-
Jan 1, 1348
The Black Death
The significance fo the Black Death was that it decimated Europe's population. Eventually it led to a rise in wages for the peasants and more job opporunities for women. It also created a crisis in faith as people did not understand why so many of them were dying. 1348-1351 -
Jan 1, 1350
Renaissance
The "Rebirth" of Classic Culture 1350's-1550's -
Jan 4, 1415
Counsil of Constance burns huns and Greast schism
It examined the teaching of John Wycliffe and Jan Hus. They adopted seven reform decrees here and also had concordats on some points. Overall, the council failed to get strong reforms.1415-1417 -
Jan 1, 1450
Exploration
An introduction to the European exploration of the rest of the world before, during and after the voyages of Christopher Columbus, with an emphasis on the Americas. 1450's-1600's -
Jan 4, 1453
Fall of Constantinople:end of Hundreds Year War
It signified the entrance of the Ottoman Empire. This brought an enemy closer to Europe. The end of the Hundred Years' War was also important because it centralized France, brought a sense of nationalism to France and England, and it brought new weapons. -
Jan 4, 1455
Invention of Printing Press
It helped increase productivity, and it also helped lead to newspapers. Finally, the printing press is a key component in the spread of the new religions during the Protestant Reformation and of new ideas in Europe. -
Jan 4, 1492
Columbus Encounters America
The significance of the discovery of the Americas is that it led to the Columbian Exchange. This brought new food, diseases, and animals to both Europe and the Americas. The significance of the reconquista in Spain is that it removed all the Muslims from Spain and forced people to convert to Christianity. -
Jan 1, 1500
Early Modern Society
This was a time where society as a whole in Europe had advancements in the arts and education, it was probably caused by the High Renaissance. -
Jan 4, 1517
Luther posts 95 Theses
The significance of this is that it initially started the Protestestant Reformation. The 95 Theses gave skepticism about the Catholic Church and so people changed religions. -
Jan 4, 1519
Cortez conquers Aztecs
The significance of this conquest is that it led to the downfall of the indigeneous tribes of the Americas. The conquering of the Aztecs led to a loss of culture and a beginning of enslavement of the Native Americans. It also brought diseases such as smallpox and measles to the Americas. -
Jan 1, 1520
Religious Wars
Wars that were caused by religous disputes, ex...
1520-1650
30 years war 1618-1648
Religious war focused in Germany between catholics and protestants and the larger countries that supported those opposing parties. 1st modern war because countries disregarded their religions in favor of political gains. Reduced the power of religion and the papacy in Europe, ended change of religious unity in Europe. -
Jan 4, 1534
Act of Supremacy in England creates Anglican Church
The significance of this is that it put the English king as the "Protector and Only Supreme Head of teh Church and Clergy of England." This led to a confusion of religion in England. IT also led to conflict over religion. Finally, it made conflict between the pope and the head of England. -
Jan 4, 1536
Calvin establishes reformed faith in Geneva
The significance of this is that it transformed Geneva into a Christian community where activity was heavily regulated. It also spread to France, England, and New England. It became an important religion in Europe. -
Jan 1, 1543
Scientific Revolution
The transition from the medieval worldview to a largely rational , secular perspective.1543-1687 -
Jan 4, 1543
Copernicus publishes heliocentric theory
The significance of this new concept was that it changed the perspective of how people thought. Before, society thought he earth was at the center of the universe. This made the church angry. The church believed this was against the Bible. -
Jan 4, 1545
Council of Trent opens
The significance of this is that reformed the Catholic Church and reaffirmed church doctrine. It preseved the papacy as the center of Christianity and reaffirmed the seven sacraments. Finally, it forbade clerical language and reaffirmed Latin as the language of the church. -
Jan 1, 1550
Dutch Commercial Dominance
The significance of this was that it helped have Amsterdam as the financial center of Europe. Also, the Dutch became the bankers of Europe with the Amsterdam Exchange Bank. It also was important because it established the Dutch fleet of 10,000 ships. 1550-1650 -
Jan 4, 1555
Peace of Augsburg ends religous war in Germany:Charles V abdicates
This was significant because it allowed the German princes to choose their own religion and caused problems because it didn't recognize religious groups other than Catholic or Lutheran.
