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1440
Johannes Gutenberg Invents the Printing Press.
Society was forever changed when he invented the printing press. This new machine allowed for the faster and less expensive creation of books. This greatly expanded the spread of information. -
Period: 1440 to
The Renaissance As Viewed By Mr. Spielman's Class
During this period, art and thought were changed to a more central line of thinking. These lines of thinking centered mostly around the humanities. Art was made more realistic and about the individual. -
Oct 12, 1492
Christopher Columbus Lands in America
On this day, Christopher Columbus "Discovered America". This is only partially true because there were already people living there, the Native Americans. This is partially true, though, because he was the first European to set foot in the new world. The reason he was sent by Spain on this journey was to find a western route to Asia. Instead, he found America. -
1498
Vasco Da Gama Sails Around Africa To India
Vasco Da Gama was the first person to sail all the way around Africa to India. This revolutionized sea trade between Europe and Asia. Some ships even still use this route today. -
Period: 1500 to
European Exploration
During this time period, the Europeans were scrambling to get as much resources and territory as possible. This was the space race of that time period. Countries were competing over who could obtain the most territory and resources. -
1501
Michelangelo Sculpts the Statue of David
This is the most famous sculpture that Michelangelo ever sculpted. It was placed in a public square outside the Palazzo Vecchio. -
1503
Leonardo Da Vinci Paints the Mona Lisa
This painting is important for two reasons. The first is that it is considered the most famous painting ever done by Leonardo Da Vinci. The second is that it was a front runner for the new renaissance style of painting. This painting style is more realistic and doesn't always present someone as beautiful, they are painted exactly how they look. -
1509
Erasmus Writes " The Praise of Folly"
Erasmus writes this book to complain mostly about the church and its religious figures. It was the beginning of the complaints about the church being corrupted. -
Jun 24, 1509
King Henry VIII is Coronated
On this day, Henry VIII is made king of England and Ireland. -
1512
Michelangelo Finishes the Sistine Chapel
For four years, Michelangelo laid on his back on a scaffolding and painted this masterpiece on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. It is what he is most famous for -
1517
Martin Luther Posts his 95 Theses
Martin Luther believed that the Catholic Church has become corrupt and lost it's ways. He posted 95 theses on the church door saying what he thought was wrong with the church. -
Period: 1517 to
The Reformation
Before the Reformation, the one major religion in Europe was the Roman Catholic Church. The Catholic Church sold things called indulgences at very high prices. People came together against the Catholic church and began to form the Protestant Reformation. -
1521
Hernan Cortes Conquers the Aztec Empire and Claims Mexico for Spain
Hernan Cortes was sent to conquer Mexico, which had been discovered by Spain a year earlier. Since the day of discovery, Spain was eager to have it. Once Hernan Cortes declared Mexico for Spain, it was named New Spain and Cortes was named governor. -
Jan 3, 1521
Martin Luther Gets Excommunicated
Martin Luther is brought before a council and excommunicated from the Catholic Church for heresy. This was because he posted 95 theses and spoke against the Catholic Church. This means that they kicked him out for calling them corrupt and wrong in their ways. -
1522
Ferdinand Magellan's Expedition is the First to Circumnavigate the World
While he didn't survive the journey due to a poison tipped arrow from a native on an island, Magellan is still famous for his expedition. The expedition itself is famous because it was the first time that anyone had sailed all the way across the world. The majority of his men and ships did not make it, but some survivors and an extreme few number of ships made it all the way. -
May 23, 1533
King Henry Divorces Catherine of Aragon
This event was very important because it signaled the royalty leaving the church. King Henry was angry that the pope of the Catholic Church would not allow him to divorce Catherine. In order to divorce her, he left the Roman Catholic Church and started his own church, the Anglican Church. -
Aug 29, 1533
Francisco Pizarro Executes the Last Inca Emperor
The Inca empire was one of a few empires in the sights of the Spanish empire. This new gain of land included modern day Peru, Chile, and Ecuador. -
1534
St. Ignatius de Loyola Founds the Jesuits
The society of Jesus was a weapon of the Catholic Church in the war against Protestantism. The Jesuits were used to spread the word of the Catholic Church throughout England. -
Jun 9, 1534
Jacques Cartier Discovers the St. Lawrence River
The discovery and use of this river allowed Cartier to explore and claim Canada for France. The French then used this river to exploit Canadian resources. -
1538
King Henry VIII Makes the Anglican Church The official church of England
This event was the start of the English Reformation of the church. Henry had the country of England officially leave the Roman Catholic Church. -
1543
Nicolas Copernicus Releases Heliocentrism
Before Copernicus stated his ideas, the world thought that the whole universe revolved around the Earth. People were even executed for stating otherwise. Nicolas was brave enough to speak out and say that Earth, among many other planets, revolved around the Sun. This was called heliocentric theory. -
1550
Calvinism Begins to Spread
Calvinism is another branch of Protestantism. John Calvin spread his ideas about Christianity and what was wrong with the Catholic Church. The spread of his ideas eventually led to the creation of Calvinism by his followers. -
