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Aug 26, 1096
Crusades are fought
The Crusades was a holy war between Christians and Muslims. They were fighting over the holy land, Palestine. The positive outcome was extended trade routes. The war constantly went back and forth between the Christians and Muslims. -
Sep 15, 1300
Renaissance begins
The Renaissance was a time when Europe's society changed gears. The main ideas that changed were science, art, education, and humanism. Many believe that the plague was the reason Europe's society changed -
Sep 16, 1337
100 Years War Begins
The war was a series of conflicts that started in 1337. It was started by the House of Plantagenet which was the Kingdom of England. The war was against the House of Valois, the Kingdom of France. -
Sep 16, 1347
Black Death begins in Europe
The Black Death was a huge plague that wiped out one third of Europe's population. The plague began in Asia on trade routes. Rats carried fleas that carried the bacteria. The result was one third of Europe's population wiped. -
Sep 16, 1368
Ming Dynasty in China
After the Yuan dynasty weakened, Zhu Yuanzhang overthrew the last mongol emperor and founded the Ming dynasty. The Ming dynasty or "Ming China" lasted for almost 3,000 years. The rulers gained control of Korea, Mongolia, and parts of Central and Southeast Asia. -
Oct 7, 1405
Voyages of Zheng He
Zheng He took seven voyages. He began his first one with 317 ships and 27, 870 men. In July the fleet left and defeated pirates off the coasts of Sumatra, Ceylon, and India. Some accounts claim that Zheng He's ships had nine masts on 400 foot long decks, one of the largest wood ships ever. Zheng was commander over the voyages to SE Asia, South Asia, Middle East, and East Africa until they ended in 1433. -
Sep 16, 1431
Joan of Arc burned at the stake
Joan of Arc was considered a heroine of France for her role during the Hundred Years War. She led the French army to victory at age eighteen. She was then captured a year later by the English and burned at the stake. -
Apr 6, 1453
Ottomans conquer Constantinople
Athough preparation for the conquest of Constantinople began in 1452, the actual conquest did not begin until 1453. Ottoman commander Sultan II Mehmed wanted to conquer Constantinople. On the first day, cannons designed by Mehmed bombarded the place and him and his army came in and attacked. The seige lasted from April 6 to May 29. -
Mar 31, 1492
Jews and Gypsies expelled from Spain
In Spain, a royal edict was sent out to expel any Jews that refused to convert to Catholicism. Most Spanish Jews chose exile rather than conversion. As a result, the Spanish economy plummeted because a large fraction of the work force was gone. Many of those exiled fled to North Africa, Netherlands, and the Americas where their skills were appreciated. -
Sep 16, 1492
1st Voyage of Columbus
Columbus sailed from his home contry Spain to discover new places or "new world". He had three ships, the Nina, Pinta, and Santa Maria. He discovered other lands such as the Canary Islands and Bahamas -
Sep 16, 1497
De Gama lands in India
Vasco de Gama set out for India and stopped at several African ports. The journey took more than ten months because of all of his stops. De Gama was sailing for the Portuguese Crown and sailed around the southern tip of African. He pioneered a sea route from Europe to Asia. -
Sep 16, 1500
Copernicus publishes heliocentric theory
Before the heliocentirc theory, there was one called the geocentric theory. Copernicus realized this one did not explain the sun, moon, and planets. Copernicus discovered the heliocentric theory that explains the Earh revolves around the sun. -
Sep 30, 1500
Slave trade across the Atlantic
In the 1500s Batolome de Las Casas suggested that Native American slaves should be replaced with African slaves because they were the optimum choice. The slave trqde from Africa introduced the Triangular Trade where the Second Leg was the Middle Passage. The Middle Passage brought African slaves over to America and in return received goods. The conditions were harsh, could not stand or sit, and millions died. 10 to 20 Million were brought to America. -
Oct 7, 1501
Safavid Empire
The Safavid dynasty was one of the most powerful and significant empires in Persia. The Empire ruled from 1501 to 1736, After the catastrophic invasion of the Mongols, migrated Turkish and Mongolians adopted the Persian customs. Timur claimed to be of Genghis Khan's family as a descent. He soon built a kingdom and adopted Persian ways to establish the Safavid empire. -
