1453: Fall of Constantinople - The Ottoman Empire captures Constantinople, marking the end of the Byzantine Empire and boosting Ottoman control over Eastern Mediterranean trade. Mid-1400s: European Age of Exploration Begins - Motivated by the search for direct trade routes to Asia, European nations like Portugal and Spain begin to explore the Atlantic. 1450s: Invention of the Printing Press - Johannes Gutenberg’s printing press in Europe revolutionizes the spread of ideas and literacy. Late 15th Century 1492: Columbus's First Voyage - Christopher Columbus reaches the Americas, initiating sustained European contact with the Americas and the Columbian Exchange. 1494: Treaty of Tordesillas - Divides newly discovered lands outside Europe between Spain and Portugal along a meridian. 16th Century (1500s) 1500s: Columbian Exchange - Widespread exchange of plants, animals, and diseases between the Old and New Worlds, profoundly impacting global populations. 1517: Martin Luther's 95 Theses - Marks the beginning of the Protestant Reformation, challenging the Catholic Church's practices and leading to religious conflicts in Europe. 1521: Fall of Tenochtitlán - Hernán Cortés and Spanish forces conquer the Aztec Empire, beginning Spanish dominance in Mesoamerica. 1532–1533: Conquest of the Inca Empire - Francisco Pizarro conquers the Inca Empire, extending Spanish control in South America. Mid-1500s: Rise of the Atlantic Slave Trade - European nations begin to establish colonies in the Americas, leading to the establishment of the transatlantic slave trade. 1555: Peace of Augsburg - Recognizes the division of Christianity in the Holy Roman Empire, allowing rulers to choose between Catholicism and Lutheranism. 1588: Spanish Armada Defeated - The defeat of Spain’s naval fleet by England marks a shift in naval power and contributes to England’s rise as a major colonial power. 17th Century (1600s) 1600: Establishment of the British East India Company - Sets the stage for British influence and control in India over the coming centuries. 1603: Tokugawa Shogunate Established - Unifies Japan and brings a period of peace and isolation (sakoku), lasting until the mid-19th century. 1618–1648: Thirty Years' War - A major religious and political conflict in Europe, leading to the Peace of Westphalia, which introduces the concept of sovereign states. 1644: Manchu Conquest of China - Marks the beginning of the Qing Dynasty in China, which will become the last imperial dynasty. Mid-1600s: Scientific Revolution - Figures like Galileo, Newton, and Kepler lay the foundations of modern science, challenging traditional beliefs about the universe. 1689: Glorious Revolution - Establishes constitutional monarchy in England and strengthens parliamentary power over the monarchy. 1689–1725: Reign of Peter the Great - Peter I of Russia modernizes Russia and establishes it as a major European power. 18th Century (Early 1700s) 1700s: Rise of Mercantilism - European powers compete for global trade dominance and colonial wealth, following policies that emphasize national self-sufficiency. 1707: Formation of Great Britain - England and Scotland unite, creating the Kingdom of Great Britain. 1720s: Height of the Atlantic Slave Trade - The transatlantic slave trade reaches its peak, with millions of Africans forcibly transported to the Americas. 1750: Beginning of the Industrial Revolution - Although traditionally set later, the roots of the Industrial Revolution start to take shape in Britain, with innovations in textiles and manufacturing.

Silk Road

A network of trade routes established during the Han Dynasty of China, connecting the East to the West.

Han Dynasty

The period in Chinese history during which the Silk Road was established.

Silk

The most valuable commodity traded along the Silk Road.

Commodities

Goods that were exchanged on the Silk Road, including silk, spices, tea, and porcelain.

Precious metals

Valuable goods traded on the Silk Road alongside silk and other commodities.

Trade routes

Paths established for the exchange of goods and services, exemplified by the Silk Road.

Spices

One of the goods exchanged on the Silk Road, alongside other commodities.

Porcelain

A valuable good traded along the Silk Road, known for its quality and craftsmanship.

Exchange of goods

The trade activity that the Silk Road facilitated between the East and the West.

East to West connection

The geographical link established by the Silk Road, allowing for trade between these regions.