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Period: Jan 1, 1330 to Jan 1, 1550
The Renaissance
Renaissance means rebirth. Guild memebers governed city-states with high interest in the civic and cutural life of the city. They encouraged the development of arts. Artists, sculptors, scholars, and architects were inspired by Ancient Rome's classical texts, culture, and the Crusades. These people began to question more about the aspects of life to become well-rounded individuals and participate in the government. They became humanists and emphasized the importance and values of an individual. -
Period: Jan 1, 1346 to
Rise of Guilds
The rebellion of serfs against lords by natural forces. Political forces created the serfs a sense of patriotism towards the monarch and country, more allegiance with lords, which gave them more power. The power of the nobles are reduced to benifit the monarch and serfs. Connections are formed between the monarch and the middle class, which gave them the opportunity to change their social status. -
Period: Jan 1, 1346 to Jan 1, 1352
The Black Plague
The Black Plague kills 1/3 of Europe population, reduces demands for European goods, ruins crops, and encourages serfs to revolt against lords. -
Jan 1, 1400
The Medici Family
The Medici Family of Italy was in position of centrality and social network. The members were bankers that loaned monarchs money. They extremely supported the arts which introduced the idea of the Renaissance. -
Period: Jan 1, 1400 to
The Middle Class
Towns were trade centers for shipping of goods across seas. Guilds dominated social and civic life by sponsoring trades, the cathedrals, and protection for guild members. Many bankers let monarchs borrow loans. -
Jan 1, 1429
Jeanne D'Arc and France's victory against England
A peasant woman defended France from the invasion of the English army. She called for support from the king of France and leaded an army to throw England out of the country. Jeanne D'Arc defeated England and put Charles on France's throne; creating a sense of patriotism, alligiance, more military power towards the monarch, and support for the middle class. -
Jan 1, 1454
The Printing Press
The prinitng press was adopted from China. This invention brought the Renaissance a great advantage. Information and studies were passed in the form of books. This increased the literacy rate tremendously and reduced the price of books. -
Jan 1, 1498
Christopher Columbus' landing on America
Christopher was from Genoa. He circumnavigated and found America, but thought it was Asia. As an explorer, navigator, and colonizer, he was favored by monarchs to sponsor his voyages.His expeditions spread Christianity, brought back foreign goods, and new land to be added onto the map. -
Jan 1, 1500
Divine Rights
Monarchs believed they had unlimited power from God and no one canc hange that. Going agaisnt them was considered going against God. Based on this idea, absolute rulers lived luxurious lives and can neglect their duties if wanted. -
Period: Jan 1, 1500 to
The Reformation
The Renaissance flourished the spirit of questiong, exploring, and learning. Many humanists protested against power and abuses of the church. Scientific theories opposed the ancient knowledge. The relatioship of an idividual with God is stressed along with humanism and conviction. Explorers conquered new lands and new branches of religions were established. -
Period: Jan 1, 1500 to
Exploration of the New World
Explorers and conquerors seeked for new trade routes. The trading of products and goods developed the advancement of maps and ships. This was an introduction to the new civilizations and cultures. Wars occured for sea ports with good trading spots. This spread diseases, food, religions and ideas across seas. -
Period: Jan 1, 1500 to
Absolutism
Monarchs gained mroe power than nobles and the serfs need to be governed. Absolute monarchs began to conquer land, build strong armies, and fought for power in Europe. The believed they are supported by divine rights. They formed a centralized and direct control over their country, resistance to social/political reform, and expansionist foreign policy. Serfs paid heavy taxes for army and the monarch's personal life with nobles. Territories were expanded. -
Oct 31, 1517
Protestant Reformation
Luther publishes his 95 Theses against the abuses of the church. John Calvin created Calvinism, and Lutheran Protestantism was also borned with the aid of the Renaissance invention, the printing press. -
Period: to
Achievements of Lous XIV
Absolutism established the idea of absolute power without limitations. Many Europeans monarchs seeked for great power. Louis XIV built fortresses around the country that would keep France safe, reduced population pressure with constant wars and nobles' powers,a nd encouraged art and literature. -
Period: to
Weaknesses of Louis XIV
On-going wars injured many of France's population. Excessive taxation for the army was a heavy burden on peasants. In addition, Lous XIV had endless building projects and spendings for personal pleaasures and entertainments. -
Period: to
Enlightenment
