Key European Dates

Great Schism

1054

The Catholic Church split into the Orthodox and the Catholic Church because multiple men claimed to be the Pope. This is important because many countries in Europe listened to the Church for advice on what was socially acceptable in European society.

Magna Carta

1215

This was drafted to protect the rights of barons and the Church. It later became part of a treaty which helped to slightly decrease the power of the monarch and give people of a certain amount of power some rights.

The Ninth Crusade

1271

The ninth crusade is the last medieval crusade to take back the holy land and had many victories but failed due to matters in England. The crusades were important because Europeans were in contact with Asia and while gathering loot and supplies after battles they saw goods they liked. Upon bringing the supplies back to Europe there was a demand for these goods.

The Hundred's Year War

1337

This war was between the English and the French over the French throne. This is important because the rivalry between France and England affects trade partners and allies.

Black Plague

1346

Rats carried fleas with many plagues along trade routes which caused millions of people to die. This is significant because the people left after this disaster had mutations in their genes which enabled them to survive and all this death caused a need for a fresh start.

Fall of Feudalism

1400

Feudalism fell mostly due to a centralized government being created, an increase in trade, and the decrease in the Church's power. This is important because the Church forbade learning and the Feudal system paused mental and physical progress.

Invention of the Printing Press

1440

The invention of the printing press enabled more copies of books to be created at a faster rate. This led to a higher literacy percentage, faster spread of ideas, and books written in languages other than Latin.

Fall of Constantinople

1453

Constantinople was the last city remaining in the Byzantine empire before it was seized by the Ottoman Turks. This event is important because it marks the end of the Byzantine empire and the end of the Middle Ages.

War of the Roses

1455

This was a war over the English throne and was fought by two houses. This is important because the end of the war brought about the Tudors who impacted England's politics and England's relationships with other countries and the Church.

Columbus' Maiden Voyage

1492

Columbus was experimenting trying to find a faster route to Asia and on this voyage he found North and South America. This is important because Europeans now knew of the "New World" and this started trade and colonization between the east and the west.