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Thirty Years War
The Thirty Years War had sparked from the Defenestration of Prague in 1618 when citizens threw Ferdinand's representatives out a window. Ferdinand ll had attempted to force his people to convert to Roman Catholicism. Religion had divided the area and eventually, political motives overcame the religious ones. Several Germanic Countries were involved, including Sweden, France, The Netherlands, etc. Eventually, the war was ended in 1648 by a series of treaties known as the "Peace of Westphalia". -
English Bill of Rights
The English Bill of Rights was created to ensure new rulers would not abuse their power, similar to that of James l and Charles l. The Bill of Rights had declared that the Parliament had power over the monarchs, instead of the other way. It established that the monarchy did not have a say in the spending, they couldn't make or erase laws, and the Parliament was to be consulted frequently. It had also set trial by jury, and revoked cruel or unjust punishments. This Bill had influenced Americans. -
War of the Austrian Succession
The War of the Austrian Succession had first developed from Charles VI's inability to produce a male heir. Charles had wanted to make Maria Theresa, his daughter, his successor, but was ultimately unsuccessful. After his death Frederick ll took over Silesia, sparking the war. Maria had sought help from Britain, Russia, and Hungary, and the war was ended by the defeat of the British troops. She was able to preserve her right on the throne but was unable to force Frederick out of Silesia. -
Stamp Act
The Stamp Act was passed by the British Parliament in 1765, as they were in tremendous debt from the Seven Years War. It allowed them to tax paper goods in America, such as newspapers, cards, and legal documents. The Americans violently opposed this, claiming it to be unconstitutional. The Stamp Act declared Britain had the authority to impose new taxes, angering the Americans. They had begun several riots and protests, but the tax stayed implemented. -
American Revolution
The American Revolution was a series of events occurring from 1775 - 1783. After the British had exerted even more control over the Americans, such as taxes, Americans had started a revolution, and ultimately succeeded in their goal. The Revolution had allowed the American colonists to gain their independence from Britain. The Revolution also created the current political system American has been using for around 200 years, with the first President being George Washington. -
Treaty of Paris
The Treaty of Paris was signed by the British, French, and Americans in 1783, officially signaling the end of the Revolutionary War. It was negotiated by representatives Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, and John Jay, and signed by the British King George III. The treaty recognized the independence of the American colonies. In addition, they were given the Northwest territory, which allowed them to explore and colonize the modern states of Ohio, Michigan, etc, beginning the westward expansion. -
Storming of the Bastile
In 1789, the French protesters stormed the outside of the Bastile in Paris, marking the first act of the French Revolution. The commander proceeded to open fire, killing and injuring many in the crowd. Eventually, they managed to break the restraints and killed several guards and the commander, and proceeded to seize the territory. They freed prisoners and gathered cannons and gunpowder. The crowd also publicly executed the governer, Bernard-René Jordan de Launa. -
French Revolution
The French Revolution began in 1789 and ended around the late 1790s when Napolean started to rise to power. The French Revolution had reformed the French economy and government system, as well as overthrowing the monarchy. The French citizens had been angered by the lavish lifestyles of the King and Queen, while thousands of them were starving in the streets. King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette were eventually executed by the guillotine at their refusal to reform the economic policies. -
Tennis Court Oath
The Tennis Court Oath was signed in 1789 during the beginning of the French Revolution. All of their attempts for reform had been outvoted by the clergy and nobility. The Oath had declared that the Third Estate, which consisted of nonprivileged representatives, was to not disband until France had gotten a constitution. It was signed in a Tennis Court, as they had been locked out of their original meeting place. The King finally relented, and they were joined by the Clergy and Nobility. -
Reign of Terror
The Reign of Terror had begun in 1793 and ended in 1794. It had been started by a man named Robespierre, who ultimately ended up being executed by the Reign of Terror he created. He had proposed the " Committee of Public Safety", a group dedicated to preserving the revolution through violence and bloodshed. During the Reign of Terror, anyone who was deemed suspicious, or who opposed the revolution could be executed. During this time, thousands of people were killed, and thousands arrested.
