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A Synopsis of World History PART TWO - THE MERIDIAN OF TIME , THE UNIVERSAL APOSTASY, AND THE ENLIGHTENMENT AD 0030 SIXTH DISPENSATION BEGINS (Dispensation of the Meridian of Time)> Christ's ministry begins AD 0031 John the Baptist killed by Herod Antipas the son of Herod the Great AD 0030-0033 Apostles called; The Church of Jesus Christ begins to be organized AD 0032 Mount of Transfiguration: Keys of the Priesthood given to Peter, James and John (and later all of the Twelve) by the ministration of Christ, Moses and Elias (Elijah) AD 0033 (3 Apr) Atonement and Death of Christ; nature suffers across the world (6 Apr) Resurrection of Christ; Law of Moses fulfilled;* the First Resurrection begins; the Forty Days ministry; the Ascension Righteous saints in both the Old and New Worlds were resurrected at and from the time of Christ's Resurrection (he being the first fruits of them that slept; i.e. the first to ever be resurrected in the earth's history). The 'First Resurrection' to us today has reference to the beginning of the Millennium when, in 'the morning of the First Resurrection', the most righteous shall come forth from their graves. However, strictly speaking, the First Resurrection began at the Resurrection of the Saviour and continues to this day (when expedient). The faithful that lived before the time of Christ would have looked upon the First Resurrection in the meridian of time much the same way that the saints** today look forward to the Millenial restoration of their bodies. Christ visits Nephites in America after1 Ascension; the Nephites thereafter begin to live as a Zion society Christ visits other lost sheep (i.e. the Ten Lost Tribes) "The Lost Tribes are not lost unto the Lord. In their northward journeyings they were led by prophets and inspired leaders. They had their Moses and their Lehi, were guided by the spirit of revelation, kept the law of Moses, and carried with them the statutes and judgments which the Lord had given them in ages past. They were still a distinct people many hundreds of years later, for the resurrected Lord visited and ministered among them...obviously they recorded his teachings, thus creating volumes of scripture...[see 2 Nephi 29:12 and also 3 Nephi 17:4]"2 Some have speculated that Christ appeared to other3 'colonies' of Israelites after his resurrection. Among these places is England of which Gildas, the seventh-century British historian, wrote: "We know that Christ, the true son, afforded his light to our island in the last year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar [c. AD 37]." AD 0034 Conversion of Saul of Tarsus * The necessity of being a Levite to receive the Aaronic Priesthood was lifted at this time, and the 'Lord's Day' (when the sacrament was to be taken) became the first day of the week (Sunday). See also text on 'Law of the Covenant' under 1517 BC. ** Id est, members of the primitive and latter-day Church, Christians. Although it was common for the members of the Church to be called 'saints' in the Apostolic era the word subsequently lost its original meaning and became a term of veneration for deceased individuals who were considered particularly special by reason of some prominent act of faith or work, etc. - 49 - A Synopsis of World History Saints practise Law of Consecration4 The Law of Consecration and Stewardship, the United Order, the Order of Enoch, etc. (actually these terms refer to slightly different things but that is not discussed in this work), has been and continues to be one of the most misunderstood* doctrines of the Kingdom of God. This lack of understanding has given the devil great advantage in deceiving men, both now and in the past, into entering into systems of government, economy, etc. that have caused no end of suffering. A modern-day Apostle has stated: "The United Order is not a communal system; it is not one under which all things are held in common." (Bruce R. McConkie). One lawyer who understood the United Order accurately described it best when he defined it as "a sort of religiously oriented capitalism".5 AD 0037 Caligula becomes Roman Emperor [Joseph of Arimathaea and Mary, the mother of Jesus, arrive in England] Legends and traditions linking Britain with the family of Jesus are so prevalent that one must lend credence to at least some of them. It is said that Joseph of Arimathaea had quite some success teaching the gospel in Britain and that the gospel was accepted by the British readily and also by its then king, Arviragus, of the House of Siluria (the oldest royal house in England).6 AD 0040 Gospel begins to go forth to the Gentiles Caractacus (or Caratacus/Caradoc) of the Catuvellaun becomes king in Britain AD 00?? [Some or all of the Apostles come to the British Isles] The historicity of this English tradition was confirmed by Joseph Smith in response to some of the early brethren who served in England and had felt they were following in the footsteps of more ancient prophets, seers and revelators.7 A document found in the Archives of Constantinople, known as The Sonnini Manuscript, was printed in English in AD 1801; it purports to be a "long-lost chapter of the Acts of the Apostles" and tells of Paul's visit to western Europe as well as Britain and Ireland. In addition to this and strong local tradition, Eusebius, Bishop of Caesarea in the early Fourth Century, wrote: "...some of the Apostles passed over to the British Isles." AD 0041 Claudius becomes Roman Emperor AD 0042 Claudius issues decree to destroy Christians in Britain AD 0043 Romans invade England again and establish the province of Britannia (part of southern England) The brothers Caractacus (see AD 40) and Togodomnus, two princes of Wales (or Cymru), offered the greatest resistance but the latter fell in the first year and after nine years Caractacus was betrayed and taken captive and Wales lay open to the legions. The Romans were never able to penetrate Scotland (except the lowlands for a while) or Cornwall (including the Glastonbury area). Despite plans to the contrary no attempt to actually invade Ireland ever got underway. AD 0044-0068 Martyrdom of Apostles; the Apostasy begins * For an excellent comparison of the divine principles of God's perfect economic system with the ideas of men see Socialism and the United Order Compared, a talk originally given by Marion G. Romney at the Brigham Young University, Utah, 1966 and repeated in the following General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - 50 - A Synopsis of World History AD 0046 Plutarch born AD 0047-0048 Caractacus invades Britannia AD 0049 Council of Jerusalem Jewish Christians banished from Rome by Claudius AD 0050 Avesta (Zoroastrian writings) collected around this time Caractacus defeated by Romans AD 0051 Caractacus, betrayed, is taken to Rome but Claudius allows him to live AD 0053 Romans eventually establish themselves in Britannia AD 0053-0058 [Paul visits England] AD 0054 Nero becomes Roman Emperor AD 0061 Boadicean War (Britain vs. Rome) Rome treated the Iceni leaders (who dwelt northeast of the Thames) very badly. As a result Boadicea, the Iceni queen, was supported by the revolting tribes and led her army to the Roman cities of London, Colchester and Verulamium (St Albans), destroying all of them and slaughtering Roman citizens. She was soon after defeated in a battle in the middle of England and said to have thereafter committed suicide. AD 0062 Pliny the Younger born AD 0064 Temple of Herod completed Fire of Rome: Nero blames Christians; persecution and martyrdom of Christians by Rome lasts about 4 years AD 0066-0070 First Jewish revolt against Rome AD 0068 History of the Jewish People written by Flavius Josephus AD 0068-0073 Qumran Community disappears This society was probably destroyed by the Romans soon after hiding their sacred records. The persecutions by Vespasian around this time were said to have resulted in the death of at least a million Jews. AD 0069 Vespasian becomes Roman Emperor AD 0070 Vespasian comes to power in Rome and founds a new dynasty Jerusalem and Temple destroyeda by Romans; first westward movementb of Jews begins - 51 - A Synopsis of World History (a) Although there may be additional meanings it is accepted that this event was the first fulfilment of the 'abomination of desolation' prophecy by Daniel8 concerning the destruction of Jerusalem. The second or final fulfilment of this prophecy has yet to occur. (b) A term used by some though this was not the first time Jews or other Israelite tribes had been displaced. This scattering of the Jews to other nations is usually referred to as the Diaspora ('dispersion'); a name applied to the dispersed Jews themselves sometimes, as contrasted with Eretz (meaning 'land' or 'earth') who are those Jews living in the Holy Land. AD 0074 Galatian culture swallowed up by Romans and becomes part of Cappadocia Fall of Masada (last refuge of the Jewish Zealots) to Romans AD 0079 Vesuvius erupts; Pompeii (South Italy) destroyed Titus becomes Roman Emperor AD 0081 Domitian becomes Roman Emperor AD 0090 Council of Jamnia Jamnia, also called Yavneh or Javneh, is near Joppa (on the coast west of Jerusalem). It was here that a group or council of rabbis declared the canon of the Hebrew Old Testament to be complete (although the compilation was thought to have lasted into the Fourteenth Century). It has been suggested that the measure was a defensive one made as a reaction to the additional scriptural works being written by the Apostles. According to tradition it was the text decided upon at this meeting that became the masora (Hebrew 'traditional') or, as we know it today, the Masoretic Text. The Old Testament of the King James Version uses the Masoretic Text. This version did not include what we know today as the Apocrypha, although the King James Version of 1611 did originally contain the Apocryphal books. AD 0095 John records Revelation on the isle of Patmos and is subsequently translated Christians again persecuted by Rome under Domitian Apostasy of The Church of Jesus Christ prevails AD 0098 Trajan becomes Roman Emperor AD 0100 Paper-making develops in China AD 0106 Romans conquer Dacia (modern-day Romania) Romans capture Petra AD 0117 Trajan killed as a result of trouble stirred up by Jews in Cyrenaica; Hadrian becomes Roman Emperor AD 0122 AD 0130-0135 Romans build Hadrian's Wall Second Jewish revolt against Rome: led by Simon bar Kochebar; Jews massacred and barred from Jerusalem and scatter - 52 - A Synopsis of World History AD 0138 Antoninus Pius becomes Roman Emperor AD 0156 [Good King Lucius of Britain establishes Christianity as national faith] King Lucius was the great grandson of Caractacus. A brass tablet was found at a site in London and makes reference to the original church in that location being built in AD 179 by "Lucius, the first Christian king of this land".9 AD 0161 Marcus Aurelius becomes Roman Emperor but shares his rule with Lucius Verus and then Commodus AD 0167-0169 Marcomannic War AD 0177 Rome persecutes Christians in Rome AD 0180 Decline of Roman Empire begins; Commodus becomes Roman Emperor Commodus failed to take action to save the Empire. Some years before, the German tribes had started to break through Rome's defences and Roman armies had brought back a terrible plague from their wars in the east with Parthia; this plague greatly thinned the population. From this time the Emperor became more absolute in his power, government more bureaucratic, tax more burdensome, the middle class less numerous. AD 0198 Roman Empire ruled between two Emperors AD 0200 About this time the Talmud begins to be put together The Talmud (comes from a Hebrew word meaning 'learning') was put together over a period of about three centuries (until about AD 500) by Jewish scholars. It is viewed as the Oral Law in addition to the Law of Moses. The Jewish Encyclopedia admits that the Talmud is the "the product of the Palestinian and Babylonian schools". Consequently the record exists as two collections: (1) The Palestinian Talmud, or Talmud of the Land of Israel, or Talmud of the West, or (most popularly) the Jerusalem Talmud, and (2) the Babylonian Talmud. AD 0201 Zion society among Nephites comes to an end AD 0218 Roman Empire restored to one Emperor under Antoninus but shared power still occurs with some Emperors AD 0220 Han Dynasty of China ends as Empire divides into The Three Kingdoms AD 0224 Sassanians of Persis defeat Parthian king AD 0226 Persia comes under rule of the Sassanid* line of emperors with their capital at Ctesiphon; Zoroastrianism becomes state religion Gunpowder develops in China AD 0250 * The first of this line, Ardashir, called himself Shapur, meaning 'King of kings'; in later times this was to be abbreviated to Shah. - 53 - A Synopsis of World History AD 0260 Battle of Edessa: Persia defeats Romans and capture Emperor Valerian AD 0262 Goths destroy Temple of Diana The Goths were of Scythian origin and sometimes called Gatei. They divided into two branches: the Visigoths ('west Goths') who went on to rule Spain and southern Gaul, and the Ostrogoths ('east Goths'); the Goths were pushed westward by the invading Huns. Their name may have come from the biblical name Gad (pron. Gath), one of the Twelve Tribes of Israel. AD 0284 Diocletian becomes Roman Emperor AD 0288 Constantine the Great born AD 0290 Diocletian Edict: Rome severely persecutes Christians AD 0300 Diocletian persecution reaches Britain So great was this that the number of British martyrs exceeded that of all previous persecutions. It is believed by some10 that during this time Rome destroyed the true history of the British and replaced it with its own view. It has become increasingly clear from documented evidence that survived the Roman destruction of the British libraries and records that the Ancient Britons were a highly-civilised and literate race that, according to some sources, were said to have even surpassed the Greeks. AD 0303 Christians in Rome are persecuted again [Martyrdom of 'Saint George' in Palestine; later to become patron saint of England] AD 0313 Constantine accepts Christianity AD 0319 Rise of Gupta Empire in India This Empire was of the Hindu religion and held power only in the north of India, although had some control of areas in the south for short periods. AD 0324 Constantine I (the Great) becomes sole Roman Emperor Christianity becomes official religion of Roman Empire AD 0325 (First) Council of Nicæa The subsequent Nicene Creed established the Trinity doctrine in the Roman Church. It was opposed by Arius (who was denounced by the Council), a Libyan theologian, who taught that the Father and Christ were not the same person. The