-
30,000 BCE
Stone Age
Marked by the use of stone tools. It’s divided into the Paleolithic and Neolithic. -
3500 BCE
Copper Age
Where humans began using cooper for tools and weapons. Also known as the Chalcolithic. This period saw the beginnings of metalworking. -
3300 BCE
Bronze Age
Ancient Egypt: Known for the development of writing, architecture and a centralized government. Mesopotamia: Located between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, known as the “cradle of civilization” with early writing. (Cuneiform). Indus Valley: Noted for urban planning, advanced drainage systems, and trade. China: Early Chinese civilization developed along the Yellow River, leading to the first dynasties. -
2000 BCE
Judaism
One of the oldest monotheistic religions -
2000 BCE
Maya Civilization
In Mesoamerica, with advances of writing, mathematics, and astronomy. -
1595 BCE
Late Bronze Age
-Expansion of trade networks
-Improved weapons and armor
-Improvement in metallurgy and trade. -
1200 BCE
Iron Age
Assyrian Empire: A powerful Mesopotamian empire, known for its military prowess and administration. Nok Culture: Known for iron smelting and terracota sculptures Kushite Kingdom: Known for iron working Proto-Celtic and Hallstatt: Cultures in Europe known for their metalwork and as predecessors of Celtic Society -
800 BCE
Ancient Greece
The golden age of Athens -
753 BCE
Ancient Rome
A period where Rome was governed by electe officials and the Senate. -
475 BCE
Fall of the Western Roman Empire
-
400 BCE
Buddhism
Founded by Siddhartha Gautama -
336 BCE
Alexander the Great
Expanded Greek Culture across the vast empire, spreading Hellenistic influence. -
330 BCE
Byzantine Empire
Continued for centuries after the fall of the West. -
323 BCE
Hellenism
The blend of Greek culture with the other cultures -
312 BCE
Seleucid Empire
Greek influenced rule in Asia -
306 BCE
Antigonids
Rulers in the Macedonian and Greek regions -
305 BCE
Ptolemaic Empire
Greek rulers in Egypt -
50
Christianity
Based on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ -
301
Catholic Church
It controlled lands and impacting politics -
476
Fall of the Western Roman Empire
-
493
Theodoric the Great establishes the Ostrogothic Kingdom in Italy.
-
527
Justinian I ascends as Byzantine Emperor, later initiating major legal and architectural reforms.
-
610
Islam
Founded by the Prophet Muhammad -
732
Battle of Tours – Charles Martel halts the northward advance of Islamic forces.
-
800
Coronation of Charlemagne as Emperor by Pope Leo III, uniting much of Western Europe.
-
843
Treaty of Verdun divides the Carolingian Empire among Charlemagne’s grandsons.
-
962
Otto I is crowned Holy Roman Emperor, reinforcing the idea of a revived Western Empire.
-
1054
The Great Schism formally splits Christianity into Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox branches.
-
1066
Norman Conquest of England – William the Conqueror defeats Harold II at Hastings.
-
1095
Pope Urban II calls for the First Crusade at the Council of Clermont.
-
1099
Crusaders capture Jerusalem during the First Crusade.
-
1122
Concordat of Worms resolves the Investiture Controversy between the papacy and the Holy Roman Emperor.
-
1147
Launch of the Second Crusade
-
1187
Battle of Hattin – Saladin defeats Crusader forces and recaptures Jerusalem.
-
1190
Beginning of the Third Crusade, led by figures such as Richard the Lionheart.
-
1215
Signing of the Magna Carta in England, laying foundations for constitutional governance.
-
1229
End of the Albigensian Crusade with the Treaty of Paris, curbing heresy in southern France
-
1241
Mongol forces invade Eastern Europe (e.g., Battle of Legnica), affecting European political dynamics.
-
1265
Simon de Montfort’s Parliament in England becomes an early model of representative government.
-
1274
Second Council of Lyons discusses Church reforms and attempts at reuniting Eastern and Western Christianity.