Period: 1550 to
The Scientific Revolution
During this time period, many people discovered things about the universe and how it works. You have Kepler and his three laws of planetary motion, Newton and his laws of motion, discoveries about the human body, the stars. Discoveries were made in every field of science. -
Period: 1550 to
Absolute Monarchies As Viewed By Mr. Spielman's Class
During this time period, absolute rulers were in power. Most if not all of these rulers believed in divine right. Divine right meant that God himself gave them the right to rule and them alone. Each monarch passed its mantle to their closest remaining relative when the time came. The downside to absolute monarchies meant that one person had total power over everyone and everything, without them getting any say in it. -
1558
Elizabeth the First Becomes Supreme Governor of the Church
King Henry may have started and officiated the Anglican Church, but many say that he didn't exactly follow protestant ideas. Elizabeth, however, was a full blown Protestant and led the Anglican Church. -
Jan 15, 1559
Queen Elizabeth's Coronation
On this day, Queen Elizabeth was officially coronated as the Queen of England and Ireland. -
Francis Drake Defeats The Spanish Armada
The Spanish Armada was a force to be reckoned with, And England was about to be at it's mercy. However, with the help of infamous sailor, Francis Drake, the English managed to stave off this powerful naval force. -
William Shakespeare Writes Romeo and Juliet
While it is unclear whether or not Shakespeare is the original author, his work, Romeo and Juliet, is infamous. This story of star crossed lovers has traveled through the centuries and will most certainly be a favorite for ages to come. -
William Shakespeare Writes Hamlet
One of Shakespeare's most famous works, Hamlet is about a man contemplating suicide, while going through horrific problems with others as well as in his head. -
Miguel de Cervantes Publishes the First Part of Don Quixote
Don Quixote is infamous for being one of the very first ever novels. It started the classic idea of a hero running around and saving the day. -
Johannes Kepler Releases His First Two Laws of Planetary Motion
Kepler is infamous for releasing his three laws of planetary motion. His first two are as follows: All planets orbit the Sun in an elliptical orbit, and radius vectors joining any planet to the Sun sweeps out in equal lengths of time. -
Galileo Galilei Creates His First Telescope
This invention changed science forever. It made it so that you could take a monumentally better look at the stars than with your eyes. It allowed for many discoveries for years to come. -
Miguel de Cervantes Publishes the Second Part of Don Quixote
On this day, the second part of Cervates' infamous book, Don Quixote, was published. As it turns out, this imaginary hero wasn't exactly good at his job. -
Period: to
The Thirty Years War
The thirty years war was the most destructive religious war in European history. It was held in mainly present day Germany. It was mostly between Catholics and Protestants. -
Johannes Kepler Releases His Third and Final Law of Planetary Motion
Kepler's third and final law states that the square of the orbital period of a planet is proportional to the cube of the semi-major axis of its orbit. This helped encompass the idea of the relationship of the distance of a planet from the Sun, and its orbital period. -
King Charles I is Coronated
On this day, Charles the first is made king of England and Ireland. His reign was filled with controversy, and eventually led to his execution. -
William Harvey States the Purpose of the Heart
No one really understood the purpose or function of the human body until people like Harvey began to study it. Harvey stated that the heart pumped blood throughout the body via the circulatory system. -
Period: to
English Civil War
This war was about the people. They were angry that they were not represented well enough. They wanted more say in their government and they were willing to fight for their right to speak for themselves. This resulted in the English Bill of Rights, and a more powerful representative parliament. -
Oliver Cromwell Begins to Fight for "The Roundheads"
During the English civil war, opposition of the king were called "Roundheads" because of their haircuts. Oliver Cromwell, a pivotal figure in the English Civil War, was a "Roundhead" -
King Charles I is Executed
To end the English Civil War, the "Roundheads" are victorious. As a result, their oppressive leader, King Charles the First, is executed. -
Thomas Hobbes' Book, Leviathan, is Published
A major philosopher, Thomas Hobbes puts his ideas about a society into a book and calls it Leviathan. Hobbes believed that people were born wicked and that it was up to the government to keep them in their place. -
Oliver Cromwell is "Coronated"
Oliver Cromwell was not, in fact, actually coronated. Seeing as how the people of England had just fought a war against the monarchy, they did not want one. Instead, Cromwell was named "First Lord Protector of the Commonwealth of England, Ireland, and Scotland." -
King Louis XIV is Coronated
King Louis XIV of France was known as "The Sun King." He moved the French Court to Versailles. Many later Monarchs tried to model their rules after his. -
The Location of the Court of France is Moved to Versailles
The palace of Versailles was not always a palace. It was, in fact, a hunting lodge for Louis ancestors. Before it was rebuilt, Luis XIV went on frequent jaunts with his mistresses there in secret. Eventually, he had it constructed into a palace and had his family and court move there. -
Isaac Newton Creates the Three Laws of Motion
By getting hit with an apple on the head, Newton began to think about physics. This eventually led to him releasing his three laws of motion. These three laws are: an object in a state of rest or motion stays in said state unless acted upon, mass times acceleration equals force, and for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. -
