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1555
Peace of Augsburg Divides Christianity in Germany
The Peace of Augsburg formally accepted the division of Christianity in Germany. German states were now free to choose between Catholicism and Lutheranism. Religious disputes continued in Germany after the Peace of Augsburg in 1555. One reason for these problems was that the peace settlement hadn't recognized Calvinism. By the 1600s, Calvinism had spread through Europe. -
1562
French Wars of Religion begin
The French Wars of Religion began between the Catholic League and the Huguenots in 1562-1598. The spread of French Calvinism persuaded the French ruler Catherine de Médicis to show more tolerance for the Huguenots, which angered the powerful Roman Catholic Guise family. The Guise family were catholic and were very powerful so throughout the war many Huguenots were killed. -
1571
Christian Alliance Destroys Ottoman Fleet at Battle of Lepanto
Around 1500, Catholic kingdoms in Spain had taken back Muslim areas and banished Spanish Jews. Muslims were forced to convert or go into exile. Spain thought it was chosen by God to save Catholic Christianity from Protestant heretics. Philip II actions led to spectacular victories and defeats. Spain's leadership against the Turks resulted in a victory over the Turkish fleet in the Battle of Lepanto in 1571. Philip was not so lucky in other battles. -
Shakespeare Appears in London
When Shakespeare appeared in London in 1592, Elizabethans already liked theater.William Shakespeare was a “complete man of the theater.” He wrote plays, he was an actor, and shareholder in the chief theater company of the time. He brought many new words into common usage. He wrote over 150 sonnets, he had a keen insight into human psychology, and he showed a remarkable understanding of the human condition. -
Henry IV Issues the Edict of Nantes, ends Wars of Religion
The Edict of Nantes granted freedom of worship and legal equality for Huguenots within limits, and ended the Wars of Religion. The Edict was revoked by Louis XIV in 1685, causing many Huguenots to emigrate. It ended the wars of Religion because it gave the Huguenots the equal rights. Louis XIV revoked it because he was pro Catholic and did not like the Huguenots. -
Victory at Battle of Sekigahara establishes Tokugawa control of Japan
The victory at the Battle of Sekigahara allowed Tokugawa to seize control of the country Japan. He also establish the Tokugawa Shogunate from his home base of Edo, which is modern-day Tokyo. In 1603, he was awarded the title of Shogun by the Emperor. This made him the supreme military commander of Japan. This was the last feudal military dictatorship of Japan, which would last until 1868 -
The Mogul Dynasty In India
By 1605 Akbar had brought Mogul rule to most of India. Akbar's conquests created the greatest Indian empire since the Mauryan dynasty. The empire appeared highly centralized but was actually a collection of semi-independent states held together by the power of the emperor. Akbar was born a Muslim, but he showed a keen interest in other religions and tolerated Hindu practices. The Akbar era was a time of progress, at least by the standards of the day. Akbar died in 1605. -
Start of the 30 Years' War
The 30 years war began as a religious civil war between the Protestants and the Roman Catholics. As the war went on it drew in the national armies of France, Sweden, Spain, Denmark, and the Habsburg dynasty. The war started in 1618 and as it went on it was divided into 4 phases. The 4 phases were the Bohemian, Danish, Swedish, and French phases. The first phase, the Bohemian phase was only about religion. This phase ended with Habsburg and Catholic Victory. -
Shah Jahan Rules the Mogul Dynasty
During his rule from 1628 to 1658, Shah Jahan maintained the political system by earlier Mogul rulers. He expanded the boundaries of the empire,but his rule was associated with his failure to deal with growing domestic problems.The majority of Jahan's subjects lived in poverty. His troubles worsened with his illness in the mid-1650s, this led to a struggle for power among his sons. Aurangzeb, had his brother put to death and imprisoned his father, then he made himself emperor in 1658. -
Death of Shah Abbas and the Decline of the Safavid Dynasty
Under Shah Abbas, who ruled from 1588 to 1629, the Safavid's reached the high point of their glory. After the death of Shah Abbas in 1629, the Safavid dynasty gradually lost its power. Most of Abbas's successors lacked his talent and political skills. Eventually, the power of Shia religious elements began to increase at court and in Safavid society at large. In the early 18th century, the Safavid dynasty collapsed. The Turks took advantage and seized territories along the western border. -
End of the 30 Years' Wars
The 30 Years War started as a war about religion, as it went on it started to be about what group would govern Europe. The war ended in 1648. The result of all the fighting for 30 years was the division of Germany into many territories. As it was split up it limited the power of the Holy Roman Empire. The war finally ended with the Peace of Westphalia. -
Europeans Come to India
The arrival of the British hastened the decline of the Mogul Empire. British success in India attracted rivals, especially the French. The French established their own forts, many of them along the coast. The arrogance and incompetence of many East India Company officials offended their Indian allies. The local population were taxed to meet the East India Company's growing expenses. The British were making a lot of money, so they were in India to stay. -
Louis XIV begins Absolutist Rule in France
After Cardinal Mazarin died in 1661, Louis XIV took over. The reign of Louis XIV has been regarded as the best example of absolutism in the seventeenth century. Absolutism is a system in which a ruler holds total power. In seventeenth-century Europe, absolutism was tied to the idea of the divine right of kings. In 1715, he died. He left France surrounded by enemies and many of the people in poverty. -
Ottomans unsuccessfully besiege Vienna
The Ottoman attack on Vienna was part of their intervention into the Hungarian conflict, intended in the short term to secure Zápolya's position. The failure to take Vienna marked the end of Turkish expansion into Europe and was followed by the diversion of Ottoman effort toward Asia and the Mediterranean. -
The Indian ruler of Bengal Attacks Fort William
Sir Robert Clive was an aggressive British empire builder. He served as the chief representative in India of the East India Company. While fighting the French, Clive was also consolidating British control in Bengal. The Indian ruler of Bengal had attacked Fort William in 1756. He had imprisoned the British garrison in the "Black Hole of Calcutta," an underground prison. Only 23 people out of 146 survived.