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Jan 1, 1348
The Black Death
1348-1351. The Black Death was significant in Europe because it killed devastating numbers of Europe's population. However, it contributed to the end of feudalism and serfdom. -
Jan 1, 1350
Renaissance
1350-1550. The Renaissance, or "rebirth," in Europe was a revival of European interest in the arts. It brought on new ideas such as humanism, individualism, and secuarlism; these intellectual movements ultimately resulted in the Scientific Revolution and the Enlightenment. -
Jan 1, 1415
Council of Constance burns Hus and ends Great Schism
1415-1417. The end of the Great Schism was important because it signified the start of Conciliarism, where the council had more authority than the pope. It also led to hostility towards the papacy and incited the Protestant Reformation. -
Jan 1, 1450
Exploration
1450-1600. European exploration during this time is extremely significant because it laid the foundation of modern countries in the New World, West Africa, and the Pacific. -
Jan 1, 1453
Fall of Constantinople; End of Hundred Years' War
The Fall of Constantinople signified the end of the Byzantine Empire. The Hundred Years' War introduced the longbow, caused France's population and economy to decline, and led to the tension that caused the War of the Roses. -
Jan 1, 1455
Invention of Printing Press
The invention of the printing press is extremely significant because it allowed for the easy manufacturing of books. These books helped develop movements such as the Protestant Reformation, Scientific Revolution, and the Englightenment. -
Jan 1, 1492
Columbus encounters America; completion of reconquista in Spain
The encounter of Columbus and the Americas is significant because European exploration ended with the death of a majority of Native Americans. The end of reconquista in Spain signified the end of Islam in Spain, with Christian Spain in its place. -
Jan 1, 1500
Early Modern Society
1500-1700. Early modern society saw the global interactions of areas that were previously isolated and the beginning of capitalist economies. -
Jan 1, 1500
Price Revolution
Sixteenth century. The Price Revolution caused the increased prices of food (while wages didn’t increase with prices), while entrepreneurs benefited from rising prices and cheap labor costs. -
Jan 1, 1500
Protestant and Catholic Reformations
Sixteenth century. These religious reformations were significant because new religions—Protestantism, Calvinism, Lutheranism, etc—emerged and caused political disarray in Europe. -
Jan 1, 1517
Luther Posts 95 Theses
Without Luther's 95 Theses written in German, the Protestant Reformation may not have ever reached the heights it did. It is significant because peasants were able to understand the corruption of the Church and it carried on the ideologies of Hus. -
Jan 1, 1519
Cortez Conquers Aztecs
The conquest of the Aztecs was significant because it essentially destoryed the Aztec civilization. The Aztecs had built an empire with conquest, and was destroyed by Cortez and his mission. It also brought deadly disease to the natives. -
Jan 1, 1520
Religious Wars
1520s-1650. The Religious Wars in Europe (including the Revolt of the Spanish Netherlands, War of the Three Henries, and the Thirty Years' War) resulted in political tension in Europe and the fall of the Holy Roman Empire. -
Jan 1, 1534
Act of Supremacy in England Creates Anglican Church
The Act of Supremacy and Anglican Church were significant because the excommunication of the Pope further feuled the Protestant Reformation happening in Europe. -
Jan 1, 1536
Calvin Establishes Reformed Faith in Geneva
The establishment of Calvinism in Geneva was significant because Geneva became a center for the Reformation and education. -
Jan 1, 1543
Scientific Revolution
1543-1687. The Scientific Revolution was the predecessor to modern science. Scientific ideas emerged that are still used today. It caused religious doubt in Europe. -
Jan 1, 1543
Copernicus Publishes Heliocentric Theory
Copernicus's findings were not only significant, but monumental. The heliocentric theory changed the basis of astronomy as we know it, eliminated Ptolemy's geocentric theory, and challenged the Roman Catholic Church. -
Jan 1, 1545
Council of Trent Opens
The Council of Trent is significant because it played a big role in the Catholic Counter-Reformation. -
Jan 1, 1550
Dutch Commercial Dominance
1550-1650. The Dutch monopolized European and world trade. The beginnings of capitalism resulted in the joint-stock company, mercantilism, and the Bank of Amsterdam. -
Jan 1, 1550
Age of Crisis
1550-1650. Sixteenth and seventeenth century Europe were plagued by violent conflicts such as the Thirty Years' War and the English Civil War. However, the chaos resulted in the English Bill of Rights and significant secularist movements in the Enlightenment. -
Jan 1, 1555
Peace of Augsburg Ends Religious War in Germany; Charles V Abdicates
The Peace of Augsburg is significant because German princes were able to choose whether the people in their land were Catholic of Lutheran. This also caused uproar because those were the only two options for religion. Charles V abdicating was significant because he gave away land from the Holy Roman Empire. -
Jan 1, 1580
The Witchcraft Scare
1580-1680. The Witchcraft Craze stirred religious fear and suspicion throughout Europe. -
Defeat of Spanish Armada
The defeat of the Spanish Armada is signficant because it established England as a world power. It also brought long-range weapons into naval warfare. -
Edict of Nantes Ends French Religious Wars
