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Thirty Year War
On May 23, 1618, a religious war broke out in Germany between Protestants and Roman Catholics when they met the Australian Habsburgs and the German princes. It was the longest war which lasted from 1618 to 1648 and was one of the most brutal wars ever with over 8 million deaths. The war began about religion but over time changed into which group would rule and govern Europe. Because of the war, it changed the geopolitical face of Europe and the role of religion fell. -
English Bill of Rights
In the year 1689, the English Bill of Rights was put into law by William III and Mary II. This act came from King James II repeated abuse of power when he reigned. King James II tried to collect taxes which were not authorized by the law. With the bill, it outlined particular constitutional and civil rights and gave the parliament more power than the monarchy. It also limited the king and queens power by law. This then helped inspire the U.S when they were creating their Bill of Rights. -
War of the Austrian Succession
On December 16, 1740, Frederick II of Prussia invaded Silesia. War immediately broke out when Emperor Charles VI died in 1740. The Pragmatic Sanction was then shattered and the Treaty of Utrecht was disrupted. One of Fredricks armies overran Silesia when they defeated the Australians. Austria was then able to neutralize Prussia by retaking Silesia in July 1742. Spain then renewed the asiento agreement that they had with Great Britain. This war marked the upcoming of Prussia having major power. -
Stamp Act
On March 22, 1765, the Stamp Act was passed. This imposed a direct tax on the colonists where you had to bear a tax stamp when using any printed material or legal documents. The tax was made for the purpose to replenish their money after the Seven Year War with France. The colonists said it was unconstitutional which then led to things such as mob violence and a rebellion against Britain. The First Continental Congress meeting was then held to figure out how to respond to this Intolerable Act. -
American Revolution
Between 1775-1783 there was a war which ended with 13 of Great Britain's colonies in North America becoming their own sovereign nation. Britain was trying to impose control over the colonies and tried to tax them. The colonists were also mad about having to let British soldiers sleep in their home and eat their food. Because the colonies were able to win, they secured independence of the United States and was finally separated from Great Britain and their British Empire. -
Treaty of Paris
On November 30, 1782, the Treaty of Paris was signed. This treaty made it so the French had to give up all their territories in mainland North America. This made it easier for the United States to recognize independence and create new borders for this new nation. This treaty also helped end the French and Indian War and the Seven Year War and made France, Great Britain, and their allies finally calm down. This finally ended the Revolutionary War between Great Britain and the United States. -
French Revolution
On May, 5, 1789, the French Revolution began. King Louis XVI failed at raising taxes and this then made people upset about the French monarchy and the poor economic policies that were made. The Republic of France later then declared the execution and trial of the King in 1793. The French Revolution then ended in 1799 when Napoleon was granted power and became the Emperor. This put an end to the French monarchy and feudalism. France's political and social structure had officially changed. -
Tennis Court Oath
On June 20, 1789 , members from the French’s Third Estate took the Tennis Court Oath to not leave each other until there was a constitution established for France. The King found out about the plan and told them to rejoin the Estate and continue their work but the Third Estate refused. This showed that political authority came from and came from the nation’s people and not from the monarchy. This also showed the growing uproar against Louis XVI and helped shape the Declaration of the Rights. -
Storming of the Bastille
On July 14, 1789, the state prison Bastille was attacked by an aggressive and angry mob. The prison governor tried to protect the prison they took hold of the building. They were searching for guns and ammunition and they also hoped to free prisoners inside the prison. They then went on to seize Paris and the countryside where King Louis XVI was forced into accepting constitutional monarchy. The storming and raiding of the prison Bastille helped move the idea along of the Revolution. -
Reign of Terror
On September 5, 1793, started the time period of violence during the French Revolution which consisted of conflicts between the Girondins and the Jacobins. People that were against the Revolution were then publicly executed. France was trying to get rid of all of the enemies and protect the country. During this time, about 300,000 people were arrested, around 17,000 were executed, and roughly 10,000 died in prison without trial. The Reign of Terror also helped create the conscripted arm.