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Period: Jan 1, 1450 to
1450-1750
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Jan 1, 1453
Constantinople Falls
The fall of Constantinople marks the Ottoman Empire conquering Byzantium. Constantinople was a major city for people who practiced Eastern Orthodox Christianity, and when the Ottoman Turks took over, their ruling religion was replaced with Islam. -
Jan 1, 1492
Columbus Lands in North America
Columbus "discovering" North America is perhaps the most important factor in the United States coming into existence later on. Although this piece of information is largely popular specificallty in the U.S., our country is a very large world power, and if the British hadn't set up colonies in North America, life today would certainly be drastically different, -
Jan 1, 1517
Beginning of Protestant Reformation
With corruption in the rule over Europe by religious leaders, people, such as Martin Luther, took it upon themselves to battle the power the Catholic Church had over them. -
Aug 13, 1521
Spanish Conquer Aztec Empire
A small group of conquistadors made their way to Mexico, and with leadership from Hernán Cortés, who was a great strategist. They overtook the Aztec Empire and through futher expansion and cultural diffusion, Central and South America became what we know them as today. This was also how the first horses were brought to the Americas. -
Jan 1, 1550
Columbian Exchange has been Established
The Columbian Exchange fueled the slave trade which may very well be called the start of racism in North America that we still deal with today. It also created connections between countries and peoples that increased their economies, cultural diversity, and knowledge. -
Jan 1, 1582
Pope Gregory XIII Brings Gregorian Calendar into Use
The calendar put into use by Pope Gregory XIII is the calendar we still use today. It did arise from religion, but now is used across the world as a standard measurement of time. -
Virginia Founded by English
This was the first colony established in the (later) United States by the British, eventually to become one of the country's first states. -
Quebec Established by French
This was one of the first extablished colonies in Canada, and was fought over by the French and British. Each thought of it as their own, and fueled their long-standing feud. -
John Locke Publishes "An Essay Concerning Humane Understanding"
John Locke's writings were read by Thomas Jefferson. His ideas were crucial to the forming of not just the United States, but democracies around the world. -
Chinese Civil Service Examination System Works Well Enough for Other Countries to Use it as a Model
By the seventeen hundreds, the Chinese Civil Service Exams seemed to be succesfful enough for other countries to use it as a model in making their own government. In particular, the French used this as a model for their rule.