Charles V abdicating was also important because he gave away parts of the Holy Roman Empire, thus dividing it even more. -
Jan 1, 1580
Witchcraft Scare!
it was a period of time where women were falsely accused of being witches and often times were hunted down. 1580-1680 -
Defeat of Spanish Armada
The significance of this is that it boosted the English morale under Elizabeth I and lowered the one of the Spanish. It established England as a major naval power in the seas of Europe. -
Edict of Nantes ends French Religious War
This is significant because is granted French Protestants religious tolerance. It also was the first formal recognition by an European monarchy that two religions could coexist. -
Baroque Art
Artistic movement in Europe that used dramatic effects to arouse emotions 1600-1750 -
Dutch East India Company is founded
The significance of this is that is was a rich company that displaced the Portuguese and gained control of the spice trade in the East Indies. They helped make the Dutch Republic into a rich financial center. -
Staurt Monarchy begins in England
They were significant because they believed that their authority came from God. They were against the Parliament. This led to the English Civil War and the Glorious Revolution in England. -
Peace of Westphalia ends 30 years war
This was significant because it recognized Calvinism as a permisible faith. It also recognized the sovereign independent authority of the German states. It gave Sweden more land, showing it was a major power. Finally, it recognized the United Provinces of Netherlands as a major power. -
Absolutism
Form of government in which the sovereign power rested in the hands of a monarch who claimed to rule by divine right. 1650-1750 -
Commercial Wars
These wars were significant because they caused conflict between many countries over resources. They led to fights over trade and access to different places. 1650-1763 -
Rise of Prussia
Prussia became a strong power with a well-equipped army. Under Frederick William I they gained an army of 80,000 people. Military life became very important. 1650-1763 -
Newton publishes Principia
The significance of this book is that it gave a single mathematical law of universal gravitation. It had concise mathematical formula describing celestial and terrestial motion. This book advanced knowledge in math and science. -
Rise of Russia
Russia became an important military power in the future. It became a dominant power on the Baltic Sea. 1689-1815 -
Protestant/Catholic Reformation
"The Protestant Reformation was a major 16th century European movement aimed initially at reforming the beliefs and practices of the Roman Catholic Church. Its religious aspects were supplemented by ambitious political rulers who wanted to extend their power and control at the expense of the Church. -16th Century -
Rise of Middle class
The middle class is that it brought different classes of people. No longer was there few rich and many poor. There was now a middle class with bankers, merchants, artisans. 18th century -
Enlightenment
Stressed the application of reason and the scientific method to all aspects of life. 18th century -
Agricultural Revolution
The shift from hunting for fod to producing food. -
Price Revolution
The Price Revolution was when Spain experienced a steady population increase in demand for foods and goods. -16th century -
Peace of Utrecht: Death of Louis XIV
The significance of this peace is that it ended Louis XIV's efforts to dominate Europe, granted England some land in the Canada region, and led England have the right to supply African slaves to Spanish America.
The significance of the death of Louis XIV is that he was a great absolutist ruler. He passed on his ruling expertise to his descendents through his journals and he made France in debt. 1713-1715 -
Rococo Art
The significance of Rococo art is that it depicted the lighthearted scenes of nobles in their environment. They had light-colored pastels and had highly decorated interior ceilings. This art style showed the mindset of the day. 1720-1760 -
industrial revolution
The significance of the Industrial Revolution is that there were many new inventions that were created to make the textile industry more productive. This marked a shift from human and animal power to mechanical power. 1750-1850 -
Treaty of Paris ends 7 years War
The significance of this is that the British acquired French Canada and the more land near the Mississippi River. Also France got to keep a few sugar islands and some land India. Finally, Prussia kept its possession of Silesia. -
American Revolution;smith publishes Wealth of Nations
The significance of the American Revolution is that it the people in the English colonies were able to free themselves from England. Thus, England lost a lot of land.
The significance of this book by Adam Smith is that it gave birth to classical economic thought and included his laissez-faire economics beliefs. -
Age of Revolutions
The French Revolution, American Revolution, Revolutions in the Austrian Empire, and Revolution in Belgium showed the changing of the people.1789-1848 -
French Revolution Begins
The significance of the French Revolution is that it was a very bloody revolution in France. It also popularized the guillotine. It led to the Legistlative Assembly in France. However, this did not give women the right to vote. -
Feminism
The significance of this age of Feminism is that it led to many demands for equality for women. Eventually, the femenist movement led to more women in science and at work. Also, eventually women were able to vote in European countries. 1790's-1980's -
Rise of Nationalism
it aided in bringing a nation together. Pride for a nation is a great way of getting things done. For example, fighting for a country or making changes in government. 1790's-1914 -
Wollstonecraft begins feminist movement with Vindication of Rights of Women
The significance of the femenist movement is that it led to a restructure of gender hierarchies. With femenism, women demanded better rights and started to work more. -
Napolean comes to power in France
The significance of this is that when Napolean came to power, he defeated the Second Coalition. He took out democracy and transformed France into a modern state. He was also important because he caused a loss of liberty in France. -
Romanticism
it influenced art, religion, music, and philosophy. It also inspired a desire for freedom of thought, feeling, and action in the people. 1st half of 19th century -
Abdication of Napolean
The significance of this France was not led by a dictator. It brought an end to a great military man.
