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The Thirty Year's War was a series of wars fought by a group of nations for many reasons, including religious, dynastic, territorial, and commercial rivalries. (I couldn't fit the rest, see submitted document)
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The English Bill of Rights was instated as a part of the Glorious Revolution. The new rulers, William and Mary, were made to sign the English Bill of Rights, which ensured the superiority of Parliament over the monarchy. (I couldn't fit the rest, see submitted document)
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This conflict began when Frederick II of Prussia seized a province of Hapsburg, attempting to take control from the rightful heir, Maria Theresa. Maria Theresa pleaded for and received military help from Hungary, Britain, and Russia. She never forced Frederick out, but she succeeded in preserving her empire and won the support of her people. (I couldn't fit the rest, see submitted document)
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The Stamp Act was a tax imposed upon the colonies by Britain that taxed items such as newspapers and pamphlets. The colonists saw these taxes as an attack on their rights. They protested the taxes, coining the phrase, "no taxation without representation." Because they had no representatives in Parliament, they believed the taxes were unfair. This event was important because it served as a sort of catalyst for other protests and, eventually, declaring independence.
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The American Revolution began when the colonies declared independence from Britain. They believed that the British government was unjust, and wanted to create a government based on freedom and natural law. The United States and Britain fought for 5 years, but eventually, the colonies triumphed, earning their freedom. This war was important because it ended in the formation of the United States of America, which was also the first (modern) nation to achieve independence in a war of liberation.
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The Treaty of Paris was a document that marked the official ending of the American Revolution. The Treaty was signed by American, British, and French diplomats two years after the British surrender at Yorktown. As a part of the Treaty, Britain had to accept America’s independence and the new nation’s western frontier as the Mississippi River. This treaty was important because Britain formally recognized the independence of the United States of America.
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The storming of the Bastille, a medieval fortress used as a prison, was the opening event of the French Revolution. More than 800 Parisians assembled outside the Bastille and demanded the weapons they believed to be stored there. The commander refused and opened fire on the crowd. The mob fought the guards and released the prisoners inside. For them, the Bastille was a symbol of the tyranny and injustices of the old order. This event was important because it was their first step towards freedom.
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The French Revolution was a period of upheaval in France as the middle and lower classes attempted to overthrow the monarchy. The revolution began with the storming of the Bastille, and the movement lasted from 1789-1799. (I couldn't fit the rest, see submitted document)
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The Tennis Court Oath was an oath taken by the delegates of the French National Assembly. The delegates were locked out of their meeting hall and feared the king would dismiss them. They moved to a nearby indoor tennis court and swore: "never to separate and to meet wherever the circumstances might require until we have established a sound and just constitution." The Tennis Court Oath was important because it showed growing unrest and laid the foundation for later events in the Revolution.
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The Reign of Terror was a period of time in France where radicals spread the message that terror was necessary to protect the Revolution and achieve its goals. They wanted to purge France of its enemies. Over this 9-10 month period, about 300,000 citizens were arrested and about 17,000 were executed. Victims came from all social classes, and most were falsely accused. The Reign of Terror was important because it marked a radical phase of the French Revolution.
