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Apr 23, 1302
Estates are Created
The Estates General was a large assembly that supposidly represented everyone in France. There were three estates. The first consisted of the clergy, the second of the nobility, and the third of the common person. It was created so that in times of stress, the king could call an estates general to solve a key issue. Each estate got one vote, so even though the common person was the largest group, the wealthy and clergy usually voted together to cancel out the real majority of the popular vote. -
Apr 10, 1399
Johannes Gutenberg's Birth
Johannes Gutenberg was born in 1399 in Mainz Germany. He was a merchant, blacksmith, printer, and publisher. His claim to fame is the invention of the printing press, which helped spread ideas all over Europe. -
Apr 10, 1448
The invention of the printing press
The printing press was invented by Johannes Gutenberg around 1448. This invention caused the spread of many ideas, such as the 95 thesis of Martin Luther and caused the scientific revolution. This invention was very important for its time because it caused the spread of ideas, which changed both Europe and Asia alike. -
Apr 10, 1454
The Gutenberg bible
The Guteberg Bible was the first printed European book ever made by moveble type, which was invented by Johannes Gutenberg. Gutenberg Bibles were printed in Latin, and only twenty-two copies are known to exist to this date. The printing of these Bibles allowed for the spread of Christianity to other parts of the globe. -
Apr 10, 1500
Agricultural Revolution in Europe
This movement (starting in Britain) involved the improvement and experimentation of different technologies and farming practices that helped produce more food, and support larger populations. Practices such as crop rotation were starting to be used, and with the bigger populations, the agricultural revolution indirectly caused the industrial and scientific revolution. Since only the wealthy could afform the new machinery, people moved to cities looking for work because they had lost their farms. -
Apr 10, 1550
Scientific Revolution
A revolution during the enlightenment period of Europe where technology and science floureshed. The new approach of scientific inquiry allowed great minds such as Sir Issac Newton to make his fundamental laws used in science and math today. Technology also advaced greatly as well bringing such inventions as the compound light microscope, and greater improved teleoscopes that allowed astronomists such as Johannes Kepler to form his laws on planetary motion. -
Apr 10, 1564
Galileo's Birth
Born near Pisa, Italy, Galileo was a very bright man who was teh son of a musician. Galileo became very interested in astronomy when he was told of a new invention, the teloscope. This caused him to make a superior version for himself, an dhe discovered planets such as Jupiter and Venus, and supported the theory that the sun was at the center of the universe. This caused him to be placed under house arrest for the rest of his life, but he still continued to study the stars. -
Apr 23, 1564
Birth of WIlliam Shakespear
William was born in Strarford Upon Avon, and is considered one of the best playwrights of all time. William Shakespeare touched the world even to this date with works such as Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet, and Macbeth, all of which are still studied in todays world. He wrote histories, comedies, tragedies, and romances, along with sonnets (a very difficult style of poem writing). He died on April 23, 1616, but his works will live forever. -
The Birth pf Thomas Hobbes
Born in Malmesbury, Whitshire, Hobbes was a radical thinker during the enlightenment period of Europe. He was despised by the Catholic church because he thought that the soverign powers of a nation should be the head of the national religion (not the Pope for example). He wrote this in his most famous book The Leviathin. -
Birth of King Charles the First
King Charles the First was born in Fife, England on November 19th, 1600. In 1625, he became king of England and Ireland after the tragic death of his beloved brother James. He was the leader of the Royalist side of the English Civil War, and lost which meant he was tried for treason, and beheaded. -
The Birth of John Locke
John Locke was a philosopher born in 1613 who published his most influential book Twho Treatises of Gobernment in 1690. His ideas talked of equality and liberty for all, which was a new concept that the general public took a liking too. His works even inspired even the United State's founding documents. -
The English Civil War
This was a conflict that between the forces of King Charles the First of England and Parliment. A Scotish army invaded England. and King Charles thought that he should completly control the English army instead of Parliment to crush this inssurection. This lead to the Englsih Civil War where the Parlimentary forces won, and King Charles the FIrst was beheaded. -
Issac Newton's Birth
