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Jan 1, 1348
The Black Death
1348 - 1351
A continent-wide epidemic, the Black Death, an outbreak of the bubonic plague, killed over 25 million people and devastated European society. -
Jan 1, 1350
Renaissance
1350-1550
The Renaissance, meaning "rebirth", was a period of time from the 1300s to the 1500s that marked a revival of society. It began in Italy as a cultural movement, and spread outward throughout Europe. -
Period: Jan 1, 1350 to Dec 31, 1550
Renaissance
The Renaissance, meaning "rebirth", was a period of time from the 1300s to the 1500s that marked a revival of society. It began in Italy as a cultural movement, and spread outward throughout Europe. -
Jan 1, 1415
Council of Constance burns Hus and ends Great Schism
1415-1417
The Council of Constance ended the controversy of the three Popes by electing Pope Martin V, and also sentenced to death Jan Hus over heretic charges. -
Jan 1, 1450
Exploration
1450-1600
The European Age of Exploration was a crucial factor in the European transition from the agrarian economy of the middle ages to a commercial and industrial capitalistic system. -
Period: Jan 1, 1450 to
Exploration
The European Age of Exploration was a crucial factor in the European transition from the agrarian economy of the middle ages to a commercial and industrial capitalistic system. -
May 29, 1453
Fall of Constantinople
Constantinople, the capital of the Byzantine Empire, was invaded and captured by an army of the Ottoman Empire on May 29, 1453. -
Oct 19, 1453
Hundred Years War Ends
The Hundred Years War, a conflict between France and England, ended on October 19th, 1453, leaving Calais as the last English possession in France. -
Jan 1, 1455
Invention of Printing Press
In 1455, Gutenberg completed his 42-line Bible, known as the Gutenberg Bible, which was the first book printed on his movable type printing press. -
Jan 2, 1492
Completion of Reconquista in Spain
The Reconquista was completed on January 2, 1492, with the conquest of Granada. -
Oct 12, 1492
Columbus Encounters America
Columbus landed on October 12, 1492, and while he believed to have reached the West Indies, he actually reached America. -
Jan 1, 1500
Protestant and Catholic Reformations
Sixteenth Century
During the second half of the fifteenth century, the new Classical learning that was part of Italian Renaissance humanism spread to northern Europe and spawned a movement called Christian or northern Renaissance humanism whose major goal was the reform of Christianity. This movement perpetuated both the Protestant and Catholic Reformations during the 1500s. -
Jan 1, 1500
Early Modern Society
1500-1700
This period of history, spanning from the end of the middle ages until the beginning of the Industrial Revolution, was a period of monumental change in Europe. The entire culture of the continent changed as religion was redefined countless times, nations rose and fell, and society was reinvented. -
Jan 1, 1500
Price Revolution
Sixteenth Century
The dramatic rise in prices that occurred throughout Europe in the sixteenth century, known as the Price Revolution, was a result of a large influx of gold and silver from the New World and Central Europe. -
Period: Jan 1, 1500 to
Protestant and Catholic Reformations
During the second half of the fifteenth century, the new Classical learning that was part of Italian Renaissance humanism spread to northern Europe and spawned a movement called Christian or northern Renaissance humanism whose major goal was the reform of Christianity. This movement perpetuated both the Protestant and Catholic Reformations during the 1500s. -
Period: Jan 1, 1500 to
Early Modern Society
This period of history, spanning from the end of the middle ages until the beginning of the Industrial Revolution, was a period of monumental change in Europe. The entire culture of the continent changed as religion was redefined countless times, nations rose and fell, and society was reinvented. -
Period: Jan 1, 1500 to
Price Revolution
The dramatic rise in prices that occurred throughout Europe in the sixteenth century, known as the Price Revolution, was a result of a large influx of gold and silver from the New World and Central Europe. -
Oct 31, 1517
Luther posts 95 Theses
On October 31, 1517, Luther allegedly posted his 95 Theses on the door of a church in Wittenberg, sparking the Protestant Reformation. -
Nov 8, 1519
Cortés conquers the Aztecs
Hernan Cortés conquered the Aztecs on November 8, 1519, and consequently conquered Mexico for Spain. -
Jan 1, 1520
Wars of Religion
1520s-1650
