1. The Black Death
The Black Death first came to Sicily and spread to France, Spain, and Italy. It was caused by the Yersinia pestis bacteria in rats, which then spread to the rats’ fleas. When the rats died, the fleas would attach to and infect humans. The plague spread easily because of limited medical knowledge of how to cure it and terrible hygiene of the time. The population took a huge fall, as 25 million people died in 5 years. The Black Death contributed to the downfall of the feudal system in Europe because many necessary workers were killed. It also affected the hierarchy because it affected everyone- not only peasants, but also nobles and royalty.
The Black Death first came to Sicily and spread to France, Spain, and Italy. It was caused by the Yersinia pestis bacteria in rats, which then spread to the rats’ fleas. When the rats died, the fleas would attach to and infect humans. The plague spread easily because of limited medical knowledge of how to cure it and terrible hygiene of the time. The population took a huge fall, as 25 million people died in 5 years. The Black Death contributed to the downfall of the feudal system in Europe because many necessary workers were killed. It also affected the hierarchy because it affected everyone- not only peasants, but also nobles and royalty.
2. Protestant Reformation
The Black Death first came to Sicily and spread to France, Spain, and Italy. It was caused by the Yersinia pestis bacteria in rats, which then spread to the rats’ fleas. When the rats died, the fleas would attach to and infect humans. The plague spread easily because of limited medical knowledge of how to cure it and terrible hygiene of the time. The population took a huge fall, as 25 million people died in 5 years. The Black Death contributed to the downfall of the feudal system in Europe because many necessary workers were killed. It also affected the hierarchy because it affected everyone- not only peasants, but also nobles and royalty.
The Black Death first came to Sicily and spread to France, Spain, and Italy. It was caused by the Yersinia pestis bacteria in rats, which then spread to the rats’ fleas. When the rats died, the fleas would attach to and infect humans. The plague spread easily because of limited medical knowledge of how to cure it and terrible hygiene of the time. The population took a huge fall, as 25 million people died in 5 years. The Black Death contributed to the downfall of the feudal system in Europe because many necessary workers were killed. It also affected the hierarchy because it affected everyone- not only peasants, but also nobles and royalty.
3. The Counter Reformation
In response to the uprising of the Protestant reformation, the Catholic church decided it needed to regain power and control. The Spanish Inquisition in Spain and the Roman Inquisition began to attempt to convert Jews, Muslims, and Protestants as well as punish supposed witches and heretics. Its’ effects include segregation against other religions, stricter Catholic rules, and the introduction of new branches of Christianity.
In response to the uprising of the Protestant reformation, the Catholic church decided it needed to regain power and control. The Spanish Inquisition in Spain and the Roman Inquisition began to attempt to convert Jews, Muslims, and Protestants as well as punish supposed witches and heretics. Its’ effects include segregation against other religions, stricter Catholic rules, and the introduction of new branches of Christianity.
4. The Renaissance
The Renaissance was a period of time in Europe after the Dark Ages where learning, new ideas, and humanism was explored. Humanism was a new way of thinking that valued education, life on Earth, and being a well rounded individual. Humanism and the Renaissance rose from the reading of classical texts and those ideas. It caused less emphasis and power on the church and more scientific, architectural, and artistic development in Europe.
The Renaissance was a period of time in Europe after the Dark Ages where learning, new ideas, and humanism was explored. Humanism was a new way of thinking that valued education, life on Earth, and being a well rounded individual. Humanism and the Renaissance rose from the reading of classical texts and those ideas. It caused less emphasis and power on the church and more scientific, architectural, and artistic development in Europe.
5. The Crusades
The Crusades were a religious war between the Christians and the Turks in the late 1000s. Pope Urban II called for the first Crusade in 1095 in order to gain control of the Holy Land and defeat the Turks. Many people fought in the Crusades because of their religious obligation, as well as the “warrior class” being unoccupied. The Crusades brought on increased cultural interaction between the East and West. This brought lots of new knowledge and increased trade to Europe. In addition, it weakened the nobility and the merchant class developed much more.
The Crusades were a religious war between the Christians and the Turks in the late 1000s. Pope Urban II called for the first Crusade in 1095 in order to gain control of the Holy Land and defeat the Turks. Many people fought in the Crusades because of their religious obligation, as well as the “warrior class” being unoccupied. The Crusades brought on increased cultural interaction between the East and West. This brought lots of new knowledge and increased trade to Europe. In addition, it weakened the nobility and the merchant class developed much more.
6. World War I
The First World War was a massive war between the Allies-- France, England, Italy, Russia, and the US-- and the Central Powers-- the Austria-Hungary Empire (Habsburg Empire), Germany, and the Ottoman Empire. It was triggered by the assassination of the heir of the throne of the Habsburg Empire, but had many other causes building up to it. These included worries about other countries’ expansion and old differences between nations of the Balkan Peninsula. WWI had millions of casualties, most likely related to new means of fighting like air strikes or underwater fighting. In the end, the Allies won, but this led to some severe consequences. Both the Habsburg and Ottoman Empire fell, and Europe redrew its political borders. In addition, Germany’s conditions post WWI was an extremely significant factor that led to World War II.