The significance of this congress is that it enacted a settlement that was acceptable to both the victors and to France. It created a balance of power in Europe until German unification. -
Rise of Liberalism
it led to a belief in natural rights that governments must protect. People also believed in a support of civil liberties including freedom of the press, assembly, and religion. It led to an opposition of full democracy and wanted laissez-faire. 1830-1870 -
Revolution in France; Belgian and Greek Dominance
The significance of this is that Louis Philippe became a "citizen king" who then moved to support France's business interests.
The significance of this in Belgium is that Beligium became a neutral state. The significance in Greece is that Greece was also able to become an independent state. 1830-1831 -
Revolutions of 1848; Marx and Engals publish Communist Manifesto
The significance of these revolutions is that it led to a new age of political realism. Also, it is important to know that peaceful reforms let England avoid these revolts.
The significance of this book is that it it affected the thought of people. He wrote about the dialectical process of thesis, antithesis, and synthesis. He argued that women were exploited by men and capitalists. -
Unification and Natio-Building
It created new countries. This idealogy created more cultural cohesiveness and led to a network state.1850-1875 -
Realism and Materialism
The significance of realism and materialism is that it disenchanted with romanticism. It instead focused on the concerns of real people, meaning workers and peasants. It also led to criticism of the cruelty of industrial life.1850-1870 -
Second Industrial Revolution
The significance of the second industrial revolution is that there were new industries; new sources of power, such as electricity, oil, and gasoline; new forms of communication and transportation, such as the telephone; and new industrial powers. 1850-1914 -
Modern Ideas and Science
The significance of modern ideas and science is that it led to new things suchs as women's rights, mass politics, the bacterial revolution, and the theory of evolution. This led to a better understanding of the world. 1850-1920 -
Rise of Modern Society
The significance of this rise was that there was a population growth and urbanization. There were also changes in women's rights and mass politics. 2nd half of 19th Century -
Imperialism
The significance of this age is that vast regions of the world were being controled by European nations. Protectorates were establishes and spheres of influence were set up in China. Also, during imperialism, many European countries took charge of Africa. This let to destroyed native cultures, a global economy,1850-1914 and intensified European rivalries. 1850-1914 -
Britain establishes direct rule of India
The significance of this is that India became subject to British rule. This then brought some British culture into India. They also took most of the resources that were available in India. However, they contributed infrastructure and postal services to India. -
Darwin publishes Origin of the Species
The significance of this is that it challenged the idea of special creation by proposing a theory of evolution. It reaffirmed the Malthusian belief that only the "fittest" species could survive and that natural selection picked off people. -
Italy unified; Russian serfs emancipated
The significance of Italy's unification is that Northern Italy was urban and industrialized while Southern Italy was rural and poor. The government was still in heavy debt after unification, thus affecting it later on.
The significance of the emancipation of serfs is that although the serfs were free, the peasants could not own the land. This created some freedom, but the lower class still was restricted. -
Modern Art
The significance of modern art is that new techniques were seen in art, such as modernity, impressionism, and cubism. Famous artists were also from this time period such as Picasso.1870-1920 -
Berlin Conference over imperialism in Africa
The significance of the Berlin Conference it divided Africa among European nations. It put the Congo under Leopold II in Belgium. Finally, it put up rules for the race to colonize the African territories.1884-1885 -
Freud publishes Interpretation of Dreams
The significance of this book is that Freud was among one of the first psychologists to analyze dreams through experiments and clinical trials. He also used his own experiences in his research. This provided knowledge as to what dreams were. -
WWI Begins
The significance of this is that it set in motion events that put most of Europe into war. It led to many battle, with Germany in the middle of the action. World War I was important because the world was trying to become more peaceful together. -
World Wars
This era was a time with rivalry and conflict. It showed that a balance of power and peace was necessary to keep countries in check. The League of Nations resultred from the first world war and the United Nations from the second. 1914-1945 -
Bolshevic Revolution in Russia
The significance of the Bolshevik Revolution is that it ended in the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk. Russia then lost a quarter of its European territory and a third of its population. -
Treaty of Versailles ends WWI
The significance of this treaty is that it forced Germany to sign a war-guilt clause and pay for war damages. It disolved Austria-Hungary into different states and gave land back to France. It created the League of Nations and left bitter feelings between Germany and the winners. -
Totalitarianism
It put total control over the lives in citizens. It also manipulated and censored the information people received. It was significant because it was a form of government that tried to mold loyal citizens.1920-1945 -
Francists and Mussolini come to power in Italy
The significance of this is that all political parties were then outlawed except for Fascists. Also, Mussolini effected Italy by making people think he was always right. Mussolini controled the corporations in Italy. -
Great Depression Brgins
The significance of this is it transformed the optimistic spirit of the late 1920s with a sense of doubt and fear. It also created uncertainty and insecurity for millions of unemployed workers. It increased the intervention of government in economics. It also gave opportunities for dictators to take office. -
Hitler comes to power in Germany
The significance of this is Hitler convinced Germans to follow his leadership. He used the people's fears to his advantage. He then created a totalitarian state in Germany. He essentially controlled what everyone could do. -
Munich Conference-Height of appeasement
The significance of the Munich Conference is that it gave Sudetenland to Hitler. It also discredited the British policy of appeasement. -
WWII Begins
The significance of this is that many battles were fought during this time. Also, most importantly, the Holocaust began and a mass murder happened of Jews. It also was important because is resulted in the United Nations. -
Cold War
The Soviet Union and the USA built huge arsenals of missiles and explosives. Also, the Warsaw Pact, NATO, and military blocs were formed. It created conflicts that led to the Vietnam War and the Korean War. 1945-1991 -
European Unity
The signifance of this is that most European nations were joined. They were unified together. This later leads to the European Economic Community and the European Union.1945-Present -
WWI Ends; United nations is founded
The significance of World War II is that it led to the construction of the United Nation Nazi. Also, the Nazi regime ended in Germany and the Berlin Wall was set up.