The Edict of Nantes was important because it granted rights to the Huguenots and strenghtened the French monarchy. -
Baroque Art
1600-1750. Baroque art expanded upon classical ideals of Renaissance art with dramatic effects to intensify emotion. It ushered a new age of artistic movements. -
Dutch East India Company Founded
The Dutch East India Company was significat because it connect European and Asian trade. It was the first company to issue stocks and acted almost as a government power. -
Stuart Monarchy Begins in England
The House of Stuart was significant because they ruled for so long. During their reign, the English Civil War, Glorious Revolution, and severe financial debt occured. -
Conflict between Parliament and King in England
1603-1689. The English Civil War is a significant period in history due to its struggle between the leader and the body of a government. It result in the English Bill of Rights and the American checks and balances policy. -
Age of Louis XIV
1643-1715. Louis XIV is one of France's most significant rulers, mainly due to his ultimate bankrupting of France's treasury. He ordered for the building of the Palace of Versailles, caused Huguenots and Protestants to defy France by leaving, and played a role in the War of Spanish Succession. -
Peace of Westphalia Ends Thirty Years' War
The Peace of Westphalia was significant because it resulted in German religious freedom, hurt the German economy and population, and caused 300 Holy Roman Empire states to be independent. -
Charles I Executed in England
Charles I's execution was significant because it signified the end of the second phase of the English Civil War. It also caused Charles II to raise an army against Cromwell and Cromwell, in response, invaded Scotland. -
Absolutism
1650-1750. Absolutism plays an important role in this part of history because previously European states were in civil wars, but absolutism argued that a centralized government could solve this. It also created the concept of divine-right monarchies. -
Commercial Wars
1650-1763. Also known as the Anglo-Dutch Wars, the Commercial Wars are significant in the downfall of the Dutch empire and the rise of England's navy. -
Rise of Prussia
1650-1753. The Rise of Prussia was significant due to its quick rise under Frederck William I despite its small size. Prussia also contributed to the rise of Austria. -
Newton Publishes Principia Mathematica
Principia Mathematica is important because it compiled a majority of mathematical equations known at the time. With this knowledge, Newton developed calculus. -
Glorious Revolution; Peter the Great's Reign Begins in Russia
1688-1689. The Glorious Revolution resulted in William of Orange taking the throne. Peter the Great is signficant because he westernized Russia. -
Rise of Russia
1689-1815. The Rise of Russia during this time period has significantly affected the current culture of Russia after Peter the Great's process of westernization. -
Bank of England Founded
The Bank of England is significant because it originally worked as the government's bank. -
Rise of the Middle Class
Eighteenth century. The rise of middle class citizens was immense progress in Europe leaving its aristocracy. The prevelant income gap was less severe. -
Enlightenment
Eighteenth century. The Enlightenment was an intellectual movement that led to many scientific breakthroughs. Secularism became prominent and religious criticism resulted in a loss of belief. -
Agricultural Revolution
Eighteenth century. The Agricultural Revolution of the eighteenth century is one of the most significant developments in food production. It used technology to increase the productivity of farming. -
Peace of Utrecht; death of Louis XIV
1713-1715. These treaties were significant because they ended the War of Spanish Succession. Louis XIV's death was significant because he ruled longer than any monarch in European history. He funded the Palace of Versailles and put France into major debt. -
Rococo Art
1720-1760. Rococo art influeced many types of European art including architecture, theatre, painting, and sculptures. It is a signicant period in the development of European art. -
War of Austrian Succession
The War of Austrian Succession is significant because it results in Frederick the Great keeping the land of Silesia. Maria Theresa ultimately inherits the throne. -
Rise of Nationalism
1750s-1914. Due to the various revolutions and political reforms throughout Europe, nationalism soared. Governments gain from nationalism because citizens have the best aims for their country. -
Industrial Revolution
1750-1850. The Industrial Revolution is one of the most significant periods of all time because of its popularization of the factory and new manufacturing processes. -
Treaty of Paris
The Treaty of Paris of 1763 is extremely significant because it ended the French and Indian War and France gave up all its land in North America. -
American Revolution; Smith Publishes Wealth of Nations
The American Revolution was significant because it worked to seperate the colonies from Britain. The Wealth of Nations is significant because it became the foundation for economics. -
Age of Revolutions
1789-1848. This was a period consisting of the revolutions against oppressive governments throughout the world. The biggest of these are the American Revolution and the French Revolution, which have affected the governments of the nations to this day. -
French Revolution Begins
The French Revolution is significant because it influenced the government of many modern states by showing how much power the people have. Its end led to the Napoleonic era. -
Feminism
