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Spanish Armada Occurs
The fleet traveled to the English Channel with more than 130 ships. The armada was soon defeated as the English ships were both faster and lighter. -
Henry IV Issues the Edict of Nantes
The Edict of Nantes granted religious freedom to Huguenots. It gave Huguenots some other freedoms and protected Protestants. -
Tudor Dynasty Ends and Stuart Begins
Henry's daughter Elizabeth I died without having a child. This gave the crown to the ruling family of Scotland, the Stuarts, that were Elizabeth's relatives. -
Thirty Years War Begins in Austria
The Hapsburg king, Ferdinand, wanted to show royal power over nobles. When he chose to do this some Protestant nobles threw two officials out a window which eventually led to the start of the war. -
Louis XIV Starts Building Versailles
Versailles is the most magnificent building in Europe, it very quickly became the perfect symbol of the Sun King and his power. Each room had different, detailed paintings and sculptures. -
English Civil War Begins
This civil war challenged absolutism, supporters of Charles I were called Cavaliers while any against Charles I were called Roundheads. The Roundheads, later changes to the New Model Army, were lead by Oliver Cromwell who trained them and led them to victory. -
Peace of Westphalia Ends 30 Years War
The treaty helped to settle many international problems as well as bring peace across Europe. France was the clear winner, receiving territory on Spanish and German frontiers -
Oliver Cromwell Becomes Lord Protector
When Cromwell became Lord Protector the monarchy was abolished and England was ruled as a republic. He changed many things in England including welcoming Jews back after over 350 years. -
English Bill of Rights is Signed
The Bill of Rights guaranteed that Parliament was superior over the monarchy. It gave the monarch rules that they were required to follow, including, not interfering with debates, not suspending laws, and summoning Parliament regularly. -
Frederick II Attacks Austria Hapsburgs
Frederick knew about Austria's weakness in both economics and military. He was affected by the lack of firm consensus and decided it was time to expand his rule. -
The Creation of the National Assembly
The National Assembly's first meeting was out on a tennis court after they got locked out of their meeting place. Eventually they voted to end their own privileges and agreed to give up exclusive hunting rights, exemption from taxes, special legal status, and their old manorial dues. -
The Tennis Court Oath
The Tennis Court Oath is when the delegates swore "never to separate and to meet wherever the circumstances might require until we have established a sound and just constitution." -
Storming of the Bastille
The Bastille, a state prison, was attacked by revolutionaries. They took control and the storming became one of the defining moments of the revolution as the prison had represented dictatorial rule. -
Women March on Versailles
The anger of this march was majorly about the queen, Marie Antoinette, she was frivolous and extravagant. The women’s most important demand was that the king returned to Paris, they refused to leave until the king met their demand. -
Execution of Louis XIV
Louis XIV was found guilty for conspiracy with other foreign powers. His sentence was death within twenty-four hours. -
Reignn of Terror Begins
Terror was declared to be the order of the day and people were tortured and killed by the guillotine continuously for two years. Between 18,550-40,000 lives were taken. -
The Execution of Maximillian Robespierre
Maximillian Robespierre was arrested and executed after members of the Convention turned to the Committee of Public Safety. They were getting tired of all the blood and were scared for their own lives. -
Napoleon Takes Power as Emperor
Napoleon crowned himself emperor, he invited the pope to his coronation. However at the coronation the crown was placed on Napoleon's head by himself after he took it from the pope’s hands to show the level of power he had. -
Napoleon Invades Russia
The tsar of Russia was an ally of Napoleon until Napoleon enlarged the Grand Duchy of Warsaw. After this was done the tsar removed his support and in response Napoleon sent 600,000 soldiers into Russia forcing the Russians to retreat inward. -
Napoleon Gets Defeated at Waterloo
Napoleon had power for 100 days while opposing allies prepared for battle. British and Prussian forces battled the French all day before defeating them and sending Napoleon to the South Atlantic.