The European Wars of Religion were a series of religious wars waged in Europe following the onset of the Protestant Reformation, and were strongly influenced by the religious uncertainty that arose as a result of the change that occurred. Fighting occurred throughout the continent, in places such as Modern-Day Germany, France, and Britain. -
Period: Jan 1, 1520 to
Wars of Religion
The European Wars of Religion were a series of religious wars waged in Europe following the onset of the Protestant Reformation, and were strongly influenced by the religious uncertainty that arose as a result of the change that occurred. Fighting occurred throughout the continent, in places such as Modern-Day Germany, France, and Britain. -
Nov 1, 1534
Act of Supremacy
The Act of Supremacy in England passed in November of 1534 created the Anglican Church, with the King of England at its head. -
Jan 1, 1536
Calvin establishes reformed faith in Geneva
Throughout 1536, John Calvin established his reformed Church in Geneva. -
Jan 1, 1543
Scientific Revolution
1543-1687
The Scientific Revolution was a period where scientists such as Galileo, Descartes, and Newton altered traditional interpretations of nature and challenged traditional sources of knowledge, revolutionizing the way that people viewed the universe and the world around them. -
Jan 1, 1543
Copernicus publishes Heliocentric Theory
Copernicus publishes his heliocentric theory in 1543, going against popular beliefs at the time. His theory was not accepted until much later, long after his death. -
Period: Jan 1, 1543 to
Scientific Revolution
The Scientific Revolution was a period where scientists such as Galileo, Descartes, and Newton altered traditional interpretations of nature and challenged traditional sources of knowledge, revolutionizing the way that people viewed the universe and the world around them. -
Dec 13, 1545
Council of Trent opens
The Council of Trent opened on December 13, 1545 with the intention of reform in the Catholic Church. -
Jan 1, 1550
Dutch Commercial Dominance
1550-1650
As Dutch naval power rose rapidly as a major force in the late 16th century, the Netherlands dominated global commerce during the17th century during a cultural flowering known as the Dutch Golden Age, where Dutch trade, science, military, and art were among the most acclaimed in the world. -
Jan 1, 1550
Age of Crisis
1550-1650
Europe from 1550 to 1660 saw a period of extreme dislocation and major change, within which saw periods boom and bust in various regions across the continent. -
Period: Jan 1, 1550 to
Dutch Commercial Dominance
As Dutch naval power rose rapidly as a major force in the late 16th century, the Netherlands dominated global commerce during the17th century during a cultural flowering known as the Dutch Golden Age, where Dutch trade, science, military, and art were among the most acclaimed in the world. -
Period: Jan 1, 1550 to
Age of Crisis
Europe from 1550 to 1660 saw a period of extreme dislocation and major change, within which saw periods boom and bust in various regions across the continent. -
Sep 25, 1555
Peace of Augsburg ends religious war in Germany
On September 25, 1555, the Peace of Augsburg officially ended the religious struggle between the Protestants and Catholics and made the legal division of Christendom permanent within the Holy Roman Empire. -
Oct 25, 1555
Charles V abdicates
Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor, October 25, 1555 abdicates the throne in favor of his younger brother Ferdinand I. -
Jan 1, 1580
Witchcraft Scare
1580-1680
Witchcraft, while not an entirely new phenomenon, came to be known as sinister and dangerous when the church began to connect witches to the activities of the devil, transforming witchcraft into a heresy that need to be wiped out. -
Period: Jan 1, 1580 to
Witchcraft Scare
Witchcraft, while not an entirely new phenomenon, came to be known as sinister and dangerous when the church began to connect witches to the activities of the devil, transforming witchcraft into a heresy that need to be wiped out. -
Spanish Armada Defeated
The Spanish Armada was defeated by the English on July 29, 1588, ending their naval power and establishing England as a world-class power. -
Edict of Nantes ends French religious wars
On April 30, 1598, Henry IV of France passed the Edict of Nantes, which ended the French rligious wars and granted the Huguenots substantial rights in a nation still considered essentially Catholic. -
Commercial Revolution
Seventeenth and Eighteenth Centuries
The Commercial Revolution was a period of European economic expansion, colonialism, and mercantilism which lasted until the eighteenth century, when it was succeeded by the Industrial Revolution. -
Baroque Art
1600-1750