Athanasian Creed was a confirmation of the Trinity doctrine by Athanasius, an Egyptian and patriarch of Alexandria, made in opposition to Arianism. Arius's teaching remained strong in North Africa and Spain until about the Sixth Century. There was much contention between the proponents of the two doctrines until the Athanasian became dominant. AD 0330 Constantine I builds up old Greek city of Byzantium on the Thracian Bosphorus; it is renamed Constantinople and becomes the new imperial headquarters AD 0333 Roman troops begin to leave Britain - 54 - A Synopsis of World History AD 0337 Emperor Constantine dies AD 0360 Huns (Mongols and probably descendants of the Hsiung-nu) begin to invade Europe from Asia AD 0361 Julian becomes Roman Emperor Julian reintroduced paganism but gave it a Christian form - the organisation and alms-giving were to remain the same as the Christian churches. Christians, however, were excluded from education and often given over to be killed by mobs. AD 0372 Rise of the Hun Empire AD 0378 Battle of Adrianople: Roman army destroyed by Goths; Huns move into the Balkans behind Goths Theodosius becomes Roman Emperor; he later establishes Orthodox Christianity AD 0385 Nephite race destroyed by Lamanites AD 0391 Statue of Zeus transported to Constantinople AD 0395 Roman Empire splits into East (at Constantinople) and West (at Rome) AD 0406 Huns enter Hungary AD 0407 Romans withdraw from Britain back to Rome AD 0409 Vandals (Scythians) settle Spain AD 0410 Sacking of Rome by Visigoths AD 0421 Moroni buries the Nephite scriptural record in America AD 0438 Theodosian Code (based on Civil Law, opposite of Common Law) becomes law in the East and West Roman Empire Theodosius II, Emperor of the East, and Valentinian III, Emperor in the West, appointed a group of Jurists to compile this code of Roman law in AD 426. It was passed through the Senate and became law in AD 438; the Senate acting obsequiously as a rubber stamp. J. Reuben Clark commented: "Briefly, and stated in general terms, the basic concept of these two systems was as opposite as the poles - in the Civil Law the source of all law is the personal ruler; whether prince, king, or emperor -- he is sovereign. In the Common law, certainly as finally developed in America, the source of all law is the people; they, as a whole, are sovereign. During the centuries, these two systems have had an almost deadly rivalry for the control of society, the Civil Law, and its fundamental concepts, being the instrument through which ambitious men of genius and selfishness have set up and maintained despotisms; the Common Law, with its basic principles, being the instrument through which men of equal genius, but with love of mankind burning in their souls, have established and preserved liberty and free institutions."11 AD 0439 Vandals make Carthage their capital - 55 - A Synopsis of World History AD 0441 Anglo-Saxons begin to settle in England According to some versions of history the King of Kent had invited the Engles, Saxons and Jutes over under the leadership of Hengist and Horsa to help fight the various Celtic tribes that were threatening the southern Celts of England; the Anglo-Saxons were successful in helping the King of Kent but afterward did not leave but settled - the Engles giving their name to East Anglia, and the Saxons to Essex, Wessex, Sussex, etc. (means 'East Saxonland', ‘West Saxonland’, and ‘South Saxonland’ respectively); the Jutes settled Kent itself. From that time onward these tribes pushed back the Celtic tribes into Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and Cornwall. AD 0451 Huns defeated near Troyes (eastern France) by Roman-Visigoth effort AD 0453 Attila dies; fall of Hun Empire It was around this time that the Khazars, previously subject to the Huns, started to rise to prominence. The origin of this people, like all the Turkic peoples, is unknown. They seem to be an offshoot of the Huns. As with all the Turkish tribes the traditional lineage is from Togarmah, grandson of Japheth through Gomer. Interestingly Ezekiel 27:14 mentions the house of Togarmah as being a dealer in horses and horsemen. Such a description fits these ancient tribes and hordes of warrior horsemen. In a letter the King of the Khazars (called the Kagan) lists the tribal names of the ten sons of Togarmah, claiming his people descended from the son called Khazar. Another two of the sons were named Hun and Bulgar, from whence the Huns and Bulgars (later Bulgarians) originated.12 Another tradition13 says they once dwelt near the Seir Mountains (this is the location of Edom-Idumaea, "Thus dwelt Esau in mount Seir..."14) It is possible through the mixing of the various races that both these traditions could be correct. Many Jews seemed to have become mixed into other races during the Babylonian Captivity, becoming Babylonian Jews (and following the Babylonian Talmud). It is suggested that one of the offshoots of these hybridized people were the Khazars. Interestingly it was Edom that was associated with the colour red, as of course were the 'Red Jews' (see AD 965) of Khazar and the Eastern European revolutionary Jews (whose flag was red); some believe the red shield of the Rothschild family (German Jews who founded a powerful and internationally profitable banking practice around the end of the 18th Century) originated from this same history (see text under AD 1760). Later later the Red Army and the red of Communism-Socialism is said to have its roots in this same history. The Jewish Encyclopedia15 admits that the blood of Edom is in modern Jewry. AD 0454 Battle of Nedao (Hungary): Huns decisively defeated by previously subject barbarian tribes and begin moving back into Asia; Avars start moving into the Ukraine and rise in power AD 0455 Vandals sack Rome AD 0456 Saint Patrick begins his missionary work in Ireland AD 0462 Statue of Zeus destroyed by fire AD 0476 Formally the end of the Roman Empire in the West; Dark Ages commence - 56 - A Synopsis of World History Although the Roman Republic was originally based on the family, and even held that sovereignty rested in the people, it became, especially as it transformed into an Empire, completely immoral, corrupt and dictatorial. Divorce was very high, certain 'women's rights' movements drove husbands and wives apart, the schools did not promote morality and illiteracy increased, the people became apathetic as they became satiated with the immorality and violence of their entertainment industry (the theatres and arenas); the government became very totalitarian; J. Reuben Clark said: "It is interesting to note that these laws [Roman laws], proclaimed over 1500 years ago, had provisions covering such so-called modern concepts ... as price fixing, black markets, excessive taxation, socialized medicine [i.e. a government national health service], conscription of labor, anti-Semitism, inflation, corruption in government bureaus, the relationship between Church and State -- all phrases familiar to our ears. Under these laws the entire population was organized as in one vast army. All, including the highest officials, were strictly classified, and even the least had a station. In substance this meant that everyone did what he was told, and did not act without permission.' There was a great body of secret police to report disobedience; there was a 'special' secret police appointed to watch the ordinary secret police. These laws were framed to provide security. We of today have heard that same kind of security talk. But, in fact, all this bred not security, but scarcity of grain, of materials, of men. The mere making of laws, even in an absolute despotism, does not change the great laws of nature and economics -- neither then nor now, for there can be no permanent stability where men are not free. In fewer than forty years from the issuance of the Theodosian Code (i.e. 476 AD) the Empire of the West fell, notwithstanding the operation, under complete autocratic powers, of economic devices enacted to promote the welfare of the people and to preserve the empire; some of these devices were the same ones that we have been told will rebuild our economic structure and preserve our free institutions. These devices failed with Rome; they will ultimately fail with us."16 Here is what one historian said about Rome: "[Welfarism was a] leading fact of Roman life. The evils that resulted from this misdirected state charity can hardly be overstated. Idleness and all its accompanying vices were fostered to such a degree that we shall probably not be wrong in enumerating the practice as one of the chief causes of the demoralization of society."17 "The sap was running in the plant too feebly; there was a lack of keen industrial energy and of the instinct of self-help. As time went on, the central government grew too paternal, interfered too much in the life of these towns, and so encouraged the tendency to 'slackness'...some of the most imposing of these fabrics [buildings and businesses] were...entirely devoted to amusement of a kind neither educative nor humane...their effect was beyond doubt pernicious, for they encouraged not only inhumanity, but idleness. Day after day the greater part of the population of a city might sit and watch lazily these bloody entertainments..." said another writer.18 Formally the beginning of the Byzantine Empire The Byzantine Empire comprised the eastern provinces of Rome where the language and culture were predominantly Greek rather than Latin. From the Fifth to the Seventh Century the Empire included Asia Minor, Egypt, the Balkans, Palestine, Cyrene and parts of the Crimea, the Caucasus, and north Mesopotamia. All of North Africa was conquered during the Sixth Century as was Sicily, southeast Spain, and even southern Italy. AD 0480 Saint Benedict born AD 0488 Ostrogoths seize Italy AD 0500 Decline of Gupta Empire of India due to invasion of White Huns [Reign of King Arthur] - 57 - A Synopsis of World History It was the legendary King Arthur that led the last struggle of the Celts in the west against the Saxons though quite when this was is not easy to ascertain, dates ranging from about AD 450 to 800. Traditionally Arthur was a descendant of Joseph of Arimathaea and some have suggested his realm (which, it will be noted, centres around Avalon as did Joseph of Arimathaea's life) was the last enclave of a more pure and unadulterated form of Christianity than was then rising in the world. AD 0501 [Posterity of Zarah-Judah migrate to western Scotland] AD 0513 Mount Vesuvius erupts again AD 0527 Persecution of Jews in Byzantium; many go to Khazaria AD 0529 Justinian Code (Civil Law) becomes law in Byzantine Empire "The accumulations of laws were said to be so voluminous as to fill 2,000 books and some 3 million verses, estimated to equal 580 volumes of 400 pages to a volume. [The] compilations were in four parts: (1) The Code, containing all the imperial statutes thought worthy of preserving from Hadrian (117-138 AD) to Justinian. (2) The Institutes, which contained the great elements of the Civil Law, but none of them embodying the principles of a free government. (3) The Pandects, declared to be `the greatest repository of sound legal principles, applied to the private rights and business of mankind, that has ever appeared in any age or nation.' (Justinian called it "the temple of human justice"). (4) The Novels, a collection of new laws passed subsequent to the compilation of the Code, to correct errors and supply omissions in the Code. "While the absolute power of the Emperor was implicit in the Theodosian Code, it was boldly announced in the Justinian compilations. The Emperor had all legislative, judicial, and executive power in himself. Some affirm this principle had its origin during the reign of Augustus Caesar, some trace it back [to] Romulus and the founding of Rome in 753 BC... "Thus it was inevitable that this principle of the autocratic power of the Emperor, the executive, which was basic in the laws of Western and Southern Europe and portions of the Near East for over 2,000 years ... should be a vital portion of the warp and woof of the law of [modern] continental Europe..."19 AD 0534 Byzantine Empire defeats Vandals in Africa AD 0536-0552 AD 0550 Gothic War: Byzantium retakes Italy from Ostrogoths Rise of West Turkish Empire The West Turkish Empire was also called the Turkut Kingdom. It was a confederation of tribes and one of the peoples it had power over were the Khazars. This was the first time the word 'Turkish' was applied to a distinct nation. The word itself, along with the word 'Turkic', has more of a reference to a language group than a race and is thus used when referring to Khazars, Huns and other tribes that had come westward from the Asia/Near East area. AD 0568 Avars move into Western Europe AD 0569 Mohammed born AD 0590 Arabia considered to be a nominal Persian province by this time - 58 - A Synopsis of World History AD 0597 Catholic (Rome) missionaries start converting Anglo-Saxons AD 0600 Roman Catholic Church begins to be established in Britain Rome comes under firm control of the barbarian Lombards AD 0611-0615 Sassanian Persian Empire occupies Syria and Egypt, ravages Asia Minor and threatens Constantinople AD 0615 Persians sack Jerusalem About this time Arabs persecute adherents of new Moslem religion AD 0618-0907 T'ang Dynasty rules China AD 0622 Rise of Arab Moslem Empire (Islamic); the Hegira (Mohammed's flight from Mecca to Medina); Arab calendar begins Mohammed was invited to go to Yathrib, an oasis town on the spice road about 300 miles to the north of Mecca. Yathrib's name changed to Madinat al-Nabi ('The City of the Prophet') after Mohammed's arrival and success there. It was later shortened to its present form - Medina. Mohammed's influence grew although the Jews (there were many living in the north part of Arabia) eventually rejected Islam as heretical. As Arab influence took control of Islam their prayers later turned from Jerusalem toward Mecca instead. Mohammed himself professed Islam to be based upon the teachings of Adam, Abraham, Moses, and Jesus (which Islam hold to be great prophets). While accepting the Bible to be sacred Islam also came to have its own sacred history, the Koran (see text under AD 652). The dates of the Islamic calendar were suffixed with A.H., acronymous for 'After Hegira'. AD 0624 Islamic forces gain their first small victory over northern Arabs AD 0625 Northern Arabs defeat an Islamic army AD 0627 Khazars lend 40,000 horsemen to Byzantine Emperor in order to defeat Persians; Persians subsequently crushed by this alliance Meccan army marches on Medina but are unable to attack AD 0629 Byzantine Empire drives Persians