The Renaissance inspired questioning.Philosophers valued new ideas and convinced monarchs to rule more justly. Monarchs made reforms and became enlightenment despots to support their country more effectively. They; however, did not want to give up power completely. Religious freedom was granted and land expanded, yet peasants still suffer from heavy taxes and poverty. -
The Palace of Versailles
The Palace of Versailles was built. This building was flourished with arts. Sculptors, painters, architects, and entertainers resided here to construct and designe the magnificent work. This was a great encouragement to the development of arts. -
The Nightlife of Versailles
To reduce the nobles' power, Louis XIV had to give them a place to stay at Versailles in exchange. Everyday, at night, the nobles were entertained with operas, balls, and gamblings. All of these events were at night with dazzling bright lights. This costly nightlife was what peasants had to pay tax for. This caused them great anger. -
Frederick II of Prussia
He was the King of Prussia. He granted his people religious freedom, reduced censoriship, improved education, and expanded territories. He establishes a reformed justice system and abolished torturing. Though, as an absolute monarch that has to satify his nobles, he never tried to change the existing social order that was frowned upon by peasants. -
Period: to
The French Revolution
The 3rd Estate of the Old Regime in France wanted changes, since they were heavily burdened with taxes and poverty. Due to national debts, France faced inflation along with poor leadership of Louis XVI.He held the Estates-General in 1789for a vote on a solution to solve the political problem, yet no changes were made.The 3rd Estates raged and formed the NAtional Assembly; causing the fall of the Old Regime. -
Emmanuel Joseph Sieyès
He proposed the idea of ending absolutism and creation of a representative givernment, in favor of the 3rd Estate. The Estate voted for him and the National Assembly was formed. -
Period: to
National Assembly
The Estates-General did not fullfilled the 3rd Estate's hopes. With the largest population, they formed the voted to form a National Assembly to pass laws and reforms in the name of French people.The created a representative governement for France. -
Storming of the Bastille
French citizens formed into mobs and attacked the Bastille for gun powder, so can defend themselves against violence.Roughly about 100 were kille din one day. That day is now a french National holiday, the Day of Independence. -
Period: to
Reign of Terror
The National Assembly reformed France by creating the Rights of Man, based on the Declaration of Independence and a state-controlled church with limited power. Louis XVI, uncertained about his monarch fate, escaped with his royal family to Austria, but was taken back. France still faced debts and food shortages. Rumours spread about violence and the punishment of the King along with wars against Prussia and Austria to gain absolutism back. -
The End of the Reign of Terror
Maximilien Robespierre assumed power over France and became a dictator.He and his supporters set out to build a "republic of virtue" by executing the royal family and the past France. He closed all churches and offended many people. Every person who stood out from the rest were seen as a traitor and got executed by the guillotine. He was France's great fear and the National COnvention executed him. -
Period: to
Napoleon’s Rise to Power
Napoleon and his troops surrounded the national legislature and urged the lawmakers to dissolve Directory. Napoleon became the first consul and took over the previous role of Robespierre, as dictator of France. A plebiscite was assembled to approve a new constitution. The citizens of France voted to approve the it which provide Napoleon with true power. Napoleon crowned himself emperor of France. -
Napoleon Became the Emperor
Naopleon Bonaparte crowned himself emperor from his power, gained from protecting France against countries, such as Austria. -
Failure of the Invasion of Russia
Russia's weather was harsh and the French army underestimated the Russian army. Alexander I of Russia defeated them and Napoleon faced death at the island of Elba. Many of his troops died in Russia due to the harsh war and weather. -
Period: to
Napoleon’s Fall
Napoleon tried to add Portugal to his empire. He sent an invasion force through Spain; the Spanish citizens did not like this and protested against Napoleon’s invasion force. Napoleon responded by replacing the Spanish King with his brother, Joseph. Spanish guerillas rebelled against the French armies in Spain. The British aided the guerillas in their fight against the French in the Peninsula War. He then tried to conquer Russia but failed and was exiled on the island of Elba, -
Treaty of Verdun
The treaty was created by the grandons of Charlemagne to divide the Carolingian Empire into 3 kingdoms and ended the civil war. -
Period: to Jan 1, 1300
Feudalism
The Roman Empire falls. Western Europe is destabilized from wars. Vikings, Magyars, and Muslims invaded Western Europe in different directions. Individuals seek for power to survive politically and socially. The hieracrchy system is created to group the classes, powering by food, land, and protection. This system becomes popular among European countries. People face danger, disorder, and suffering and there is no offical gorvernment.
