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1492
Columbus discovers the New World
Christopher Columbus found the New World on the Western Hemisphere with the support of Spain. He did think he found India, but he was a key factor in the Age of Exploration. -
Oct 31, 1517
Martin Luther's 95 Thesis
Martin Luther nailed the 95 Thesis to the church door in Wittenberg, Germany. In this document he condemned indulgences and other church practices. -
Aug 10, 1519
Magellan starts first Global Circumnavigation
Ferdinand Magellan, with the support of Spain, went of originally to find gold and a route to the spice islands, but got a lot more from his journey. Not only did he sail the first global circumnavigation, but he provided clear evidence the earth was round and founded a water passage between Atlantic and Pacific Ocean. He did die before the journey ended, but he led most of it, so he is given credit. -
1543
Copernicus Develops the Heliocentric Theory
During the Scientific Revolution, Nicolaus Copernicus developed the heliocentric theory, or the theory that everything revolved around the sun. This went against the Geocentric Theory, which stated everything revolves around the Earth, which was a belief strongly held by the Catholic Church. -
Creation of the Edict of Nantes
Prince Henry IV issued a document called the Edict of Nantes which granted religious freedom to French Protestants. This edict was later revoked by Louis XIV. -
English Civil War
Charles I was an unpopular ruler within the English Community, and made it worse when he disbanded Parliament and became an Absolute Ruler. Because of that and other reasons, a civil war broke out between Cavaliers (Nobles/Landowners who Supported Charles) and Roundheads (Parliamentary supporters led by Oliver Cromwell). The war ended with the execution of Charles I. -
Louis XIV Rejects Edict of Nantes
Louis XIV, one of France's Rulers during the Age of Absolutism, did away with the Edict of Nantes. Louis was very Catholic, so when he rejected the document, he took away the religious freedom of French Protestants. -
Glorious Revolution
James II became ruler after the death of Charles II, and immediately tried to be a absolutist ruler. This upset Parliament, who invited his daughter Mary of Orange and her husband William to take the throne. It's called the Glorious Revolution because it's one of the few bloodless transfers of power. -
American Revolution
In the relatively new thirteen colonies, the British practically wanted to make the most money out of the colonies as they could. They taxed everyday goods in addition to imported goods. Then in 1689 the English Bill of Rights was signed which gave Englishmen rights, but Americans felt they didn't feel they got the same rights.This and many reasons caused the Americans to sign a Declaration of Independence from England. Then through a series of battle, America earned their independence. -
French Revolution
In France there was an uneven distribution of power within the government. Although the 3rd Estate was 97% of the Population, the rich controlled it because each of the 3 Estates had 1 vote each, and the 1st and 2nd Estates always voted together. This upset and caused a eruption of anger, and sparked a revolution which had the deaths of 40,000 people (including Louis XIV and Marie Antoinette). The revolution lasted for 8+ years. -
Slave Rebellion/Haitian Revolution
In the 19th Century Latin American Countries had to deal with European Policies including rigid class structures and extreme Catholicism. In Haiti, Toussaint L'Ouverture led the only successful slave rebellion in the world, and in the end helped gain Haiti its independence from France. -
Congress of Vienna
The majority of major European powers met in Austria to discuss Europe's future after the defeat of Napoleon. They mostly resolved issues like countries harmed by the Napoleonic Wars were payed for their losses, they restored a balance of power, restored monarchies, established a new political map of Europe, and new political philosophies (liberalism and conservatism) were established. -
Matthew Perry opens Japan to Trade
U.S. President Millard Fillmore sent Commodore Matthew Perry, armed with steam powered warships, to Japan to negotiate a treaty guaranteeing the safety of U.S. sailors and would open up trade. One year later, the Treaty of Kanagawa was signed which opened up two ports to let Americans obtain food, shelter, and supplies. -
Declaration of Second Reich (German Empire) at Versailles
After a series of wars versus both France and Austria, and through the leadership of Otto Von Bismark, Germany was ready to be unified. At the Hall of Mirrors in the Palace of Versailles, the German Empire was proclaimed, and Kaiser Wilhelm was crowned Caesar.