Baroque art began in Italy in the last quarter of the sixteenth century and spread to the rest of Europe. Baroque artists sought to bring together the Classical ideals of Renaissance art with the spiritual feelings of the sixteenth-century religious revival. Baroque painting was known for its use of dramatic effects to heighten emotional intensity. Baroque art and architecture reflected the search for power that was a large part of the seventeenth-century ethos. -
Period: to
Commercial Revolution
The Commercial Revolution was a period of European economic expansion, colonialism, and mercantilism which lasted until the eighteenth century, when it was succeeded by the Industrial Revolution. -
Period: to
Baroque Art
Baroque art began in Italy in the last quarter of the sixteenth century and spread to the rest of Europe. Baroque artists sought to bring together the Classical ideals of Renaissance art with the spiritual feelings of the sixteenth-century religious revival. Baroque painting was known for its use of dramatic effects to heighten emotional intensity. Baroque art and architecture reflected the search for power that was a large part of the seventeenth-century ethos. -
Dutch East India Company Founded
The Dutch East India Company was founded on March 20, 1602, when the States General of the Netherlands granted it a 21-year monopoly to carry out trade activities in Asia. -
Conflict between Parliament and King in England
1603-1689
During the majority of the seventtenth century, England experienced a number of conflicts between the monarchy and Parliament, causing a massive power struggle that lasted the reigns of several kings and the rule of Oliver Cromwell, England's only dictator. -
Period: to
Conflict between Parliament and King in England
During the majority of the seventtenth century, England experienced a number of conflicts between the monarchy and Parliament, causing a massive power struggle that lasted the reigns of several kings and the rule of Oliver Cromwell, England's only dictator. -
Stuart Monarchy begins in England
The Stuart Monarchy began in England on March 24, 1603 with the rule of James I. -
Age of Louis XIV
1643-1715
At the age of twenty-three, Louis XIV became the king of France. France during his reign has been regarded as the best example of the practice of absolute monarchy in the seventeenth century. French culture, language, and manners influenced all levels of European society. -
Period: to
Age of Louis XIV
At the age of twenty-three, Louis XIV became the king of France. France during his reign has been regarded as the best example of the practice of absolute monarchy in the seventeenth century. French culture, language, and manners influenced all levels of European society. -
Peace of Westphalia ends Thirty Years' War
Signed between May and October of 1648, the Peace of Westphalia was a series of peace treaties that ended the Thirty Years' War. -
Charles I Executed in England
Charles I was executed on January 30,1649, ushering in the rule of Oliver Cromwell and the Rump Parliament. -
Absolutism
1650-1750
Absolute monarchy, or absolutism, meant that the sovereign power or ultimate authority in the state rested in the hands of a king who claimed to rule by divine right; Sovereign power consisted of the authority to make laws, tax, administer justice, control the state’s administrative system, and determine foreign policy. -
Commerical Wars
1650-1763
As a result of commercial rivalry,17th- and 18th-century naval conflicts broke out between England and the Dutch Republic.The wars, also called the Anglo-Dutch Wars, established England's naval might. -
Rise of Prussia
1650-1763
Frederick William the Great Elector, helped establish Prussia as a power in Europe, and Prussia continued to rise in power well into the eighteenth century. -
Period: to
Absolutism
Absolute monarchy, or absolutism, meant that the sovereign power or ultimate authority in the state rested in the hands of a king who claimed to rule by divine right; Sovereign power consisted of the authority to make laws, tax, administer justice, control the state’s administrative system, and determine foreign policy. -
Period: to
Commercial Wars
As a result of commercial rivalry,17th- and 18th-century naval conflicts broke out between England and the Dutch Republic.The wars, also called the Anglo-Dutch Wars, established England's naval might. -
Period: to
Rise of Prussia
Frederick William the Great Elector, helped establish Prussia as a power in Europe, and Prussia continued to rise in power well into the eighteenth century. -
Peter the Great's reign begins
Peter the Great's rule of the Russian empire began on May 7, 1682. -
Newton published Principia Mathematica
Newton published on July 5, 1687 his "Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy", often referred to as simply the Principia, which is regarded as one of the most important works in science. -
