Timeline: Renaissance to French
Revolution (1350-1789)
I. The Renaissance (c. 1350 - c. 1600): Rebirth of Classical Learning and Culture
c. 1350 - 1450: Early Renaissance in Italy
o Detail: Emergence of humanism, a focus on human potential and achievements,
drawing inspiration from classical Greek and Roman texts. Artistic innovations by
figures like Giotto and Masaccio. Florence becomes a cultural center.
1453: Fall of Constantinople
o Detail: The Ottoman Turks conquer the Byzantine capital. This event led to a
significant migration of Greek scholars and texts to Western Europe, further fueling
the Renaissance by bringing new knowledge.
c. 1450 - 1500: High Renaissance
o Detail: Peak of artistic and intellectual achievement in Italy. Masterpieces by
Leonardo da Vinci (e.g., Mona Lisa), Michelangelo (e.g., David, Sistine Chapel), and
Raphael. Focus on realism, perspective, and ideal beauty.
1450s: Gutenberg's Printing Press
o Detail: Johannes Gutenberg invents the movable type printing press. This
revolutionized the dissemination of knowledge, making books more accessible and
affordable, greatly impacting literacy, education, and the spread of new ideas
(including those of the Reformation).
Late 15th - 16th Century: Northern Renaissance
o Detail: Renaissance ideas spread to Northern Europe, but with a different emphasis.
More focus on Christian humanism, social reform, and detailed realism in art. Key
figures include Erasmus, Jan van Eyck, and Albrecht Dürer.
II. The Reformation & Religious Wars (c. 1517 - 1648): Religious Upheaval and
Conflict
1517: Martin Luther's 95 Theses
o Detail: Often cited as the start of the Protestant Reformation. Luther, a German
monk, challenged the sale of indulgences and other practices of the Catholic Church,
advocating for salvation through faith alone and the Bible as the sole authority.
1534: Act of Supremacy (England)
o Detail: King Henry VIII breaks with the Pope, establishing the Church of England
(Anglican Church) with himself as its head. This was primarily for political reasons
(desire for an annulment) but had profound religious consequences for England.
1545-1563: Council of Trent
o Detail: The Catholic Church's response to the Protestant Reformation (the Counter-
Reformation). It reaffirmed Catholic doctrines, reformed abuses, and strengthened
the Papacy.
1562-1598: French Wars of Religion
o Detail: A series of civil wars between Catholics and Huguenots (French Protestants).
Marked by extreme violence, including the St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre (1572).
Ended by the Edict of Nantes (1598).
1588: Spanish Armada Defeated
o Detail: England, under Queen Elizabeth I, defeats the invading Spanish Armada, a
fleet sent by Catholic Spain to restore Catholicism in England. This marked a turning
point in naval power and solidified England's Protestant identity.
1598: Edict of Nantes (France)
o Detail: Issued by King Henry IV, it granted significant rights to Protestants
(Huguenots) in largely Catholic France, bringing an end to the French Wars of
Religion and establishing a degree of religious toleration.
1618-1648: Thirty Years' War
o Detail: A devastating series of wars, primarily in Central Europe, initially over
religious differences (Protestant vs. Catholic) but evolving into a struggle for political
power among European states.
1648: Treaty of Westphalia
o Detail: Ended the Thirty Years' War. Established the principle of state sovereignty
(rulers determined the religion of their state), significantly weakened the Holy
Roman Empire, and laid the groundwork for the modern nation-state system.
III. The Age of Absolutism & Scientific Revolution (c. 17th - 18th Century):
Centralized Power and New Ways of Thinking
17th Century: Rise of Absolute Monarchy
o Detail: European monarchs consolidate power, claiming divine right to rule. Louis
XIV of France ("the Sun King") is the quintessential example, building Versailles and
centralizing control.
c. 1543 - Late 17th Century: Scientific Revolution
o Detail: A fundamental shift in how knowledge was acquired, moving from reliance
on tradition and religious texts to observation, experimentation, and mathematical
reasoning.
o Key figures:
Nicolaus Copernicus (1543): Heliocentric model of the universe (Earth
revolves around the sun).
Galileo Galilei (early 17th c.): Observations with the telescope supporting
heliocentrism, faced persecution from the Church.
Isaac Newton (late 17th c.): Developed laws of motion and universal
gravitation, providing a comprehensive framework for understanding the
physical world.
IV. The Enlightenment (c. 18th Century): Reason, Rights, and Reform
Early - Mid 18th Century: Spread of Enlightenment Ideas
o Detail: An intellectual and philosophical movement emphasizing reason,
individualism, and human rights. Philosophers challenged traditional authority
(monarchy, Church) and advocated for social and political reform.
Key Enlightenment Thinkers and their ideas:
o John Locke (late 17th c. - early 18th c.): Natural rights (life, liberty, property),
government by consent of the governed, influence on American Revolution.
o Voltaire (18th c.): Freedom of speech, religious toleration, separation of church and
state.
o Montesquieu (18th c.): Separation of powers (executive, legislative, judicial) to
prevent tyranny.
o Jean-Jacques Rousseau (18th c.): Social contract theory, general will, popular
sovereignty.
Late 18th Century: Enlightened Absolutism
o Detail: Some monarchs (e.g., Frederick the Great of Prussia, Catherine the Great of
Russia, Joseph II of Austria) adopted Enlightenment ideas to reform their states, but
without giving up their absolute power. They focused on legal reform, education,
and religious toleration.
1776: American Revolution & Declaration of Independence
o Detail: American colonies declare independence from Great Britain, based on
Enlightenment principles of self-governance and natural rights. This served as an
inspiration for future revolutions.
V. Towards Revolution (Late 18th Century): Growing Tensions
Late 18th Century: Economic and Social Problems in France
o Detail: France, despite being a wealthy nation, faced severe financial crisis due to
costly wars (e.g., American Revolution), an inefficient tax system, and extravagant
royal spending. Social inequalities (privileged clergy and nobility vs. burdened
commoners) fueled discontent.
1789: French Revolution Begins
o Detail: Triggered by economic hardship, social inequality, and the influence of
Enlightenment ideas. The storming of the Bastille in July 1789 marked the symbolic
start of a radical transformation of French society and politics, ending the Old
Regime and ushering in a new era for Europe.