from Egypt and Syria AD 0630 Mohammed attacks and captures Mecca; the Ka'ba becomes the chief shrine of Islam The Ka'ba or Kaaba is the name given to the shrine at the Great Mosque in Mecca. Located there is the Black Stone (or Ka'ba Stone) which was said to have been received by Abraham from the Archangel Gabriel. It became a place of pilgrimage and followers of Islam face toward it when they pray to this day. AD 0632 Mohammed dies; Abu Bakr becomes the first Caliph (from the Arabic khalifa, meaning 'deputy') AD 0634 Damascus falls to Moslem forces - 59 - A Synopsis of World History AD 0635-0737 Arab-Khazar War: Khazar buffers Europe from Moslem forces* AD 0636 Byzantine Empire marches on Damascus but is defeated; decline of Byzantine rule in Syria AD 0637 Moslems take Iraq from Persians; Ctesiphon seized AD 0638 Jerusalem falls to Islamic forces AD 0641 Khazars defeat Bulgars The Bulgars, after their defeat, split into two groups. Those that went northeast settled in the middle Volga and remained under the power of the Khazars. The group that went west were eventually to settle what we now call Bulgaria. Moslems occupy Egypt and lay siege to Alexandria Caliph Omar of Arabia overthrows the Sassanids of Persia; fall of Persia AD 0642 Moslems capture Alexandria and thus Egypt AD 0644 Umayyad dynasty begins in Arab-Moslem Empire AD 0650 Fall of West Turkish Empire; Rise of Khazar Empire The Khazars came to rule all of 'The Kingdom of the North' and at the height of their power controlled or had tribute from thirty nations and tribes between the Caucasus, Aral Sea, Ural Mountains, Kiev, and the Ukrainian Steppes. M.I. Artamonov, a Soviet archaeologist, wrote in his book Istroria Khazar: "Until the ninth century, the Khazars had no rivals to their supremacy in the regions north of the Black Sea and the adjoining steppe and forest regions of the Dnieper. The Khazars were the supreme masters of the southern half of Eastern Europe for a century and a half, and presented a mighty bulwark, blocking the UralCaspian gateway from Asia into Europe. During this whole period, they held back the onslaught of the nomadic tribes from the East."20 To emphasise the importance placed upon the Khazar Empire by the great power of Constantinople it is interesting to note that Constantine Porphyrogenitus, Byzantine Emperor and a historian, said in the Tenth Century that whereas the Pope of Rome and the Emperor of the West received communications from Constantinople sealed with a 2-solidi-worth gold seal, the Kagan (the Khazar King) received his letters sealed with a 3-solidi-worth gold seal.21 AD 0652 Canonical version of Koran established The Koran (from Arabic quran, meaning 'recitation') is the sacred book of Islam and is said to contain the words revealed to Mohammed by the Archangel Gabriel; it bears some similarity to the Bible. AD 0654 Remnants of Colossus of Rhodes removed by Arabs AD 0656 Revolt in Moslem Empire: Umayyad Caliph assassinated; 'Ali (son-in-law of Mohammed) proclaimed Caliph in Medina but Umayyads oppose it * To this day Moslems refer to the Caspian Sea as Bahr-ul-Khazar, meaning 'the Khazar Sea'. - 60 - A Synopsis of World History This opposition was to be long-lived. 'The Party of Ali', known in Arabic as Shi'at'Ali, later developed into a religious division of Islam that believed that the head of the Moslem world should be a descendant of Ali; today this division is called Shi'a, the other more numerous division being called Sunnis. AD 0661 'Ali assassinated and Umayyads returned to power; Umayyad Caliphate begins proper; Damascus becomes the new seat of power AD 0670 Moslems conquer much of North Africa at this time AD 0673 Moslems besiege Constantinople but are defeated and driven from Asia Minor AD 0681 Bulgars settle and found Bulgaria AD 0691 Dome of the Rock completed The Dome of the Rock occupies Mount Moriah. It was here that Abraham had ascended to offer up his son Isaac in sacrifice to the Lord. According to the Moslems, however, it was Ishmael, their progenitor, who was the promised sacrifice and the recipient of the blessing that his descendants would become a great people; this latter point was certainly to be realised and is referred to in Genesis 21:18. Mohammed's vision centred on Jerusalem and Mount Moriah and hence that place is considered holy to both Israelites and Ishmaelites today. AD 0698 Arabs destroy Carthage AD 0700 Franks convert to Catholic Church; rise of Frankish power AD 0711 Moslem Arabs and Berbers conquer Visigoths in Spain The descendants of this Arab-Berber mix became known as Moors. The Berbers had been recruited when Moslem control had come to North Africa where this nomadic Hamitic tribe originated. They were tolerant of their Christian subjects and did not attempt to take the northern Christian strongholds which survived. AD 0717 Constantinople besieged by Moslems and almost falls; Isaurian Dynasty ('The Iconoclasts') begins in Byzantine Empire The Iconoclasts were 'image destroyers'; they were opposed by the 'image worshippers' or Iconodules; both having reference to the style and appropriateness of religious artistic imagery. AD 0732 Battle of Tours: Charles Martel defeats Moors in France Byzantine Emperor, Constantine V, marries Khazar princess AD 0740 Around this time the Khazars make Judaism their state religion The Khazars had Jews (mainly Karaites, a strict sect) living among them and so were familiar with the religion. Not only this but the Jews evidently exercised quite some influence in the Kagan's court. The move to Judaism was thought to be a political move on the part of the Khazars, as converting to the Christian or Moslem religion would have meant being subordinated to the Eastern Roman Emperor or Caliph respectively. This way Khazaria retained its independence as a separate power in the world. The - 61 - A Synopsis of World History Jews considered Khazar a haven before AD 740 but afterwards came to think of it more as a national home. Khazar, in its written language and crafts etc., gradually became Judaized. AD 0750 'Abbasid Revolution: Umayyad Caliphate comes to an end and 'Abbasid Caliphate commences with Iraq as their seat of power AD 0751 Pepin the Short becomes first Carolingian king of the Franks AD 0756 Beginnings of Western Caliphate in Spain by escaped Umayyad prince AD 0762 Baghdad founded as new Moslem capital AD 0771 Charlemagne (Charles I), son of Pepin the Short, becomes King of all Franks The Franks were of Scythian origin. They gave their name to France although in addition to most of that area they also ruled Switzerland, Austria, West Germany, and even parts of Italy. AD 0772 Franks war with Saxons in northern Europe AD 0775 Leo IV (son of Constantine V by Khazar wife) rules as Byzantine Emperor (also known as 'Leo the Khazar') AD 0777 Franks war with Moors in Spain AD 0782 Franks take Saxony AD 0786 Harun al-Rashid begins his reign in the 'Abbasid Dynasty (immortalised in The Arabian Nights) AD 0787 Viking (Anglo-Saxons) raids on Britain begin Also called Norsemen (and later Danes, from Denmark) in the West. In the East they were usually referred to as Rhous, Rus, or Rhos (these latter were also called 'Varangians' by the Arabs). The word Rhos (and its variations above) may have come from the Swedish rodher meaning 'rowers'. The enormous influence the Vikings had on the world cannot be overestimated. Here is a brief list of what they achieved: (1) they conquered and re-conquered England until the blood-lines of the population were predominantly Anglo-Saxon or of closely related Scandinavian descent; (2) they conquered all of Ireland; (3) they conquered Scotland; (4) they discovered Iceland; (5) they discovered Greenland; (6) they discovered North America and settled at Vinland (Newfoundland); (7) they settled Novgorod in Russia and were the progenitors of the royal house known as the Tsars, and they gave their name to Russia (from the word 'Rus'); (8) they succeeded in raiding Spain, Italy, and Constantinople; (9) they were hired as mercenaries and members of the elite guard of the Byzantine Empire at Constantinople; (10) Canute, a Viking, was the king of England, Denmark, and Norway at the same time; (11) and, perhaps most influentially, by intermingling with the earlier Celtic and Scythian tribes, the Anglo-Saxon blood spread all across Germany, Belgium, Switzerland, Normandy, and of course all Scandinavia. They no doubt spread to other regions of Europe also. AD 0791 Franks defeat the remnants of the Avars AD 0795 Viking raids on Ireland begin - 62 - A Synopsis of World History AD 0796 Offa, King of Mercia, dies and the rise of Wessex begins AD 0800 Charlemagne crowned head of the Holy Roman Empire (a revival by Charlemagne of the Western Roman Empire) taking upon himself the mantle of the Caesars; the Pope recognises him as Emperor in Rome but the Eastern Roman Empire refuses to acknowledge Charlemagne and there is division between the two AD 0814 Charlemagne dies AD 0843 Treaty of Verdun: Holy Roman Empire partitioned between Charlemagne's three grandsons into France, Germany, and a 'middle kingdom' AD 0849 Alfred the Great is born in England AD 0850 Rise of Turkish dominance in Moslem Empire AD 0851 Wessex repels sacking Vikings AD 0853 War begins between West Franks (France) and East Franks (Germany) AD 0855 Alfred visits Rome AD 0860 Vikings come to Iceland for the first time Constantinople besieged by the Rus (Vikings) AD 0861 Vikings sack major parts of France AD 0862 Rus settle parts of western Russia; Novgorod founded; Kiev passes from Khazar to Russian control and begins to become central city of Russian federation; Russia begins its history as a nation under Prince Rurik AD 0865 Rus sack Constantinople AD 0867 Byzantine Empire refuses to acknowledge Papacy of Rome AD 0871 Alfred the Great becomes King of Wessex AD 0874 Vikings assume control of Mercia AD 0877 Over a hundred Danish ships bringing reinforcements to England are destroyed on the sea by a great storm AD 0878 Danes surprise Alfred and he flees into marshes to hide Battle of Eddington: Alfred defeats the Danes AD 0879 Treaty of Wedmore between Wessex and Danes AD 0885 Alfred captures London from Danes - 63 - A Synopsis of World History 700 Viking ships plunder Burgundy from Seine AD 0890 Alfred develops power of the king's courts and founds a regular army and navy AD 0891 Vikings driven out of Germany AD 0892-0894 Viking fleet of 330 ships invades England to settle but are defeated and eventually withdraw to Essex AD 0896 Alfred and his son end the Danish threat to England Magyars conquer and settle Hungary The Magyars were a people related in their language group to the Finns, although they lived in the region of the Slavonic tribes. They were long-term allies of Khazaria and when they settled Hungary it is thought their ruling horde were Kabars (a tribe of the Khazars). The Hungarian language (Magyar) shows many loan words from a Turkic tongue. AD 0899 King Alfred the Great of Wessex dies AD 0900 Norsemen discover Greenland Golden Age of Spanish (Sephardic) Jews begins The Hebrew word for Spain was Sepharad. Sephardic Jews were Jewish both in their religion and in their lineage (i.e. they were descendants of Judah). It was from these Jews that the modern Jewry of England, France and Holland came. AD 0908 Fatimid (named after Fatima the daughter of Mohammed and the wife of 'Ali) dynasty begins its rule in North Africa AD 0911 Treaty of St Clair-sur-Epte sets up Dukedom of Normandy (given to Norsemen); Viking dominance among West Franks increases Rus power increases after commercial treaty with Byzantium AD 0939 Saxons gain dominance over the Franks in Germany AD 0940 Irish-Norse Vikings seize kingdom of York AD 0941 Rus fleet defeated by Byzantine Fleet The Byzantine Fleet was most famed for its Greek Fire. This was a chemical of unknown composition which spontaneously ignited on contact with water, and was not able to be put out with water. It was spewed from tubes fixed to the prows of the Byzantine ships and the Rus called it 'lightning from heaven'. AD 0945 Igor of Kiev killed; Olga becomes Regent of Kiev AD 0954 England takes York from the Vikings and all England is governed by one king - 64 - A Synopsis of World History AD 0955 Otto I (Saxon) of Germany defeats Magyars and refounds the East Mark (Austria) as a buffer AD 0957 Olga of Kiev baptised at Constantinople; beginnings of Christianity in Russia AD 0960-1280 Sung Dynasty rules China The Sung Dynasty was eventually rivalled by the Ch'in Dynasty (from Manchuria); the former ruled from Nanking in the south, the latter from Peking in the north. It was the Ch'in name for China, 'Cathay', which Marco Polo used. When the Mongols later conquered China they united it again. AD 0962 Holy Roman Empire renewed with coronation of Otto I This is often referred to as the German Empire. It included Germany, the old 'middle kingdom' inherited by one of Charlemagne's grandsons, and North Italy. Alliance of Slavonic tribes under the Polans tribe creates beginning of Polish peoples AD 0965 The Rus defeat a Khazar army Khazar (or Khazaria) at this point in time had lost much of its former power but was still strong in its heartland. Subsequent and vague events indicate that Khazaria was raided several times but may have survived as a state until AD 1150 or maybe even into the middle of the Thirteenth Century. Its influence, by blood and by its Jewish religion, spread into the nations around it though. Turkey, Hungary, Russia and Constantinople all received an infusion of Khazar blood, and Russia received many of the Khazar Jews. In Russian folklore Khazar is called the 'Land of the Jews', and in the West the Sephardic Jews referred to the Khazar Jews as 'Red Jews' (possibly a reference to the slight reddish colour of the skin compared with the West or perhaps because of their alleged Edomite blood). During the time after the decline of the Mongols in the West, Poland-Lithuania was well-known for its strong Jewish population and its many synagogues. The last of the Khazar migrations over to the Poland-Lithuania area (beginning around AD 962) occurred in the 15th-16th Century. This evidence presents a strong, if somewhat controversial, case for Eastern European Jewry being of Turkic (Khazar) blood descent and not true Judahites. The Polish historian, Adam Vetulani, says on this matter: "Polish scholars agree that these oldest settlements were founded by Jewish emigres from the Khazar state and Russia, while the Jews from Southern and Western Europe began to arrive and settle only later...and that a certain proportion of the Jewish population (in earlier times, the main bulk) originated from the east, from the Khazar