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Jan 1, 1451
Amerigo Vespucci's first voyage
Amerigo Vespucci set out on his first voyage on behalf of Spain. On his third voyage, he thought he had discovered a new continent so he called it the New World (it was present day Rio de Janeiro and Rio de la Plata). Because of this, America was named after Amerigo Vespucci. -
Aug 3, 1492
Christopher Columbus discovers America
Christopher Columbus under King Ferdinand and Queen Isabelle's permission and funds, led three ships called the Nina, the Pinta, and the Santa Maria. He was hoping to find a new route to the Indies, but instead he found America or the new world. Discovering America had an impact on the world of change and led to the Columbian exchange. If it weren’t for Christopher Columbus, North America would not have been discovered until later on in history. -
Sep 19, 1519
Ferdinand Magellan sets sail to find new trading routes
Ferdinand Magellan came up with a plan to find faster routes to Spice Islands for trade. He presented his plan to Charles I of Spain, and Charles I approved his trip. Four years later, Magellan and his crew finished reached Spain with a new trading route. This changed they way Spain traveled to trade, now Spain could trade faster and obtain more goods. -
Thomas Hobbes
Thomas Hobbes believed that people were naturally cruel and needed to sign a social contract giving up their freedom to live in an organized society. Although Thomas Hobbes’s idea didn’t last, his main argument for a central power did. He led many to believe that people needed one person in charge in order to survive. One of the branches formed by Baron De Montesquieu, has central power. Today we have a President which is our central power. -
Vasco da Gama sail directly from Europe to India
Vasco da Gama was a Portuguese sailor who was the first person to sail directly from Europe to India. It was called the Cape of Good Hope. His discovery had a huge impact on the world of navigation and established Portugual as a major colonial empire. -
John Locke
John Locke believed that people were not that bad and that they should have natural rights like life, liberty, and be able to own property. He also believed it was the government’s job to to protect citizens natural rights, but if the government didn’t the people could overthrow it. John locke had a huge influence on other philosophers and the century. Still today we believe in these natural rights, and although altered, they are in the constitution of the United States. -
English Civil War begins
Charles I made parliament go away for 11 years, then he married a Catholic woman and became Catholic so he was a Catholic king, and lastly he got England involved in costly wars which they did not win. Because of this, Charles I was put on trial by Oliver Cromwell. This started the English Civil War. As a result of the English Civil War, the English Bill of Rights was signed which set up political parties, the cabinet system, a prime minister, and parliament and monarchy were equal in decisions. -
Charles I is beheaded
Charles I was disliked by his people and was put on trial by Oliver Cromwell where parliament decided he would be beheaded. This led to a civil war. This resulted in parliament making the English Bill of Rights. Now for the first time in history, a monarch did not have full power. -
The Palace of Versallies is built
The palace of Versailles was built by Louis XIV as a palace for the king. He invite many nobles and government officials to live with him there. The effect was that the court was moved to Versailles so many decisions for the country were made there. -
Voltaire
Voltaire wrote about how terrible human slavery was. Voltaire thought that there should be religious freedom and freedom of speech. He also thought that the church and the state should be separated. His ways of thinking influenced many others and today there is no slavery, everyone has freedom of speech and religion, and the church and state is separate. -
Peter the Great moves the capitol
Peter the Great wanted to westernize Russia. He also wanted to be closer to inland European countries, so he would not be isolated. So he decided to move the capital to St. Petersburg. As a result, moving the capital made trading overseas easier and also made the country more powerful because of this. -
Baron De Montesquieu forms three branches of government
Baron De Montesquieu studied the government and came up with the idea of the separation of powers which led him to making three government branches, legislative, judicial, and executive. This has impacted the world greatly because his way of thinking has shaped the constitution of many countries. In the U.S. these three branches are used. -
Frederick William II becomes king
Frederick William II took over his father as king after his death. He increased Prussian power by defeating Austria and getting land for Prussia. -
Marry Wollstonecraft
Mary Wollstonecraft fought for women’s rights by having many books published stating her opinion on equal rights. She influenced many people and started a revolution of fighting for women’s rights. -
William III of Orange and Mary sign the Bill of Rights
William III of Orange and Mary signed the English Bill of Rights which said that parliament and the king and queen have equal power. The English Bill of rights created political parties, cabinet systems, prime ministers, and parliament and monarchy were equal in decisions. This has shaped many countries constitutions today.
