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The Magna Carta is signed, establishing the foundation of English rights
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developed the heliocentric theory
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Galileo uses a telescope to prove the heliocentric theory
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The Baroque period began in art, music, and architecture (Bach and Handel were composers)
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Johannes Kepler discovers planetary motion
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William Harvey shows that the heart acts as a pump to circulate blood throughout the body
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The Palace of Versailles is built under the reign of Louis XIV
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The English Civil War begins between the Roundheads ( supporters of Parliament) and the Cavaliers (supporters of the King)
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Charles I is beheaded
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Thomas Hobbes publishes Leviathan - social contract ( people give up rights to a strong ruler who maintains order)
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Oliver Cromwell begins rule over England as the Lord Protector
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the monarchy was put back in control in England
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James II becomes King of England
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Isaac newton publishes the laws of gravity
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William and Mary become the leaders of England (this is known as the Glorious Revolution)
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The English Bill of Rights was passed laying out specific rights on parliament and putting limits on royal power
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John Locke publishes Two Treaties on Government - it was his theory of "natural rights" (life, liberty, and property)
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Peter I becomes czar of Russia
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The Novel became a new type of literature (Miguel Cervantes wrote Don Quixote
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St. Petersburg becomes capital of Russia
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The Age of Reason (or Enlightenment) begins
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Francis-Marie Arouet changes his name to Voltaire and goes on to Champion individual freedoms
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Peter the great begins to westernize Russia
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Montesquieu publishes On the Spirit of Laws - detailing separation of powers in government
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The Classical period began in art, music, and architecture (Haydn, Mozart, and Beethoven were composers)
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Jean Jacques Rousseau writes The Social Contract - free individuals create a society and government
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The American Revolution begins which was heavily influenced by the Age of Enlightenment
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Louis XVI becomes king
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Thomas Jefferson writes the Declaration of Independence
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The Constitution is ratified in the United States
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The French Revolution begins, having been influenced by the Age of Enlightenment and American Revolution
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The Storming of The Bastille was the symbolic start of the French Revolution
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The Bill of Rights (first 10 amendments) is added to the Constitution
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The Reign of Terror marked a period of mass executions during the French Revolution
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Louis XVI was executed at the guillotine
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Marie Antoinette was executed at the guillotine
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Edward Jenner develops the smallpox vaccine
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Napoleon Bonaparte seizes power in France in a coup d'etat
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Eugene Delacroix begins the transition of art to the romantic school
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all weather roads were created to improve year round transport and trade