country, and later from Kievian Russia."22 AD 0969 Fatimids conquer Egypt and Cairo is founded and becomes their new seat of power 'Cairo' is from the Arabic al-Qahira, meaning 'the Victorious'. The Fatimids were later to take Syria, Sicily and western Arabia. It was a break-away group of Fatimid soldiery, headed by a Persian, that formed the al-Hashshashum, a word more commonly known to us today as 'Assassins'. They were said to be murderers and terrorists and users of the drug hashish (from which their name derived). AD 0981 Eric the Red leads expedition of Norse Icelanders to Greenland AD 0987 Russians take Crimea from Khazars - 65 - A Synopsis of World History Byzantium did nothing to help their old allies, the Khazars, as Russia was becoming a powerful and more friendly nation (despite intermittent clashes with the Eastern Empire); the Khazars were beginning to decline in their importance as far as Constantinople was concerned. AD 0988 Russia allies with Byzantine Empire as ruling dynasty accept faith of Greek Orthodox Church; Poles, Hungarians, Scandinavians, and Icelanders accept faith of the Latin Church of Rome about this time also AD 0991 Battle of Maldon; Norsemen overcome heroic defence by English and penetrate deep into England AD 1013 Danes conquer England and Ethelred II, King of England, flees to Normandy AD 1014 Ethelred II returns and takes England AD 1015 Canute, King of the Danes, returns to England and is made King of Wessex AD 1016 A Byzantine-Russian army subdues Khazaria; Khazar migrations into Eastern Europe begin in earnest about this time AD 1016-1017 Ethelred II dies and Edmund Ironside chosen King in London; Canute chosen to succeed; Battle of Ashingdon sees Edmund's forces routed by Canute; Edmund reigns in the south but dies the same year; Canute rules all England AD 1022 Harold II born AD 1027 William the Conqueror born AD 1030 Western Caliphate dissolves into states ruled by the Party Kings after Umayyad Caliph deposed At this time in Spain there were, in addition to the Arabs, the Berbers of North Africa (who had largely remained distinct from the Arabs), Central and Eastern European slaves (called 'Slavs'), the original inhabitants of the land, and a small but wealthy and cultured population of Jews. AD 1033 Switzerland area becomes part of Holy Roman Empire AD 1035 Canute dies; Harold I King of England AD 1037 Russian Church begins to be governed by Patriarch of Constantinople AD 1040 Harold I dies; Harthacnut (Cnut II) becomes King of England Macbeth becomes King of Scotland AD 1042 Harthacnut dies; Edward the Confessor succeeds him AD 1050 Saint Stephen founds Hungary around this time AD 1054 Pope excommunicates Constantinople causing a schism between the Roman or Latin Church (in the West) and the (Eastern) Orthodox Church - 66 - A Synopsis of World History The Eastern Orthodox Church originally consisted of four patriarchates: Constantinople, Alexandria, Antioch, and Jerusalem. The Russian and Greek Orthodox Churches as well as the Church in Romania originated from the Eastern Orthodox Church. AD 1055 Rise of Persian leaders (Sultans, 'Powers') in Moslem Empire; first Sultan of Baghdad reigns; Sultans rule eastern part of Moslem world and later extend their rule to Syria and Anatolia (Asia Minor); their seat of power is in Persia AD 1066 Halley's Comet appears in the skies Edward the Confessor dies and is succeeded by Harold Godwinson (Harold II) Battle of Stamford Bridge: Harold II defeats Norsemen Battle of Hastings: William the Conqueror of Normandy defeats and kills Harold II and conquers England; he becomes King William I of England The Normans were from Normandy and were of Frankish-Scandinavian descent. They also captured South Italy, Sicily and Antioch. AD 1069 William I suppresses Saxons and imposes feudal (Civil Law) system Thomas Jefferson described how the Normans introduced feudalism (based on Civil Law) as follows: "Our Saxon ancestors held their lands, as they did their personal property, in absolute dominion, disencumbered.... William the Norman [Conqueror] first introduced that system [of feudalism]. The lands which had belonged to those who fell in the battle of Hastings, and in the subsequent insurrections of his reign, formed a considerable proportion of the lands of the whole kingdom. These he granted out, subject to feudal duties, as he did also those of a great number of his new [English] subjects, who, by persuasions or threats, were induced to surrender them for that purpose....A general principle was introduced, that 'all lands in England were held either mediately or immediately by the Crown'."23 AD 1070 About this time William I invites Jews into England to use their capital and services AD 1071 Battle of Manzikert: Turks of Anatolia defeat Byzantine army; the decline of the Byzantine Empire begins AD 1072 The Spanish hero Ruy Diaz de Bivar (alius dictus El Cid) prominent at this time AD 1075 Bayeux Tapestry made AD 1075 Moslems occupy lands as near into Europe as the coast of Asia Minor but are later pushed back into central and eastern Anatolia by Crusaders AD 1084 Normans sack Rome AD 1085 Christian northern Spain captures Toledo from Moslems AD 1086 Battle of Zallaqa: After a Berber reinforcement from Africa the Moslems defeat the intrusive Christians; beginning of Berber rule in Moslem Spain - 67 - A Synopsis of World History The Domesday Book (OR The Great Survey) completed AD 1087 William I dies and is succeeded in England by William II AD 1090 England and Normandy at war AD 1091 Treaty of Caen between England and Normandy AD 1096 The First Crusade The First Crusade saw many Jews of the Rhineland killed. These Jews were of the Diaspora as were those in France. Some historians feel that these German Jews must have fled into Poland to explain the large numbers of Jews there, but there is no evidence that this was the case. As explained before, the 'Jews' of Poland were most probably Khazars, and the Yiddish language probably came from a mix of the Khazar Hebrew in the Alpine regions rather than from Germany; linguistic studies lend weight to this view. AD 1099 Siege of Jerusalem: Crusaders take Jerusalem from the Moslems but many die; the First Crusade comes to an end and most return home; Kingdom of Jerusalem founded by the Norman knight Godfrey de Bouillon who becomes its king AD 1100 King of Jerusalem dies William II dies (or murdered) and is succeeded by Henry I AD 1135 Henry I dies and throne of England is usurped by William I's grandson, Stephen; Empress Matilda (daughter of Henry I) opposes him AD 1139 Civil war in England between Stephen and Matilda AD 1141 King Stephen is captured; Matilda reigns for only six months before Stephen is ransomed AD 1142-1147 Anarchy in England as Stephen and Matilda contend for throne AD 1147 The Second Crusade begins AD 11?? Portugal becomes independent AD 1154 King Stephen dies; Henry Plantagenet (Henry II), son of Matilda, succeeds him; House of Normandy comes to an end AD 1159 War between France and England AD 1167 Genghis Khan born AD 1169 Norman-English rule in Ireland has its beginnings AD 1170 Thomas Becket murdered by Henry II's knights AD 1171 Henry II invades Ireland - 68 - A Synopsis of World History Saladin (the Saracen) becomes sovereign of all Egypt Saladin (Salah al-Din al-Ayyubi) became the hero of the Moslem world as he reconquered the lands that had been lost. He was a Kurdish slave of the Moslems that ruled from Mosul (upper Mesopotamia) and held Damascus. He came to suppress the Fatamids. AD 1174 Bonnano Pisano builds the Leaning Tower of Pisa AD 1175 Saladin becomes ruler of Egypt and most of Syria AD 1176 Saladin launches campaign to drive Christians from Kingdom of Jerusalem Byzantines attempt to take back Asia Minor but are defeated AD 1183 Saladin takes Syria and becomes Sultan AD 1185 Saladin begins his conquest of Mesopotamia AD 1187 Saladin captures Jerusalem after a siege AD 1189 Henry II dies and is succeeded by Richard I (Plantagenet) AD 1189-90 Attacks on Jews in England increase AD 1191 Richard I embarks on Third Crusade and has some victories but Jerusalem remains in Moslem hands AD 1192 Richard I captured by Austria on his way home AD 1193 Austria hands Richard I over to Holy Roman Emperor and demands a ransom for his release Saladin, after having briefly united the Moslem world, dies After his death the Moslem Empire was divided. The sultans of Egypt became the most prominent power. The Ayyubid dynasty (of which Saladin had been the first) continued among these sultans. ['Robin Hood' may have lived at this time] AD 1194 Richard I returns to England as a result of Hubert Walter's efforts in both raising a part of the ransom and in suppressing a plot against Richard by Prince John his brother Richard I defeats the French and regains England's French possessions The Elder Edda compiled (Norse mythology) AD 1199 Richard I dies and is succeeded by John AD 1200 Golden Age of Sephardic Jews comes to an end in Spain - 69 - A Synopsis of World History AD 1202 France takes English possessions back but England defeats France and regains them Fourth Crusade begins AD 1203 Crusaders take Constantinople and restore rightful Emperor who has been deposed by his brother AD 1204 Rightful Emperor of Constantinople again deposed; Crusaders take the city again and Latin Emperors (elected) begin their rule of the city The Crusaders were made up of French (Constantinople came to be occupied by Franks), Venetian, Flemings and Germans. In the following few years they also captured Thrace, Thessalonica, Greece, and the Aegean islands. The Byzantines managed to keep control of Epirus, Trebizond (on Black Sea) and Nicæa (from where they now began to rule). It is from this date that enmity arose between the Eastern and Western Christian nations. Rightful Byzantine Emperors continue to rule from Nicæa; Fourth Crusade ends Normandy (except Channel Islands) now all under French rule AD 1206 Mongol forces increase in power in the near Orient AD 1211 Genghis Khan (ruler of the Mongols) invades China AD 1212 Battle of La Navas de Tolosa: Christian Spain under Alfonso VIII of Castile breaks Moslem power; Christian forces begin to conquer rest of Spain AD 1215 Magna Charta sealed by King John at Runnymede King John was one of the most cruel of the Norman kings and it was this that caused the barons to unite against him and compel him to sign the Magna Charta. The document began the political changes in England which led to some of the original Anglo-Saxon rights (Common Law) being restored to the people after they had been taken away with the coming of Continental feudalism in AD 1066. It acknowledged that even the King was subject to the law and not only referred to the rights of the barons but also makes reference to the rights of "freemen". AD 1216 Genghis Khan attacks China King John struggles against his own barons; he gets French aid but they turn against him; after suppressing the rebellion in the north King John dies and is succeeded by his son Henry III Genghis Khan invades the Near East AD 1217 After several defeats the French leave England AD 1218 Genghis Khan conquers Persia AD 1220 Samarkand sacked by Genghis Kahn AD 1222 Genghis Khan invades Russia; he defeats an army at Mariupol near the Sea of Azov - 70 - A Synopsis of World History St George's Day (April 23) established AD 1227 Genghis Khan dies The Fifth Crusade AD 1228 The Sixth Crusade AD 1230 Pope Gregory IX issues the Decretals (first official codification of Canon Law) AD 1233 Henry III faces insurrection by his barons The Inquisition begun by the Catholic Church AD 1237 Mongols, using gunpowder, take Moscow and devastate Poland AD 1240 Mongols take Kiev AD 1241 Hungary and Poland invaded by Mongols but not occupied; Vienna threatened Mongols begin to retreat eastward after the death of their Khan; Rise of Tartar rule in Russia (except Poland and Lithuania) The Tartars (properly Tatars in Mongol) were the members of the successor khanate after the Mongols left Russia, often called the Golden Horde. They were associated with the Mongols in their homeland of Mongolia, being used in their armies as troops. They were not Mongols proper, nevertheless they are often referred to as Mongols by association. The Tartar capital in Russia was at Sarai (later Kazan) on the Volga. They ruled Russia for about two centuries. AD 1244 Moslems retake Jerusalem AD 1245 Around this time the Mongols invade Khazaria and Khazar ceases as a nation AD 1248 The Seventh Crusade AD 1250 Mameluk Sultanate in Egypt replaces last Ayyubid sultan The Mameluks (or Mamelukes) were formed out of the standing army of Egypt and were originally Turkish slaves. They ruled Egypt for over 250 years. For the first 130 years all the sultans were Turkish but after that it passed to Circassians (from the Caucasus). Battle of Fariskur: Crusaders massacred by Egyptians AD 1252 Inquisition uses torture AD 1258 Mongols take Baghdad and massacre its inhabitants; the last 'Abbasid Caliph is put to death AD 1260 Mameluks turn back Mongols in Syria; Egypt and Syria formally become the Mameluk Empire - 71 - A Synopsis of World History Kublai becomes Great Khan of the Mongols; he goes on to rule as Emperor in north China (to be known as the Yuan Dynasty) AD 1261 Latin Empire ends as Constantinople falls to Byzantines; the rightful Eastern Emperor is restored AD 1264 Henry III at war with barons; later captured by Simon de Montfort De Montfort makes proposals for beginnings of a Parliament in England AD 1265 De Montfort sets up a new government with borough representatives; Prince Edward gains support from lords of the Welsh Marshes though and defeats and kills de Montfort at the Battle of Evesham AD 1270 The Eighth Crusade AD 1271 Marco Polo (Venetian) travels with his uncle and father to India and Far East; they discover Jews there AD 1272 Henry III dies and is succeeded by his son Edward I AD 1274 Council of Lyons: Eastern and Western Christian nations proclaimed as unified by Church AD 1277-1295 Welsh Wars: English vs. Wales (England conquers around AD 1282) The name of Wales comes from the Anglo-Saxon Walas or Wealas which can mean 'serfs', 'slaves', or 'foreigners', 'non-Saxons'. The Welsh, being Celtic, would have been non-Saxons to the later invaders and settlers of Britain. AD 1280 About this time the south of China falls to the Mongol Yuan Dynasty; all of China united under Mongol rule; end of Sung Dynasty AD 1282 Habsburgs begin rule in Austria Rudolph I became Holy Roman Emperor in AD 1273 before which he was the Count of Habsburg (also called Hapsburg). He made his sons dukes of Austria and Styria. The Habsburg Dynasty lasted right through to AD 1918. Virtually all