Glorious Revolution
The Glorious Revolution, also called the Revolution of 1688, was the overthrow of King James II of England by a union of English Parliamentarians with William of Orange. -
Rise of Russia
1689-1815
What was once merely the principality of Moscow, by the 18th century, the Tsardom of Russia had become the huge Russian Empire, stretching from the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth eastward to the Pacific Ocean. -
Period: to
Rise of Russia
What was once merely the principality of Moscow, by the 18th century, the Tsardom of Russia had become the huge Russian Empire, stretching from the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth eastward to the Pacific Ocean. -
Bank of England Founded
The Royal Charter for the Bank of England was granted on July 27, 1694 through the passage of the Tonnage Act. -
Rise of the Middle Class
Eighteenth Century
The middle class underwent a massive expansion as a result of the Industrial Revolution. The Industrial Revolution offered both new forms of production and new scales of production that provided much more flexible investments for those in the middle class than the land held by the nobility and the Church. -
Agicultural Revolution
Eighteenth Century
The Agricultural Revolution was the unprecedented increase in agricultural production beginning in England due to increases in labour and land productivity. Major developments and innovations occurred, eventually leading up to the Industrial Revolution. -
Enlightenment
Eighteenth Century
During the 18th century, a group of intellectuals known as the philosophes popularized the ideas of the Scientific Revolution and used them to undertake a dramatic reexamination of all aspects of life. Immanuel Kant, a German philosopher, defined the Enlightenment as “man’s leaving his self caused immaturity.” The 18th century Enlightenment was a movement of intellectuals who dared to know. -
Period: to
Rise of the Middle Class
The middle class underwent a massive expansion as a result of the Industrial Revolution. The Industrial Revolution offered both new forms of production and new scales of production that provided much more flexible investments for those in the middle class than the land held by the nobility and the Church. -
Period: to
Enlightenment
During the 18th century, a group of intellectuals known as the philosophes popularized the ideas of the Scientific Revolution and used them to undertake a dramatic reexamination of all aspects of life. Immanuel Kant, a German philosopher, defined the Enlightenment as “man’s leaving his self caused immaturity.” The 18th century Enlightenment was a movement of intellectuals who dared to know. -
Period: to
Agricultural Revolution
The Agricultural Revolution was the unprecedented increase in agricultural production beginning in England due to increases in labour and land productivity. Major developments and innovations occurred, eventually leading up to the Industrial Revolution. -
Peace of Utrecht
The Treaty of Utrecht, which established the Peace of Utrecht, is a series of individual peace treaties, signed by the participantsin the War of the Spanish Succession, in the Dutch city of Utrecht in March and April 1713. The treaties helped end the war. -
King Louis XIV dies
King Louis XIV died on September 1,1715, ending the reign of the Sun King. -
Rococo Art
1720-1760
Rococo was an artistic movement and style, developed in the early 18th century in Paris, France as a reaction against the grandeur, symmetry, and strict regulations of the Baroque, -
Period: to
Rococo Art
Rococo was an artistic movement and style, developed in the early 18th century in Paris, France as a reaction against the grandeur, symmetry, and strict regulations of the Baroque, -
War of Austrian Succession Begins
The War of Austrian Succession began when King Frederick II of Prussia violated the Pragmatic Sanction and invaded Silesia on December 16, 1740, -
Industrial Revolution
1750 - 1850
The Industrial Revolution was a period during which predominantly agrarian, rural societies became industrial and urban. Prior to the Industrial Revolution, manufacturing was often done in people’s homes, using hand tools or basic machines. Industrialization marked a shift to powered, special-purpose machinery, factories and mass production. -
Period: to
Industrial Revolution
The Industrial Revolution was a period during which predominantly agrarian, rural societies became industrial and urban. Prior to the Industrial Revolution, manufacturing was often done in people’s homes, using hand tools or basic machines. Industrialization marked a shift to powered, special-purpose machinery, factories and mass production. -
