Transition to the Modern World

Black Death

1334

Originated in China and spread through other places in the world by trades routes like the Silk Road. The bacteria was called Yersinia Pestis. Death within 3-7 days. Symptoms were similar to the flu at first. They had no idea how to stop it. Flagellants were religious zealots that believed the Black Death was God’s punishment. They would wear black robes and travel to town to town, whipping themselves publicly to show penance for man’s sins.
This lead to the end of feudalism.

Hundred Years War

1337

The Hundred Years' War, a conflict between France and England. Edward III, provoked by French attacks on his territories in France, declares himself king of France based on his mother's lineage. . The wars end in 1453.
The virtual destruction of the feudal system enabled the unity of France more solidly under the royal authority, and promoted an alliance with the middle class. From the ruins of the war an entirely new France emerged.

Gutenberg Printing Press

1440

Printing press, machine by which text and images are transferred to paper or other media by means of ink.
Although movable type, as well as paper, first appeared in China, it was in Europe that printing first became mechanized.
The earliest mention of a printing press is in a lawsuit in Strasbourg in 1439 revealing construction of a press for Johannes Gutenberg and his associates.
Allowed for books to decrease in value and increase their availability.

Primavera by Botticelli

1477

The commission for this painting most likely came from the Medici family. But other believe that it’s more than simple illustration, and that it contains a representation of the ideal of Neoplatonic love.
The painting was possibly inspired by a poem by Poliziano.
Botticelli used color and placement of characters to draw attention to Venus, in the center, she’s in her sacred grove looking directly at us, dressed in vibrant red. The last figure is Cupid, Venus’ son.

Creation of Adam by Michaelangelo

1512

God is painted with angels, and Adam is painted alone, and as their fingers touch, it represents God giving life to all of mankind, including Adam.
The way Adam’s been painting, it seems to reflect the idea that Man has been created in the image and likeness of God.
This represents how the majority of people saw themselves, including people of higher power, since it was commissioned by Pope Julius II.

Amerigo Vespucci’s Legacy

1512

He explored the mouth of the Amazon River. He also developed a method for determining longitude.
Perhaps Vespucci’s most important contribution, was his realization that the continent he was exploring was not Asia.
It was, in fact, a continent previously unknown to most Europeans. Eventually the continents of the western hemisphere became known as North and South America – named after Amerigo Vespucci.

Luther’s 95 Theses

1517

Luther noticed people started going to Bible study and church because they had purchased an indulgence and “didn’t need to go to church”. Writes the 95 theses, which are arguments against the church/indulgences. Nails them onto the front door of Wittenberg church. Challenging the most powerful institution of his time
Gutenberg's printing press helps to spread the 95 theses like wildfire. Catholic church declared him a heretic for criticizing the Church. Allowed for the creation of Protestantism.

Galileo’s telescope

1609

Galileo made his first telescope in 1609, modeled after telescopes produced in other parts of Europe. With this telescope, he was able to look at the moon, discover the four satellites of Jupiter, observe a supernova, verify the phases of Venus, and discover sunspots.
His discoveries proved the Copernican system which states that the earth and other planets revolve around the sun. Prior to the Copernican system, it was thought the universe was geocentric, meaning the sun revolved around earth.

The First Folio is published

1623

After Shakespeare had died, his friends collected some of his works, and published them.
This has lead Shakespeare to become one of the most well known authors of all time, as many of his plays have been translated into 75+ languages.
His works have been popular and taught for hundreds of years, and continue to be a major literary achievement.

Newton's Laws of Motion

1686

Sir Isaac Newton's three laws of motion describe the motion of massive bodies and how they interact. His ideas became the basis for modern physics. He built upon ideas put forth from the works of previous scientists including Galileo and Aristotle and was able to prove some ideas that had only been theories in the past. He also invented calculus.