1790s-1980s. Feminism was a movement for the improvement of womens' rights so that both genders have justice. It improved the status of women greatly, and allowed them to join the workforce. -
Wollstonecraft Begins Feminist Movement with Vindication of Rights of Women
Vindication of Rights of Women was significant because it started the feminism movement. Before, feminism was not common and even women believed they were inferior. -
Napoleon Comes to Power in France
Napoleon remains significant because of how wide he spread the French Empire. He was a great military leader and issued the Louisiana Purchase. -
Romanticism
First half of nineteenth century. The artistic movement emphasized the emotions rather than the rationalism emphasized earlier in the Enlightenment. Romantcism also expresses an artist's freedom and increased nationalism. -
Abdication of Napoleon; Congress of Vienna
The abdication of Napoleon meant the end of one of Europe's largest powers. The Congress of Vienna's significance is that it divided central Europe up after Napoleon had taken much of it over. -
Revolution in France; Belgian and Greek Independence
1830-1831. These revolutions and independences were significant because it shaped the modern European countries and brought the power of the people to attention. -
Rise of Liberalism
1830s-1870s. Liberalism advocated for limited government and private rights to property and enterprise. This is significant as it is the shape of modern American government and democracy. -
Revolutions of 1848; Marx and Engels Publish Communist Manifesto
The Revolutions of 1848 are significant because the year had the most revolutions in European history. The Communist Manifesto is the supreme doctrine for communism and affected the way countries like the Soviet Union were run. -
Unification and Nation-Building
1850-1875. German and Italian unification brought long-competing territories together. The German unification also saw the disappearance of Prussia as a seperate entity from other German states. -
The Second Agricultural Revolution
1850-1914. The signifcance of the Second Agricultural Revolution was the increase in technology. The assembly and mass production were created from this. -
Modern Ideas and Science
1850-1920s. The significance of modern science developed in this period is that untrue medieval ideas were completely thrown away. In its place were theories that remain true today. -
Realism and Materialism
1850s-1870s. The significance of realism and materialism is that it contrasted from the period of romanticism. There was a focus on real problems of ordinary citizens. -
Imperialism
1850-1914. The significance of imperialism is the still-lasting impression it left on African countries. African countries that eventually gained their independence are left corrupted because imperialism had never allowed them to rule before. -
Rise of Modern Society
Second half of nineteenth century. The rise of modern society is signicant because it gave way to feminism, improved technology, and new scientific ideas and understandings. -
Crystal Palace Exhibition
The Crystal Palace was significant because it displayed technological feats accomplished in the Industrial Revolution. -
Britain Establishes Direct Rule of India
The significance of British rule in India was the "Divide and Rule" tactic and the unfortunate, subsequent effects on Indian politics and economy. -
Darwin Publishes Origin of the Species
Darwin's Origin of the Speciesis significant because it brought new scientific ideas like evolution. Evolution was and continues to be a widely debated topic against religion. -
Italy Unified; Russian Serfs Emancipated
Italian unification is important because Italy had been fractioned for a long time. The emancipation of Russian serfs granted freedom that had already been in Europe for centuries. -
Modern Art
1870-1920. The significance of modern art is the birth of a new period where artists were free to express ideas that had never been done before. -
Unification of Germany; Paris Commune and Third Republic in France
The significance of the unification of Germany is that Germany was then able to become a world power. The Paris Commune and Third Republic in France were short governments that were hated and seemed to jump from problem to problem. -
Berlin Conference Over Imperialism in Africa
1884-1885. The Berlin Conference was significant because it decided which European countries would be able to control which African countries. Imperialism ultimately led to the state of disarray that Africa is in now. -
Freud Publishes Interpretation of Dreams
Freud's psyhology book ushered a new age of exploring the mind and concious. -
Einstein Published Relativity Theory; Revolution of 1905 in Russia
Einstein's Theory of Relativity was significant because it introduced a new thinking about time and space. The Revolution of 1905 resulted in a limited constitutional monarchy. -
World Wars
1914-1945. The World Wars are signficant because they still have an effect on international relations today. The first produced improved methods of warfare while the second stopped Nazi Germany's reign as a world power -
World War I Begins
WWI is significant because it ushered in a new age of military weaponry. -
Bolshevik Revolution in Russia
The Bolshevik Revolution is significant because it started with Vladimir Lenin leading the rebellion and forming a government. This government eventually established itself as the USSR. -
Treaty of Versailles
The Treaty of Versailles was significant because it redefined German borders. It also created the New League of Nations. -
Totalitarianism
1920s-1945. The signifiance of totalitarianism is the development of Nazi Germany. This led to WWII and severe destruction. -