Born in Woolsthrope, Linconshire, Issac Newton was one of the greatest scientists of the scientific revolution. He invented calculus and his very famous three laws of motion. He published his findings in his greatest work, "Mathimatical Principles of Natural Philosophy". Issac Newton died on March 31, 1727. -
The Enlightenment
A very influential time in Europe where the whole frame of society and thought was dramatically altered. Starting around 1650, Monarches and the weatlhy class started to lose their power to radical new thinkers proposing new forms of government where the common person participated. Many new inventions and theories were developed during this time as well. The enlightenment idease cause many revolutions around the world as well. -
Electricty
Many people believe that the discovery of electricity is a new thing, but it is not. Evidence shows that even ancient greeks had discovered electricity. However, it was not utilized until around the 1860s when major inventors Wiliam Gilbert created new devices (such as an early electorstatic generator) that helped further the technology to eventually lead to the industrial revolution. -
The Leviathan
A Book made by Thomas Hobbes in 1651. This book argues the "Social Contract Theory", where a man must give up his freedom to make a social contract with others to accept authority. This book was very important because it was one of the first books to talk about human nature, especially about humans being chaotic and power hungry. -
Principia
Newton's most famous work that captured the attention of every philosopher at the time. This work was and still has the upmost of importance in developing the modern physics and astronomy that we know of today. This work consisted of Newton's research and theories on gravity, his laws of motion, and other important advancements in science. -
Baron de Montesquieu's Birth
A philosopher who most famously published The Spirit of Laws. He talked about not using Rome as a model for government, a heritical statement at the time. He talked of the idea of seperation of powers in government, and liberty. -
Two Treatises of Government
A book written published anonymously by John Locke in 1690, was another book just like the Leviathan which tried to explain human nature. Locke's theory was that people are more calm in nature, and that all people are created equal. He also said that if a government rules without the consent of the people, it can be overthrown. These ideas intrigued the public, and his ideas would inspire revolutions around the world. -
Voltaire was Born
Voltaire was the pen name for French philosopher François-Marie d'Arouet. He was one of the key people who started the enlightenment in Europe. He was very interested in science and philosophy, and was one of the people who started the use of scientific inquiry in Europe, which lead to the scientific and industrial revolutions. -
Jean-Jaques Rousseau
Born in Geneva, Rousseau was a French philosopher who wrote The Social Contract. The ideas of his book were endorsed by the general public, but despised by the wealthy, mainly because it said that the common person should be involved in government and not just the wealthy. These ideas helped shape the enlightenment, and helped lead to the world we know today. -
Cottage Industry
At, and prior to, the start of the Industrial Revolution, this was the primary method for the production of goods, especially the production of clothes and pottery. This involved the farming out of the work and raw materials to worker's homes. An example would be the production of cloth, the woman would spin the cotton into thread, then the man would weave the threads into cloth. -
The Birth of Adam Smith
A man who wrote The Wealth of Nations. His idea was an early form a capitalism, where the government had little to no regulation on trade and commerce. Smith said that through a free-market economy where the consumer decides the market, a nation would become wealthier than with government restrictions on trade. This idea was highly influencial in Euroope and other countries around the globe. -
Birth of James Watt
James Watt developed the first workable steam engine. His invention was one of the origins of the Industrial Revolution. The steam engine was used to revolutionize production in factories and to use coal as a cheap source of power. His invention also was used to revolutionize travel and military power via steam-powered ships. -
Birth of Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson was a key person in declaring independence from Britain. Representing Virginia in the Continental Congress, Jefferson was very intelligent and was the one who physically wrote the Decleration of Independence. Jefferson later went on to become the third president of the United States. -
Birth of toussaint L' Ouverture
