AP Euro Key Dates

1453: End of 100 Years war

  • marked by the fall of Constantinople to the Ottoman Empire.

1453: Gutenburg Printing Press

  • Invention of the movable type printing press, which revolutionized the dissemination of information.

1453: Fall of constantinople

  • This event marked the end of the Byzantine Empire and significant shift in power towards the Ottoman Empire.

1492: Columbus discovers the Americas

  • initiated widespread European exploration and colonization.

1492: Treaty of Tordesillas

  • This agreement between Spain and Portugal divided newly discovered lands outside Europe, reducing potential conflicts over territorial claims.

1492: Borgia Popes

  • The rise of the Borgia family, particularly Pope Alexander VI, marked a period of significant political maneuvering and corruption within the Catholic Church.

1492: Expulsion of Jews from Spain

  • The Alhambra Decree ordered the expulsion of Jews from Spain, leading to the forced conversion of many and significant demographic changes.

1517: Martin Luther’s 95 Theses

  • Martin Luther’s 95 Theses were a pivotal moment in the Protestant Reformation, challenging the practices of the Catholic Church and sparking widespread debate over religious authority.

1555: Peace of Augsburg

  • The Peace of Augsburg marked the end of religious conflict in the Holy Roman Empire, allowing princes to choose between Catholicism and Lutheranism as the official religion of their territories.

1588: Defeat of Spanish Armada

  • The defeat of the Spanish Armada was a significant turning point that established England as a dominant naval power and marked the decline of Spain's influence in Europe.

1588: French wars of Religion

  • The French Wars of Religion began in 1562 and lasted until 1598, highlighting the struggle between Catholics and Huguenots and culminating in the Edict of Nantes, which granted limited toleration to Protestantism in France.

1618: Thirty Years War

  • The Thirty Years War was a devastating conflict that engulfed much of Europe, fought primarily in the Holy Roman Empire, and was characterized by a struggle between Protestant and Catholic states, leading to significant territorial, political, and social upheaval.

1648: Peace of Westphalia

  • This series of treaties officially ended the Thirty Years War and marked a significant turning point in European politics by establishing the principles of state sovereignty and religious tolerance.

1648: The Fronde

  • This series of civil wars in France occurred between 1648 and 1653 and was characterized by a series of uprisings against royal authority, ultimately leading to the strengthening of the monarchy under Louis XIV.

1648: Execution of Charles I of England

  • This event marked the culmination of the English Civil War, leading to the establishment of a short-lived republic and setting a precedent for the future relationship between the monarchy and Parliament.

1688: Glorious Revolution

  • This significant event resulted in the overthrow of King James II and the ascension of William and Mary to the throne, ultimately leading to the establishment of a constitutional monarchy in England.

1713-14: Treaty of Utrecht

  • This treaty ended the War of the Spanish Succession and marked a turning point in European political power, reaffirming the balance of power and establishing significant territorial adjustments.

1715: Death of Louis XIV

  • This marked the end of an era in France, as the reign of the Sun King concluded, significantly impacting the balance of power in Europe and setting the stage for future conflicts and the rise of new political ideologies.

1740: Start of the War of the Austrian Succession

  • involved multiple European powers vying for control over the Habsburg territories, reshaping alliances, and leading to significant military confrontations.

1776: American Revolution

  • sparked a wave of revolutionary ideas among Europeans, challenging traditional monarchies and inspiring movements for independence in various parts of the world.

1776: Adam Smith’s “Wealth of Nations”

  • Lay the foundations for modern economics and promoted the idea of free markets, which influenced economic theory and policy throughout Europe and beyond.

1789: The start of the French Revolution

  • marked the rise of radical political ideas and the end of absolute monarchy in France , leading to significant social upheaval and the eventual establishment of a republic, which inspired revolutionary movements across Europe.

1800: Napoleon and Napoleonic Code

  • The year in which the Napoleonic Wars began, resulting in widespread conflict across Europe and leading to significant changes in political boundaries and the spread of nationalism.

1814-15: Congress of Vienna

  • where European powers gathered to restore order after the Napoleonic Wars and reestablish a balance of power on the continent.

1830: Revolutions Everywhere (French, Belgium, Polish, etc.) (all fail)

1848: Karl Marx “Communist Manifesto” published, laying the groundwork for modern socialism and calling for the proletariat to rise against the bourgeoisie.

1848: German/Italian Revolutions

  • (also known as the Springtime of Nations) aimed to unify the German states and achieve national independence for Italy, but ultimately resulted in a failure to achieve lasting change.

1850-1851: The Crimean War, highlighting the declining power of the Ottoman Empire and leading to significant shifts in European alliances.

1861: Russia Frees the Serfs

  • This monumental reform marked a significant change in Russian society, as it sought to modernize the economy and reduce the social tensions caused by serfdom.

1861: American Civil War began, a pivotal conflict that reshaped the nation, addressing issues of slavery and state rights.

1861: Italians Unify , marking the culmination of a long nationalist movement that united various states and territories into the Kingdom of Italy, significantly altering the political landscape of Europe.

1871: German Unification (Bismarck)

  • marked the establishment of the German Empire under Prussian leadership, fundamentally transforming the balance of power in Europe and setting the stage for future conflicts.

1914-1918: World War 1

  • A global conflict that engulfed many of the world's great powers, originating in Europe and resulting in significant political, social, and economic changes worldwide.

1919: The Treaty of Versailles

  • officially ending World War I and imposing harsh reparations and territorial losses on Germany.

1929: Stock Market Crash

  • leading to the Great Depression, which profoundly affected economies around the world and contributed to the rise of totalitarian regimes in several countries.