Era #2: APWH Must Know Dates NEW

1453

Ottomans capture Constantinople - It marked the end of the byzantine empire, established the city as the new capital of the empire (Istanbul), and trigger major shifts in trade and culture.

1450s

Printing Press in Europe - Helped spread information, fuel renaissance, reformation, and led to the major rise of literacy and modern science.

1480s

Height of the Aztec Empire - Significant for vast territorial control, sophisticated urban centers, and powerful political and military structure. It was important for its intricate art and innovative agriculture, along with complex religious and social structures.

1488

Dias rounds Cape of Good Hope - It opened the first sea route from Europe to Asia by passing over land trade monopolies.

1492

Columbus/Reconquista of Spain sails the ocean blue - Marked the beginning of the Age of Exploration and created a link between the old and new worlds. It transferred new crops, technology, diseases, cultures, and animals from Europe to the Americas.

1502

1st African Slaves to Americas - Marked the beginning of 246 years of chattel slavery in English North America, which shaped the economy, politics, and culture.

1517

Martin Luther/Protestant Reformation - Published his 95 theses, which criticized the catholic church's sale of indulgences and its authority, changing the relationship between faith and authority. He also made the bible more accessible.

1519-1521

Cortez conquered the Aztecs - Marked the end of the Aztecs and the beginning of Spanish rule in Mexico. It ushered a fusion of cultures and made Spain a dominant European power due to wealth. It led to the collapse of indigenous groups from disease and warfare.

1521-1523

Magellan circumnavigates the Earth - It proved the Earth was round and connected by oceans, which led to maps and a deeper understanding of geography and the planet's size. It also opened new maritime routes for the spice islands.

1526

Battle of Panipat - Marked the foundation of the Mughal empire, strengthened it under Akbar, and led to the decline of the Maratha Empire, paving the way for British rule in 1761.

1529

1st unsuccessful Ottoman siege of Vienna - Marked the high point of Ottoman expansion into central Europe and signaled the end of the army's perceived invincibility (Humbled them). This defeat began to shift the balance of power, contributing to the Ottoman decline in Europe.

1533

Pizarro topples the Inca -

1545

Discovery of silver at Potosí - Marked the end of the Inca empire and ushered in Spanish colonial rule, this included the collapse of the Incan government, and replaced the Incan's polytheistic religion with Christianity along with other political and religious beliefs and practice (cultural assimilation).

1571

Battle of Lepanto - A major naval victory for the Christian holy league against the Ottoman Empire, halting the Ottoman expansion in the Mediterranean and boosted the European morale. It also marked a turning point for Naval warfare and helped secure a lasting division of the Mediterranean of Christian powers in the West and the Ottomans in the East.

1571

1st Manila Galleon - Established a trans-pacific trade route that linked Asia, the Americas, and Europe for the first time, facilitating a global exchange of goods like Chinese silk and porcelain for American silver (includes the creation of global commerce, significant cultural exchange including art, cuisine, and language).

1588

Spanish Armada - It marked a major shift in European naval power, signaling their decline of Spanish dominance and the rise of English as a formidable sea power. Prevented Spanish conquest in the Netherlands and let England expand influence overseas.

1600

Battle of Sekigahara - Secured Tokugawa leyasu;s dominance, ending the Sengoku period and paving the way of the Tokugawa Shogunate which ruled over Japan for 250 years. This led to Japan's unification over 2 centuries of relative peace and included major social and political reforms under this clan.

1607

Foundation of Jamestown - First Permanent English settlement which took place in modern-day Virginia. This set the stage for future colonization and established England's foothold in the New World.

1618-1648

30 Years War - Established the foundation for modern nation-state systems by granting states sovereignty and reduced the power of the Catholic Church. It was devastating, causing massive population decline due to warfare, famine, and diseases. It also lies in the shift of religious conflicts to more politically driven secular wars in Europe.

1644-1911

Qing Dynasty - Major territorial expansion established China's modern borders by incorporating regions like Tibet, Xinjiang, and Taiwan. It was a period of cultural flourishing and internal turmoil, known for its blend of Manchu and Han Chinese cultures.

1653

Cape Town colony founded (Dutch) - Established the first permanent European settlement in Southern Africa. It was a crucial resupply station for Dutch trading ships on the route to the East Indies.

1683

2nd unsuccessful Ottoman siege of Vienna - Marked the end of Ottoman expansion into Central Europe and the beginning of a major European counter-offense. This defeat which saw a large European relief force led by King John III, initiating a 16-year period where the Habsburgs gradually reconquered territories in Hungary.

1689

Glorious Revolution/English Bill of Rights - Led to the shift from absolute monarchy to a more constitutional monarchy. James II was overthrown by William and Mary II. This shifted limited powers of the crown.

1700s

Age of Enlightment begins - Introduced modern ideals like reason, individualism, and human rights that transformed politics, science, and culture. (Democracy and rights).

1701

Kingdom of Prussia established - Unified the scattered Hohenzollern territories into a single kingdom, giving them a stronger central authority and provided the foundation for Prussia to transform into a major European power.

1701

Ashanti Empire established - Created a powerful centralized state in West Africa through Military Conquest, controlling key trade routes for gold and slaves. This developed a unique political and cultural system, symbolized by the Golden Stool.

1703

Peter the Great founded St. Petersburg - Established a new capital intended to modernize Russia and create a window on the west. It became a political and cultural center of the Russian Empire.

1707

Death of Aurangzeb/Mughal decline - Marked the beginning of the Mughal Empire's rapid decline, triggering a huge succession crisis among his sons which led to instability. His weak successors were unable to suppress regional revolts, which allowed regional governors to assert independence and pave the way for British west India companies to seize control of companies.

1735-1739

Russo-Turkish War - Their role in the decline of the Ottoman Empire and the rise as a major European power, which led to significant geopolitical shifts.

1742

Marvel's Mill in England - The world's first cotton mill to use a water wheel for power and the second overall factory for spinning cotton. It was an early example of the mechanized factory system, using the roller spinning machinery invented by Lewis Paul and John Wyatt.