Treaty of Paris Ends Seven Years' War
The Treaty of Paris, also known as the Treaty of 1763, was signed on February 10, 1763 by the kingdoms of Great Britain, France and Spain, with Portugal in agreement, after Britain's victory over France and Spain during the Seven Years' War. -
Smith publishes Wealth of Nations
Adam Smith published Wealth of Nations on March 9,1776, which was about economic and societal conditions during the beginning of the Industrial Revolution. -
American Revolution
On July 4, 1776, Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence, forming the United States of America, and subsequently causing the Revolutionary War. -
Age of Revolutions
1789-1848
During the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, a number of significant revolutionary movements occurred throughout Europe, especially the French Revolution, perpetuating great change across the continent. -
Period: to
Age of Revolutions
During the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, a number of significant revolutionary movements occurred throughout Europe, especially the French Revolution, perpetuating great change across the continent. -
French Revolution begins
The French Revolution began on July 14, 1789 with the storming of the Bastille. -
Feminism
1790s - 1980s
Feminism, the advocacy of women's rights on the grounds of political, social, and economic equality to men, grew throughout the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. -
Rise of Nationalism
1790s - 1914
In the 19th century, a wave of romantic nationalism swept the European continent. Newly formed countries, such as Germany, Italy and Romania were formed by uniting various regional states with a common "national identity"; Others, such as Greece, Poland and Bulgaria, were formed by winning their independence. -
Period: to
Feminism
Feminism, the advocacy of women's rights on the grounds of political, social, and economic equality to men, grew throughout the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. -
Period: to
Rise of Nationalism
n the 19th century, a wave of romantic nationalism swept the European continent. Newly formed countries, such as Germany, Italy and Romania were formed by uniting various regional states with a common "national identity"; Others, such as Greece, Poland and Bulgaria, were formed by winning their independence. -
Mary Wollstonecraft begins feminist movement
Mary Wollstonecraft begins feminist movement with the publication of "A Vindication of the Rights of Woman: with Strictures on Political and Moral Subjects" in 1792. -
Napoleon comes to power in France
On November 9, 1799, Napoleon rose to power, and with a new constitution preserved the appearance of a republic but in reality established a military dictatorship. -
Romanticism
First half of Nineteenth Century
Romanticism was an intellectual and artistic movement that dominated Europe at the beginning of the 19th century that placed an emphasis on heart and sentiment, rejected the emphasis of reason that was present in the Enlightenment, and emphasized the importance of intuition, feeling, emotion, and imagination as sources of knowing. -
Period: to
Romanticism
Romanticism was an intellectual and artistic movement that dominated Europe at the beginning of the 19th century that placed an emphasis on heart and sentiment, rejected the emphasis of reason that was present in the Enlightenment, and emphasized the importance of intuition, feeling, emotion, and imagination as sources of knowing. -
Congress of Vienna
The Congress of Vienna, held from 1814-1815, was a conference of ambassadors of European states with the goal of establishing lasting peace in Europe. -
Napoleon Abdicates
Napoleon abdicates the throne on June 22, 1815, and is exiled. -
Rise of Liberalism
1830s - 1870s
Liberalism, a political philosophy or worldview founded on ideas of liberty and equality, rose in prominence in the middle of the nineteenth century, -
Period: to
Rise of Liberalism
Liberalism, a political philosophy or worldview founded on ideas of liberty and equality, rose in prominence in the middle of the nineteenth century, -
Greek Independence
As a result of the London protocol on February 3, 1830, Greece is recognized as an independent, sovereign state. -
Revolution in France
The French Revolution of 1830, also known as the July Revolution, saw the shift from one monarch to another, with a constitutional monarchy still at the head of France. -
Belgian Independence
Belgium becomes independent from the United Netherlands on October 4, 1830, as a result of the Belgian Revolution. -
Communist Manifesto Published
Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels publish the "Communist Manifesto" on February 21, 1848. -
Revolutions of 1848
The Revolutions of 1848 were a series of political upheavals throughout Europe in 1848, and remain the most widespread revolutionary wave in European history, -
Unification and Nation Building
1850-1875
Fueled by Nationalism, countries such as Germany and Italy were formed as a result of the desire to become unified states. -
Realism and Materialism
1850s - 1870s
With growing ideas of realism and materialism in the nineteenth century, Europe became more focused on materialistic ideals and grew away from ideas such as romanticism. -
Second Industrial Revolution
1850 - 1914
The Second Industrial Revolution was characterized by large scale iron and steel production, widespread use of machinery in manufacturing, greatly increased use of steam power, use of oil, beginning of electricity and by electrical communications. -
Imperialism
1850 - 1914
Imperialism, a policy of extending a country's power and influence through diplomacy or military force, grew throughout Europe into the twentieth century, eventually leading up to World War 1. -
Modern Ideas and Science
1850 - 1920s
Into the twentieth century, Europe remained the center of scientific research, as it had for hundreds of years. Europe continued to progress as it developed new innovations and remained at the forefront of technology into the 1900s. -
Rise of Modern Society
1850 - 1870s
As a result of the Industrial Revolution and other events that revolutionized Europe, Europe began to grow into Modern Society, greatly changing European way of life. -
Period: to
Unification and Nation Building
Fueled by Nationalism, countries such as Germany and Italy were formed as a result of the desire to become unified states. -
Period: to
Realism and Materialism
With growing ideas of realism and materialism in the nineteenth century, Europe became more focused on materialistic ideals and grew away from ideas such as romanticism. -
Period: to
Second Industrial Revolution
The Second Industrial Revolution was characterized by large scale iron and steel production, widespread use of machinery in manufacturing, greatly increased use of steam power, use of oil, beginning of electricity and by electrical communications. -
Period: to
Imperialism
Imperialism, a policy of extending a country's power and influence through diplomacy or military force, grew throughout Europe into the twentieth century, eventually leading up to World War 1. -
Period: to
Modern Ideas and Science
Into the twentieth century, Europe remained the center of scientific research, as it had for hundreds of years. Europe continued to progress as it developed new innovations and remained at the forefront of technology into the 1900s. -
Period: to
Rise of Modern Society
As a result of the Industrial Revolution and other events that revolutionized Europe, Europe began to grow into Modern Society, greatly changing European way of life. -
Crystal Palace Exhibition in Britain
The Crystal Palace Exhibition is held in Britain from May 1 to October 11 in 1851, as a celebration of modern industrial technology and design. -
Britain's direct rule begins in India
Britain's direct rule begins in India in 1858 and lasts until 1947. -
Origin of the Species Published
"On the Origin of the Species" is published by author Charles Darwin on November 24, 1859,considered to be the foundation of evolutionary biology. -
Italy Unified
On February 18, 1861, the Italian peninsula is unified into the Kingdom of Italy. -
Russian Serfs Emacipated
On March 3, 1861, Alexander II emancipates the serfs in Russia with the Emancipation Manifesto. -
Modern Art
1870 - 1920
Modern artists experimented with new ways of seeing and with fresh ideas about the nature of materials and functions of art. Mocern Art was characterized by a tendency away from the narrative, which was characteristic for the traditional arts, and toward abstraction. -
Fench Third Republic
The French Third Republic governed France from 1870 until France's defeat by Nazi Germany in 1940. -
Period: to
Modern Art
Modern artists experimented with new ways of seeing and with fresh ideas about the nature of materials and functions of art. Mocern Art was characterized by a tendency away from the narrative, which was characteristic for the traditional arts, and toward abstraction. -
Unification of Germany
Germany is officially unified on January 18, 1871 at the Versailles Palace's Hall of Mirrors in France. -
French Commune
The Paris Commune was a revolutionary and socialist government that briefly ruled Paris from March 18 until May 28 in 1871. -
Berlin Conference
