West and the World

The Bubonic Plague Begins

Jan 1, 1347

The Bubonic Plague, also known as The Black Death, was a disease that wiped out one third of Europe's population. The Black Death was brought over from China by black rats travelling on merchant ships. Individuals who were exposed to the diease usually died within 4 days. This caused great loss for Europe.

The Renaissance Begins

Jan 1, 1350

The Reniassance was a period of cultural and intellectual advancements. The Reniassance began after the middle ages in Italy. During this time period science, art, music, and politics deveoped greatly.

Brunelleschi Creates Leanear Perspective

Jan 1, 1413

Brunelleschi was an artist and an engineer during the renaissance. He created linear perspective which is the use of line and illusion to make objects look 3D. This helped other artists make their art look more realistic.

Joan of Arc and The Seige of Orleans

Oct 12, 1428

The seige of New Orleans was an English attack on the French at the city of Orleans. Joan of Arc helped the French re-supply during the attack in order for France to withstand the Seige. The English seige was recalled.

Johann Gutenberg Invents the Printing Press

Aug 15, 1439

Johann Gutenburg invented the printing press. The printing press helped news spread quickly through Europe because it allowed for the mass production of books and newspapers.

Cosimo de Medici Dies

Aug 1, 1464

Cosimo de Medici was a political figure during the Renaissance. He controlled the democracy in Florence, Italy using his wealth.

The Spanish Inquisition Begins

Jan 1, 1478

The Spanish Inquisition was a court of the Roman Catholic Church. They made sure that people were practicing religion in the proper way. If people were not they would go to trial and possibly face execution.

Sandro Botticelli Paints Birth of Venus

Jan 1, 1486

Botticelli was a famous painter of the Renaissance time period. One of his most known works being the Birth of Venus. THe Birth of Vennus was a painting depicting the god of Venus emerging from the sea. It was an influencial piece using art techniques modern to the time.

Columbus Discovers the Americas

Oct 12, 1492

Christopher Columbus was an explorer from Italy, who was known for his disoveries of the Americas. He was sent to discover a faster trading route to Asia, but accidentally found the Americas instead.

Da Vinci Paints The Last Supper

Jan 1, 1495

The Last Supper was a painting by Da Vinci. He depicted the last supposert of Jesus Crist. It not only influence art, but religion as well.

Raphael Paints The School of Athens

Jan 1, 1510

Raphael painted The School of Athens which was a painting that used all the art techniques developed during the Renaissance.

Michelangelo Paints The Sistine Chapel

Jan 1, 1512

Michelangelo was a very influencial artist during the Renaissance. Many of his famous works of art can be found in the Sistine Chapel.

Machiavelli Writes "The Prince"

Jan 1, 1514

Machiavelli was an author and politicial during the Renaissance. He wrote "The Prince", which was, a book on political science discussing political sciences, ethics, and philosophy. It was one of his most influencial works.

Thomas More's "Utopia"

Jan 1, 1516

Thomas More was a philosopher who wrote "Utopia". "Utopia" discussed a fictional society and its social aspects.

Martin Luther's 95 Theses

Jan 1, 1517

Martin Luther's 95 Theses was a paper outlining the abuses the church was making on its followers. It was significant because it caused people to not want to be a member of the Catholic church.

Start of the European Wars of Religion

Jan 1, 1524

The European Wars of Religion were a series of wars between the Roman Catholic Church and the Protestants.

Ivan the Terrible is Born

Aug 25, 1530

Ivan the Terrible was the Prince of Moscow and he was also the Tsar of Russia. He contributed to the unification of the Russian states.

Henry VIII of England is Excommunicated

Jan 1, 1533

Henry VIII was the King of England from 1509-1547. He was excommunicated from the Roman Catholic Church after many conflicts with the Pope concerning his marriage.

The Jesuit Order is Founded by Ignatius Loyola

Jan 1, 1534

The Jesuit Order was a group of men who surved the church, educating others about Catholicism.

Desiderius Erasmus Dies

Jul 12, 1536

Erasmus was a priest and teacher who supported tolerance of all religions.

Copernicus/The Scientific Revolution

Jan 1, 1543

Copernicus was a mathmetician from the Renaissance. He created a model of the universe with the sun in the centre instead of the Earth. This influenced further advancements in science.

Spain Declares Bankruptcy for the 1st Time

Jan 1, 1557

Spain, while being ruled by King Phillip II, declared bankruptcy for the first time. Spain had to do this because there was a large amount of debt and a large defeceit.

Coronation of Queen Elizabeth I

Jan 15, 1559

Queen Elzibeth I was a well balanced leader. Under her rule England defeated the Spanish Armada.

Saint Bartholomew's Day Massacre

Aug 23, 1572

The Saint Bartholomew's Massacre was a massacre during the French Wars of religion on the French Protestants. It contributed to the ongoing religious war.

Edict of Nantes

Apr 13, 1598

The Edict of Nantes gave civil and religous rights to Protestants.