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Jan 1, 1300
The Renaissance Begins
The Renaissance began in Italian city-states during the late Middle Ages (1300's). The Renaissance was an increased interest in the arts, literature, and science. Instead of relying on Middles Age traditions, people began turning to the Greeks and Romans for inspiration and learning. During the Renaissance, an intellectual movement of humanism occured. More focus was put on human potential and achievements rather than referring to Christian teachings. -
Period: Jan 1, 1300 to
1300-1650
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Jan 2, 1300
Osman founds the Ottoman Empire
Osman was a very successful ghazi ( Islamic warrior ). His followers were called Ottomans and they followed a very strict Islamic code of conduct. Starting in 1300, Osman began building a small muslim state. -
Jan 1, 1347
The Bubonic Plague
The Bubonic Plague, or the Black Death, is responsible for the deaths of about 25 million Europeans. The Plague began in 1347 and was spread through fleas. The many deaths greatly effected the time period; there became an increased need for labor, and it leveled the social, economic playing field. -
Jan 1, 1398
Timur-i-Lang demolishes Delhi
Timur-i-Lang, or Timur the Lame, was a courageous and vicious warrior from Central Asia. Timur was permantely injured but despite this, he still proved to be a powerful conquerer. In 1398, he began invading Norhtern Indian, defeating the Delhi Sultanate, and taking conrtol of the capital, Delhi. -
Jan 1, 1434
The Rise of The Medicis
Cosimo de' Medici rose to power in 1434, starting an almost three century long dynasty. The families massive support of the arts and humanities were especially beneficial during the the Renaissance. For example, Lorenzo de' Medici greatly supported Renaissance artists Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo. -
Jan 1, 1452
Gutenberg invents Printing Press
In 1452, Johann Gutenberg, a german craftman, created a printing press that changed the world. The printing press was synthesized of European and Asian technologies. Books became more affordable because of mass-production. The lower classes now had access to literature and medcal books. -
Jan 2, 1453
Mehmed II and the Ottomans conquer Constantinople
Mehmed II captured Constantinople in 1453, which by then had a small population of 50,000. Constantinople had a very small territory, but still controlled the Bosporus Strait. This meant that Constantinople could easily cut-off interaction between the Ottomans in Asia and in Balkan. After weeks of trying to break in to the wall, Timur had finally broken into Constantinople. Timur allowed people of many different religions and cultures in the city. -
Jan 1, 1455
The Gutenberg Bible Printed
After creating a printing press that drastically affected the world, in 1455 Johann Gutenberg printed the first full-sized book. Gutenberg used his new movable and improved printing press to create the Gutenberg Bible. Before the Printing Press monks would spend months copying bibles but now they were able to mass produce religious literature. This contributed to the spread of multiple religions -
Jan 1, 1499
Isma'il conquers Persia
Isma'il was 12 years old when he began attacking what is now Iran. Using his strong military force, he achieved his goal two years later, and became a self-proclaimed Shah. Isma'il declared Shi'a Islam the state's religion and became a religious tyrant. After killing the Sunni people, a war between Isma'il and the Ottoman began. Their feud ended in 1514; the Ottomans defeate the Safavids at the Battle of Chaldiran. -
Feb 1, 1502
Michelangelo creates David
Michelangelo Buonarroti ( 1475-1564 ) was a classic renaissance man. He was a skilled painter, sculptor, and poet. Michelangelo created David in 1501-1504. It is a representation of David, the biblical figure, which symbolizes freedom. David also expressed humanism, showing the beauty of the human body. Michelangelo is well known for his portrayal of the human body. -
Jan 1, 1517
Martin Luther leads The Reformation
Martin Luther lead the Reformation on 1517 in Wittenberg, Germany. Luther did not agree with Tetzel's actions and in response wrote the 95 theses and posted them on the door to a castle church. Many people copied these statments, and soon Martin Luther was known in Germany as starting the religious reform. Luther's actions eventually led to the founding of Christian churches. -
Jan 1, 1520
Suleyman comes to Power
Suleyman the Lawgiver, or Suleyman I, came to power in 1520, and spent his 46 year reign expanding and bettering his empire. This was th beginning of Suleyman's many achievements. For example, in 1521 he conquered Belgrade and in the following year, had conrol of the whole Eastern Mediterranean. The Ottomans, with Suleyman as their leader, conquered all cities alonf the North African coastline, and parts of Europe. Suleyman the Lawgiver is most famous for his law code. -
Jan 1, 1534
Henry VIII starts the Church of England
The Pope denied Henry's request for divorce from his first wife, Catherine of Aragon, in 1527. In 1529, Henry called together the Reformation Parliament and aske them to pass laws that would dismantle the Pope's power. Then in 1533, Henry divorced Catherine and married Anne Boleyn in secret. Finally in 1534, Henry became the head of the English Church, thanks to the Act of Supremacy. -
Jan 1, 1559
Elizabeth I restores Protestantism
Elizabeth I began her rule in 1558. Her goal was to bring Protestantism back to her kingdom. In 1559, per Elizabeth's request, Parliament built the Church of England. Elizabeth was the head of Enlgand's only legitimate Church. She later set up rules that would please both Catholics and Protestansts. -
Jan 1, 1563
Council of Trent inroduces Catholic Reforms
The Council of Trent was a group of catholic bishops and cardinals. The council of church leaders met in Trent, and agreed on several catholic reforms.
* One rule was that the Church's interpretation was final, any person who substituted their own was a heretic.
* Luther argued followers were not saved by faith; also needed good deeds for salvation.
* The Bible and Church were equal leaders of the Christian life.
* Indulgences were accepted, however selling an invalid one was unacceptable -
Aug 24, 1572
St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre
John Calvin, a religious reformer, spread Calvinism. There had been much hatred between Catholics and Huguenots ( Calvin's followers called in France ). There had been much violence betwwen the two, but the bloodiest was in Paris during the Catholic feast of St. Bartholomew's Day. Mobs of Catholic followers began tracking and murdering Protestants at dawn. The massacre spread and as many as 12,000 Huguenots in the six month span. -
Shah Abbas take the Throne
Under the rule of Shah Abbas, beginning in 1587, the Safavids went through a perios of culture stimulation. Abbas the Great built a new capital, Esfahan, that is considered one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Abbas brought Chines artists that mingled with the already present Persians and together made beautiful paintings, tiles, and other artworks. He also made military and government changes. Abbas limited military power and recruitted foreigners to fill government positions. -
Buliding a Beauty Begins
In 1632, Shah Jahan ordered the construction of The Taj Mahal, after his wife Mumtaz Mahal died during labor in 1631. Jahan ordered thant this memorial be " as beautiful as she was beautiful " The Taj Mahal combined bith indu and Muslim styles and is considered one of the most beautiful buildings. But while the tomb was being built, Jahan's people suffered, almost as Jahan had when Mumtaz died.