Sep 25, 1502
Naming of the "New World"
Amerigo Vaspucci was an Italian explorer that traveled to America. Vespucci wrote about his accounts and his discoveries in North America in a journal. Although Vespucci thought he found a route to Asia, he was incorrect. In honor of him, America is named after him. -
Sep 16, 1503
Da Vinci paints the Mona Lisa
Leonardo da Vinci began painting the Mona Lisa in 1503 and finished in 1504. The Mona Lisa tries to capture the complexity of the human spirit with its mysterious smile. The Mona Lisa continues to br studied and admired. -
Sep 28, 1508
Michelangelo begins painting Sistine Chapel
Under the direction of Pope Julius II, Michelangelo was asked and told to paint the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. After four years of painting, the celing of finally completed. This ceiling is considered even to this day High Renaissance art. The paintings on the ceiling are biblical stories and events. -
Oct 17, 1517
Martin Luther posts 95 theses
In 1517, Martin Luther posted a paper of 95 opinions that would soon begin the Protestant Reformation. These theses were written in Latin for everyone to read. Luther criticized the Catholic church in the theses and as a result, Luther was excommunicated. Luther began a break off of the church which is now known as the Lutheran church as a result of these 95 theses. -
Oct 5, 1519
Magellan starts his "aound the world" trip
In 1519 Magellan begins his journey. He is known as the first person to circumnavigate the world, meaning to literally travel around the whole world. Magellan travelled with his 250 men and 5 ships. Unfortunately, 93% of his men die due to harsh conditions. When Magellan set foot on the Phillippines, he was killed by Filipino men. The 18 survivors of his crew circumnavigated the world but Magellan is still given credit. -
Oct 7, 1526
Mughal Empire
Through seven generations, the Mughal Empire ruled most of northern India in the early 16th century to the late 18th century. The dynasty was founded by a Chagatai Turkic prince with the name of Babur. He was a descendant of TImur on his father's side. During the reign of Muhammed Shah, the empire began to break up and was a powerless entity in the 19th century. -
Nov 15, 1532
Pizarro Invades the Inca Empire
Fransisco Pizzaro was another conquistador but he was in Peru. Pizarro led his army up the Andes mountians where the Incas lived. Pizarro invited Atahaulpa to a feast in which Atahaulpa had no idea of Pizarro's plan. Soon Pizarro's army began attacking the Incas and Pizarro killed the emperor himself. -
Sep 30, 1534
Henry VIII founded the Anglican Church
As the Protestant Reformation was still going through Europe, King Henry VIII decided to make a change. During this change, he made England free from the papal control and during this time the Pope threatened to excommunicate Henry. In return, Henry established the Anglican church where the King was its head, not the Pope. -
Sep 25, 1545
Council of Trent
The Council of Trent was held in Italy and one of the biggest Roman Catholic councils. The purpose of the Council of Trent was to condemn those of the Protestant religion. Protestants believed they were saved just by faith alone but this council of Catholics proved them otherwise. -
Sep 16, 1556
Philip II rules Spain
Philip II was the son of Charles V. Philip II became the ruler of Spain after his father gave up the throne. He ruled Spain, Netherlands, Sicily, and Spain's colonies in the Americas. -
Nov 17, 1558
Elizabeth I becomes Queen of England
Elizabeth was the daughter of King Henry VIII by his second wife Anne Boleyn. In 1558, Elizabth succeeded her half sister, meaning to take over the throne, and set out ot rule by good counsel. Queen Elizabeth ruled until her death. One of Queen Elizabth's first action as queen was establishing the English Protestant church. She then became Supreme Governor over the church. -
Sep 25, 1568
Johannes Gutenburg invents the Printing Press
In 1568 Johannes Gutenburg invented a wooden machine which was the printing press. The priniting press could make 240 impressions per hour. Gutenburg's printing press made reading more available and covenient and books traveled to more places. Gutenburg's first complete press was the bible. -
Age of Enlightenment
The Enlightenment is also called the Age of Reason. THere were many different ideas of the Enlightenment that inspired many educated European people. There were new views of government and society -