A former slave who worked in his master's house instead of out in the fields where most slaves worked. This caused him to be formally educated. Since he was formally educated,he had great political and speaking skill which allowed him to rally the slaves. He was also a gifted military leader which allowed him to defeat Napoleon, and lead the only successful slave revolt in history. -
The Spirit of Laws
The Spirit of Laws was a book written by Baron De Montesquieu in 1689. The main significance of this book was that it introduced the theory of seperations of powers, which greatly influenced The Constitution of the United States. It calls for a legislative, executive, and a judicial branch which all followed one law code. This idea was influencial in forming the U.S., as well as reforming some of the European countries during the Enlightenment. -
Birth of Miguel Hidalgo
Miguel Hidalgo was a priest who was commonly thought of as the father of the Mexican Revolution. He was the one who called the mestizos and common peopel in Mexico to revolt against the Spainish in 1810. The result of the revolution was the formation of the country Mexico, and he is still honored in Mexico to this date. -
Birth King Louis XVI
King Louis XVI was King of France during economic hardship. After losing the Seven Years War to Britain, France was suffering Economic hardship. King Louis XVI called an Estates meeting to try to come up with a solution, but this started the first major event of the French Revolution. -
Mary Antoinette
The wife of King Louis XVI, she was a symobol of how monarchies had far abused their power. She was from Austria and married King Louis XVI to form an alliance with France. She and her husband were both killed by the guillotine for their crimes against the French Republic. -
Start of the Industrial Revolution
This became a global process as technology and science led to advancements in transportation, e.g. trains and the steamship, as well as communication via the telegraph. Along with technological advancements, improvements in the social organization of the factory led to increased production. This led to the rise of cities, but also to increased disease due to overcrowding and poor sanitation -
The Social Contract
A very influencial book during the enlightenment period which was written by Jean-Jacques Rousseauin 1762. This was another book that helped especially shape the French Revolution,as well as other revolutions worldwide. THis book spoke of equality for all, and argued against slavery. It said that common people should help influence the government, not just the wealthy. -
Birth of Jose Maria Morelos
Jose Maria Morelos was the main leader of the Mexican Revolution after Miguel Hidalgo was executed. Morelos used guerilla tactics unfamiliar to the Spanish to control most of Mexico between 1812 and 1815. He was the man who called a congress to draft a Mexican constitution in 1813, therefore he was very influential for starting the formation of the basis of Mexican government. -
Steam Engine Improvement
James Watt's first workable steam engine paved the way for many advancements in the Industrial Revolution. The steam engine made coal the primary source of energy as a cheap source of power. Steam was used to power factories and ships. Steamships reduced travel times and gave military advantage to western nations. -
Birth of Napolean Bonaparte
Napoleon Bonaparte was a military genius who conquered a lot of land for France. He created the Bank of France and the Napoleonic Code which stated that all people in France are equal. He performed a government coup, and became consol and eventually emperor of France for life. Napoleon also promoted nationalism in his country because of all of the battles he was winning at the time. -
American Revolution
The American Revolution was a war between Britain and the newly formed U.S. The French were influential for helping us win the war because they supplied weapons and other neccessary war goods. It was caused by the unfair taxes placed on colonists when they were not allowed to participate in parliment, which fueled the rebellion and the creation of a new world power. -
The Wealth of Nations
A book published by Adam Smith in 1776. This book described capitalism and a free market economy, where the market is based off of consumer demand. It describes that without government restrictions on trade, a nations economy and wealth would grow the quickest. This book lead to reforms in Europe, and influenced the U.S. -
Adam Smith's Capitalism
Adam Smith was one of the first to propose that people should own corporations that are not regulated by the government. He thought that the demand of the consumer should dictate the market. Through this system, Adam Smith proposed that a country would be wealthiest, and most successful if his system of trade was endorsed. -
Decleration of Independence
Document written by Thomas Jefferson, this important historical document was important because it essentialy started the United States. This document was sent to Britain, and was signed by all members of the Continental Congress. It declared that the United States of America was its own country, and that they were seperated from Britain. This caused a military response from Britain. -
