Key Events and Developments in Each Region during the 16th Century. Links with Strayer’s “Ways Of the World: Second Edition” Textbook :D

European Developments & Events

1. The Rise of Nation States

   • England with the Tudors, France with the Valois, and Spain with the Holy Roman Empire (Hapsburg).

2. The Protestant Reformation

   • The rise of Protestant Christianism and the Protestant Church angered Orthodox Christians with differing doctrines, causing conflict between the groups. Led to Martin Luther’s 95 Thesis, The Edict of Nantes, etc.

3. Americas encounter Conquistadors

Asian Developments & Events

1. Here come the Mughals!

   • Their peak started in the 1500s, with the rise of Babur and Akbar the Great, who were religiously tolerant.

2. Sikhism Started

3. The Ming Dynasty is put in Full Isolation Mode!

African Developments & Events

1. Portugal and Spain Initiate the Transatlantic Slave Trade

2. Swahili city-states fell to Portugal’s dominance

American Developments & Events

1. Mexico And Peru are Invaded by Peru

2. The Great Dying Starts

   • A terrible epidemic spread by Spanish conquistadors to the Americas, filled with various diseases. Caused millions to die in a matter of a few years and lost several civilizations as a result.

Middle Eastern Developments & Events

1. Suleiman Reaches His Peak

   • Brought military and developmental prowess to all who were conquered by him.

2. Wait what? The Safavids are here?!

   • The Ottomans and the Safavids had major friction due to proximity and differing values.

Russian Developments & Events

1. Ivan the Terrible Began his Reign and the Time of Troubles rose

2. Russia Expanded

   • Their main target was eastward, because of their heavenly surplus of land.

Japanese Developments & Events

1. Sengoku Jidai

   • A long period of Japanese inter-island conflict would later unify the country under the hands of Tokugawa Ieyasu, Oda Nobunaga, and Toyotomi Hideyoshi.