Period: to
Glorious Revolution
In order to overthrow Charles the Second, Parliament invited William of Orange to bring his army in to take over and destroy Charles' Monarchy. Fortunately, Charles knew when he had lost and he left the country before any conflict could ensue. Since absolutely no blood was shed when William arrived at the head of an army, this was called the Glorious Revolution. -
William and Mary Are Coronated as Joint Monarchs
William of Orange and Mary are the replacement team to King Charles. They were the heads of the Glorious Revolution. It was called the Glorious Revolution because no blood was shed. -
John Locke Writes His Two Treatises On Government
John Locke is an infamous philosopher. He is most famous for his thoughts on individual freedom. His most known works are his two treatises on government.These state how the government should operate in order to protect the rights and freedoms of the individual. He also touches on Social Contract Theory in his second treatise. Locke was a pivotal figure in the enlightenment period. -
Period: to
The Enlightenment
This time period circled around intense thought. This thought was mostly about society and government. It was also about freedom of the individual and freedom of the society. Government is both though to protect and infringe upon the rights and freedoms of the individual. Social Contract Theory is also introduced during this time period. Social Contract Theory is where people come together out of a state of nature under a government in order to form a functional society. -
Frederick the Great is Coronated
Frederick the Great was the king of Prussia. He led Prussia to victory during the thirty years war. He is most famous for his military tactics. -
Baron de Montesquieu Publishes The Spirit of Laws
Montesquieu was another very important figure in the enlightenment. His book, The Spirit of Laws, is about how the government should operate within the best interests of the people. His main idea was of a government with three branches so that power was not total. This introduced checks and balances. -
Voltaire's Candide is Published
Candide was written by Voltaire during the age of enlightenment. It is mostly about the idea of optimism. Voltaire is most famous for writing against the French Government. Voltaire, however is nothing but a pen name. His actual name was Francois Marie Arouet. -
Jean Jacques Rousseau Publishes The Social Contract
Rousseau was a pivotal philosopher in the enlightenment period. His philosophy was so monumentally important because of the very ideas stated in this book. The Social Contract is about a theory of Rousseau's creation, the social contract theory. This theory states that people come together out of a state of nature, and serve under a government in order to shape a functional society. -
Frederick the Great Helps Win the Seven Years War
Frederick the Great is infamous for his military tactics. The seven years war was between almost every country in Europe and was across many continents. He was the leader of Prussia -
King Louis XVI is Coronated
King Louis XVI was king during the French Revolution. The people were upset with how he ran the government. He didn't give them enough representation and way over taxed them. -
Storming of the Bastille
This is the one event that Mr. Spielman actually wanted us to remember the date for. This event is so important because it marked the beginning of the French Revolution. The French stormed the Bastille, a prison, and gained all of the militaristic resources inside. In the process, they also freed all of it's prisoners. -
Period: to
The French Revolution
People hated the rule of King Louis XVI. They were way over taxed and under represented. The French Revolution is fought to destroy the monarchy of King Louis XVI and gain more rights, freedoms, and representation for the people. This ended with the execution of Louis. -
King Louis XVI is Executed
To end the French Revolution, King Louis is publicly executed. After this, it is said that a young boy held his head above the masses and said, "Long live the revolution." This marked the end of the French Revolution, and the beginning of the reign of terror. -
Period: to
The Reign of Terror
This period occurred right after the French Revolution. The guillotine has never been used more frequently. Robespierre executed thousands of people who were "Against the Revolution." He himself eventually was executed for all of his actions. -
Napoleon Crowns Himself Emperor
On this day, Napoleon was to be crowned supreme emperor of the French empire, by his own decree. When the crown was about to be placed on his head, he took the crown and placed it on his own head. -
Napoleon Wins the Battle of Austerlitz
This battle was pivotal in Napoleons quest to conquer. His troops were losing morale, and the numbers within his army were dropping. He used his genius brain in order to bring the French to victory in a battle who's tactics are still studied today. -
Napoleon is Exiled to Elba
Due to his constant conquest, other nations ally behind the back of the French. They go to France and force Napoleon int exile to the island of Elba. -
Napoleon Loses the Battle of Waterloo
In an attempt to take back what is rightfully his, Napoleon gathers his remaining loyal troops and heads to Paris. At Waterloo, though he is stopped and defeated by the allies. -
Napoleon Arrives On St. Helena
After his loss at Waterloo, Napoleon is exiled for a second and final time to the island of St. Helena. There, he has no chances of returning with a military force. -
Eugene Delacroix Paints Liberty Leading the People
Eugene Delacroix is infamous for his painting, Liberty Leading the People. It is about the French Revolution. It portrays normal people with guns following a woman (Liberty) over a pile of dead French soldiers.
