AP Euro Timeline : Dates to Know (copy)

Hundred Years’ War

A prolonged conflict between England and France from 1337 to 1453, ending in 1453.

Invention of the Printing Press

Invented by Johannes Gutenberg around 1455, it increased literacy rates and contributed to the Renaissance.

Protestant Reformation

A religious reform movement initiated by Martin Luther in 1517 that challenged the Catholic Church.

Peace Treaty of Augsburg

Signed in 1555, it ended religious warfare in Germany and recognized the principle of cuius regio, eius religio.

St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre

A targeted attack against Huguenots in France, occurring in 1572.

Edict of Nantes

Issued in 1598, it granted religious toleration to Huguenots and ended religious wars in France.

Dutch East India Company

Established in 1600, it was a powerful trading company that played a major role in global trade.

Louis XIV's Reign

The reign of Louis XIV from 1643 to 1715, marked by centralized power and regal patronage.

Treaty of Westphalia

Signed in 1648, it ended the Thirty Years’ War and established the principle of state sovereignty.

Glorious Revolution

The 1688 bloodless coup in England that resulted in William of Orange becoming king.

English Bill of Rights

Enacted in 1688, it established parliamentary sovereignty and guaranteed rights to English citizens.

Seven Years’ War

A global conflict from 1756 to 1763 involving multiple powers, often regarded as the first 'world war'.

Treaty of Paris

Signing in 1763 that marked the end of the Seven Years' War and established Britain's dominance in the colonies.

American Revolutionary War

Beginning in 1776, it was a revolt by the thirteen colonies against British rule.

Era of the French Revolution

A period from 1789 to 1799 marked by radical political and social change in France.

Napoleon Bonaparte's Rise

Napoleon became the first consul in 1799, later declaring himself emperor and implementing many reforms.

Congress of Vienna

Held in 1815, it aimed to restore stability in Europe after the French Revolution and Napoleonic Wars.

Spread of Liberal Revolutions

In 1848, a wave of revolutions focused on liberal reforms swept across Europe.

Italy's Unification

Completed in 1861, it was a movement led by figures like Garibaldi and Cavour to unite Italy.

Germany's Unification

Achieved in 1871 under Otto von Bismarck, it solidified German power in Europe.

Berlin Conference

A meeting in 1884 to regulate European colonization and trade in Africa during the Scramble for Africa.

World War I

A global conflict from 1914 to 1918 caused by imperialism, nationalism, and alliances.

Bolshevik Revolution

The 1917 revolution in Russia that led to the establishment of a communist government.

Treaty of Versailles

The 1919 treaty that officially ended World War I, placing heavy reparations on Germany.

Great Depression

Beginning with the stock market crash of 1929, it resulted in economic downturn and political instability.

World War II

A large-scale conflict from 1939 to 1945 involving major world powers.

Establishment of the United Nations

Founded in 1945 to promote international cooperation and prevent future conflicts.

Formation of NATO

Established in 1949 as a military alliance among Western nations during the Cold War.

Launch of Sputnik

The Soviet Union launched the first artificial satellite in 1957, marking the start of the space race.

Construction of the Berlin Wall

Completed in 1961, it symbolized the division of East and West Berlin during the Cold War.

Fall of the Berlin Wall

In 1989, the wall came down, symbolizing the end of Cold War divisions in Europe.

Soviet Union Collapse

The dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, marking the end of a bipolar world order.

Maastricht Treaty

Created in 1992, it laid the foundation for the European Union.

Introduction of the Euro

The euro was introduced in 1999 as a single currency for a majority of European countries.

Vladimir Putin's Election

Elected president of Russia in 2000, marking a significant change in Russian politics.