-
Period: Jan 1, 1450 to
Consequenes of Poltical Exploration and and Expansion (Click here for Thesis) (Exact dates are not 100% accurate, as much is debatable in days and months)
Throughout much of Unit 4, exploration and interactions with other countries paved the way through the encompassing three centuries. Many countries were changed by interactions with foreign countries as well as changes within countries themselves, although the ensuing interaction with foreign countries did not alter all countries, and many stayed the same throughout this political intrusion. -
Oct 12, 1492
Columbus discovers the Americas
On an expedition to find another way around the world to reach India, Christopher Columbus unintentionally arrives in the Americas as opposed to his real destination of Asia. This is perhaps one of the greatest changes discussed in the chapter, let alone a political change, as this is one of the first times the Americas was to be politically changed by outside intrusion. -
Aug 23, 1514
The Ottoman and Safavid armies clash at Chaldiran
The Ottoman and Safavid forces, fueled by the religious fervoring rivalries, clash in northwest Persia, yet because their artillary was held up elsewhere, the Safavids were dealth a devastating defeat. Although this proved a decent setback, the Ottoman were unable to finish off the Safavids, allowing them to build up their empire once more, leaving a political continuity amongst the Safavids. -
Feb 16, 1521
Spain claims the Philippines
Through leading a Spanish expedition in 1519, Ferdinand Magellan sails across the Pacific and reaching the Indonesian islands in 1521, making the first trip around the world. At the end of this trip, a political change is sparked in which the Spanish claim the Philippines, keeping it until 1898. -
Sep 7, 1521
Cortes conquers Mexico
Hernan Cortes set out on an expedition of 600 men in 1519 to conquer the Aztecs in Mexico by defeating and enlisting the help of the natives as he conquered inland. This brought great political change through the conquering of Tenochtitlan, later renamed Mexiso City, by the Spanish. -
Nov 16, 1532
Francisco Pizzaro conquers Cajamarca
Francisco Pizzaro and his 169 men led an expedition to conquer the Inca empire for Spain. Pizzaro eventually accomplishes the goal of the expedition, changing not only the political spectrum of Spain's conquered lands, but also changing Inca's political way of life, as Atahualpa was the last Sapa Inca before the Spanish conquered the Incas. -
Oct 7, 1571
Battle of Lepanto
The navy of the Ottoman Empire was defeated by a Spanish-directed fleet. This brought a great political change in the setback of Muslim power, as the Ottoman's defeat left any hope of Muslim rivalry against the European's naval power virtually nonexistant. -
May 25, 1573
Nobunaga deposes the Ashikaga Shoguns
The first of three Japanese leaders to restore unity and peace, Nobunaga, was able to depose of the current Ashikaga Shoguns and unified much of Central Honshu. Because Nobunaga brought this political change upon Japan, he enabled his seceding rulers to eventually return Japan's old strength. -
Dutch establishes a Colony of the Cape of Good Hope
The intent of the Cape Colony set up by the Dutch was to form another coastal station to supply Dutch ships on their way to Asia. However, Dutch farmers were sent to fan out on large farms in regions still populated by Africans, changing their lives politically by clashing (and occassionally enslaving) the native populations. -
The "Black Hole" of Calcutta Incident
The "Black Hole" of Calcutta was a small dungeon in Fort William in Calcutta, India, where British prisoners of war were held in cramped conditions and heat exhaustion, where around 120 out of 146 people died. This event brought political change in which the English used it to rally their forces for battle. -
End of the Seven Years War
After their defeat in the aftermath of the Seven Years War, France, by the terms of the Treaty of Paris, loses its owned colony. However, not much is changed for France politically, as it regains its West Indian suger islands, thus some of France's old political strength returns, allowing France to reach a state of continuity in power.
