The World Changing 16th Century by Jack Hopkins and David Koon

Portuguese capture Malacca

Jan 1, 1511

In 1509, a first Portuguese expedition failed, and the sultan held many Portuguese prisoners. In June Afonso de Albuquerque led a second expedition. The Portuguese attacked many times starting on July 27. The Portuguese gained control of Malacca on August 24 and a fortress was then built by the Portuguese. The Portuguese held on to Malacca until it was captured by the Dutch in 1641. Ferdinand Magellan was one of the men participating in the conquest.

Thomas More writes “Utopia”

Jan 1, 1516

Sir Thomas More is famous for his book “Utopia”. The title, "Utopia," is a pun meaning both "good place" and "no place." It describes the best place that everyone dreams of seeing and having but Thomas More conveys that this utopia is not real.. More is also famous because he was a martyr. More was imprisoned, tried and executed because he also refused to let the king divorce.

Martin Luther presents his 95 Theses

Jan 1, 1517

Born in Eisleben, Germany, in 1483, Martin Luther went on to become one of Western history's most significant figures. But in 1517 Luther penned a document attacking the Catholic Church's corrupt practice of selling "indulgences" to absolve sin. His "95 Theses," which propounded two central beliefs. The Catholic Church was ever after divided, and the Protestantism that soon emerged was shaped by Luther's ideas. Video: http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/martin-luther-posts-95-theses

Machiavelli writes “The Prince”

Jan 1, 1518

Niccolo Machiavelli was born in Florence on May 3, 1469 as the son of a legal official. After receiving an education that allowed him to cultivate a good grasp of the Latin and Italian classics he entered government service as a clerk in 1494. Machiavelli's most famous work, The Prince, was written in 1513 but only published after his death. It describes the often crafty, cunning and unscrupulous methods by which a prince can acquire and maintain political power.

Suleiman takes power

Jan 1, 1520

Sultan Suleiman I (1494 – 1520 – 1566) “The Magnificent” and “The Law Giver” reigned for 46 years from 1520 as the tenth and greatest ruler of the Ottoman Empire. His father, Selim “the Grim”, who ruled from 1512 to 1520. His son, Suleiman the Magnificent, expanded the Ottoman Empire to what proved to be their maximum extent. The Ottomans controlled the Mediterranean and in the North and overran Hungary. In the East he reached Tabriz and conquered Baghdad in 1534.

Castiglione writes “The Courtier”

Jan 1, 1528

The Book of the Courtier was written by Baldassare Castiglione in 1528. Baldassare was inspired to write the Courtier by debates that occurred in Urbino on what makes a well-rounded person. In the book, the courtier is described as having a cool mind, a good voice and proper bearing and gestures. At the same time though, the courtier is expected to have a warrior spirit, to be athletic and to have good knowledge of the humanities, classics, and how to draw and paint.

Pizzaro Conquers the Inca

Jan 1, 1532

Francisco Pizarro was born in 1474 in Trujillo, Spain, as the illegitimate and poorly-educated son of a minor noble. His first expedition failed with no gain. A second expedition led pizzaro to find an Inca out post and found three youths which he wanted to train as interpreters. In a third expedition pizzaro became the governor of Peru. The emperor’s sons both took part of the empire. The two brothers were soon at war. Soon one brother conquered the other and their civilization was week.

Council of Trent establishes doctrines

Jan 1, 1545

Because many people left to follow martin Luther the church needed to establish their doctrines. The church called the bishops of the world to meat in Trent Italy. Named after the city it was held in, the Council of Trent took 18 years. Throughout these 18 years the bishops met at 3 different times. The main goal of the council was to clarify and define many of the faith and discipline teachings that were being threatened at the time.

Elizabeth I becomes Queen of England

Nov 17, 1558

Princess Elizabeth was 25 years old and a few courters came to deliver a message to her. They told her that the queen wad dead and that she was now queen of England. Elizabeth’s father went through several marriages so a male heir would be born. When he died and Edward came to the throne. When Edward died, Mary came to the throne. Two months later on January 15 her official coronation took place, she ruled for 45 years and named an age after herself.

James I begins reign

Jan 1, 1567

Born in Edinburgh, he was the only child of mary who was murdered when he was a year old. When James was little he was surrounded by incompetence and violence but he was a devoted scholar, theologian, and writer. He was crowned on July 29 at Stirling Castle. He married Anne of Denmark on November 23, 1589 and three of their eight children survived. He was crowned a second time at Westminster Abbey on July 25, 1603. The king died at Westminster Abbey at the age of 59.

Dutch declare independence from Spain

Jul 26, 1581

Toward the end of the Middle Ages, many of the large cities of the Netherlands had bought or won charters giving them many rights of freedom, but when Charles V came to the throne of Spain he disre-garded these charters. It brings forward prominently the great idea that rulers are responsible to the people and can be deposed by them. The growth of this idea is center of the development of constitu-tional and republican government. It was signed on July 26, 1581