Global History Timeline (12th Century - 1991)

A complete timeline of major global historical events from the 12th century rise of feudalism in Japan to the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991.

What era saw the rise of Feudalism in Japan?

12th century

What kingdom rose in West Africa in 1200?

Kingdom of Mali

What were the years of Genghis Khan's reign?

1206-1227

In what year was the Yuan Dynasty founded?

1271

What empire was founded in 1281?

Ottoman Empire

When did the Italian Renaissance take place?

1304-1374

During what period did the Bubonic Plague spread?

1320-1340

What year marks the rise of the Aztec Empire?

1325

What empire rose in 1350?

Inca Empire

When did the Ming Dynasty begin?

1368

What occurred in East Africa around 1400?

Swahili states flourish

What were the years of the Zheng He voyages?

1405-1433

What major trade system began in 1441?

Start of Atlantic slave trade

What occurred in 1453 involving the Ottoman Empire?

Ottomans conquer Constantinople

When did the Columbus expeditions take place?

1492

What milestone was reached by Vasco da Gama in 1498?

Vasco da Gama reaches India

What economic movement occurred in 16th-century Europe?

Commercial Revolution

What event began in 1517?

Start of Protestant Reformation

Who conquered the Aztecs in 1524?

Cortez

When was the Mughal Empire founded?

1526

Who conquered the Inca in 1533?

Pizarro

What political entity began in 1552?

Beginning of Russian Empire

What was founded in 1571 that signifies a world trade system?

Founding of Manila

What period is known for the Scientific Revolution?

1600-1690

When was the Tokugawa Shogunate founded?

1603

What happened in North America in 1607?

First British colony in North America

When did Japanese isolation begin?

1640s

Who ruled France as an absolute monarch from 1643-1715?

Louis XIV

What dynasty was founded in China in 1644?

Founding of the Qing Dynasty

What happened in South Africa in 1652?

Dutch Boers colonize South Africa

Which Russian leader was known for Westernization between 1689 and 1725?

Peter the Great

What intellectual movement took place during the 18th century?

The Enlightenment

What were the dates of the Seven Years’ War?

1756-1763

Which organization took control of India in 1764?

British East India Co.

When did the Industrial Revolution begin?

1770

What were the years of the American Revolution?

1775-1783

What period covers the French Revolution and Napoleon's rule?

1789-1815

Who is associated with feminism in 1792?

Mary Wollstonecraft

When did the Haitian Revolution occur?

1792-1804

Who ruled Egypt from 1805-1849?

Muhammad Ali

When were the Latin American wars of independence?

1808-1825

What US policy was established in 1823?

Monroe Doctrine

When did the British abolish slavery?

1833

What were the dates of the Opium Wars?

1839-1841

What period covers the Tanzimat reforms in the Ottoman Empire?

1839-1876

What significant political documents were released in 1848?

Communist Manifesto; Marxism

In what year was the British Raj in India established?

1858

What social reform occurred in Russia in 1861?

Emancipation of serfs in Russia

What era (1868-1914) saw Japan industrialize?

Meiji Restoration

In what year did the Unification of Germany occur?

1871

What period is recognized as the height of European imperialism?

1871-1914

When did the demographic transition happen in the West?

1880s

What were the years of Russian industrialization?

1884-1914

What conference was held in 1884-1885?

Berlin Conference

In what year was the Indian National Congress founded?

1885

When was slavery abolished in Brazil and Cuba?

1888

What happened in China during the 1890s?

European spheres of influence in China

What were the dates of the Mexican Revolution?

1910-1920

When did the Chinese Revolution take place?

1912

What were the dates of World War I and the Versailles Conference?

1914-1919

In what year did the Russian Revolution occur?

1917

What event began in 1929?

Start of Great Depression

What were the years of Gandhi’s resistance in India?

1931-1947

When did Hitler rise to power in Germany?

1933

What occurred in 1937 in Asia?

Japan invades China

What were the years of World War II?

1939-1945

What was created in 1945?

Creation of the United Nations

When did India and Pakistan gain independence?

1947

What were the years of the Cold War?

1947-1991

In what year was Israel created?

1948

When did the Communist revolution in China occur?

1949

What happened at the Bandung conference in 1955?

Nonalignment

What was created in 1957?

Creation of EEC

When did the Cuban Revolution occur?

1959

What is the year 1960 known as?

“Year of Africa”

In what year did the Iranian Revolution occur?

1979

When did apartheid end in South Africa?

1990

What occurred in 1991?

Fall of the Soviet Union