Key Dates Period 3

Dutch Low Countries go to Philip II (ruler of the Spanish Habsburg empire) after Charles V abdicates the throne.

1555

The Dutch rebel against the Spanish; the Battle of Heiligerlee sparks the Eighty Years’ War.

1568

Several provinces in the Dutch Low Country form a defensive alliance called the Union of Utrecht. 

1579

 The Union of Utrech issues the Act of Abjuration, in which they declared independence from Spain. 

1581

The Peace of Westphalia Grants the Spanish Netherlands independence, ending the Eighty Years’ War

1648

 Beginning of the Personal Rule of Charles I

1629

Charles calls parliament for the first time in eleven years

1640

 Beginning of the English Civil War

1642

Charles I is executed and Cromwell establishes the Commonwealth

1649

Oliver Cromwell becomes Lord Protector of the Commonwealth

1653

The Restoration: Parliament restores Charles II to the throne as monarch after the government is unable to function as a Commonwealth under Cromwell’s sons.

1660

Charles II dies and James II, a Catholic, takes his place

1685

 Louis XIV becomes King of France at four years old

1643

Louis XIV begins truly governing France after the death of his chief minister

1661

Louis XIV dies

1715