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Period: Mar 18, 1394 to Nov 18, 1460
Henry the Navigator
Responsible for the early development of european exploration and maritime trade with other continents. Most famous for the voyages of discovery that he organized and financed, which eventually led to the rounding of Africa and the establishment of sea routes in the Indies. -
Period: Oct 31, 1451 to May 20, 1506
Christopher Columbus
An explorer, colonizer, and navigator from Italy, whose voyages across the Atlantic Ocean led to European awareness of the American continents in the West. Initiated the process of Spanish colonization which foreshadowed European colonization. -
Period: Dec 24, 1469 to Apr 18, 1524
Da Gama
A Portuguese explorer, one of the most successful in the Age of Discovery and the commander of the first ships to sail directly from Europe to India. For a short time in 1524 he was Governor of Portuguese India under the title of Viceroy. -
Period: Feb 23, 1483 to Jan 5, 1531
Babur
A military adventurer from Central Asia who established his first kingdom in 1504. He continued conquering surrounding lands, built an army, and laid the basis for the Mughal Empire. Was a descendent of Ghengis Khan, through his mother. -
Period: Apr 18, 1485 to Dec 2, 1547
Hernán Cortés
A spanish conquistador who led an expedition that led to the fall of the Aztec empire, and brought large portions of mainland Mexico under the rule of the King of Castile in the early 16th century. -
Apr 22, 1492
Columbian Exchange
A dramatically widespread exchange of animals, plants, culture, human populations and ideas between the Eastern and Western hemispheres (Old World and New World). Greatly affected almost every society on Earth. New diseases introduced by Europeans, to which the indigenous peoples of the Americas had no immunity, depopulated many cultures. -
Period: Apr 22, 1492 to
Creation of Colonies in the New World
First known colonizations made in South America by spain and portugese in 1492. England and France attempted establishing permanent colonies, but these were mostly met with failure. Gradually colonies began to grow (mostly british), and were largely successfull. Colonies were popular among immigrants for a variety of reasons, such as freedom from religious persecution, escape from corrupt governments, and fleeing the rapid spread of diseases. -
Period: May 2, 1492 to
Columbian Exchange
widespread exchange of animals, plants, culture, human populations, slaves, communicable diseases, and ideas between the Eastern and Western hemispheres. -
Period: May 2, 1500 to
Triangle Trade
Usually refers to the slave trade in he atlantic. Slaves were shipped from Africa to the West Indies, the West Indies sent sugar to the North American Colonies, and the colonies sent rum to Africa. -
Period: Apr 18, 1501 to
Safavid empire
One of the most significant ruling dynasties of Iran. Established shi'a as the official religion of their empire, marking one of the most important turning points in Muslim History. Revived Persia as an economic stronghold between the east and west. -
Period: Apr 18, 1505 to Apr 18, 1521
Magellan
A portugese explorer who led first expedition from the atlantic ocean to the Pacific Ocean, and also completed the first circumnavigation of the earth. Died on this voyage, though he is accredited with most of the supply of financial backing and organization. -
Period: Apr 18, 1517 to
Protestant Reformation
A European Christian reform movement that established Protestantism as a constituent branch of contemporary Christianity. Led by Martin Luther, John Calvin, and other early protestants. Led to the creation of new national protestant churches. The Catholics responded with a counter-reformation. -
Period: Apr 22, 1526 to
Mughal Empire
An imperial power in South Asia that ruled a large portion of the Indian subcontinent. It began in 1526, invaded and ruled most of India by the late 17th and early 18th centuries, and ended in the mid-19th century. Emperors were descendants of the Timurids. -
Period: Jul 26, 1529 to Jun 26, 1541
Pizarro
A Spanish Conquistador, conqueror of the Incan empire, and founder of Lima. Led expeditions to america, numerous expeditions to South America, and led the conquest of Peru. Was also a prominent artist and sculptor. -
Period: May 2, 1543 to
Scientific revolution
Period toward the end of the Renaissance when new ideas in physics, astronomy, biology, human anatomy, chemistry and more sciences emerged. Laid the foundation of modern science. -