of the Holy Roman Emperors from AD 1438 were Habsburgs AD 1290 Expulsion of Jews from England AD 1291 Christian occupation in the Holy Land wanes Confederation of Switzerland created AD 1294 England starts campaigns against France to regain possessions AD 1295 The Model Parliament sits at London - 72 - A Synopsis of World History It was called the Model Parliament because it was to provide the model for future parliaments. It was based on the principle Quod omnes tangit ab omnibus approbetur ('let that which touches all be approved by all'). This was another step forward in the direction of Common Law. AD 1296 Edward I takes control of Scotland and takes Stone of Scone to Westminster Although a real stone its history is not so tangible. Before it was called the Stone of Scone (named after the Abbey where the Scottish Kings kept it) it was called the Stone of Destiny. It seems to have come from Ireland (where it was known as the Lia Fail). It was said to shriek in the presence of the High Kings of Ireland, and Scottish Kings were crowned upon it. In Irish myth it was one of the great treasures brought to Ireland by the Tuatha de Danann (a race of fair godlike peoples thought to be descendants of the Israelite tribe of Dan); other accounts say that it came from the Holy Land and that it was the stone mentioned in the Old Testament as Jacob's pillow (see Genesis 28:18). Jacob took it to Egypt and it was carried out of Egypt by the Israelites at the time of the Exodus. The tradition of Jeremiah's visit to Ireland says he brought this stone with him to the Emerald Isle. The Stone of Scone was placed in the Coronation Chair of England at Westminster Abbey in AD 1301. Some believe that the Coronation Stone and the Stone of Scone are two different stones however. AD 1297 Battle of Stirling Bridge: William Wallace defeats English AD 1298 Battle of Falkirk: English defeat the Scottish AD 1300 All Anatolia now ruled by Turks (a small part of it is the principality of Ottoman) About this time the village of Moscow in Russia starts to expand and its rulers become Grand Princes AD 1301 Coronation Stone placed in Coronation Chair in Westminster AD 1305 William Wallace captured by English and executed AD 1306 France and England expel Jews Jews in Europe were given the privilege of controlling the economy for the various political leaders. Their subsequent wealth and the anger of debtors (of all classes) caused the persecutions and expulsions that occurred in England and Europe. AD 1307 Edward I dies and is succeeded by Edward II, his son AD 1309 Papacy begins rule from Avignon as 'Babylonian Exile (or Captivity)' begins Robert Bruce holds first Parliament at St Andrews, Scotland AD 1310 Rise of Venetian Republic in northeast Italy AD 1311 Robert Bruce raids English border AD 1314 Battle of Bannockburn: Scottish defeat larger English army; Scottish independence is assured AD 1317 France adopts Salic Law (excludes women from succession to throne) - 73 - A Synopsis of World History AD 1318 Scots take Berwick and threaten to take England AD 1319 Truce made between Scotland and England AD 1320 Scottish Declaration of Independence Interestingly this document says that the Scots (who are Celts) "came from Greater Scythia, passing through the Pillars of Hercules [Gibraltar], sojourned a while in Spain, and thence [proceeded] to settle in Scotland."24 AD 1321 Civil war breaks out in England AD 1322 English-Scottish truce expires and Scots raid as far south as Preston Edward II defeats his opponents at Boroughbridge AD 1323 Treaty of Northampton: recognition of Robert Bruce as King of Scotland AD 1326 Prince Edward is proclaimed Keeper of the Realm and Edward II is put in prison AD 1327 Edward II agrees to abdicate and Edward III becomes king; Edward II is soon after murdered AD 1329 Robert Bruce dies of leprosy AD 1333 The Black Death begins in China AD 1336 English and French battle at sea Tamerlane (Timur Leng/Tamburlaine) the Turkic Mongol (Tartar) born near Samarkand Tamerlane was a supporter of Islam as were many Mongols in that part of the world at that time. His campaigns for booty knew no bounds in taking lives and committing terrible massacres and destruction. He warred with a rival khan (of the Genghis dynasty) and eventually defeated him. AD 1337 The Hundred Years' War between England and France begins (a French fleet is rumoured to be sailing to Scotland) Kublai Khan brings in 'weapon control'* laws against Chinese AD 1341 Civil war in Constantinople AD 1342 Greeks become a state within Byzantine Empire AD 1343 Black Death reaches Constantinople * It is said that it was this environment, where even bows were banned, that necessitated the development of the martial arts. - 74 - A Synopsis of World History AD 1345 Ottoman Turks enter Europe for the first time at the request of one of the sides in the Byzantine civil war in order to help them AD 1346 Constantinople hit by an earthquake Battle of Crécy: English crush French army killing 1,542 mounted knights and only losing 50 men25; England begins to become a very powerful nation; English lay siege to Calais Battle of Neville's Cross: Scots attack England but are repulsed AD 1347 Civil war in Byzantine Empire ends Calais surrenders to English Truce between France and England made AD 1348 Black Death spreads across all Europe and into England from Asia; Jews blamed for spreading the disease Again some historians use this persecution to try to explain the large number of Jews in eastern Europe by teaching that Jews fled to Russia and Poland. Of course, there may have been some truth to this (though no evidence it seems). Perhaps Kutschera in Die Chasaren explains it best: "The populace avenged on them [the Jews] the cruel blows of destiny and set upon those whom the plague had spared with fire and sword. When the epidemic receded, Germany, according to contemporary historians, was left virtually without Jews. We are led to conclude that in Germany itself the Jews could not prosper, and were never able to establish large and populous communities. How, then, in these circumstances, should they have been able to lay the foundations in Poland of a mass population so dense that at present [AD 1909] it outnumbers the Jews of Germany at the rate of ten to one? It is indeed difficult to understand how the idea ever gained ground that the eastern Jews represent immigrants from the West, and especially from Germany."26 Another argument is the lightly-treated 'Yiddish' tongue which was developing by the 15th Century and probably before. It was a spoken language, only being written, as far as we know, from the Nineteenth Century onwards. It supposedly grew out of a mix of Hebrew and German among the Rhineland Jews. However, linguistics show that it bears resemblance to the dialect ('East-Middle German'), mixed with Hebrew and Slavonic, spoken up until the 15th Century in Eastern Europe, in the Alpine regions of Austria and Bavaria - i.e. among Khazar Jews.27 Germans, probably including Jews, did settle in Poland-Lithuania and their culture was much admired and they did well. Thus the German language permeated the country. Meanwhile in Spain the Sephardic Jews spoke Ladino, a Spanish-Hebrew mix. AD 1349 Black Death has by now killed a third of the population of England; Scots attack England but carry plague back to Scotland AD 1354 Ottoman strength grows in Asia Minor Duchy of Luxembourg created - 75 - A Synopsis of World History AD 1356 Battle of Poitiers: France defeated by English; King of France and many aristocrats taken back to England to be held for ransom; French government struggles under regency of the Dauphin AD 1360 Treaty of Bretigny: ends first part of the Hundred Years' War; England secures many French possessions AD 1361 Black Death strikes England, France and Poland again AD 1362 English becomes the language in the courts of England, though French is still used for recording AD 1368 Mongol rule in China ends in revolt and Chinese Ming Dynasty takes its place AD 1369 Tamerlane makes Samarkand his capital; he goes on to become ruler of all the older Moslem lands AD 1371 Ottomans continue to rise in land and power and become an acknowledged power AD 1376 John Wycliffe attacks the Catholic Church; the Reformation begins In addition to, and in connection with, the Reformation of religion came the Renaissance of all society which lasted from about the 14th to 16th Centuries. The Age of Renaissance and Reformation was a necessary step to prepare the way for the Restoration of the gospel. Prince Edward (the 'Black Prince') dies AD 1377 'Babylonian Exile' of Papacy ends (Pope returns to Rome from Avignon) Edward III dies and is succeeded by 10-year-old Richard II AD 1378 The Great Schism (two opposing popes elected to rule) AD 1380-1384 John Wycliffe translates the Bible into medieval English from Latin (called Vulgate); it includes many apocryphal books AD 1380 Russians defeat Tartar army at Don River Iceland united to Denmark Rise of Venetian power AD 1381 Peasants' Revolt begins in England against poll tax etc. AD 1382 Tartars sack Moscow AD 1386 Beginnings of 'Kingdom of Poland' (Poland and Lithuania) AD 1389 Battle of Kossovo: Ottomans defeat a Slavic-Balkan army AD 1391 Massacre of Jews on Iberian Peninsula - 76 - A Synopsis of World History AD 1395 Richard II enters Ireland to compel its barons to pay homage Bulgaria comes under Turkish rule AD 1396 Around this time Tamerlane threatens Russia as does the Kingdom of Poland AD 1397 Ottomans lay siege to Constantinople Denmark unites with Sweden and Norway AD 1398 Richard II's rule of England becomes despotic AD 1399 Richard II is persuaded to abdicate (House of Plantagenet ends); the usurper Bolingbroke is chosen by Parliament to reign as Henry IV (House of Lancaster begins) AD 1400 Richard II dies (probably murdered) AD 1402 Battle of Ankara: Tamerlane defeats Ottoman Turks but then leaves Anatolia AD 1407 Black Death strikes in London AD 1411 Another massacre of Jews on Iberian Peninsula Portugal and Castile make peace; rise of Portuguese power AD 1413 Henry IV dies and is succeeded by his son Henry V AD 1415 Battle of Agincourt: England defeats France and Normandy lies open to reconquest by the English AD 1416 Venetians defeat Ottoman forces in the Dardanelles Henry V begins 3-year campaign to retake Normandy AD 1417 The Great Schism of the Catholic Church comes to an end AD 1419 Henry V conquers most of Normandy AD 1420 England and France unite under the single crown of Henry V who marries the French princess Catherine of Valois AD 1421 Ottoman power begins to expand again During the reign of the first sultan of this new era of expansion the Ottomans press-ganged Christian boys from the Balkans into their army and taught them the Turkish tongue and the faith of Islam. These were later to become the elite corps of infantry known as Janissaries (Turkish yeni cheri, 'new troops'). AD 1422 Henry V dies and is succeeded by his 9-month-old son Henry VI (King of England and France); Duke of Gloucester rules as Protector - 77 - A Synopsis of World History AD 1429 Joan of Arc takes Orléans; she persuades the Dauphin to resume the French crown AD 1430 Joan of Arc imprisoned by English at Rouen AD 1431 Joan of Arc burned at stake for treason Henry VI crowned King of France in Paris AD 1432 Ottomans besiege Constantinople but fail to take it AD 1434 Rise of Medici rule and influence in Florence AD 1435 Burgundy breaks with England and allies with France; the Bergundian state rises to prominence under its Duke, Charles the Bold, who is now the wealthiest ruler in Europe AD 1436 Paris recaptured by the French AD 1439 Council of Florence; confirms unity between Rome and Constantinople; Byzantine Emperor accepts primacy of Pope; tensions continue to grow however AD 1442 England loses much of its French territory AD 1450 Normandy retaken by French Around this time the Tartars split into Kazan Tartars and Crimean Tartars AD 1453 Fall of Constantinople to Turks and end of Byzantine Empire Turks make Constantinople capital of Ottoman Empire and rename it Istanbul Greek scholars from Constantinople settle in the West This event caused a resurgence of the Civil Law in the West and the Common Law faded except in Britain where it continued to struggle with the feudal ideas of government brought over by the Normans. Hundred Years' War ends with England only holding Calais Richard of York acts as Regent while Henry VI is ill AD 1455 War of the Roses begins between House of York and Lancaster Gutenberg Bible printed AD 1456 Ottoman Empire takes Greece AD 1460 Battle of Northampton: Yorkists win; Henry VI allowed to keep crown but House of York to succeed him - 78 - A Synopsis of World History AD 1461 Henry VI's forces compel release of King but he is later deposed and House of York succeeds in the person of Edward IV (York); House of Lancaster comes to an end AD 1462 Ivan the Great (the III) becomes Grand Duke of Moscow AD 1463 Venetians decare war on Moslem Constantinople AD 1470 Henry VI gains rule briefly again in England Sir Thomas Malory's Morte D'Arthur completed AD 1471 Edward IV deposes Henry VI again Battle of Tewkesbury: decisive defeat of Lancastrians; Henry VI executed AD 1474 Union of Spain: Christian Spain formally united under one crown AD 1475 England invades France and treaty made AD 1477 Gutenberg's moveable print type becomes popular in Europe Collapse of Bergundy at death of Charles the Bold by Louis XI; foundation of Kingdom of France consolidated AD 1478 Beginning of the Spanish Inquisition Muscovy annexes Novgorod under Ivan the Great AD 1479 Union of Aragon and Castile in Christian Spain Treaty of Constantinople: War ends between Venice and Constantinople AD 1480 Ivan the Great throws off Tartar domination in most of Russia AD 1483 Edward IV dies and is succeeded by Edward V, who is soon after deposed and Richard III (still of York) takes the throne; Edward V and younger brother are murdered AD 1485 Battle of Bosworth Field: Henry Tudor defeats and kills Richard III; Henry Tudor reigns as Henry VII; House of York comes to an end AD 1486 Henry VII (a Lancastrian) marries Elizabeth of York thus formally ending the War of the Roses and uniting the House of Lancaster and House of York into the new House of Tudor dynasty AD 1491 England at war with France again AD 1492 Battle of Granada: Last Moorish stronghold in Spain falls to Spanish Christopher Columbusa sails and discovers the New Worldb - 79 - A Synopsis of World History (a) Columbus's own log showed that he felt moved upon by Providence to make such an exploration: "I could sense [God's] hand upon me...so that it became clear to me that it was feasible to navigate from