Euro Anchor Dates

14th Century (1300s)

Humanism develops - Focus on Antiquity and value of man (as opposed to Scholasticism, which drew inspiration from Medieval period & Bible). Develops into Italian and Northern (Christian) Humanism.

1450

Printing Press invented by Gutenberg - allows the spread of ideas more quickly through the printing of books & pamphlets. Helps spread the Reformation.

1453

Fall of Constantinople - Ottoman turks sacked Constantinople.  Allows Ottoman expansion into Eastern Europe.  End of Roman (Byzantine( Empire).

1453

End of Hundred Years’ War - fought between England and France.  EFFECTS: loss of all English territory in France except Calais.  Increased taxes -> unrest.  Decline in importance of nobility in battle due to longbow.

1490-1527

High Renaissance - paintings and sculpture influenced by Humanism (antiquity & value of man).  Shading (chiaroscuro) & linear perspective create more lifelike art.  Botticelli, Michelangelo, Rafael, da Vinci, etc.

1492

Ferdinand and Isabella unite Spain - rise of consolidated monarchies in Europe.  Subdued the nobility & expelled Moors and Jews (reconquista & inquisition).  Similar state consolidation in France & England while HRE & Italy remain fragmented.

1492

Voyage of Columbus - begins Age of Exploration & Columbian Exchange which introduced new food to Europe -> population growth.  Inflation from influx of silver/gold bullion from the New World.

1509

Erasmus writes In Praise of Folly. Northern Humanism.  “Laid the Egg that Luther Hatched”. Criticized the Church for lack of true piety (also criticized Pope Julius II)

1517

Luther’s 95 Theses. Against sale of indulgences (Tetzel) and other abuses (simony, nepotism etc).  Later ideas include salvation through faith alone (sola fide) and Bible in the vernacular - more direct relationship with God.  Ideas embraced by Princes who wanted independence from the Pope.

1534

Act of Supremacy in England - Henry VIII was “Defender of the (Catholic) Faith” but est. the Anglican Church to get a divorce.  Book of Common Prayer in England.

1555

Peace of/Treaty of Augsburg - in HRE “he who rules determines the religion”.  Same year - HRE divided into East & West by Charles V: split between Philip II & Ferdinand -> Hapsburgs divided into Spanish & Austrian branches.

1558-1603

Reign of Elizabeth I - Golden Age (literature: Shakespeare) - politique (allows religious toleration).  Unmarried.  Defeated the Spanish Armada (1588) -> England becomes naval superpower.  Last of Tudors. Next is Stuarts in 17th C.

1598

Edict of Nantes ends French Wars of Religion (“Can’t harm the Protestants in France”) - Henry IV (of Navarre) publicly converts to Catholicism (“Paris is worth a Mass”)

1618-1648

Thirty Years’ War - 4 phases.  Started with Defenestration of Prague.  Later phases were less religious and more political. Ends with Treaty of Westphalia which legalizes Calvinism & Lutheranism in HRE & recognized independence of the Dutch Republic -> no more wars of religion.

1642-1651

• English Civil War - James I & Charles I try to rule without Parliament. Roundheads (anti-king) vs. Cavaliers (pro-king). Charles I overthrown and executed → “interregnum” under Cromwell creates Puritan “Republic” but becomes a military dictatorship →  Charles II restored to the throne

c. 1650

• Baroque art develops - used by absolutists like Louis XIV in Versailles. Very ornate and dramatic use of light and shading. Often Catholic subjects. Artists: Bernini & Caravaggi

1651

• Thomas Hobbes publishes Leviathan - supports absolutism - negative view on human nature.  Influenced by turmoil of the English Civil War.

1682

Peter the Great becomes Tsar (r. 1682 - 1725) - wants to westernize Russia. Inspired by Louis XIV.  Builds new capital at St. Petersburg. Forces boyars (nobles) to shave beards. Establishes “Table of Ranks” – more of a meritocracy.

1688

• Glorious Revolution - fear England will become Catholic was a motive. William & Mary of the Netherlands invited to take throne. Bloodless coup. English Bill of Rights protects rights of Parliament and establishes a Constitutional Monarchy in England. 

1713

Treaty of Utrecht - ends War of the Spanish Succession which was triggered by the death of Charles II (last Habsburg king of Spain). Philip V (grandson of Louis XIV) accepted on the throne, but there could be no union of Spain & France. Balance of power shifts toward France & Bourbons.