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1217
The Magna Carta was signed establishing the foundations of English rights.
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1543
Nicolaus Copernicus developed the heliocentric theory.
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1543
Galileo used the telescope to support the proof of the heliocentric theory.
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The Baroque Period began in art, music, and architecture (Bach and Handel were composers).
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The novel became a new form of literature (Miguel Cervantes wrote Don Quixote).
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Johannes Kepler discovered planetary motion.
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William Harvey showed that the heart acted as a pump to circulate blood throughout the body.
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The English Civil War began between the Roundheads (supporters of Parliament) and the Cavaliers (supporters of the King).
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Charles I of England was beheaded.
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Thomas Hobbes published Leviathan - social contract (people give up rights to a strong ruler who maintains order).
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Oliver Cromwell began his rule of England as the Lord Protector.
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The Restoration of Charles II - the monarchy was put back.
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The Palace of Versailles was built under the reign of Louis XIV.
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James II became the King of England.
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Isaac Newton published his law of gravity.
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William and Mary became the leaders of England (this is referred to as the Glorious Revolution).
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The English Bill of Rights was passed laying out specific rights on Parliament and putting limits on royal power.
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John Locke published Two Treaties on Government - it was his theory of "natural rights" (life, liberty, and property).
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The Westernization of Russia was started by Peter the Great.
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The Age of Reason (the Enlightenment) began.
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St. Petersburg became the capital of Russia under Peter the Great.
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Louis XIV became the King of France.
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Francois-Marie Arouet changed his name to Voltaire and goes on to champions individual freedoms.
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Peter I became the czar of Russia.
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Montesquieu published on the spirit of laws - detailing separation of powers in government.
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Jean Jacques Rousseau wrote The Social Contract - free individuals create a society and government.
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The American Revolution began which was heavily influenced by the Age of Enlightenment.
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The Classical Period began in art, music, and architecture (Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven were composers).
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Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence.
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The Constitution was ratified on the United States.
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The French Revolution began having been influenced by the Enlightenment and the American Revolution.
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The Storming of the Bastille was the symbolic start of the French Revolution.
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The Bill of Rights (first 10 amendments) was added to the constitution of the United States.
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The Reign of Terror marked a period of mass executions during the French Revolution.
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Louis XVI was executed at the guillotine.
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Marie Antoinette was executed at the guillotine.
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Edward Jenner introduced a vaccine to prevent small pox.
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Napoleon Bonaparte seized power in France in a coup d'etat.
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All weather roads were created to improve year round transport and trade.
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Eugene Delacroix began the transition of art to the Romantic School.