here to the Indies, and he gave me the will to do it."28 Almost about to abandon hope Columbus gave this account of what happened during his fourth voyage: "Exhausted, I fell asleep, groaning. I heard a very compassionate voice, saying 'O fool and slow to believe and to serve thy God, the God of all!...Thou criest for help, doubting. Answer, who has afflicted thee so greatly and so often, God or the world?...Not one jot of His word fails; all that He promises, He performs with interest; is this the manner of men? I have said that which thy Creator has done for thee and does for all men. Now in part He shows thee the reward for the anguish and danger which thou hast endured in the service of others.' The voice ended by saying: 'Fear not; have trust; all these tribulations are written upon marble and are not without cause.'"29 (b) A modern prophet has said: "The discovery [of America] was one of the most important factors in bringing to pass the purpose of the Almighty in the restoration of his Gospel and its fulness for the salvation of men in the latter days."30 An ancient American prophet, Nephi, foresaw the discovery of the New World over two millenia before it happened, even seeing Columbus himself.31 Jews persecuted and expelled from Spain The Jews of Spain (Sephardic Jews; as were the Jews of Portugal who were expelled 5 years later), after having dwelt in that part of the world for over a thousand years, came to settle in countries bordering the Mediterranean, the Balkans and some parts of Western Europe. The Moors had treated them well and it was to Moslem countries that they fled with the Moors who were pushed out of Spain in this same year. In AD 1960 it was estimated that there were about half a million Sephardic Jews in the world compared to about 11 million Ashkenazi (a name of Japhetic Middle-Eastern origin which the Khazar Jews took upon themselves). AD 1493 Columbus sails home and is sent back as Governor AD 1494 Columbus continues to discover new lands in the New World and again returns to Spain Papal Bull issued regarding Portugal's possessions in South America AD 1496 England refuses to recognise Spanish and Portuguese claims AD 1497 John Cabot discovers Labrador, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland Jews expelled from Portugal AD 1498 Columbus sails on Third Voyage for America Vasco de Gama (Portuguese) discovers sea route to Indian Ocean via Cape of Good Hope; rise of Portuguese Empire Decline of Venetian power AD 1499 Black Death epidemic in London AD 1500 Around this time Sikhism (sikh means 'disciple') is founded - 80 - A Synopsis of World History AD 1500-1516 Portuguese dominance of Eastern sea routes and ports grows into India, Africa, Arabia and even China (Japan later) AD 1502 Columbus's Fourth Voyage to New World AD 1504 Columbus returns to Spain ill Michelangelo's David sculpture goes on display AD 1505 Leonardo da Vinci paints the Mona Lisa AD 1506 Columbus dies AD 1508 Michelangelo commissioned by Pope to paint Sistine Chapel ceiling AD 1509 Henry VII dies and succeeded by son Henry VIII AD 1512 Safavids rule Iran and Iraq The Safavids (Moslem) were established by Shi'ites under Shah Isma'il from Central Asia; their capital was Tabriz. The other two Moslem powers extant in the world at this time were the Ottomans (Anatolia and the Balkans) and the Mameluks (Egypt and Syria). AD 1514 Battle of Chaldiran: Ottomans defeat Safavids; this war continues for about two centuries Pope forbids printing of any books without permission of the Roman Church AD 1515 Spanish conquistadors found Havana, Cuba AD 1516 Thomas More publishes Utopia Greek New Testament printed in English (edited by Erasmus) Spain comes under Habsburg rule AD 1517 Martin Luther challenges Rome by nailing his Ninety-Five Theses to the door of the Wittenberg Cathedral Ottomans take Egypt after taking Syria and killing Mameluk sultan; Ottomans gain suzerainty over Mecca and Medina and are considered leaders of Moslems AD 1519 Hernando Cortez of Spain takes Montezuma II (Aztec King) prisoner and rules Aztec Empire through him When the white man came to the Americas and Polynesia he was greeted by the natives as if he were a god, so powerful was the tradition among the natives that the 'Great White God' would return someday to his people there. Some white men took advantage of this, and, according to the prophetic word, the Indians were scattered and many killed. - 81 - A Synopsis of World History AD 1520 Ferdinand Magellan (Portuguese) crosses the Magellan Straits AD 1521 Ottomans take Belgrade AD 1522 Martin Luther completes translation of New Testament into German AD 1523 Sweden becomes independent AD 1525 William Tyndale publishes The New Testament in English (from original language) AD 1526 Battle of Mohacs: Ottomans defeat Hungarians and rule Hungary by a puppet king Moghul dynasty of Indian Empire begins This Empire was founded by Babar (also Baber) who was from the Turkic horde of Afghanistan. His nontitular name was Zahir ed-Din Mohammed. He conquered most of North India. Bohemia comes under rule of Habsburgs AD 1527 Holy Roman Emperor besieges Rome and imprisons Pope AD 1529 Henry VIII removes Cardinal Wolsey as Lord Chancellor and replaces him with Thomas More Ottomans besiege Vienna (Austria) but fail to capture it AD 1531 Schmalkaldic League unites Protestant rulers against Holy Roman Emperor Charles V (King of Spain and Italy) William Tyndale translates Pentateuch into English AD 1532 Ottomans invade Hungary Francisco Pizzaro, the Spanish Governor, said to have reintroduced horses to South America at this time AD 1533 Henry VIII secretly marries Anne Boleyn Khayr al-Din Barbarossa, master of Tunis, organises the Ottoman fleet; the fleet comes to dominate the Mediterranean AD 1534 Act of Supremacy: Henry VIII breaks with Roman Church and becomes head of English Church Ottomans take Baghdad; rule over Iraq established Martin Luther translates Bible into German AD 1535 Act of Union: Wales and England join together Sir Thomas More is beheaded at Tower of London - 82 - A Synopsis of World History Miles Coverdale publishes English Bible (first complete translation; taken from the German and the Latin) AD 1536 Tyndale put to death for heresy (Old Testament unfinished) Anne Boleyn executed; Henry VIII marries Jane Seymour Church of England formally established by Henry VIII AD 1537 French settle Quebec and Montreal in Canada about this time AD 1540 Henry VIII marries Anne of Cleeves; then he declares it void AD 1541 John Calvin sets up a 'theocratic government' in Geneva; the city becomes a focus for Protestantism in Europe AD 1542 Henry VIII has his wife Katherine Howard beheaded Pope Paul III initiates the Universal Inquisition to halt the Reformation England defeats Scotland; James V of Scotland dies and his baby daughter, Mary Queen of Scots (Mary Stewart), succeeds him AD 1543 Henry VIII marries Catherine Parr De Revolutionibus Orbium Coelestium (Copernicus) AD 1547 Henry VIII dies and succeeded by Edward VI AD 1552 Kazan, the Tartar capital, falls to Moscow AD 1553 Edward VI dies and is succeeded by sister, Mary I (alius dictus Bloody Mary) AD 1554 Mary I has Lady Jane Grey and her husband executed for making claim to the throne; Mary I imprisons her half-sister Elizabeth in the Tower and marries Philip, son of the King of Spain, but she rules AD 1555 Mary I restores Roman Catholicism in England; Protestants are persecuted AD 1556 Ivan the Terrible conquers the Tartar lands still in Russia and opens up the east to Russian expansion Ivan the Terrible (or the IV) was the son of Ivan the Great (or the III). They were Grand Princes (or Grand Dukes) of Moscow (Muscovy). It was Ivan IV who first took upon himself the title of Tsar (AD 1547). He also made use, as did the Chinese, of crude firearms. Interestingly two Tartar areas survived: the Crimean Khanate until the end of the Eighteenth Century, and the Khiva Khanate (south of Aral Sea) which lasted until late into the Nineteenth Century. AD 1557 Ivan the Terrible takes Poland - 83 - A Synopsis of World History England and Spain declare war on France; French driven out of Italy AD 1558 Mary I, of the House of Tudor, dies and is succeeded by Elizabeth I; 'Elizabethan' times begin AD 1559 Romans set Inquisition prisoners free and destroy records after death of Pope AD 1562 England becomes involved in slave trading AD 1563 Ivan the Terrible persecutes Jews AD 1564 Peace of Troyes: England renounces all claims on Calais in return for payment William Shakespeare born AD 1567 James VI proclaimed King of Scotland as Mary Stewart is deposed Mary Stewart (also spelled Stuart), Queen of Scots, was brought up in France and attempted to reinstate Catholicism in Scotland. Civil unrest followed though and she was deposed. AD 1568 Mary Stewart flees to England and is imprisoned AD 1570 Turks occupy Cyprus Ivan the Terrible begins reign of terror in Novgorod AD 1571 Crimean Tartars sack Moscow and the city is burned but survives Maritime League (Spanish, Venetian, Genoese, Maltese) defeat Ottoman fleet and free many prisoners AD 1572 Ottomans rebuild a powerful fleet Francis Drake sails to pirate Spanish vessels AD 1573 Drake captures Spanish silver AD 1577 Drake sets sail on the Pelican for South America AD 1578 Drake renames his ship the Golden Hind and ravages South America AD 1579 Union of Utrecht: unites provinces of Northern Netherlands against Spanish rule Northern Netherlands declare independence AD 1580 Drake arrives in England after circumnavigating the globe AD 1580-1668 Portugal under Spanish rule AD 1581 Poland invades Muscovy and defeats Ivan the Terrible - 84 - A Synopsis of World History AD 1582 Gregorian Calendar devised by Pope Gregory XIII to replace Julian one AD 1585 Drake sails for West Indies AD 1585-1604 Anglo-Spanish War AD 1586 Drake returns with failed Virginia colony; Sir Walter Raleigh plants potatoes brought home by Drake on his estate in Ireland Babbington Plot: Mary Stewart accused of plotting against Elizabeth I AD 1587 Mary Queen of Scots executed by order of Elizabeth I Drake burns Spanish fleet thus delaying invasion of England AD 1588 Spanish Armada sails against England; the vastly outnumbered and smaller ships of the English fleet defeat the Armada because of severe weather conditions in their favour Philip II of Spain had attempted many times to destroy Elizabeth I so that Catholicism could be become the state religion of England. He had failed though and the Armada was a desperate effort. Philip assembled some 130-plus ships (8000 mariners and 20,000 soldiers onboard); 30,000 troops were assembled in France to act as a support. The Armada was to meet the 30,000 troops at Calais, defeat the English fleet, and then invade Britain. However, when Britain attacked she was aided by storms which resulted in the Armada being scattered. Fleeing around Britain many more of the ships and men of the Armada were lost. Only half the fleet made it back to Spain. AD 1589 Russian Orthodox Church makes itself independent House of Bourbon founded in France by Henry IV AD 1597 Second Spanish Armada comes against England but storm stop it again AD 1599 Oliver Cromwell born AD 1600 East India Company founded AD 1603 Elizabeth I dies and is succeeded by James I (VI of Scotland) of the House of Stuart; Elizabethan period ends; House of Tudor ends; England and Scotland ruled by one king AD 1604 England makes peace with Spain and concentrates on colonising North America AD 1605 (5 Nov) Gunpowder Plot: Guy Fawkes and others try to blow up Parliament but are caught and executed AD 1606 The Dutch discover and land in Australia AD 1607 John Smith and colonists in Jamestown, Virginia, starve after practising socialism; John Smith captured by Indians but life spared through intercession of chief's 12year-old daughter Pocahontas - 85 - A Synopsis of World History AD 1609 War between French and American Indians begins AD 1611 King James Authorized Version of the Bible printed AD 1613 Romanovs begin their rule as Tsars in Muscovy AD 1614 Portuguese found New Amsterdam (later to become New York) AD 1617 Small Pox begins to kill many American Indians AD 1618 Thirty Years' War begins in Europe (Catholics v. Protestants) AD 1619 Black slaves land in and begin to be part of economy in North America AD 1620 The pilgrims of the Mayflower arrive in America at Plymouth AD 1622 Richelieu made Cardinal in France AD 1625 Black Death strikes London again James I dies and is succeeded by his son Charles I Treaty of Southampton forms Anglo-Dutch alliance against Spain AD 1628 Petition of Right: drawn up by Sir Edward Coke, English jurist and statesman; document committed Charles I to allow his power to be limited and thus was a step in the restoring of Common Law; however, the King ignored his promise AD 1629 Charles I dissolves the English Parliament Catholicism enforced in Europe AD 1632 Galileo Galilei: Dialgo de Massimi Sistemi del Mondo Baruch Spinoza born; influenced by the Kabaala he went on to lay much of the foundation of the atheistic philosophy of Humanism through his influence on later writers AD 1634 Maryland colony founded in America AD 1640 Charles I convenes the Long Parliament AD 1641 Long Parliament abolishes Star Chamber to try to limit Charles I's absolute power The Star Chamber was a room in the King of England's Palace of Westminster, named thus because of stars painted on the ceiling. From the 1400s the name was used to refer to the King's tribunal made up of the King's judges and councillors who met in that chamber. It was used to enforce ever more restrictive laws, especially under the Stuarts. - 86 - A Synopsis of World History AD 1642 English Civil War (Royalist Cavaliers v. Parliament's Roundheads) begins (Battle of Edgehill) AD 1643 New England Federation: first union of English colonies in New World AD 1644 Battle of Marston Moor: Cromwell defeats Royalists Ming Dynasty ends in China; Ching Dynasty (Manchu non-Chinese semi-nomadic horse-breeders from north of the Great Wall) begins AD 1645 Battle of Naseby: Cromwell defeats the main Royalist army AD 1646 English Civil War ends with surrender of Charles I to Scots AD 1647 Scots sell Charles I to English Parliament; English army and Parliament oppose each other; army seizes Charles I; Charles escapes to Isle of Wight and signs secret treaty with Scots to restore him to power AD 1648 Parliament discover Charles I's treaty and renounce him Treaty (or Peace) of Westphalia (end of Thiry Years's War): Habsburg power lessened and Holy Roman Empire dissolved into sovereign states Switzerland gains independence AD 1648-1649 Cossacks massacre Jews in Ukraine; refugees flee into Poland; a 