America Becomes Independent from Britain
On this date, the final draft for the Decleration of Independence was completed, and was sent to England. The Decleration stated grievences that the colonists had with the British King, such as taxation without representation. This decleration of Independence obviously angered England, and the bulk of the fighting of the revolutionary war began. -
Birth of Jose De San Martin
The importance of Jose de San Martin was his influence on the South American Revolutions against Spain. He was origionally fighting for Spain, for that is where he grew up, but he decided to help the resistance becuase he "responded to the native call of his land". Martin mainly helped the liberation of Chile, but he inspired other countries to revolt as well. -
Birth of Simon Bolivar
A Venezuelan man who was educated in Spain, and a military genius. He led many revolutions in South America against Spain. He was so succesful at defeating Spain and freeing South American countries from Spain's rule, that his nickname became El Libertador (The liberator). -
The American Constitution
The American Constitution is one of the most important, if not then it is the most important document in our country. It is a very general document stating the guidlines to the formation of our country including political and governmental regulations. This document is mearly the guidlines for the U.S. because of how general it is, and does not state many specific laws. This document is used by the judiciary branch even today to determine if a law for example is constitutional or not. -
The French Revolution Begins
The French Revolution was the transformation of France from an Absolute Monarchy to a constitutional monarchy. It started with the national assembly when King Louis XVI locked all the third estate representatives out of the estates general meeting. They were angry that the nobles were making all of the decisions, so they demanded changes be made, so they held their own assembly on a tennis court. The revolution ended when Napoleon took to power, for he seemed to embrace enlightenment ideas. -
Estates General
The Estates General of 1789 was called by King Louis XVI of France. The third estate demanded fundamental reforms such as the creation of a representative legislative body. Since each estate got one vote, the first and second estates cancelled out the vote of the third, even though the members of the third estate represented most of the population of France. This angered the French people, and was a major cause for the French revolution. -
The National Assembly
A gathering on an indoor tennis court of the Third Estate members. The members of the Third Estate were locked out of the Estates General meeting because they were furious that their vote was denied even though they represented most of France. This caused them to leave and form their own meeting. They told King Louis XVI that they would not disband unless a constituitonal monarchy was formed. -
Formation of the Jacobins
The Jacobins group was a radical group led by Maximilian Robespierre. People in this group wanted equality and liberty for all. The Jacobins tried to take land from the church and from the wealth and gave it to the poor. They were very cruel though, for under their "reign" during the French Revolution, they beheaded all that opposed them. Even the King. -
Bastille Day
Bastille Day is a French holiday that celebrates the first major fight in the French Revolution. The bastille was a prison in Paris that was a symbol of the monarchy's power, so on Bastille Day, hundreds stormed the bastille, freed the prisoners, and most importantly took weapons. The weapons were then used to take the palace of Versaille, and win other victories during the French Revolution. -
Haitian Revolution
The Hatiain Revolution was the only successful slave revolt in history. It was caused because slaves in Haiti recieved word that over on the French mainland, slavery was illegal. When slaves were not let go, people such as Toussaint L' Ouverture (a former slave who was educated) led a slave revolt. Due to tropical diseases, Napoleon and his forces could not defeat the slaves, and the nation of Haiti was born. -
Guillotine Invention
The guillotine was a new "enlightened" way of executing a person. Dr. Joseph Guillotin designed this execution method as an easy way of painlessly killing a victim. This execution method was utilized especially during the Jacobins reign of terror to kill people who opposed the new French government. -
Vindication of the Rights of Women
Written by Mary Wolenstonecraft in 1792, this was one of the first books that argued for womens rights. During the enlightenment period, women began feeling that they could do more than just raise children and work in the house. This book exemplifies that by saying that women should be able to have equal access to education, full citizenship, and financial autonomy. -