Period: Oct 6, 1552 to
Matteo Rici
An Italian Jesuit Priest, one of the founding fathers of the Jesuit China Missions, holding the current title of "Servant of God". His success is due to his personal qualities, his complete adaptation of Chinese customs, and his extensive knowledge of the Sciences. -
Period: May 2, 1564 to
galileo
An Italian physicist, mathematician, astronomer and philosopher, that made great contributions to the Scientific Revolution. Major part of the emergence of modern science. -
Period: to
Tokugawa Shogunate
A feudal regime of Japan established by Tokugawa Ieyasu and ruled by the shoguns of the Tokugawa family. The Tokugawa shogunate ruled from Edo Castle from 1603 until 1868, when it was abolished during the Meiji Restoration. -
Period: to
Thirty Years War
One of the most detructive conflicts in europe. Fought primarily in what is now Germany, and involved most of the european nations. Resulted in the peace of Westphalia, the rise of the Swedish Empire, decentralization of the Holy Roman Empire, and the decline of the Catholic Church. -
Period: to
Qing Dynsaty
The last ruling dynasty of China, followed by the Republic of China. The Qing Dynasty became highly integrated with Chinese culture. The dynasty reached its height in the 18th century, during which both territory and population were increased. Military power weakened, however. -
Period: to
Peter The Great
Ruled Russia and later the Russian Empire. He carried out a policy of modernization and expansion that formed the Tsardom of Russia into a 3 million acre russian empire, a major European power. -
Period: to
Enlightenment
A philosophical movement of the 18th century, characterized by belief in the power of human reason and by innovations in political, religious, and educational doctrine. -
Period: to
French-Indian War
War between Great Britain and France, which took place in North America. Led to the Seven Years' War. -
Period: to
Catherine the Great
Reigned as the Empres of China after the assasination of her husband, just after the end of the Seven Years War. Under her power, the Russian empire expanded, improved its administration, and continued to modernize along Western European lines. Her rule re-vitalized Russia, which grew stronger than ever and became recognized as one of the most powerful nations in Europe. -
Period: to
Louis XVI
King of France and Navarre from 1774 until 1791, and then as King of the French from 1791 to 1792. Suspended and arrested as part of the insurrection of the 10th of August during the French Revolution, he was tried by the National Convention, found guilty of high treason, and executed by guillotine on 21 January 1793 as "Citoyen Louis Capet". He is the only king of France ever to be executed. -
Period: to
Marie Antionette
Archduchess of Austria and the Queen of France and of Navarre. assumed the title of Queen of France and of Navarre when her husband, Louis XVI of France, ascended the throne upon the death of Louis XV in May 1774. -
Period: to
American Revolution
The 13 American Colonies joined together to fight against the British for their freedom. America won and became the United States of America, first under the Article of Confederation, and later the US Constitution. -
Period: to
French Revolution
Revolution in France. Third Estate Tennis Court Oath, assault on the Bastille, Declaration of the Rights of Man, King Louis XVI beheaded, Napoleon took over. -
Storming of the Bastille
Medieval fortress and prison that was stormed by the Third Estate during the French Revolution. The highest point of the Revolution. -
Declaration of the Rights of Man
Document during the French Revolution defining the individual and collective rights of all the estates of the realm as universal. -
Period: to
Haitian Revolution
Conflict in the French colony of Saint-Domingue, which culminated in the elimination of slavery there and the founding of the Haitian republic. -
Period: to
Napoleon
Emperor of France. Took over much of Europe in time he ruled, but ultimately was defeated at the Battle of Waterloo -
Period: to
Congress of Vienna
A conference of ambassadors of European states. The objective of the congress was to settle many issues arising from the French revolution, the Napoleonic Wars, and the Holy Roman Empire. Resulted in re-drawing the continents political map. -
Waterloo
France's army is defeated under the rule of Napoleon, and Napoleon's rule domes to an end.
