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Period: Jan 1, 1450 to
Unit 4 Timeline
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Feb 3, 1450
Gutenberg's printing press
Eastern Europe / Intellectual
The invention of the Gutenberg's press led to a wide spread of knowledge. It also played a key role in the Renaissance, Age of Enlightenment, and the Scientific revolution. -
May 28, 1453
Constantinople falls to the Ottoman Turks under the command of Mehmet II
Eastern Europe / Economic
The fall of Constantinople is a prime motivator for the European Age of Exploration that led to the eventual global domination of European nations. With the western end of the Silk Road in Muslim hands Christian merchants in Western Europe would begin to seek new routes in order to circumvent Muslim controlled trade routes and the Middle East all together. -
Jan 1, 1472
Neo-Confucianism
East Asia / Religious
This blending of Buddhism and Daoism made confucianism more accessable to the less literate Chinese. -
Feb 10, 1473
Sistine Chapel
Eastern Europe / Art
The painting done on the ceiling by Michelangelo came to be considered one of the most important works of art in history. It expressed the faith and wholeness of the Pope and the Catholic church. -
Jan 1, 1492
Jews are expelled from Iberia, Spain
Western Europe / Economic
Expelling the Jewish people from Iberia left Spanish rulers with nobody to tax, greatly weakening the economy. -
Aug 3, 1492
Columbus sailed the ocean blue
South America / Economic
Columbus' voyage to the New World opened up new opportunities for Spain. This led to the Columbian exchange which included the exchange of plants, animals, culture, disease, and people between Spain and the Americas -
Jun 7, 1494
Treaty of Tordesillas
Western Europe / Economc
The signing of this treaty helped to prevent major fighting between Spain and Portugal and showed the amount of power that the Pope had over these matters in Europe. Spain gained territory in the New World while Portugal gained Indian Ocean trade -
Feb 9, 1502
First reported african slaves in the new world
North America / Social
The transport of slaves to the Americas multiple new ethnic and social classes which resulted in much of the American culture being influenced by African culture such as dance and music. -
Jan 1, 1505
Swahili coast of Africa falls to the Portuguese
Sub-Saharan Africa / Economic
Once the Portuguese managed to conquer the Swahili coast, they were also able to gain control of other ports such as the Gujarat Coast and the Strait of Malacca. This led to the Portuguese gaining partial control over Indian Ocean trade. -
Apr 29, 1509
King Henry VIII's wives
Eastern Europe / Social
King Henry VIII's wives were all dumped because they could not provide a son or fulfill their "womanly duties" to Henry VIII. This showed the standard that women were held at this time and led others to follow and comply. -
Oct 31, 1517
Martin Luther/95 Theses
Western Europe / Religious
Martin Luther's 95 theses was a catalyst for the Protestant Reformation which resulted in more freedom of Christian faith and practices. -
Apr 21, 1526
Rise of the Mughal Empire
South Asia / Intellectual
During this time, the Mughal Empire made great architectual developments such as the Taj Mahal. Calligraphy, a form of writing, also flourished in this empire. -
Sep 27, 1540
Establishment of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits)
Eastern Europe / Religious
The Jesuits helped to spread Christianity (Catholicism) to places far out of Europe, such as China. They were important in the success of the Counter(Catholic)-Reformation. -
Jan 1, 1543
Beginning of the Scientific Revolution
Eastern Europe / Intellectual
This period led to the establishment of several modern sciences. New ideas spread about mathematics, physics, astronomy, and biology, and more support was given to scientific investigation. -
Oct 7, 1571
Battle of Lepanto
Middle East / Political
The Ottoman Turks' defeat resulted in their loss of naval supremacy in the central and Western Mediterranean. -
the sinking of the Spanish Armada
Eastern Europe / Political
The sinking of the Spanish Armada led to Europe having a dominant role over trade and the New World. -
Japan unified under the Tokugawa Shogunate
East Asia / Political
Under the Shogun at this time, Japan developed a merchant class of samurai and was lead into the isolation period. -
Mali Empire divide and collapse
West Africa / Political
After Mahmud IV's death, nobody ruled the Mali empire. The empire was then divided among his sons, which led to many wars and rivalries. -
Building of the Taj Mahal
South Asia / Art
This building (or tomb) brings light to the transfer of silver to India. The architecture shows cultural syncretism between Islamic, Ottoman, and Indian styles. -
The Ottoman Empire abolishes devshirme
Middle East / Political
The abolishment of devshirmae left a large military gap since they made up the Ottoman's footsoldiers - which contributed to the decline of the Ottoman Empire -
The English Civil War
Western Europe / Political
This conflict led to the execution of Charles I and the replacement of English monarchy cannot govern without Parliament's consent. -
End of Ming/Beginning of Qing Dynasty
East Asia / Political
This empire marked the last dynastic empire to rule in this region, and was marked by many rebellions and revolts. Chinese traditions were also restored during this Dynasty. -
Calligraphy
South Asia / Art
The use of calligraphy in the Mughal empire was to copy religious texts such as the Qur'an, which spread the word of Islam further. -
Glorious Revolution
Western Europe / Political
The Revolution led to limited toleration for Nonconformist Protestants and the signing of the British Bill of Rights, beginning a Parlimentary Democracy. -
John Locke's idea of natural rights
North America / Social
John Locke introduced the fact that people have natural rights of life, liberty, and happiness, and included that people have the freedom of speech and the right to revolt. These ideas spread to the American colonies, which later influenced the uprising of the colonies against British rule. -
Peter the Great's attempt at westernizing Russia
Central Asia / Economic
Peter the Great's westernization attempts (such as reforming the military) were expensive, so he placed taxes on many things, such as beards. Education also took rise in all social classes, and a new city, St.Petersburg, was built.