Declaration of the Rights on Man and Citizen
A document drafted by the representatives at the National Assembly. It talked about a government that protected the rights of citizens instead of the right of the King. This document was important because it laid the basis for the new government that France was trying to achieve. -
Committee on Public Safety
The Committee on Public Safety was a political group during the Jacobins "Reign of Terror". It consisted of about nine to twelve people that were elected by a representitive assembly for a one month term. The goal of this group was to help ensure France's citizens saftey by overseeing parts of the French government, and foreign relations with other countries as well. -
Bank of France
Created by Napoleon Bonaparte in the year 1800, it was a symobl of the new enlightened France. The Bank of France was made to stabilize finances, and made the metric system the national measurment system to make trade easier. This bank also showed that Napoleon was supportive of the enlightenment movement, which gained him popularity in France. -
Factory System
With the new technological developments that came along with the scientific revolution, the factory system was born. This new system replaced the old domestic system where individual workers used hand tools to make products. Now, large factories with amazing new machinery were being built in cities, which meant more jobs, quicker good production, and lower good prices. -
Invention of Interchangeable Parts
Interchangeable parts first were invented and used in factories in 1803. These new interchangeable parts really led to the increase in factories because now, relativly unskilled workers could not be used to mass produce goods. They were rist used in the firearm industry, but soon all industries were building factories with interchangable parts. -
Independence of Haiti
Haiti gained their independence from France in 1804. It was the only successful slave revolt in the history of the world. The Napoleonic Code which described equality and stated that slavery was illegal was heard of in Haiti, but slaves were not released. With careful planning from people like Toussaint L' Ouvurture, the slave revolt was won, and Haiti was an independent nation. -
Napoleonic Code
Created by Napoleon, this code basically stated that all French citizens are equal. This further showed French citizens that they could trust their leader as an enlightened idealist. The code was highly influencial, even over seas. -
Mexico Delcares Independence
On a famous day in 1810, Miguel Hidalgo, a Spanish priest oficially started the revolution against Spain in Mexico by rallying the common person by using the phase "Viva Mexico" (meaning long live Mexico). Mestizos were dissapointed at their treatment compared to the pure Spanish born citizens and how much power they held, so the revolt was started by declaring independence. -
Chilian Independence
Like many South American nations, Chile saw the revolutions of the United States, Haiti, and the French to be inspiring. South American countries wanted to be part of the enlightenment movement for equality and liberty. When Napoleon attacked Spain, Chile started forming their own government. Finally with the help of Jose De San Martin, they they raised an army and drove out the Spanish from Chile. -
Paraguay Independence
Paraguay was heavily taxed under hte Spanish crown which did not sit well with the people of Paraguay. When Spain was losing to Napoleon, and with insperation from several other revolutions before them, they fought against the weakened Spanish. They won their independence, and began creating a government for themselves. -
Venezuelan Independence
Venezuela was under control of the Spanish until they became independent in 1811. They became independent because of a man named Simon Bolivar, a military genius who fought the Spanish and won Venezuela its independence. A major grievence Venezuela had with Spain was that the direct representatives of royal authority in South America had too much power in the church and state. -
Argentinian Independence
Argentina wanted independence from Spain mainly because of the large trade restrictions on natives, which created a monopoly for the Spanish. Many wanted independence, and when they heard that Napoleon Bonaparte was fighting the Spanish in battle, they revolted. This revolt lead to the independence of Argentina, and the drafting of an Argentinian constitution. -
Birth of Karl Marx
The author of "The Manifesto of the Communist Party," Karl Marx promulgated the idea of the socialist movement. He believed that socialism was the ultimate end of society, since capitalism had the flaw of requiring expansion and had ebb & flow periods. He felt that socialism would be the final stage in human progress. -
Columbian Independence