The Berlin Conference of 1884–85 regulated European colonization and trade in Africa during the New Imperialism period. -
Freud publishes "Interpretation of Dreams"
Psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud, on November 4, 1899, publishes "Interpretation of Dreams" which introduces his theory of the unconscious with respect to dream interpetation. -
Revolution of 1905 in Russia
The Revolution of 1905 was a wave of unrest that spread throughout the Russian Empire including worker strikes, peasant unrest, and military mutinies. -
Einstein publishes Theory of Relativity
Einstein publishes his Theory of Relativity on September 26, 1905 in his work "On the Electrodynamics of Moving Bodies." -
World Wars
1914-1945
World War 1 and World War 2 saw the culmination of built up tensions within Europe and the rest of the world, causing mass destruction and many deaths across the globe. -
World War I begins
World War 1 begins on July 28, 1914 and lasts until November 11, 1918, with 9 million soldiers and 7 million civilians dead. -
Period: to
World Wars
World War 1 and World War 2 saw the culmination of built up tensions within Europe and the rest of the world, causing mass destruction and many deaths across the globe. -
Bolshevik Revolution in Russia
The Bolshevik Revolution in Russia began on October 25, 1917, which established the world's first self-proclaimed socialist state. -
Treaty of Versailles Ends World War 1
The Treaty of Versailles, signed on June 28, 1919, five years after the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, ended the state of war in Europe between Germany and the Allied Powers. -
Totalitarianism
1920 - 1945
Totalitarianism was a concept used by some political scientists in which the state holds total authority over the society and seeks to control all aspects of public and private life wherever possible. This idealogy was popular by some countries in Europe after World War 1, leading to the events of World War 2. -
Period: to
Totalitarianism
Totalitarianism was a concept used by some political scientists in which the state holds total authority over the society and seeks to control all aspects of public and private life wherever possible. This idealogy was popular by some countries in Europe after World War 1, leading to the events of World War 2. -
Fascists and Mussolini come to power in Italy
Benito Mussolini, on the morning of October 28, 1922, seized power in Italy and established a new Fascist government. -
Great Depression Begins
The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic depression in the decade preceding World War II, beginning in the United States as a result of the stock market crash of October 29, 1929. -
Hitler comes to power in Germany
On January 30, 1933, Adolf Hitler was appointed chancellor of Germany, and soon moved to consolidate absolute power. -
Munich Conference, Height of Appeasement
The Munich Agreement, signed on September 30, 1938, was a settlement permitting Nazi Germany's annexation of portions of Czechoslovakia, regarded as a failed act of appeasement toward Germany. -
World War II Begins
World War II begins on September 1, 1939 with Germany's invasion of Poland. -
Cold War
1945 - 1991
The Cold War was a state of political and military tension after World War II between the United States, its NATO allies and others and the Soviet Union and its allies in the Warsaw Pact. -
Period: to
Cold War
The Cold War was a state of political and military tension after World War II between the United States, its NATO allies and others and the Soviet Union and its allies in the Warsaw Pact. -
European Unity
1945 - Present
At the end of World War II, much of Europe favored unity in democratic European countries, seen by many as an escape from the extreme forms of nationalism which had devastated the continent previously, ushering in an era of European unity. -
Period: to
European Unity
At the end of World War II, much of Europe favored unity in democratic European countries, seen by many as an escape from the extreme forms of nationalism which had devastated the continent previously, ushering in an era of European unity. -
World War II ends
With the surrender of Japan on August 15, 1945, World War II ends, a worldwide conflict that caused over 50 million casualties. -
United Nations Founded
The United Nations (UN), an multinational organization, was established after World War II on October 24, 1945, to promote international co-operation between nations. -
NATO Formed
NATO, or the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, was formed on April 4, 1949, in which its members agreed to mutual defense in response to an attack by any external party. -
ECSC formed - European Coal and Steel Community
