West and The World

The Bubonic Plauge Begins

Jan 1, 1347

The Bubonic Plague, more commonly known as the Black Death, was a disease that devastated the population of Europe from 1347-1350C.E. The Black Death originated in China and was carried to Europe by Oriental Rat Fleas on the Black Rats that often infested merchant ships of the time. Individuals believed this to be the scourge of God for their sins as a third of the population was killed. The Black Death had a series of economic and social impacts including the weakening of the Feudal system.

The Mid 14th- Late 16th Century

Period: Jan 1, 1347 to Apr 13, 1598

Covers the Endings of the Medieval Ages up to and through the Renaissance.

The Renaissance Begins

Jan 1, 1350

The Renaissance was an intellectual and artistic movement and transformation in Europe, beggining out of the late Middle Ages and carrying on to the begining of the 17th Century, steming out of Italy. The Renaissance was a "Rebirth" and affected many cultural aspects of society such as religion, art, politics, music, science, and literature. The Renaissance was home to many outstanding advacements and individuals including inventor, Leonardo Da Vinci, and famous painter Michelangelo.

Brunelleschi Creates Leanear Perspective

Jan 1, 1413

Filippo Brunelleschi was one of the greatest architects and enigineers of The Renaissance period, making many discoveries in his fields, and constructing architectual triumphs. Brunelleschi is famous for his discovery and creation of the linear perspective. Brunelleschi created two pieces accurately demonstrating his linear perspective in the 1400's. Linear perspective was used in order to allow paintings not only to apear as two dimensional figures but as three dimensional structures.

Joan of Arc and The Seige of Orleans

Oct 12, 1428

The Seige of Orleans was a pivitol battle in the Hundered Years War between France and England, and was Joan of Arcs first major military victory. It was an English attempt to conquer Orleans, a location with significance to either side, it was thought that had this battle been lost France would fall to the English. Joan of Arc used a very tactical approach to the resupply the French in order to fend off the Seige which was called off 9 days after her arrival.

Johann Gutenberg Invents the Printing Press

Aug 15, 1439

Gutenberg was a blacksmith, printer, and publicher who introduced printing into Europe. His invention of the Printing press played a key role throughout the Renaissance and Reformation in Europe, as it spread knowledge throughout Europe. The Invention of the Printing Press in 1439 was the result of adapting printing technologies inro a press which made possible the mass production of books and articles and reduced the need for scribes.

Cosimo de Medici Dies

Aug 1, 1464

Medici was the first of a Medici political dynasty that would control Italy throughout the Renaissance. Medici's political power was a result of his wealth,that he used to control the voting, not holding office due to the pride in democracy that Florence had. Medici was exiled for a brief time, from which he retured and greatly influenced Italian government once again. Medici was a supporter of the arts and had great impact on intellectuals of the Renaissance.

The Spanish Inquisition Begins

Jan 1, 1478

The Spanish Inquisition was a tribunal of the Church created in order to maintain Catholic Orthodoxy within kingdoms and regulate the faith of converted individuals. It followed a tribunal court system based on Ancient Roman Law. The Inquisition replaced the Medieval inquisition and was intended to create religious unity and weaken the political power of local authourities in attempts to strenghten the church. The Inquisition is closely tied with torturous activities and executions.

Sandro Botticelli Paints "Birth of Venus"

Jan 1, 1486

Botticelli was a famous Itallian painter of the early Renaissance period, he belonged to the Florentine school with support of Lorenzo de Medici. Boticelli is most famous for his work entitled "The Birth of Venus" of which he was commisioned to paint by Medici. The painting depicts the godess Venus emerging from the sea. The painting was a highly influencial piece of the time.

Columbus Discovers the Americas

Oct 12, 1492

Christopher Columbus was an Itallian exploerer, of the 15th century, most known for his discovery of the Americas. Columbus conducted a number of voyages across the atlantic. Columbus discvered the Americas on his first voyage, which was an attempt to discover a more efficient trading route to Asia. Columbus' discovery lead to the begining of colonization of the New World. Although he was not the first to discovery the Americas he began the first lasting European contact.

Da Vinci Paints "The Last Supper"

Jan 1, 1495

Leonardo Da Vinci was an Itallian Renaisance painter, inventor, math matician, ect. given the title "The Renaissance man" for his influence in almost every aspect of culture at the time. Leonardo Da Vinci, as a painter created a series of master pieces including "The Mona Lisa" and "The Last Supper" which depicts the last supper of Jesus as told in John 13:21 with his 12 gospels, just as he has heard one of them will betray him. The painting was influencial in art as well as in religion.

Raphael Paints "The School of Athens"

Jan 1, 1510

Rapheal was one of the great artists of the Renaissance, with "The School of Athens" being one of his most famous works. It was painted as part of Rapheal's commision to decorate parts of the Vatican in Itally. The painting is thought to be a master piece of the period and embodies the style and spirit of the Renaissance.

