Key Dates in AP World History

Important Dates in AP World History: Modern

• 1250-1350 CE

  • Mongolian Empire:
  • Comprised of four khanates:
    • Golden Horde
    • Khanate of Chagatai
    • Il-Khanate of Persia
    • Yuan dynasty

• 1300-1500 CE

  • Italian Renaissance:
  • A period of great cultural revival and artistic achievement in Italy.

• 1324 CE

  • Mansa Musa:
  • The king of Mali made a pilgrimage to Mecca, converting to Islam, showcasing wealth and influence.

• 1347-1348 CE

  • Bubonic Plague in Europe:
  • Decimated populations and significantly affected Europe's social and economic structures.

• 1453 CE

  • Ottoman Empire Established:
  • Rise of the Ottoman Turks; decline of overland trade along the Silk Road.

• 1492 CE

  • Significant Events in Spain:
  • Unification of Spain, onset of the Catholic Inquisition, and Columbus's voyage begin the Columbian Exchange.

• 1517 CE

  • Martin Luther's 95 Theses:
  • Published in Germany, sparking the Reformation and debates over Catholic Church abuses.

• 1519 CE

  • Arrival of Conquistadors:
  • Spanish conquistadors arrive in Mexico, marking the beginning of colonization of the Americas.

• 1600 CE

  • British East India Company:
  • Established trade with the Mughal Empire in India, leading to British colonial influence.

• 1644 CE

  • Fall of Ming Dynasty:
  • Rise of the Qing dynasty in China, altering Chinese imperial history.

• 1765 CE

  • James Watt:
  • Perfected the steam engine, facilitating the Industrial Revolution.

• 1776 CE

  • American Revolution:
  • Led to the United States gaining independence; Adam Smith published The Wealth of Nations.

• 1833 CE

  • Abolishment of Slavery in Britain:
  • Followed by similar movements in France (1848) and U.S. (1865).

• 1843 CE

  • Treaty of Nanjing:
  • Ended the Opium Wars, significantly impacting Sino-British relations.

• 1848 CE

  • Communist Manifesto:
  • Written by Karl Marx during early industrialization; included the Seneca Falls Convention for the Feminist Movement.

• 1857 CE

  • British Rule in India Begins:
  • After the Sepoy Uprising, marking the start of direct British governance.

• 1868 CE

  • Meiji Restoration in Japan:
  • Transitional period leading to rapid modernization and westernization in Japan.

• 1884-1885 CE

  • Berlin Conference:
  • Set rules for the division of Africa among European powers, intensifying colonial competition.

• 1898 CE

  • Spanish-American War Victory:
  • Resulted in the U.S. acquiring territories such as the Philippines, Cuba, and Puerto Rico.

• 1910-1920 CE

  • Mexican Revolution:
  • A major armed struggle against dictatorial rule and for social justice in Mexico.

• 1914-1918 CE

  • World War I:
  • A global conflict driven by nationalistic and imperialist rivalries.

• 1917 CE

  • Russian Revolution:
  • Led to the eventual rise of the Soviet State.

• 1939-1945 CE

  • World War II:
  • Major global conflict involving most of the world’s nations.

• 1947 CE

  • Indian Independence:
  • Partition of India and Pakistan, marking a significant event in South Asian history.

• 1949 CE

  • Communist Revolution in China:
  • Established the People's Republic of China under Mao Zedong.

• 1950 CE

  • Korean War Begins:
  • Conflict between North Korea and South Korea, influenced by Cold War dynamics.

• 1960 CE

  • The Year of Africa:
  • A significant year where many African nations gained independence during decolonization.

• 1961 CE

  • Berlin Wall Construction:
  • Symbolized the division of East and West Germany during the Cold War.

• 1979 CE

  • Iranian Revolution:
  • Overthrew the Pahlavi monarchy, establishing an Islamic Republic.

• 1990 CE

  • Fall of Communism in Russia:
  • Marked a significant shift from communist rule to democratic reforms.

• 1994 CE

  • End of Apartheid:
  • Nelson Mandela elected as the first Black president of South Africa, ending racial segregation.

• 1997 CE

  • Hong Kong's Semi-Autonomy:
  • After British withdrawal, Hong Kong became a Special Administrative Region of China.

• 1999 CE

  • Introduction of the Euro:
  • The Euro becomes the official currency of the Eurozone, replacing several national currencies.