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The Thirty Year's War
The Thirty Year's War was a war fought in central Europe that encompassed all major European powers of the time. The conflict stemmed from the build up of religious tension following the reformation when the Holy Roman emperor cracked down on Protestantism. Fighting lasted for 30 years between 1618 and 1648. Following the conclusion of the war in Westphalia, the balance of power in Europe was dramatically shifted, giving France a central place in western Europe. -
English Bill of Rights
The English Bill of Rights was set in place after the Restoration of the monarchy. The Glorious Revolution oversaw parliament replacing James II, an open catholic, with his daughter and son and law Mary II and issuing the English Bill of Rights. This document served to protect the rights of citizens and limited the absolute monarchy. -
War of the Austrian Succession
The War of Austrian Succession began as Maria Theresa inherited the house of Hapsburg and the Holy Roman Empire. France and Prussia used the opportunity to try to weaken Hapsburg power, while Britain allied itself with Austria. The resulting war confirmed Hapsburg succession of Silesia and minor Austrian concessions in Italy. -
Stamp Act
To pay off its massive debts following the Seven Year's War, Great Britain decided to levy higher taxes on its 13 colonies in America. The act of taxation without representation was a key point in angering the colonies and was very unpopular. Parliament was then forced to repeal the act in 1766 after many riots in the colonies. -
American Revolution
The American Revolution was the rebellion of all 13 colonies of Great Britain in North America, achieving their political independence from Great Britain. This event founded the United States of America. In the war, militias and the Continental army fought against Britain's professional armies, using their local knowledge of the land to their advantage and unorthodox tactics. The final victory came at Yorktown, when all will to fight was drained from the British Parliament. -
Treaty of Paris
The Treaty of Paris dictated the terms of the end of the Revolutionary war fought between the British and the American colonies. These included the British recognizing the Americans' independence and thus officially ended the war. It was signed by representatives of Britain, the United States, and Canada in Paris. -
The French Revolution
The French Revolution was a revolution that took place in France during the late 18th century. The fundamental reasons were mismanaging of the economic structure of France and the population increase of the last century, creating greater demand among goods and driving prices up. The following years would be marked by the general Estate forming a national assembly and the struggle for political power. The King and Queen of France were executed, and a huge uprooting of french society commenced. -
Storming of the Bastille
The Bastille was a french state prison for important persons. During the start of the French Revolution, a crowd of people demanded the prison governor to hand off the ammunition and arms. When no compromise could be reached, the angered crowd stormed the Bastille and captured it. De Launay, the governor of the Bastille and six others were killed. The gunpowder inside the Bastille was seized. -
Tennis Court Oath
The Tennis Court Oath was an oath taken by members of the Third Estate to convene when necessary to establish a constitution in France. The Third estate had formed the National Assembly in response to complaints about the nonrepresentational voting system of the general estate. On the day of the oath, the troops had locked the chamber of the National Assembly. The members of the Third Estate thus decided to relocate to a tennis court, giving the oath its name. -
Reign of Terror
The Reign of Terror was encompassed by the absolute influence of the french ministry of Committee of Public Safety. During this era of French society, popular pressure from the radical sans-culottes led to a string of executions amid the Committee's accusations of treason In addition, an upheaval of religious thinking took place. Despite the extreme radicalism, the Reign of Terror would end with the fall of Maximilien Robespierre and the takeover of more moderate groups inside the convention.