature". It stated that the universe id made up of matter and motion. -
First Shots
The first shots of the Revolutionary War are fired at Lexington and Concord in Massachusetts. The news of the bloodshed rockets along the eastern seaboard, and thousands of volunteers converge on Cambridge, Massachusetts. These are the beginnings of the Continental Army. -
Americans Hold Their Own At the Battle of Bunker Hill
In the first major action of the war, inexperienced colonial soldiers hold off hardened British veterans for more than two hours at Breed's Hill. Although eventually forced to abandon their position, including the high ground of Bunker Hill overlooking Boston, the patriots show that they are not intimidated by the long lines of red-coated infantrymen. Of the 2,200 British seeing action, more than 1,000 end up dead or wounded. -
America Declares Its Independence
The Declaration of Independence is adopted by the Second Continental Congress. Following a decade of agitation over taxes and a year of war, representatives make the break with Britain. King George III isn't willing to let his subjects go without a fight, and loyalist sentiment remains strong in many areas -
Winter of Change for the Continental Army
With the British occupying Philadelphia just 20 miles away, the Continental Army enters winter quarters at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. During the winter, supply arrangements will be improved and the Continental troops will be drilled and emerge as a more disciplined, unified fighting force. -
France Enters the War Against Britain
As a result of the patriot victory at Saratoga and American diplomatic efforts, France allies itself with the new American government. French financial and military aid will prove critical in winning the war. The Continental Army will learn of the French Alliance in May. -
Large British Army Surrenders at Yorktown
A joint French and American force traps a large British army on Virginia's Yorktown peninsula. Unable to evacuate or receive reinforcements because a French fleet has driven off a British fleet, General Cornwallis is forced to surrender. Although New York City and Charleston, S.C., will remain in British hands until a peace treaty is signed two years later, the war for American independence is essentially over -
Loyalists Leave America
The evacuation of loyalists begins. Largely unwelcome in the new United States, about 100,000 Americans who remained loyal to the crown find new lives in Britain, Canada, and British colonies in the West Indies. Among them are about 15,000 African Americans, some of whom end up helping to found the country of Sierra Leone in Africa. The loyalist experience will have a profound effect on the development of Canada's national identity. -
Treaty of Paris Officially Ends State of War
The Treaty of Paris ratifies the independence of the 13 North American states. Canada remains a British province, beginning its separate development as a U.S. neighbor. Another war with England will be necessary to truly secure the American nation. -
U.S. Constitution Replaces the Articles of Confederation
A convention of states in Philadelphia proposes the Constitution to replace the much looser central government operating under the Articles of Confederation. With amendments, the Constitution remains the framework of government in the U.S. -
Period: to
French Revolution
The French Revolution was a period of far-reaching social and political upheaval in France and was partially carried forward by Napoleon during the later expansion of the French Empire. -
Tennis Court Oath
The members of the French Estates-General for the Third Estate took the Tennis Court Oath, vowing "not to separate, and to reassemble wherever circumstances require, until the constitution of the kingdom is established". It was a pivotal event in the early days of the French Revolution. -
"Declaration of the Rights of Man"
The Declaration of the Rights of Man, is an important document of the French Revolution and in the history of human and civil rights. Influenced by the doctrine of "natural right". -
Battle of Valmy
The Battle of Valmy was the first major victory by the army of France during the Revolutionary Wars that followed the French Revolution. As Prussian troops commanded by the Duke of Brunswick attempted to march on Paris, Generals stopped the advance near the northern village of Valmy. -
France Declares War
Revolutionaries wanted war because they thought war would unify the country, and had a genuine desire to spread the ideas of the Revolution to all of Europe. The Legislative Assembly declared war on Austria and Prussia. -
"Reign of Terror"
The Reign of Terror was a dark and violent period of time during the French Revolution. Radicals took control of the revolutionary government. They arrested and executed anyone who they suspected might not be loyal to the revolution. -
First Major Victory
Napoleon takes over the French "Army of Italy," drove Austrians and Sardinians out of Piedmont, defeated the Papal States, and occupied Venice. This was his first major victory. -
Period: to
Napoleonic Era
The Napoleonic era is a period in the history of France and Europe. -
Treaty of Tilsit
After the battle of Friedland, Alexander of Russia negotiated this treaty that would bring peace to Russia. The result of the treaty was a major realignment of alliances -
Napoleon's Defeat
Napoleon suffers major defeat in Russia. 40,000 of 610,000 survive. -
Exile
Napoleon abdicated as emperor, and was sent into exile on Elba. He was given "sovereignty" over the island, and actually had his own navy. -
Napoleon Escapes
Napoleon escapes from Elba, landing in southern France and marching towards Paris, gathering an army around him. -
Waterloo
British and Prussians defeat Napoleon at Waterloo. This marked the final defeat of French military leader and emperor Napoleon Bonaparte. -
Napoleon's Death
Napoleon dies on St. Helena -
Longer Lasting Light Bulb
Thomas Edison created a light bulb that lasted longer than other designs and showed it off by lighting a lamp. Edison'd bulbs allow people to do many things at night. -
Brooklyn Bridge Opens
After 13 years of construction, the Brooklyn Bridge is finished in New York City. At the time, it was the longest suspension bridge in the world. -
Model T
Henry Ford creates a type of car called the Model T. It is much cheaper than other cars because it is made on an assembly line, allowing more people to buy cars.