Fascists and Mussolini Come to Power in Italy
This change of leadership in Italy is significant because only Fascism was allowed in Italy. This helped lead to Italy joining the Axis Powers in WWII. -
Great Depression Begins
The Great Depression remains to be one of the most significant periods in American history. After the stock market crash, people were left poor, hungry, and unemployed. -
Hitler Comes to Power in Germany
Hitler's rise to power in Germany is extremely significant because it led to the devastating Holocaust and increasing expansion of Germany. -
Munich Conference: Height of Appeasement
The Munich Conference saw Frace, Great Britain, and Italy allow Germany to take some of Czechoslovakia to lessen hostility. However, this only empowered Hitler. -
World War II Begins
World War II was extremely important because it ended in the defeat of the tyrannical Hitler. -
World War II Ends; United Nations Founded
The end of WWII has kept Europe in a state of peace. The United Nations today is a humanitarian organization that has helped solve some of the world's most pressing issues. -
Cold War
1945-1991. The Cold War was extremely signficant because it lasted generations and affected world relations. It was the end of communism in the Soviet Union. -
European Unity
1945-present. European unity is signfiicant because the countries of Europe can now rely on each other to improve their societies and economies, rather than tearing each other down like in previous eras. -
NATO Formed
NATO is significant because it is a defense treaty signed by many countries in Europe and North America. It has contributed to wars such as the Cold War and the Persian Gulf War. -
European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC formed)
The ECSC is important because it sought to ally European Nations after WWII. It was the predecessor to the EU. -
Stalin Dies
The significance of Stalin's death is shown in the numbers of deaths he caused. The deaths are estimated to be in the millions. There was also a pause in the Cold War atrocities. -
Khrushchev's de-Stalinization Speech; Hungary Revolt
Krushchev's de-Stalinization speech is significant because it called for peace between the East and the West. The revolts in Hungary were surpressed by officials and around 200,000 Hungarians fled the country. -
Treaty of Rome Creates European Economic Comunity (EEC); Sputnik Launched
The EEC is signicant because aimed to create economic success for its six members; however, it later became part of the EU. Sputnik is significant because it was the world's first artificial satellite in Space and brought the beginning of the Space Race. -
Fifth Republic in France Under DeGaulle
The Fifth Republic of France is significant because it replaced the Fourth Republic after its decolonization problems. It is the current republic of France. -
Berlin Wall Erected
The Berlin Wall is extremely significant because it marked the power of the Soviet Union. East Berlin had no way to flee its communist government. -
Cuban Missile Crisis
The Cuban Missile Crisis is significant because it caused terror and almost resulted in a nuclear war. This could have spiraled into a third World War. -
Second Vatican Council Begins
The Second Vatican Council is significant because it addressed issues such as Roman Catholic relations with other religions and the modern world. -
Student Revolts; Czech "Prague Spring" Revolt
The Prague Spring revolt is significant because it was leading Czechoslovakia towards democracy but ended with bloody retaliation from the Soviet Union. -
Helsinki Accords: Height of Détente
The Helsinki Accords are significant because they promised human rights and resulted in hostility towards the Communist party. -
John Paul II Elected Pope
John Paul II is significant because he is said to have brought the Roman Catholic Church out of the Vatican and into the entire globe. He is also credited with contributing to the fall of communism. -
Soviet Union Invaes Afghanistan; Thatcher Electe Prime Minister in Britain
The Soviet Union in Afghanistan played a significant role to the ending of the Cold War. Once the Soviet Union moved out of its Eastern Bloc, there was more pressure to condemn the government from Europe and the United States. Margaret Thatcher is significant because she is the UK's first and only female prime minister so far. -
Solidarity Founded in Poland
Solidarity is significant because it was the first trade union under the Soviet Union that was not sponsored by the Communist Party. -
Gorbachev Comes to Power in Soviet Union
Gorbachev is extremely signicant because his move towards democracy contributed to the fall of the Soviet Union. -
Berlin Wall Falls; Collapse of Communism
The fall of the Berlin Wall signified the end of the reign of the Soviet Union. East Berlin united with West Berlin. -
Break-up of Soviet Union; Balkan Conflicts Begin in Former Yugoslavia
The break-up of the Soviet Union is significant introduced countries under the Warsaw Pact into Eastern Europe. The Balkan conflicts in former Yugoslavia led to border disputes. -
Maastricht Treaty Creates European Union
The European Union connected former Soviet Union countries to the rest of Europe. It is significant because it helps keep peace in European countries. -
Euro Currency Introduced
The Euro helped unite Europe together. People could easily travel country to country without the hassle of different currencies. -
Terrorist Attacks on United States
The terrorist attacks on the United States brought a sense of nationalism into the US. However, it marked the beginning of a new period of hostility in international relations.
