West and the World

Bubonic Plague

Jan 1, 1346

The Bubonic Plague or the Black Death was the most devastating pandemic in human history. It was carried by fleas living on black rats and came to Europe on merchant ships. The plague killed one third of Europe's population, wiping out entire towns. It returned several times but finally left Europe in the 19th Century.

Renaissance Begins

Jan 1, 1350

A rebirth, a movement in high culture a revival of interest in art, literature and learning which began in Italy. Art became realistic, in depth and potrayal of 3D space became extended and relateable. Leonardo da Vinci is known as the Renaissance Man becasue he was a renowned painter, sculptor, musician, architect, engineer, anatomist, mathmetician, inventor, scientist, etc, and had many capabilities and artistic talent.

Invention of Linear Perspective

Jan 1, 1413

Filippo Brunelleschi discovered linear persepective in 1413. Because of this discovery, art became realistic, in depth, and helped give the name the Renaissance.

Joan of Arc and the Siege of Orleans

May 30, 1429

At sixteen, Joan of Arc, a French peasant girl, said she heard voices from three saints telling her aid Dauphin in capturing Riems. Joan informed Charles VI of her voices and for several weeks he had Joan questioned. Afterwards, Charles gave Joan a small army

the Printing Press Invention

Jan 1, 1439

The printing press was invented by Johann Gutenberg in 1439. The invention changed the world of printing as things could now be produced for less and more rapidly. This technology also brought development in art, science and religion as tests could be could be made faster.

Cosimo de Medici dies

Aug 1, 1464

Cosimo de Medici was born Sept 27, 1389 and was the founder of the Medici family that ruled 1434 to 1537.

Spanish Inquisition Begins

Jan 1, 1478

The Spanish Inquistion began with Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand writing a request to the Pope asking permission to start and inquistion in Spain. They decided Catholicism would be the ultimate religion. They began imprisoning, torturing and persecuting Jews, Chrisitans, Protestants and non- believers, and many, possibly thousands were burned at the stake.

the Birth of Venus

Jan 1, 1486

Birth of Venus was panted by Filipepi (Sandro) Bottlicelli in 1486.

Discovery of America

Oct 12, 1492

Christopher Columbus discovered America in October 12 1492. He was the first European to explore America since the Vikings landed in Greenland and Newfoundland during the 10th century.

the Last Supper

Jan 1, 1495

The Last Supper was painted by Leonardo de Vinci in 1495. The piece inspired many artsits during the Renaissance. Today, it is in horrible condition even through many restorations.

the School of Athens

Jan 1, 1510

The School of Athens was painted by Raphael Sanzio in 1510.

Sistine Chapel Painting

Oct 1, 1512

The Sistine Chapel was painted by Michelangelo by the request of Pope Julius II in 1512. The ceiling which Michelanelo has to paint is well over 5 000 square feet, It took him just over four years to paint andhe painted scenes from the Bible.

Thomas More Utopia

Jan 1, 1514

Sir Thomas More, also known as Saint Thomas More, was an English lawyer, scholar, author, and statesman. During his life he gained a reputation as a leading Renaissance humanist, a violent opponent of the Reformation of Martin Luther, and a government official. For the last six years of his life he was Lord Chancellor. Thomas More wrote Utopia in a attempt "to offer a practical response to the crises of the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries by carefully defining an ideal republic."

Machiavelli writes the Prince

Mar 6, 1514

Niccolo Machivelli was head of the second chancery in Florence but lost his job when the Medici family took control. By writing the Prince, it was his attempt to earn the favour of the Medici family. Machiavelli describes the contents of the Prince as being an un-embellished summary of his knowledge about the nature of princes and "the actions of great men."

Martin Luther

Oct 31, 1517

Martin Luther, a priest and scholar, did not agree with the "indulgences" of the Roman Catholic Church and therefore posted a 95 theses on the church which began the Protestant Reformation.

Wars of Religion

Jan 1, 1524

The Wars of Religion started in Europe in 1524 and lasted until the Edict of Nantes in 1598. The wars were fought between Catholics and Huguenots.

Henry VIII of England

Jul 11, 1533

Henry VIII of England is excommincated from the Catholic Church by Pope Clement VII.

Ivan the Terrible

Aug 25, 1533

Ivan IV was born August 25 1533 was the first ruler of Russia to assume the title of tsar. Ivan the Terrible was called that for his reputation as being a one of the most violent leaders, killing innocent people and anyone who opposed him. He became mentally ill in the later half of his reign in which he apprently beat his daughter-in-law for dressing immodestly and killed is son. Ivan the Terrible died March 18 1584.

Jesuit Order

Sep 27, 1534

The Jesuit Order was founded by Ignatius Loyola and played an important role in Counter- Reformation. The purpose was to convert "lost" to Catholicism. Loyola and six of his students took vows of chastity and poverty.

Desiderius Erasmus

Jul 12, 1536

Desiderius Erasmus, born in 1466, was a Dutch theologian, humanist, traveler, writer. He criticized the church, and also translated the Greek version of the New Testament into Latin. Erasmus died July 12, 1536

Copernicus and hte Scientific Revoltion

Jan 1, 1543

The Scientific Revolution refers to the historical changes in thought and belief which started with Nicholas Copernicus, a Polish astronomer (1473- 1543) and ended with Isaac Newton, a British mathematician (1642- 1727). Copernicus was a ``scientific genius whose work revolutionized astronomy and altered our understanding of our place in the world.`` He was the first to suggest that our planet, and others, revolve around the sun and that the earth rotates on its axis every 24 hours.

Spain declares bankruptcy

Jan 1, 1557

Spain was the first nation in history to declare bankruptcy and did so in 1557. Spanish King PhillipI II declared bankruptcy four times during his rule,1557, 1560, 1575, 1596.

Coroatio of Quee Elizabeth I

Jan 16, 1559

Elizabeth Tudoras born Spetember 7, 1533 and became Queen of England in 1559 when she was 25 years old. She ruled alone for almost half a century.

Saint Bartholomew's Massacre

Aug 24, 1572

King Charles IX of France, under pressure from Catherine de Medici order the assassination Admiral Gaspard de Coligny, a Huguenot leader which resulted in killing Huguenots all over France. An estimated 70 000 people were killed in France.

Edict of Nantes

Apr 13, 1598

The Edicit of Nantes was a decree by Henry IV which gave religious tolerance to the Huguenots in France. It also marked the end of the Wars of Religion in France