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Galileo Discovers Planets
Galileo's discovery of the heliocentric model of the solar system was a major turning point in the history of science, and it challenged many long-held beliefs about the nature of the universe. This, in turn, led to a broader questioning of established ideas about religion, government, and other aspects of human society. -
30 Years War
The Thirty Years' War, which began as a conflict between Catholics and Protestants in Germany, eventually spread across Europe and became one of the deadliest and most destructive wars in European history. The war ended with the signing of the Treaty of Westphalia in 1648, which helped to establish new principles of international law and diplomacy, and which helped to bring an end to the religious conflicts that had plagued Europe for decades. -
Louis XIV takes rule of France
King Louis XIV of France was a powerful monarch who played a significant role in shaping the political and cultural landscape of Europe. He constructed the Palace of Versailles as a symbol of his power and wealth. His attempts to centralize power and remove nobles from positions of authority helped to pave the way for the development of more democratic forms of government and his patronage of the arts helped to foster the cultural
flourishing that characterized the Enlightenment period. -
Montesquieu writes Spirit of the Laws
"Spirit of the Laws" is a seminal work of political theory that emphasizes the principle of the separation of powers. This principle argues that no single branch of government should have too much power over the others and it has played a fundamental role in shaping modern democratic systems. Montesquieu's work explores the relationship between the size of a state and its type of government. -
Adam Smith publishes The Wealth of Nations
"The Wealth of Nations" is a seminal work of economic theory that introduced the term "laissez-faire," which promotes the idea of free-market capitalism. Smith argued that if the government stayed out of the markets, people participating would become richer. Smith's work has contributed to the development of classical liberal political philosophy, which emphasizes the importance of individual liberty and free markets. Laissez-faire has been a central idea of classical liberal thought. -
The Estates-General
The Estates-General was a representative assembly created to address the financial crisis that France was facing. It was composed of three groups: the clergy, the nobility, and the commoners, each of which had its own representatives. However, the three groups had disagreements and conflicts that persisted until the commoners initiated the French Revolution. This event marked the end of the Enlightenment period, which was characterized by an emphasis on reason, science, and individual liberty.