Columbia was struggling for independence from Spain just like many of the South American countries. They were all inspired by the American, French, and Haitian revolutions, and thought that the ideas and principles behind them were just and needed. This caused SImon Bolivar and other "freedom fighters" to come into Columbia, and with their help, Columbia won its independence, and Bolivar was the first Presedent of Columbia. -
Mexican Independence
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Equador Independence
Equador wanted their independence from Spain just like other countries in South America. Their first attempt for independence was stopped by the Spanish and the city of Quinto remained under Spanish control. Simon Bolivar then came to Equador to lead the fight against the Spanish. In the Battle of Pinchincha, Bolivar and his forces defeated the Spanish, and Equador became independent. -
Brazillian Independence
Brazil achieved independence from the Portugese in 1822. It was the quickest transition to independence of any of the countries with the least amount of bloodshed because the heir to the Portuguese throne Dom Pedro the First decided to stay and become constitutional monarch of Brazil and not wate to become the monarch of Portugal. Even though becoming independent so quickly, Brazil still had political troubles that were quite similar to its republican neighbors such as the issue of free trade. -
Peruvian Independence
Peru was another South American country to fight against Spain for independence. Peru was wanted by the Spanish for their silver mines. Both Simon Bolivar and Jose De San Martin helped with the liberation of Peru in 1824, and Peru became independent from Spain. -
Bolivian Independence
Many people in Bolivia did not agree with the Spanish taking all of their silver. They began to feel like they were superior to the Spanish when they were weakened by th ewars with Napoleon. With the help of Simon Bolivar, Bolivia became independent from Spain. They were so greatful for Bolivar's help, that they named their country after him. -
Uruguay Independence
The Spanish did not really have that much of an interest in Uruguay since there was a limited amount of silver and gold there. The only reason the Spanish were there was to keep the Portugese from expanding, making Uruguay a Spanish army stronghold. Uruguay successfully revolted against the Spanish, but just after bein liberated the Portugese attacked. Antonio Lavalleja lead revolts against the Portugese, and finally in 1825, Uruguay was officialy independent. -
Communism
This idea was first thought of by Karl Marx around the 1840s. He thought that in capitalism, a few are wealthy, and the workers are all exploited. His view was a socialist approach, where the government owns everything, and distributes equally goods to all of a nations citizens. This is widly popular in Russia, some parts of Asia, and some parts of East Europe. -
The Communest Manifesto is Published
The work of Karl Marx, it declared the need, indeed, the inevitability, of a socialist revolution. He believed that the proletariat (working class) needed to rise up and overthrow current social conditions. He believed that capitalism had fatal flaws that created widening disparities between the working class and property-owning class, the bourgeoisie. His work set the foundation for the development of some of the most of oppressive dictatorships in human history. -
Bessemer Process
Patented by Henry Bessemer in 1855, this process allowed for the mass production of steel from pig iron. It involved the blowing of heated air through the molten iron. This oxidized and help remove impurities to create steel. -
Petroleum
Discovered around 1859, oil became the most popular and cheapest energy source in the country. Many factories needed oil for lamps inside the factory, to lubricate machinery parts, and as energy. This caused many people to start "digging" for oil, and a larger new part of the American economy was formed. -
Birth of Vladamir Lenin
Lenin grew up in a radicalized home. He was the leader of the Bolshevik faction of the Social Democrats. While in exile Lenin developed the theory of the "revolutionary vanguard." He believed a small band could represent the industrial working class. He used the chaos and struggles of WWI to return to Russia where he was able to organize a coup. He became the head of the new Communist Pary and ruled Russia as a defacto dictator. -
Mexican Revolution
The Mexican Revolution began because of a conflict with the Mexican Dictator Porfirio Diaz. Many thought that he was abusing his power, and that he should be replaced with a provisional government. This lead to rebellions across Mexico, and the next year, Porfirio Diaz resigned from his dictatorship. -
Russian Revolution
As a consequence of WWI, the Tsar was blamed for the human and economic losses and Nicholas abdicated his throne. With the help of the Germans, Lenin returned from exile to seize the opporunity to gain control. Lenin and the Bolshevik party organized a coup d'etat and disbanded the provisional government. The Communist Party was formed and began to rule with absolute power. A new dictatorship was born under Lenin.