Michelangelo Paints "The Sistine Chapel"

Jan 1, 1512

Michelangelo was an influential Renaissance artist, having a great impact and influence on all western art. He was considered to be the greatest artist of his time. Michelangelo was asked to paint the ceeling of the Sistine Chapel in Italy. In the Sistine Chapel is some of Michelangelos most admired works such as "The Last Judgment" and "The Creation of Adam." The building served as great influence to other painters and a great construction of the Renaissance period.

Machiavelli Writes "The Prince"

Jan 1, 1514

Machiaveli was an Italian writer, historian, and politician during the Renaissance, as the founder of political science and political ethics. "The Prince" was one of Machiaveli's best known works, and outlines political sciences, political ethics, and political philosiphy. "The Prince" is one of the most influencial literary pieces of the Renaissance. The Prince influenced other historical figures such as King Henry VIII in a turn to patrionism and a shift in tactics.

Thomas More's "Utopia"

Jan 1, 1516

Thomas More was an English statesman, philosipher, lawyer, author and humanist of the Renaissance. More created a fictional work concerning political philosiphy entitled "Utopia". The work outlined a fictional society along with its religious, social, and political customs, demonstrating a perfect society. The work is concidered an early piece of satire.

Martin Luther's 95 Theses

Jan 1, 1517

Martin Luther was a German Monk, and a key figure in the Protestant Reformation, not believing that God forgave based on money given to the church through thins such as indulgences. In his Ninety Five Thesis he protests against abuses by the church such as indulgences. This work is considered an intial motivator toward the Protestant Reformation.

Start of the European Wars of Religion

Jan 1, 1524

The Religious wars were a series of wars in Europe from Ca. 1524- 1697. These wars followed the begining of the Protestant Reformation. The wars were a result of the religious change occuringing withing this period and the rivalries produced. The Wars were significant in deciding the power the Catholic church would hold and the general view of religion.

Ivan the Terrible is Born

Aug 25, 1530

Ivan the Terrible was the Grand Prince of Moscow, and Tsar of the Russias. Reigning from 1547-84. Ivan greatly contributed to the progression of an empire from seperate medieval states. Ivan was an intelligent diplomat and leader. However Ivan had a sever temper. Ivan supported the arts and trade. Ivan is remembered for his temper and harsh however progressive reign as leader of the Russias.

Henry VIII of England is Excommunicated

Jan 1, 1533

Henry VIII was the King of England from 1509 until he died in 1547. King Henry was significant in his part, seperating the Church of England from the Roman Catholic Church, becoming head of the church. He remained however to insititute catholic teachings. Disagreements with Pope Clement over his mariage and daughter as well as certain privilages of the Catholic Church led to Henry VIII being excomunicated.

The Jesuit Order is Founded by Ignatius Loyola

Jan 1, 1534

The Jesuit Order was an order of religious men of the Roman Catholic Church. The Jesuit order made efforts in education by constructing schools and colleges, missionary efforts in providing help and attempting to convert people to Catholicism. Ignatius Loyola founded the order after himself experiencing a religiious conversion, now wishing to spread the teachings of Jesus Christ.

Desiderius Erasmus Dies

Jul 12, 1536

Desiderius Erasmus was a Dutch Renaissance priest, teacher and humanist. Erasmus was one of the earliest supporters of the toleration of all religions. Erasmus greatly supported reformation and was very critical of the abuses made by the Roman Catholic Church, he would not chose to abandon his religion. He attemted to create a religious path not for the Catholics but neither many, angering many.

Copernicus/ The Scientific Revolution

Jan 1, 1543

Nicholaus Copernicus was a Renaissance mathmatician, astronomer. Copernicus created a model of the Universe placing the Sun as its centre rather than the Earth as it had previously been thought. His book On the Revolutions of the Celestial Spheres is one of the most important works of that time period greatly influencing further explorations. Copernicus is famous in being a key contributer to the Scientific Revolution.

Spain Declares Bankruptcy for the 1st Time

Jan 1, 1557

Spain was one of the first nations to have came to declare bankruptcy in 1557. This declaration occured under the reign of King Phillip II along with three other banktrupcy claims. As King Phillip was faced with an alarming amount of debt as well as a large yearly defeceit, he failied to turn the economic problems of Spain around, contributing to the decline of the Spanish Empire.

Coronation of Queen Elizabeth I

Jan 15, 1559

Queen Elizabeth was the daughter to King Henry VIII, and reigning Queen of England. Queen Elizabeth was a fair leader and her reign is associated with one of England's greatest victories, the defeat of the Spanish Armada after the knighting of pirate, Sir Francis Drake. Queen Elizabeth' was also significant in establishing the English Protestant Church.

Saint Bartholomew's Day Massacre

Aug 23, 1572

A massacre during the French Wars of religion, in which a series of assasinations began a violent riot against French Protestants, known as Huguenots. The Massacre was a dviding force between protestants and catholics in France, contributing to the continuall violent attempts for religious power

Edict of Nantes

Apr 13, 1598

A document passed by King Henry IV of France that gave religious rights to the French Protestants, while the region was still predominantely Catholic. The Edict of Nantes ended the French Religious Wars and attempted to progress toward the seperation of Church and State. The Edict returned Protestants their Civil Rights and was a step towards tolarance of religion.