The First World War was a massive war between the Allies-- France, England, Italy, Russia, and the US-- and the Central Powers-- the Austria-Hungary Empire (Habsburg Empire), Germany, and the Ottoman Empire. It was triggered by the assassination of the heir of the throne of the Habsburg Empire, but had many other causes building up to it. These included worries about other countries’ expansion and old differences between nations of the Balkan Peninsula. WWI had millions of casualties, most likely related to new means of fighting like air strikes or underwater fighting. In the end, the Allies won, but this led to some severe consequences. Both the Habsburg and Ottoman Empire fell, and Europe redrew its political borders. In addition, Germany’s conditions post WWI was an extremely significant factor that led to World War II.
7. World War II
World War II was the Allies-- England, the Soviet Union, France, and United States-- against the Axis powers-- Germany, Italy, Japan, Hungary, and Bulgaria. After World War I, Germany had to sign the Treaty of Versailles, which took both land and money from the country, forcing them into economic downfall. Adolf Hitler was elected with promises of gaining more land for the nation. The war began when England and France declared war after Germany invaded Poland. They continued to invade other parts of Europe like northern France, Norway, Denmark, and the Netherlands. The Soviet Union was an ally of Germany until they were also invaded, causing them to switch sides. The US stayed uninvolved for a while but joined the Allies after the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. The war continued until the Allies attacked Germany in the Battle of the Bulge, and Germany surrendered approximately one year later. World War II increased an interest in communism for many countries and had huge death tolls.
World War II was the Allies-- England, the Soviet Union, France, and United States-- against the Axis powers-- Germany, Italy, Japan, Hungary, and Bulgaria. After World War I, Germany had to sign the Treaty of Versailles, which took both land and money from the country, forcing them into economic downfall. Adolf Hitler was elected with promises of gaining more land for the nation. The war began when England and France declared war after Germany invaded Poland. They continued to invade other parts of Europe like northern France, Norway, Denmark, and the Netherlands. The Soviet Union was an ally of Germany until they were also invaded, causing them to switch sides. The US stayed uninvolved for a while but joined the Allies after the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. The war continued until the Allies attacked Germany in the Battle of the Bulge, and Germany surrendered approximately one year later. World War II increased an interest in communism for many countries and had huge death tolls.
8. The Holocaust
The Holocaust was the widespread persecution of Jews and other minority groups in Europe by the Nazis of Germany. The Holocaust was partially caused by the Germans’ antisemitic attitudes and their fear of the Nazis. One may also point to the natural response to answer to authority and ‘stay in line’. Jewish people of Germany and its allies were tortured and killed in concentration camps or ghettos. It began to come to an end when the Allies of World War II liberated many victims of the Holocaust and eventually defeated the Nazis. Survivors of the Holocaust had to live in the Allies’ displaced person camps and hundreds of Jewish communities were terminated.
The Holocaust was the widespread persecution of Jews and other minority groups in Europe by the Nazis of Germany. The Holocaust was partially caused by the Germans’ antisemitic attitudes and their fear of the Nazis. One may also point to the natural response to answer to authority and ‘stay in line’. Jewish people of Germany and its allies were tortured and killed in concentration camps or ghettos. It began to come to an end when the Allies of World War II liberated many victims of the Holocaust and eventually defeated the Nazis. Survivors of the Holocaust had to live in the Allies’ displaced person camps and hundreds of Jewish communities were terminated.
9. The Formation of the European Union
The European Union is an organization of 28 European countries that governs security, economics, and social policies. It was enacted on November 1, 1993 by the Maastricht Treaty with a goal of growing economically, making better national security, as well as strengthening bonds and making peace between European countries after World War II. The European Union has caused economic growth with its little to no taxes, and the creation of the euro, the unit of currency in participating countries.
The European Union is an organization of 28 European countries that governs security, economics, and social policies. It was enacted on November 1, 1993 by the Maastricht Treaty with a goal of growing economically, making better national security, as well as strengthening bonds and making peace between European countries after World War II. The European Union has caused economic growth with its little to no taxes, and the creation of the euro, the unit of currency in participating countries.
10. European Exploration
The period of European Exploration of the ‘New World’, or imperialism, was largely based in Southern Europe. During this period, the ‘New World’ was accidentally discovered by Spaniard Christopher Columbus when he attempted to reach India in search for gold. This was during the time of the Renaissance, when science and learning was accelerating, encouraging exploration. During this time, Spain needed money, which allowed Columbus to sail with promises of new gold. He was also motivated by religious piety, and wanted to spread Christianity. When he found the New World, they were able to exploit the indigenous people and create a profit for Spain. A similar pattern occurred in other countries, such as Portugal.
The period of European Exploration of the ‘New World’, or imperialism, was largely based in Southern Europe. During this period, the ‘New World’ was accidentally discovered by Spaniard Christopher Columbus when he attempted to reach India in search for gold. This was during the time of the Renaissance, when science and learning was accelerating, encouraging exploration. During this time, Spain needed money, which allowed Columbus to sail with promises of new gold. He was also motivated by religious piety, and wanted to spread Christianity. When he found the New World, they were able to exploit the indigenous people and create a profit for Spain. A similar pattern occurred in other countries, such as Portugal.