The United Nations was significant was that it set up a political union in which countries could participate in. -
NATO is formed
The significance of this is that ten European nations joined with the US and Canada to set up defense preparatiosn. This was significant because it marked America's breaking away from isolationism. -
European Coal and Steel community is formed
The significance of the ECSC is that it called for a tariff-free trade in coal and steel among the countries of France, West Germany, Belgium, Italy, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands. -
Stalin Dies
The main significance of Stalin's death is that the regin of terror in the Soviet Union ended upon his death. This led to Nikita Khrushchev as the new leader. -
Berlin Wall Erected
The significance of the Berlin Wall is that it stopped the flow of refugees and simultaneaously became a symbol of Communist oppression. The Berlin Wall divided the communist and democratic people. -
Cuban Missile Crisis
The significance of the Cuban Missile Crisis is that it underminded Khrushchev's, the leader of the Soviet Union, credibility and played a key role in his ouster from power in 1964. -
Second Vatican Council begins
The significance of this council is that it acknowledged the seperation of the church and state, renounced war, ordered wide-ranging reforms in religious life and training of clergy. This affected how Catholics viewed the world. -
Student Revolts; Czech "Prague Spring" Revolt
The significance of the student revolts is that there were many protests throughout Europe. It concluded with the the police usually arresting many of them.
The significance of these revolts is that Czechoslovakia returned to communist control. They also has Russia staying in control behind the Iron Curtain. -
Helsinki Accords- height of detente
The significance of the Helsinki Accords is that they marked the high point of the Cold War detente. It made the signers recognize and protest basic human rights and ratified European territorial boundaries. -
John Paul II is elected Pope
The significance of John Paul II is he became the most-traveled pope, the pope who appointed the most cardinals, wrote the most books, and called the most influential figure of his time by the London Times. -
Soviet Union invades Afghanistan; Thatcher elected Prime Minister in Britain
The significance of this invasion is that it put a lot of stress on the economic system of the Soviet Union. It also caused a lot of social discontent with the people in the Soviet Union.
The significance of having Thatcher elected is that she allowed to right to buy a council house, put reforms that established London as the financial center, and lowered the industry in Britain. -
Solidarity founded in Poland
The significance of this is that Polish voters elected their own Solidarity candidates over the Communist Party in 1989. This showed the first time the people in a state could peacefully exit a Communist regime. -
Gorbachev comes to power in Soviet Union
The significance of this is that Gorbachev put up many new reforms in Soviet Union. He put up a program of economic restructuring, had democratization, and encouraged Soviet citizens to discuss ways to reform their society. -
Berlin Wall Falls
The significance of this is that the reunification of Germany occured as a result of the collapse of teh Berlin Wall. It marked the end of the Cold War in Easter Europe. -
Break up of Soviet Union; Balkan conflicts begin in former Yugoslavia
The significance of this break-up is that different ethnic groups were able to revolt and demand their own freedom, since they had lost their fear of the Communist party under Gorbachev.
The significance of the Balkan conflicts is that it led to a devolution of the Balkan peninsula. These conflicts led to ethnic nations forming, such as Kosovo. -
Maastricht Treaty Creates European Union
The significance of this is that it created the world's largest single economic market. It also created a central bank for the European Union. -
Euro Currency Introduced
The significance of this was that it showed the unification of Europe under the European Union. It also made the transfer from one country to another easier, while using the same currency. -
Terrorists attacks on the United States
The significance of these terrorist attacks is that it caused hatred and anger towards people of the Middle East. It also brought fear to the people in the US. Finally, it also led to tightened restrictions in the airports.