'second' (though mostly Khazar) westward movement of 'Jews' begins,* settling Hungary, Bohemia, Romania, and Germany AD 1649 Many Royalists leave England for Virginia; Charles I is tried and executed; his son is proclaimed Charles II; Monarchy is abolished; Parliament sets up a Commonwealth run by a Council of State; House of Stuart interrupted Ulozhenie instituted in Russia: this legal code brings serfdom to Russia and its effects last for over 200 years AD 1650 Charles II lands in Scotland and is proclaimed King Battle of Dunbar: Cromwell defeats Scottish army; Edinburgh Castle surrenders AD 1651 Charles II crowned at Scone in Scotland; Cromwell advances and King flees to France AD 1652 Dutch found Cape Town, South Africa The Ango-Dutch War begins AD 1653 Oliver Cromwell proclaimed Lord Protector of the Commonwealth of England, Scotland, and Ireland; Protectorate begins * This movement continued of course for nearly three centuries. The existing Jews in Europe, Israel, and the U.S. today are principally from this movement. - 87 - A Synopsis of World History AD 1654 Russians war with Polish over Ukraine Anglo-Dutch War ends AD 1655 Spain at war with England again after an attack by Cromwell AD 1657 Jews allowed to return to England AD 1658 Oliver Cromwell dies and is succeeded as Lord Protector of the Commonwealth by his son Richard AD 1659 Richard Cromwell dissolves Parliament at army's request 'Rump Parliament' forces Cromwell's resignation AD 1660 Charles II proclaimed King; Commonwealth ends; Charles II returns; House of Stuart regains throne Navigation Act: certain American commodities may only be exported to Britain and no one else AD 1665 London is struck by Black Death again A second Anglo-Dutch war begins AD 1666 Isaac Newton establishes law of gravity France and Netherlands declare war on England Great Fire of London AD 1667 Second Anglo-Dutch war ends Christopher Wren builds St. Paul's Cathedral AD 1668 Triple Alliance: England, Sweden and Netherlands v. France AD 1673 William III of Orange saves Amsterdam and Holland from French AD 1674 England ends war with Dutch, gains territory in America and is left free to expand while the rest of Europe is involved in warfare AD 1676 Greenwich Observatory established in England Ottomans take control of Ukraine AD 1677 William III of Orange marries the niece of Charles II of England AD 1681 Pennsylvania is named after the English William Penn - 88 - A Synopsis of World History AD 1682 Versailles becomes seat of French Government William Penn founds city of Philadelphia Peter the Great (I) becomes Tsar of Muscovy (country begins to be formally known as Russia from this time) AD 1683 Turks lay siege to Vienna but the city is relieved by the Polish; Ottoman rule ends in Hungary AD 1685 Charles II dies and is succeeded by his Catholic brother, James II (VII of Scotland); a Protestant rebellion is crushed; religious persecution increases AD 1686 Moscow declares war on Constantinople Calcutta founded by British AD 1687 Venetians take Athens from Ottomans AD 1688 The Glorious revolution: Whigs in England invite William of Orange to be King along with his wife Mary II (daughter of James II) if they will sign English Bill of Rights; James II flees to France as William of Orange enters London AD 1688-1697 War of the Grand Alliance: France vs. League of Augsburg AD 1689 William III and Mary II (daughter of James II) jointly rule England; they sign the English Bill of Rights (another step toward Common Law) British power on the sea increases League of Augsburg becomes Grand Alliance AD 1690 Battle of the Boyne: William III defeats James II and French John Locke publishes An Essay Concerning Human Understanding and his treatises on civil government AD 1692 Salem 'Witch Hunt'* begins Massacre of Glencoe: Campbells massacre MacDonalds in Scotland AD 1694 Mary II of England dies Bank of England chartered Controlled by the London money-lenders (Jewish banking families) who had returned to England in 1657. According to some sources the Jews were aided by Oliver Cromwell in securing their return. William of Orange also seems to have been promised to benefit from allowing the charter. Most major banks were to * It is believed by some that these witch hunts were more an attempt by certain movements to kill Christians rather than destroy witches. - 89 - A Synopsis of World History be founded by Jewish families (who, of course, had the advantage of having a presence in most developed countries), including the Bank of Paris and the Deutsch (German) Bank. AD 1698 Slave Triangle initiated by England London Stock Exchange founded Steam engine invented AD 1700 German Protestant states adopt Gregorian Calendar (Britain and North America continue with Julian Calendar) Moscow and Constantinople sign truce; Russians lose Black Sea fleet Habsburg rule in Spain comes to an end AD 1701 Prussia created out of Brandenburg dominions (Berlin/Danzig area) War of the Spanish Succession begins Grand Alliance joined by England, Savoy and Holland AD 1702 William III dies and is succeeded by Anne (daughter of James II) Grand Alliance declares war on France AD 1703 Grand Alliance continues to subdue and plunder Spain Tsar Peter the Great founds capital of St Petersburg AD 1704 England takes Gibraltar England overwhelmingly defeat French-Bavarian-Prussian coalition AD 1705 Edmund Halley announces 1531, 1607, 1682 comets as the same (Halley's Comet) and that it will appear again in 1758 Austria aided by England takes Barcelona AD 1706 England gains many victories in western Europe AD 1707 (1 May) United Kingdom created (England, Scotland, Wales) AD 1709 Formal beginnings of the Industrial Revolution in England AD 1711 British attempt to invade Canada but are halted by French AD 1713 Treaty of Utrecht: ends Spanish War of Succession (Gibraltar, Minorca, and Newfoundland are ceded to Britain) - 90 - A Synopsis of World History AD 1714 Queen Anne of Britain dies and is succeeded by Prince George of Hanover (grandson of James I) who speaks no English; King George I rules as first ruler of the House of Hanover; House of Stuart comes to an end; 'Georgian' period begins AD 1715 Scottish nobles raise rebellion in support of James II, 'The Pretender' to the English throne; the Jacobites (supporters of James II) are defeated in battle; The Pretender lands in England to rally support AD 1716 The Pretender flees to France and Jacobite leaders are executed AD 1717 Triple Alliance (Britain, France, Dutch Republic) forces the Old Pretender, James Stuart, to leave France French found New Orleans in America Freemasonry is established in London The Grand Lodge of British Freemasons. The Duke of Wharton became its first Grand Master. Its offices were based on the craft guilds of masons of the Middle Ages. They accepted a 'Grand Architect of the Universe' and the goal of a brotherhood of man. There also seems to have been some Kabaalistic influence (the Kabaala was a book that emerged during the 15th Century based on the Jewish tradition but mystic rather than scriptural in nature; it is very much connected with Cabalistic magic (occultism) today). Its origins seem to go back to ancient times, especially to the Temple of Solomon. Joseph Smith said that the Freemasonry rituals were received from the apostasy in the days of David and Solomon and that they were a corrupt form of the Temple Endowment ceremony taught by the Lord to ancient Israel.32 AD 1718 Quadruple Alliance (Holy Roman Emperor, Britain, France, Holland) formed to prevent Spain disturbing the peace AD 1721 Tsar Peter the Great obtains Estonia from the Swedish and is proclaimed Emperor of all Russia AD 1723 Treaty of Charlottenburg: Britain and Prussia agree to royal marriages AD 1725 Tsar Peter the Great dies AD 1727 George I dies and is succeeded by his son George II AD 1729 John Wesley initiates what is to become Methodism AD 1731 No 10 Downing Street built in London AD 1739 Great Awakening (religious revival in America; lasts about 20 years) AD 1739-1741 War of Jenkin's Ear: Britain vs. Spain AD 1740-1748 War of the Austrian Succession AD 1743 An Allied Pragmatic Army (English, Hessian and Hanoverian troops) defeat the French at Battle of Dettingen - 91 - A Synopsis of World History AD 1745 Battle of Fontenoy: French forces defeat Allied Pragmatic Army Prince Charles Edward Stuart (Bonnie Prince Charles) lands in Hebrides to proclaim his father James VIII of Scotland (III of England); Jacobites win the Battle of Prestonpans AD 1746 Battle of Falkirk: Jacobites defeat British dragoons Battle of Culloden: British defeat the Jacobites (who flee to France and thus bring Freemasonry to that nation); Young Pretender (Charles Edward Stuart) escapes to Skye and then to France AD 1748 Baron de Montesquieu publishes De l'espirit des lois Adam Weishaupt born Ruins of Pompeii discovered AD 1752 Britain and its colonies adopt Gregorian calendar AD 1754 French withdraw from India leaving Britain in control Albany Convention: colonies in North America meet to plan defence against French troops invading from Canada; Benjamin Franklin's proposal of a union of the 13 British colonies is agreed AD 1756-1763 Seven Years' War: France, Austria and Russia vs. Prussia and Britain AD 1760 George II dies and is succeeded by his grandson George III Around this time the House of Rothschild has its beginnings Meyer Amschel Bauer changed his name to Rothschild and took over his father's banking business in Frankfurt. He was of the Jewish religion and above his door hung the Rothschild coat of arms - a red shield said to be inspired by the 'red flag' of revolutionary Jews in Eastern Europe. He became very rich by ingratiating himself with certain European princes and allegedly embezzling money from William of Hess (who had received a lot of money from the British for the hire of his mercenary 'Hessian' troops used in the American War of Independence). Meyer Amschel Rothschild was the first International Banker. He had five sons. His son Nathan he sent to head his operations in England; he made a lot of money from Britain's war with Napoleon (he financed both sides). Branches of the House of Rothschild, each ruled by one of Meyer's other sons, were established in Berlin, Vienna, Paris and Naples. Headquarters were established in London where they remain to this day. The Paris branch was later moved to New York, U.S.A.33 Meyer Amschel was reported to have once said: "Give me the right to issue and control the nation's currency and I care not who governs that country." AD 1761 British begin to rule India French and Spanish invade Portugal; Portugal calls on Britain for aid Spain, France and Bourbon states of Italy form alliance against Britain - 92 - A Synopsis of World History William Pitt resigns as British PM when George III and Parliament refuse to declare war on Spain AD 1763 Treaty (or Peace) of Paris (ends Seven Years' War): Britain gains some territory in Canada and all of Senegal, Mississippi to be border between British and Spanish territories in America, Florida goes to Britain, Cuba goes to Spain AD 1764 American independence movement begins as Britain enacts more restrictive laws and higher taxation on the colonies AD 1765 The Stamp Act made by the British Parliament imposes direct taxes on its American colonies; the Quartering Act obliges colonists to provide shelter and supplies for British troops; Patrick Henry protests against Stamp Act AD 1766 Stamp Act repealed but Declaratory Act asserts rights of Britain to still be fully able to bind colonies AD 1768 British seize colonial vessel Liberty and Boston merchants decide not to import from Britain; representatives of 26 Massachusetts towns draw up a statement of grievances; British land two infantry regiments at Boston AD 1769 The Great Famine of Bengal (10 million die) William Blackstone publishes Commentaries on the Laws of England AD 1770 Captain James Cook lands in Australia and claims it for Britain Conflict between British troops and American colonists begins AD 1771 Cossacks conquer Crimea for Russia AD 1772 Poland is partitioned between Prussia, Russia and Austria AD 1773 James Cook crosses the Antarctic Circle Tea Act: passed by British Parliament (costs more for colonists to import); Boston Tea Party ensues AD 1774 Russia acquires the north coast of the Black Sea First Continental Congress assembles at Philadelphia; makes Declaration of Rights and Grievances; Congress decides to have no trade dealings with Britain AD 1775 Paul Revere rides to Lexington to warn Samuel Adams and John Hancock that General Gage intends to arrest them; Battle of Lexington and Concord leads to retreat of British; Britain hires 25,000 Hessian mercenaries from Germany; American War of Independence begins The prophet Nephi34 saw in vision that the colonists would be "delivered by the power of God out of the hands of all other nations." This was certainly manifest in the victory of the Colonial Army over the British forces, Washington's army being much smaller, untrained, not as well equipped and possessing no - 93 - A Synopsis of World History fleet. Through a whole array of 'incidents of nature' the Continental army was protected and aided, a fact that Washington noted in his writings and ascibed to divine Providence. Battle of Bunker Hill: British win but lose many men George Washington is appointed Commander-in-Chief of Continental Army AD 1776 Russian Black Sea Fleet rebuilt Declaration of Independence* signed at Philadelphia Battle of Long Island: General Howe defeats a colonial army General Howe occupies New York and almost captures General Washington Battle of White Plains: General Howe defeats Washington Battle of Trenton: Washington is victorious Second Great Awakening in America (lasts about 50 years) Adam Smith publishes An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations This work inspired the Founders to establish a 'Free Enterprise' economic system. The U.S. was the first country of any consequence to fully practise this philosophy in modern times. This economic freedom (with no government interference) led to America becoming the most prosperous nation in the world. In 1905 when America was more faithful to Adam Smith's ideas than it is now, it was producing over 50% of most of the world's goods (including some luxury goods) with only 6% of the world's population and only 5% of the earth's continental land area. What is more, the middle class made up a large proportion of the population, one of the best measures of a successful economy. Edward Gibbon publishes The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire (Volume 1; other volumes follow) (May 1a) Adam Weishaupt founds the Order of Illuminatib (the modern-dayc