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When Emperor Ferdinand became the head of the Holy Roman Empire, he took away the religious freedom of all of the empire's citizens. The Protestant Bohemian states wanted to secede, starting the war. In 1648, the war was ended after the Peace of Westphalia was signed. The war changed the geopolitical face of Europe.
History.com Editors. Thirty Years' War. 9 Nov. 2009, www.history.com/topics/reformation/thirty-years-war. -
After James II of England was removed from power, he was replaced with his daughter, Mary II, and her husband William III. The English Bill of Rights gave more power to Parliament. This made England a Constitutional Monarchy. The Bill of Rights is still used to this day.
History.com Editors. “English Bill of Rights.” History.com, 6 Mar. 2018, www.history.com/topics/british-history/english-bill-of-rights. -
In December, 1740, Frederick the Great invaded Silesia, an Austrian province. France then attacked Austria from the west. They successfully conquered Silesa. But Austria fought back. The war ended in October, 1748, with the Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle. However, Prussia and Austria would fight again soon.
“War of the Austrian Succession.” National Army Museum, www.nam.ac.uk/explore/war-austrian. -
After the Seven Years War, England decided to tax the American colonists to earn back some of their lost money. This angered the colonists, who argued that they shouldn't be taxed without representation in Parliament. The act was repealed in 1766, but Britain continued to impose taxes on the colonies. This led to the colonists revolting, which led to American independence.
History.com Editors. “Stamp Act.” History.com, 9 Nov. 2009, www.history.com/topics/american-revolution/stamp-act. -
In 1773, a group of Bostonians boarded British ships and destroyed their tea to protest the new taxes. Enraged, Parliament closed Boston Harbor. On April 18, 1775, British troops went from Boston to Concord to seize the colonists' weapons. Paul Revere and others rode to warn the colonists. The next day, the war began.
History.com Editors. “Revolutionary War.” History.com, 29 Oct. 2009, www.history.com/topics/american-revolution/american-revolution-history. -
The Treaty of Paris ended the American Revolution. It was negotiated in 1783 between John Jay, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, George Washington, King George III. The British crown recognized American independence and gave the US most of their land east of the Mississippi.
History.com Editors. “Treaty of Paris.” History.com, 13 Nov. 2009, www.history.com/topics/american-revolution/treaty-of-paris. -
Due to the large amounts of money France had spent on the American Revolution, the country was almost broke. The citizens were poor and starving, though they were still taxed heavily. This led to them revolting. The revolution completely changed the political landscape of France.
History.com Editors. “French Revolution.” History.com, 9 Nov. 2009, www.history.com/topics/france/french-revolution. -
In an attempt to address the nation's crisis, Louis XVI assembled the National assembly. This was made up of the Nobles, the clergy, and the commoners. The commoners, aka the Third Estate, called themselves the National Assembly and decided to impose a new constitution on the king. This oath was made on a Tennis court.
“Third Estate Makes Tennis Court Oath.” History.com, 9 Feb. 2010, www.history.com/this-day-in-history/third-estate-makes-tennis-court-oath. -
Many French citizens were angry at the tyranny of the monarchs. So, they decided to overthrow the throne. On July 14, 1789, an armed mob gathered around the Bastille. They stormed it, killed the general, freed the prisoners, and took the weapons. This would lead to the French revolution and the monarchy being abolished.
“French Revolutionaries Storm the Bastille.” History.com, 24 Nov. 2009, www.history.com/this-day-in-history/french-revolutionaries-storm-bastille. -
After Marie-Antoinette and Louis XVI were executed, the Jacobins took over and began the Reign of Terror. Thousands of people who were suspected of being anti-revolution were murdered. On July 28, 1794, Robespierre was executed, marking the end of the reign of terror.
History.com Editors. “French Revolution.” History.com, 9 Nov. 2009, www.history.com/topics/france/french-revolution#section_7.