-
1302
Pope Boniface VIII issues the papal bull Unam Sanctam, asserting papal supremacy.
-
1315
The Great Famine begins in Europe, severely impacting population and society.
-
1325
Aztec Civilization
A powerful empire in central Mexico -
1347
Outbreak of the Black Death in Europe, drastically reducing the population.
-
1378
Beginning of the Western Schism, splitting the Catholic Church with rival popes.
-
1415
Portuguese Expeditions
Explored the Western coast of Africa -
1415
Execution of Jan Hus at the Council of Constance, sparking early reformist movements.
-
1417
The Western Schism comes to an end with the election of a single pope.
-
1438
Inca Civilization
Developed an extensive road network and advanced agricultural terraces -
1453
Fall of Constantinople to the Ottoman Turks, marking the end of the Byzantine Empire.
-
1455
Gutenberg prints the first Bible, revolutionizing the spread of knowledge with movable type.
-
1492
Christopher Columbus’s voyage leads to the European discovery of the Americas.
-
1492
Castilian Expeditions
Christopher Columbus crossed the Atlantic, paving the way for Spanish colonization -
1494
Treaty of Tordesillas divides the New World between Spain and Portugal.
-
1517
Martin Luther nails his 95 Theses to the church door in Wittenberg, sparking the Protestant Reformation.
-
1521
The Diet of Worms condemns Martin Luther’s teachings.
-
1527
Sack of Rome by the troops of Charles V, symbolizing the decline of papal political power.
-
1534
Henry VIII’s Act of Supremacy establishes the Church of England.
-
1543
Copernicus publishes On the Revolutions of the Celestial Spheres, marking a shift in scientific thought.
-
1545
The Council of Trent commences, launching the Counter-Reformation within the Catholic Church.
-
1555
The Peace of Augsburg establishes the principle of cuius regio, eius religio in the Holy Roman Empire.
-
The Spanish Armada is defeated by England, altering the balance of naval power in Europe.
-
The Defenestration of Prague sparks the Thirty Years’ War across Central
-
The English Civil War begins, leading to significant shifts in power and governance.
-
The Peace of Westphalia ends the Thirty Years’ War and lays the groundwork for modern state sovereignty.
-
The Glorious Revolution in England establishes a constitutional monarchy.
-
The English Bill of Rights is enacted, reinforcing parliamentary power and individual rights.
-
The Acts of Union unite England and Scotland into the Kingdom of Great Britain.
-
The Treaty of Utrecht ends the War of Spanish Succession, reshaping the balance of power in Europe.
-
Death of Louis XIV marks the end of an era of absolute monarchy in France.
-
he Seven Years’ War begins, a global conflict that reconfigures colonial empires.
-
The Battle of the Plains of Abraham decisively influences the fate of New France in North America.
-
The approximate beginning of the Industrial Revolution, heralding vast economic and social changes.
-
The American Revolutionary War begins.
-
The American Declaration of Independence is adopted. Adam Smith publishes his magnum opus ‘An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations’.
-
The Treaty of Paris ends the American Revolutionary War.
-
The Treaty of Paris ends the American Revolutionary War.
-
The French Revolution begins, radically transforming French society and politics.
-
The French National Assembly adopts the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen.
-
The French National Assembly adopts the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen.
-
Napoleon Bonaparte seizes power in France during the coup of 18 Brumaire.
-
Napoleon crowns himself Emperor of the French.
-
The Battle of Austerlitz results in a decisive Napoleonic victory. 1807 AD: The British Parliament passes the Slave Trade Act, abolishing the slave trade in the British Empire.
-
The Mexican War of Independence begins against Spanish colonial rule.
-
Napoleon invades Russia, a campaign that ultimately weakens his army.
-
Napoleon abdicates, and the Congress of Vienna convenes to redraw the map of Europe.
-
The Battle of Waterloo marks Napoleon’s final defeat and ends the Napoleonic Wars.
-
The Greek War of Independence begins; simultaneously, the Mexican War of Independence concludes.