Jamestown colony, VA founded
In 1607, around 100 members of the VIrginia Company founded the very first English settlement in North America. The settlement was just off the banks of James River. Jamestown was on the brink of failure when famine, disease, and conflict caused by the near Native American tribes brought down the colony. In 1610 a new group of settlers came and brought supplies to bring the Jamestown colony up again. -
Louis XIV becomes King of France
Louis XIV took the throne after his father Louis XIII passed away at just the age of four years old. While Louis was a child, his mother served as a regent. Louis's early years were marked by a series of rebellions against his mother. While possessing the throne, Louis had a fear of rebellions. When Mazarin died, 23 year old Louis decided to not have a chief minister. Louis's great grandson succeeded him after his reign. -
Qing Dynasty begins
The Qing Dynasty was the last dynasty to rule over China. The QIng were ethnic Manchus of the Aisin Gioro clan. They were from the norther Chinese region of Manchuria. The Qing dynasty ruled from 1644 to 1912 and their last emperor was a six year old by the name of Puyi. -
Thomas Hobbes writes "Leviathan"
In 1651 Thomas Hobbes published the book "Leviathan". The name comes from the biblical Leviathan. The book focuses on the structure of society and government and is known as one of the most influential and earliest examples of Social Contract Theory. The book is divided up in four parts. -
Oliver Cromwell rules England
Oliver Cromwell was military and political leader. He then became Lord Protector of the Commonwealth of England, Scotland, and Ireland. Parliament ran England, Cromwell believed this was not an effective system. Cromwell was backed by the Army and sent military police home and became the leader of England. Cromwell was a Puritan, pushed for the execution of Charles, and everybody in England should follow his example. -
Peter I (the Great) becomes Czar
Peter was born in Russia and was the 14th child of Czar Alexis. Peter ruled jointly or together with his brother Ivan but when Ivan passed away, Peter became the ruler. He was known as the Sovereign of Russia. Peter is best known for his extensive reforms in an attempt to make Russia a better and great nation. -
Catherine the Great rules Russia
Catherine the Great was a German princess who came to Russia to marry a grandson of Peter the Great. Catherine tried to reform Russia and make it more European. Catherine also recognized local governments, reduced taxes for nobles and landowners, and gave them control over their lands and peasants. -
U.S. Constitution is ratified
Although the constitution was adopted and signed, that still was not enough. The consitution also had to be ratified, or clearly signed for consent. New Hampshire made the final ratification on June 21st, 1788. This constitution replaced the Articles of Confederation. -
French Revolution begins
Not only was the French Revolution a war but it was a war over social and political aspects. French citizens revamped and reinvented their politcal landscape. The French revolution was inspired by Enlightenment ideas. There were three phases: the moderate phase, radical phase, and counter-revolutionary phase. -
Reign of Terror begins
The Reign of Terror was a period of time between 1793 and 1794 when there was violence that happened after the French Revolution. The Reign of Terror encouraged conflict between two political groups. During the Terror, the French government took harsh measures against those that were suspected of being enemies to the French. -
Napoleon becomes Emperor
In Notre Dame cathedral in Paris, Napoleon is handed over the crown and is the first Frenchman to hold the title of emperor in a thousand years. Pope Pius VII handed Napoleon the crown when he was just 35 years of age. To this day Napoleon is known as one of the best military strategists in history. -
Napoleon is defeated at Waterloo
The Battle of Waterloo took place in Belgium in 1815. This battle marked the final defeat of Napoleon Bonaparte, the French military leader and emperor. Napoleon conquered most of continental Europe and rose through ranks in the French army. -
Tokugawa Shogunate ends
Japan's Tokugawa period was the final era of Japanese traditional government, culture, and society. In the mid 19th century, Tokugawa Shogunate began to grow increasingly weak. In the last part of the empire, two powerful clans joined forced and took down the empire. As a result, Meiji Restoration began in 1868.
