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Period: Jan 1, 1490 to Jan 1, 1520
High Renaissance
The High Renaissance was a period of the Renaissance that Michelangelo, Leonardo Da Vinci, and Raphael painted. It was important because this was the period when all of the famous Renaissance paintings were made, and when all of the Renaissance themes were demonstrated -
Jun 7, 1494
Treaty of Tordesillas was signed
The Treaty of Tordesillas was a treaty that the Pope signed to create the Line of Demarcation. This treaty was important because it prevented conflict between Spain and Portugal. -
Jan 1, 1497
Vasco de Gama begins his Voyage
Vasco de Gama was the first person to reach India which made Portugal control the spice trade. This is important because it made Portugal very rich, which made all the other countries in Europe become mercantilists. -
Jan 1, 1499
Amerigo Vespucci landed in the Americas
Amerigo Vespucci was a sailor who sailed for both Spain and Portugal. He was important because America is named after him and he identified the Americas as a whole new continent instead of being India. -
Jul 1, 1508
Michelangelo begins painting at the Sistine Chapel
The Pope told Michelangelo to paint the Sistine Chapel. This is important because it demonstrates all of the themes of the Renaissance. -
Jan 1, 1509
Admiral Alfonso of Albuquerque defeats the Turkish Navy
Admiral Alfonso of Albuquerque defeated the Turkish Navy for control of India. This battle was important because it cemented Portugal as the country controlling the spice trade. -
Jun 1, 1511
Praise of Folly was published
Praise of Folly was a book that Erasmus wrote about reforms to the catholic church. This book was important because it contributed to the Protestant Reformation. -
Jan 1, 1516
The Slave Trade started
The Slave Trade was a process in which people took Africans from their homes and put them on ships to colonies for labor. This trade was influential because it causes many African civilizations to crumble and, eventually, led to an American civil war. -
Jan 1, 1517
People in Latin America started getting Smallpox
Many Natives in Latin America started getting Smallpox and died. This disease was the main cause of the destruction of both the Aztec and Inca Empire. -
Oct 31, 1517
95 Theses was published
The 95 Theses was a list of reforms to the church that Martin Luther wrote. This was important because it was the spark that led to the Reformation. -
Jan 1, 1519
Ferdinand Magellan sets sail
Ferdinand Magellan was a Spanish sailor who searched for the East Indies. His voyage was important because he was the first person to circumnavigate the globe. -
May 1, 1519
Hernan Cortes conquers the Aztec Empire
Hernan Cortes was a Spanish conquistador who destroyed the Aztec Empire located in Mexico. This was important because it grew the Spanish land and showed how powerful Europe was in contrast to the rest of the world. This was shown by Cortes destroying a 200-year-old empire in around a year. -
Apr 18, 1521
Diet of Worms
The Diet of Worms was a meeting that Charles V called for Martin Luther about his religious actions. This Diet was important because it made Martin Luther more popular and it led up to the Peace of Augsburg. -
Jan 1, 1533
England breaks off from the Catholic Church.
England broke off from the Catholic Church and started a new church because King Henry VIII wanted to annul his wife. This was important because it started Anglicanism and gave less power to the Catholic Church. -
Jan 1, 1534
The Prince was published by Niccolo Machiavelli
The Prince is a book written by Niccolo Machiavelli about how to retain power. This book is important because many Renaissance rulers used it. -
Period: Jan 1, 1542 to
Encomienda System was in place
The Encomienda system was a system that allowed Spaniards to "Expose the native to Christianity" which many Spaniards turned into slavery. This system was important because it provided a reason to conquer new land, and it helped with the extraction of resources. -
Period: Jan 1, 1545 to
Counter Reformation
The Counter-Reformation was a period of time when the Catholic Church reformed its system and basically advertised itself. This was important because it reformed many of the problems that caused the Reformation and eventually caused the 30 Years' War. -
Jan 1, 1552
First Preach of Calvanism
The first example of preaching Calvinism was by John Calvin who preached in Zurich, Switzerland. This event was important because it led up to many wars, treaties, and a whole new balance of power in Europe. -
Sep 1, 1555
Peace of Augsburg
The Peace of Augsburg was a treaty that allowed the Princes of the burgs in Germany to choose their town's religion. It was important because it ended the religious conflict between the protestants and Catholics by allowing religious tolerance in the Holy Roman Empire. -
Jan 1, 1558
Queen Elizabeth came to the throne.
Queen Elizabeth came to the throne after Queen Mary. Her coming to power was important because she conquered the Spanish armada and unified a religiously unstable country. -
Aug 23, 1572
Bartholomew's Day Massacre Begins
Bartholomew's Day Massacre was a terrible event in which many Catholics in France started killing Protestants. This Massacre was important because it was a turning point in France's constant wars of religion. -
The Spanish Armada set sail.
The Spanish Armada was a fleet of warships that Spain launched against England to ferry Spanish troops from the Netherlands. This event was important because it made Protestantism more popular and put Spain into bankruptcy. -
Edict of Nantes was signed
The Edict of Nantes was a peace treaty that ended the conflict between Huguenots and Catholics in France. It was important because it ended a conflict that caused 7 civil wars and finally gave rights to Calvinists in France. -
The Dutch East India Company was founded
The Dutch East India Company was a company that traded spices with Europe. This Company was important because it took money away from the Portuguese and made the Dutch a strong power in Europe. -
Period: to
30 Years' War
The 30 Years' War was a conflict in the Holy Roman Empire that started because of religious tension between Catholics and Calvinists. It was important because it changed the balance of power in Europe, reduced the power of the Catholic Church, and devastated the Holy Roman Empire. -
Netherlands gains Independence from Spain
The Netherlands was a member of the Spanish Empire before William the Silent led the dutch people to freedom from Spain. This event was important because it spread Calvinism to the Low Lands and led up to the Glorious Revolution. -
Period: to
The Commonwealth
The Commonwealth was a period in England's history that was ruled by the Puritan Oliver Cromwell. It was important because it led up to the return of the monarchy. -
Restoration of the English Monarchy
The English Monarchy was brought back by Parliament after the end of the Commonwealth. This event was important because it brought more balance to England's political system because of two separate parties -
The Edict of Nantes was revoked
The Edict of Nantes was revoked by Louis XIV at the height of his power. This event was important because it made a large portion of the French population leave their home country, and this, in turn, devastated the Frech economy. -
The Glorious Revolution
The Glorious Revolution was an invasion of England that Parliament invited the Netherlands to do because of Catholic King James II. This revolution was important because it prevented more religious tension in England and led up to the English Bill of Rights.