Timeline Flashcards
1500s to current
Portuguese exploration of the Indian Ocean
1500
Vasco da Gama had reached India in 1498, and by 1500, Portugal was solidifying its control over the spice trade routes, marking the start of the Portuguese Empire’s dominance in Asia
First Spanish expedition to the Americas
1500
Spanish explorer Rodrigo de Bastidas explores the coast of modern-day Colombia, laying the groundwork for Spain’s colonial empire in the Americas
Michelangelo begins Statue of David
1501
finishes in 1504
A pivotal moment in Renaissance art, Michelangelo’s David becomes a symbol of the Florentine Republic and an enduring example of humanist ideals
Mona Lisa
1503
painted by Leonardo da Vinci
represents the height of Renaissance portraiture
St. Peter’s Basilica
1506
massive church in Rome, designed by several of the most renowned Renaissance artists, including Michelangelo and Bramante, becomes one of the greatest works of Renaissance architecture
Portuguese establish a trading post in Goa
1510
Goa becomes the center of Portuguese colonial power in India, playing a critical role in the spice trade and establishing Portuguese influence in Asia for centuries
The Prince
by Niccolo Machiavelli
1513
published in 1532
most influential works in Western political theory and the study of power politics
Battle of Novara
1513
This battle in the Italian Wars sees the forces of Louis XII of France defeat those of the Swiss, ending Swiss dominance in Italy and solidifying French control over northern Italy
Martin Luther posts the 95 Theses
1517
marks the beginning of the Protestant Reformation. Luther’s criticisms of the Catholic Church, particularly the sale of indulgences, lead to widespread religious, political, and social upheaval in Europe
Ferdinand Magellan begins circumnavigation of the Earth
1519
finishes in 1522
Although Magellan himself does not survive the entire journey, his expedition proves that the Earth is round and that it is possible to sail around it, advancing global exploration
Hernan Cortes lands in Mexico
1519
Hernán Cortés lands in the Aztec Empire (modern-day Mexico) and begins his conquest of the Aztec Empire, leading to its fall by 1521 and the start of Spanish colonization in the Americas
Battle of Pavia
1525
A decisive victory for King Francis I of France against Emperor Charles V, it significantly weakened the French position in Italy during the Italian Wars and is a key battle in the struggle for dominance in the Italian peninsula
Henry VIII declares himself head of the Church of England
1530
This marks the official start of the English Reformation, as Henry VIII separates the Church of England from the Roman Catholic Church in order to annul his marriage to Catherine of Aragon and marry Anne Boleyn
Execution of Anne Boleyn
1536
Anne Boleyn, the second wife of Henry VIII and mother of Elizabeth I, is executed after a politically motivated trial, deeply impacting English history and succession
Nicolaus Copernicus’ heliocentric theory
1543
suggesting the Earth revolves around the Sun
The Council of Trent Begins
1545
The Catholic Church responds to the Protestant Reformation with the Counter-Reformation, addressing church corruption and reforming Catholic doctrine and practices
The Peace of Ausburg
1555
This treaty ends religious wars in the Holy Roman Empire, allowing rulers to choose either Catholicism or Lutheranism for their territories, acknowledging the religious division in Europe
Protestant reformation spreads to Scotland
1560
John Knox leads the Scottish Reformation, breaking Scotland away from Catholicism and establishing Presbyterianism as the dominant religious force
The Dutch Revolt
Eighty Years’ War
1566 - 1609
The Netherlands rebels against Spanish rule, leading to the eventual independence of the Dutch Republic
Battle of Lepanto
1571
The Holy League, a coalition of European Catholic states, defeats the Ottoman Empire’s fleet in a crucial naval battle, halting Ottoman expansion into the Mediterranean
Gregorian Calendar
introduced by Pope Gregory XIII
This calendar reform, which adjusted the timing of leap years and the year length, eventually becomes the standard for most of the world and is still in use today
Spanish Armada Defeated
1588
The defeat of the Spanish Armada by the English navy, aided by storms, marks the beginning of Spain’s decline as a dominant naval power and solidifies England’s position as a rising naval power
First Microscope invented
1590
Zacharias Janssen
Shakespeare’s first plays performed
1592