On April 18, 1951, the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) was formed, and would lead the way to the founding of the European Union. -
Stalin dies
Joseph Stalin, at age 74, dies on March 5, 1953. -
Khrushchev's de-Stalinization Speech
In his speech on February 25, 1956, Khrushchev denounced Stalin and was was the strongest effort ever in the USSR to bring reconciliation and healing to the people after several decades of fear during Stalin's rule that took millions of innocent lives. -
Hungary Revolt
The Hungarian Uprising of 1956 occurred from October 23 until November 10,1956, and was a revolt against the country's Soviet-imposed policies. -
Treaty of Rome creates European Economic Community (EEC)
Signed on March 25, 1957, the Treaty of Rome was signed, which created the European Economic Community (EEC), and also established the European Commission. -
Sputnik Launched
Sputnik, the world's first artificial satellite, was launched into Earth orbit by the Soviet Union on October 4, 1957, at 7:28 PM, and triggered the space race. -
Fifth Republic in France under DeGaulle
The French Fifth Republic is the fifth and current republican constitution of France, introduced on October 4, 1958, after the collapse of the French Fourth Republic, and was led by Charles de Gaulle. -
Berlin Wall Erected
On the night of August 12, 1961, the Berlin Wall was erected, separating East and West Germany throughout the Cold War. -
Second Vatican Council Begins
The Second Vatican Council began on October 11, 1962, and addressed relations between the Roman Catholic Church and the modern world. -
Cuban Missile Crisis
The Cuban Missile Crisis was a 13 day confrontation from October 14 - 28, 1962 between the United States and the Soviet Union over Soviet ballistic missiles deployed in Cuba. It was the closest the Cold War came to escalating into a full-scale nuclear war. -
Student Revolts
Throughout 1968, a large number of workers, students, and poor people protested against increasingly violent state repression all around the world. -
Czech "Prague Spring" Revolt
Beginning on January 5, 1968, the "Prague Spring" was a period of political liberalization in Czechoslovakia during its domination by the Soviet Union after World War II. -
Helsinki Accords - Height of Détente
The Helsinki Accords were a major diplomatic agreement signed in Helsinki, Finland, at the conclusion of the first Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe, and were primarily an effort to reduce tension between the Soviet and Western blocs. -
John Paul II Elected Pope
Pope John Paul II was the head of the Roman Catholic Church from October 16, 1978 until his death on April 2, 2005. He was the second longest-serving pope in modern history. -
Soviet Union invades Afghanistan
WIth the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan on December 24, 1979, the Soviet War in Afghanistan lasted for nine years until February 15, 1989. -
Thatcher Elected Prime Minister in Britain
Margaret Hilda Thatcher was Prime Minister of Britain from May 4, 1979 until November 28, 1990. She was the only woman Prime Minister of England in the 20th century. -
Solidarity founded in Poland
Solidarity is a Polish trade union that was founded on September 17, 1980 and was the first trade union in a Warsaw Pact country that was not controlled by the Communist Party. -
Gorbachev comes to power in Soviet Union
Mikhail Gorbachev came to power on March 11, 1985, and was the eighth and last leader of the Soviet Union. -
Berlin Wall Falls; Collapse of Communism
The Berlin Wall fell on November 9, 1989, as the Cold War began to thaw across Eastern Europe. At this time, Communism also began to collapse, ushering in a new era for Eastern Europe. -
Balkan Conflicts begin in former Yugoslavia
In 1991, ethnic conflicts begin to occur in the former Yugoslavia, lasting until even as late as 1999. -
Break-Up of Soviet Union
The Soviet Union broke up on December 26, 1991, and led to the end of decades-long hostility between North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) and the Warsaw Pact, which had been the defining feature of the Cold War. -
Maastricht Treaty Creates EU - European Union
The Maastricht Treaty, signed on February 7, 1992, created the European Union (EU) and led to the creation of a single currency: the Euro. -
Euro Currency Introduced
The Euro, the official currency of the Eurozone, was adopted on January 1, 1999 by countries in the European Union. -
Terrorist Attacks on the United States
On September 11, 2001, a series of four coordinated terrorist attacks by the terrorist group Al-Qaeda on the Twin Towers and the Pentagon occurred, killing 2,996 people and causing at least $10 billion in property and infrastructure damage.
