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Period: 1300 to
The Renaissance Begins
The Renaissance was a time when people in Europe started thinking about art, science, and their place in the world in new ways. It began in Italy and spread across Europe, changing the way people thought about life and learning. -
Period: 1400 to
The Age of Exploration
During this time, European nations sent explorers around the world to find new trade routes and territories. It was a time of great change, as the world started to become more connected. -
1440
Invention of the Printing Press
Johann Gutenberg invented the printing press, which made it easier to share books and ideas. This helped spread the ideas of the Renaissance and Reformation to more people. -
1453
The Fall of Constantinople
The Ottoman Empire captured the city of Constantinople, ending the Byzantine Empire and changing the balance of power in Europe and the Middle East. -
1492
Christopher Columbus Lands in the Americas
Christopher Columbus sailed across the Atlantic and reached the Americas. His journey opened the door for European countries to colonize the New World. -
1492
The Columbian Exchange Begins
The Columbian Exchange was a massive trade of plants, animals, people, and diseases between the Old and New Worlds. This exchange had a huge impact on societies across the globe. -
1494
Treaty of Tordesillas
Spain and Portugal agreed to divide the world between them to avoid fighting over newly discovered lands. This shaped how Europe controlled much of the world. -
1498
Vasco da Gama Reaches India
Vasco da Gama sailed around Africa to reach India, opening up a sea route that brought huge wealth and power to Portugal. -
1503
Leonardo da Vinci Completes the Mona Lisa
Leonardo da Vinci painted the Mona Lisa, one of the most famous paintings ever. It showed the focus on realistic art that became a key part of the Renaissance. -
1512
Michelangelo Paints the Sistine Chapel Ceiling
Michelangelo’s work on the Sistine Chapel ceiling in Vatican City is one of the most famous artworks of the Renaissance, showing the church’s importance and the skill of Renaissance artists. -
1513
Ponce de León Explores Florida
Ponce de León was one of the first Europeans to explore what is now Florida, searching for the Fountain of Youth and claiming land for Spain. -
1517
Martin Luther Posts His 95 Theses
Martin Luther posted his 95 Theses on a church door, challenging the Catholic Church’s practices. This sparked the Protestant Reformation and led to huge changes in Christianity. -
1520
Ferdinand Magellan's Circumnavigation
Magellan’s expedition was the first to sail all the way around the world, proving that the Earth was much bigger than anyone had thought. -
1521
Hernán Cortés Conquers the Aztec Empire
Hernán Cortés led the Spanish forces that defeated the Aztec Empire, opening up Mexico to Spanish colonization. -
1543
Copernican Revolution
Nicolaus Copernicus changed how people viewed the universe by claiming that the Earth revolved around the Sun, not the other way around. This idea shook up science and religion. -
1563
Council of Trent
The Catholic Church held the Council of Trent to address the issues raised by the Reformation. They clarified their teachings and tried to bring people back to Catholicism. -
Spanish Armada Defeated
Spain sent a huge fleet to invade England, but it was defeated. This marked the end of Spain’s dominance at sea and helped England rise as a global power. -
Period: to
Age of Absolutism
A time when the world saw the emergence of the “Absolute Monarch”, which is a king or queen who has complete control over a country. This time period was preceded by the Age of Exploration and will fade with the Enlightenment, ending with the Age of Revolutions. -
Shakespeare's First Plays
William Shakespeare began writing his famous plays, changing English literature forever. His works explored human nature and were a big part of the Renaissance’s focus on individualism. -
The Edict of Nantes Issued
The Edict of Nantes allowed French Protestants to practice their religion without fear of being persecuted. This helped end religious violence in France for a time. -
The Scientific Revolution
New ideas in science, like the theories of Galileo and Newton, changed how people thought about the universe and the natural world. -
The Founding of Jamestown
The English founded Jamestown, their first permanent settlement in North America. This marked the beginning of English colonization in the Americas. -
Thirty Years’ War
This war started as a religious conflict but turned into a struggle for political control in Europe. It caused massive destruction and changed the map of Europe. -
English Civil War
King Charles I and Parliament fought for control of England, leading to the king’s execution and the temporary end of the monarchy. -
The Fronde
The Fronde were a series of uprisings in France against the monarchy. These events influenced Louis XIV’s belief in strong, absolute rule. -
The Palace of Versailles Completed
Louis XIV built the Palace of Versailles as a symbol of his absolute power, making it the center of French political life. -
The Glorious Revolution
The Glorious Revolution led to the overthrow of King James II of England and the establishment of a constitutional monarchy under William and Mary. -
Reign of Louis XIV
Louis XIV, the "Sun King," ruled France for over 70 years, making France the most powerful country in Europe. His reign is a key example of absolute monarchy. -
Peter the Great’s Westernization of Russia
Peter the Great worked to modernize Russia, bringing in new technologies, ideas, and styles from Europe to strengthen the country.