Master Mahan society?) (a) May 1st or May Day was connected anciently with pagan worship; in Ireland and Scotland it was called Beltane. The Second Socialist International (an Illuminist organisation) of 1889 designated 1st May as an international labour holiday in all the countries over whom it had political influence and control. (b) For five years Weishaupt dedicated himself to devising a plan to overthrow civilization and establish what he termed "Novus Ordo Seclorum" (a New World Order). On May 1, 1776 Adam Weishaupt founded the Order of the Illuminati. He was then Professor of Canon Law at Ingolstadt University, Bavaria. The Illuminati was to be the instrument by which he would achieve his goal. The name Illuminati means 'Enlightened Ones' in reference to having the true Light of the ancients, back to the * "It was through and by the power of God, that the fathers of [America] framed the Declaration of Independence." (Taylor, John (1915) The Constitution Is an Inspired Document, Liahona: The Elders' Journal, 30 March, 12:644). - 94 - A Synopsis of World History Light Bearer himself otherwise known as Lucifer. The professed purpose of the Order was to "to make of the human race, without any distinction of nation, condition, or profession, one good and happy family." The real and specific aims of the Illuminati were revealed when one entered the "inner circle": 1. Abolition of all ordered governments; 2. Abolition of private property; 3. Abolition of inheritance; 4. Abolition of patriotism; 5. Abolition of all religion; 6. Abolition of the family; 7. Creation of a New World Order or World Government (i.e.. abolition of national sovereignty). Oaths were taken not to reveal these things, and the consequence of doing so was dire: "the rage of our brothers" they were told "will pursue you and torment you to the innermost recesses of your entrails." Seemingly good and Christian people joined, believing the Order to be good. Protestant princes and rulers of Germany were in agreement with Weishaupt's plan to destroy the Catholic Church. These men were in the Masonic Order and Weishaupt and his co-conspirators were initiated into Freemasonry by 1777. Early members of the Order included Mirabeau, Voltaire, Emmanuel Kant, Moses Mendelsohn, and Meyer Amschel (Rothschild) who was reported* to be the real directing (and financing) force behind this secret society. (c) There seems a reluctance for many to accept the idea of 'conspiracy' today, as if it were just a thing of the past. Yet the devil has not given up. In 1942 the following statement was made by the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: "Satan is making war against all the wisdom that has come to men through their ages of experience. He is seeking to overturn and destroy the very foundations upon which society, government, and religion rest. He aims to have men adopt theories and practices which he induced their forefathers, over the ages, to adopt and try...He plans to destroy liberty and freedom - economic, political, and religious, and to set up in place thereof the greatest, most widespread, and most complete tyranny that has ever oppressed man..."35 One modernday prophet spoke of a specific international conspiracy when he said: "It [wickedness] is more highly organized, more cleverly disguised, and more powerfully promoted than ever before. Secret combinations lusting for power, gain, and glory are flourishing. A secret combination that seeks to overthrow the freedom of all lands, nations, and countries is increasing its evil influence and control over America and the entire world."36 One of the foremost authorities on secret societies has written: "For behind the concrete wall of revolution...beyond that invisible secret circle which perhaps directs them all, is there not yet another force, still more potent, that must be taken into account? In looking back over the centuries at the dark episodes that have marked the history of the human race from its earliest origins - strange and horrible cults, waves of witchcraft, blasphemies, and desecrations - how is it possible to ignore the existence of an Occult Power at work in the world? Individuals, sects, or races bred with the desire of world-domination, have provided the fighting forces of destruction, but behind them are the veritable powers of darkness in eternal conflict with the powers of light."37 AD 1777 Battle of Princeton: Washington defeats Cornwallis First Battle of Saratoga: British win with heavy losses Second Battle of Saratoga: British defeat and retreat from Boston AD 1777-1778 Washington winters at Valley Forge AD 1778 French recognise American Independence and sign treaty with Franklin Battle of Monmouth: Washington is victorious AD 1779 Spain declares war on Britain, besieging Gibraltar * As reported by Commander William Guy Carr, an Intelligence Officer in the Royal Canadian Navy who had excellent contacts around the world. - 95 - A Synopsis of World History Captain Cook killed by natives in Hawaii AD 1780 Benedict Arnold discovered as traitor and flees to British AD 1781 General Cornwallis defeats the French General Lafayette in Virginia A French fleet arrives in Chesapeake Bay and cripples the British fleet allowing Yorktown to be besieged; Cornwallis surrenders Yorktown Hostilities of American War of Independence ends AD 1782 Minorca captured from British by Spain Britain regains control of Caribbean from French Congress of Wilhelmsbad widely held to have put Freemasonry under Illuminism This event is said to have unified many secret societies from all over the world and it is estimated that the number of their combined membership was at that time at least three million. This appears to have been European Freemasonry rather than British, and writers report that only the very top masons were aware of the fact.38 AD 1783 Siege of Gibraltar ends Parliament votes to discontinue American War Treaty of Paris: independence of 13 colonies recognised George Washington resigns as Commander-in-Chief AD 1784 Treaty of Paris ratified by U.S. Congress and American War of Independence formally ends AD 1785 Secret Illuminati documents (including plans for French Revolution) fall into the hands of the Bavarian Government; the Government seizes more documents after raiding the Order's headquarters AD 1786 Bavarian Government publishes The Original Writings of the Order and Sect of the Illuminati exposing the Order but European governments ignore it The Order promoted the idea that, now it had been exposed, it was all over. This appears not the case however, for some years later a Scottish professor named James Robison was approached by the sect and got access to top Illuminati documents; he went public and exposed the Order in his book Proofs of a Conspiracy against all the Religions and Governments of Europe published in 1797. Again this providential warning was ignored. AD 1787 Convicts start being prepared to be sent to Australia from England William Wilberforce begins campaign for abolition of slavery in British colonies - 96 - A Synopsis of World History Constitutional Conventiona held in Philadelphia chaired by Washington leads to refining and signing of the U.S. Constitutionb (a) Here is a small selection of what some LDS leaders have said concerning the Framers of America: "There has not been another such group of men in all [the 200 years of our history] that even challenged this group."39 - "[They] were the best spirits the God of heaven could find on the face of the earth. They were choice spirits..."40 - "I testify that the God of heaven selected and sent some of his choicest spirits to lay the foundation of this government as a prologue to the restoration of the gospel and the second coming of our Savior."41 (b) Ezra Taft Benson said of this document: "I reverence the Constitution of the United States as a sacred document. To me its words are akin to the revelations of God, for God has placed his stamp of approval on the Constitution of this land [see Doctrine and Covenants 101:80]"42 George Albert Smith, another of the Lord's modern prophets, said: "I am saying to you that to me the Constitution of the United States of America is just as much from my Heavenly Father as the Ten Commandments."43 And from Joseph Smith: "We say that God is true; that the Constitution of the United States is true; that the Bible is true; that the Book of Mormon is true; that the Book of Covenants [i.e. the Doctrine and Covenants] is true..."44 Washington refuses offer of kingship AD 1789 Mutiny on the Bounty U.S. Constitution ratified (6 Apr*) George Washington officially elected as first U.S. President French Revolution begins; 'Storming' of the Bastille; National Assembly formed; Bourbon power comes to an end The 'Storming of the Bastille' was a heavily romanticised affair. In fact it was carried out in order to obtain the guns and ammunition of the Bastille. Only one out of every thousand people in Paris participated in the so-called 'storming'. Among them were loyal Frenchmen who wanted the weapons to put down a Jacobin (Illuminist) disturbance in another part of the city. Only one cannon defending the Bastille was fired out of the fifteen installed. When the mob broke into the prisons they found just seven inmates, all of whom had been treated quite well in what was supposed to be a "horrible monstrosity of despotism". Four were forgers, two were lunatics; the seventh inmate was a count who had been imprisoned by order of his own family for "monstrous crimes". There were no instruments of torture found. AD 1791 French National Assembly elects Mirabeau* President but he soon dies Louis XVI of France and his family are seized by National Guardsmen Bill of Rights becomes law in U.S. * Just as those forces opposing Christ have made May 1st their day so it would appear the Lord has made 6th of April his. Many things have happened on this date in connection with divine or divinely-inspired events. * Mirabeau was a member of the Order of the Illuminati, as were most of the leaders of the French Revolution, including Robespierre and Danton. - 97 - A Synopsis of World History Thomas Paine publishes The Rights of Man AD 1792 Austria and Prussia form an alliance against revolutionary France France declares war on Austria General Lafayette is declared a traitor; he flees and is captured by Austrians Prussia takes Verdun (in France) Monarchy abolished in France; French 'Republic' begins Pale of Settlement Imperial Russia assigned an area of land (a pale) for the Jews to remain confined within; this was a part of Poland and the Ukraine. Only certain privileged Jews were allowed to live outside of it (an 1897 Census showed 200,000 living outside the Pale, and 5 million inside it).45 AD 1793 Louis XVI executed in Paris France declares war on Britain, Holland and Spain; those countries join the Holy Roman Empire in alliance against France U.S. proclaims neutrality Marie Antoinette (Austrian wife of Louis XVI) is executed AD 1794 Robespierre executes Danton and other rivals; he proclaims himself High Priest of a new Festival of the Supreme Being as the Reign of Terror reaches its height; injustice and executions multiply Battle of Fleurus: French defeat British fleet in English Channel Robespierre deposed and executed AD 1795 Napoleon Bonaparte is given command of the forces defending the French Convention against royalists French capture the Dutch fleet Prussia ceases hostilities with France French National Convention dissolves AD 1796 Napoleon invades Italy and defeats Austrians Napoleon enters Milan and sets up Lombard Republic French fleet attempts to invade Ireland but a storm stops it Washington gives his famous Farewell Address - 98 - A Synopsis of World History Ezra Taft Benson stated "The address is prophetic. I believe it ranks alongside the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution."46 Just some of the things Washington warned the people about in this address were: the 'spirit of innovation' in connection with those who would try to change the Constitution to its detriment; the 'spirit of party' which would see politicians putting their career in their party above country, people and principle; the necessity of the public remaining informed; avoiding national debt; the importance of remaining on good terms with all nations but having as little to do politically with them as possible. Alas, America has not paid much heed to Washington's warnings. AD 1797 John Adams elected U.S. President Battle of Rivoli: Napoleon wins decisive victory over Austrians Napoleon takes Mantua (north Italy) Treaty of Tolentino: Bologna and Ferrara given to Napoleon after he threatens to march on Rome itself French proclaim Cisalpine Republic (Milan, Ferrara, Modena, Romagna and Bologna); Geno becomes French-controlled Ligurian Republic Treaty of Campo Formio: Austria cedes Belgian provinces to France in return for Venice, Dalmatia and Istria Proofs of a Conspiracy against all the Religions and Governments of Europe published by James Robison AD 1798 Napoleon occupies Rome, proclaims a Republic, and takes Pope into custody at Valence Napoleon assembles large fleet at Boulogne but sails with a force from Toulon and takes Malta; he lands in Egypt and takes goes on to take Alexandria and defeat the Egyptian Mameluk cavalry in the Battle of the Pyramids; Napoleon takes Cairo Battle of the Nile: the British fleet (under Nelson) defeat French AD 1799 Rosetta Stone found by French in Egypt Britain introduces income tax Napoleon invades Syria from Egypt but has to withdraw Battle of Zurich: Russian army defeats a French army Battle of Aboukir: French defeat a Turko-British army Napoleon sails for France French retake Zurich George Washington dies - 99 - A Synopsis of World History Napoleon becomes Dictator of France White House built in America AD 1800 Techniques of the Industrial Revolution spread to Europe French withdraw from Egypt Battle of Marengo: Napoleon defeats Austrians AD 1801 France adopts metric system Act of Union: United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland created Thomas Jefferson becomes third U.S. President Britain and France end hostilities Battle of Copenhagen: Nelson has victory by ignoring command orders Nelson given command of British fleet AD 1802 Treaty of Amiens: temporary end to war in Europe AD 1803 The Louisiana Purchase: U.S. doubles its size by buying French territory (French need money for the war) Britain and France re-open war AD 1804 Haiti black slaves overpower French and set up a republic Code Napoleon (Civil Law) comes into force in France, Belgium, Luxembourg and the Palatinate (west Germany) "This Code is firmly entrenched in most of the countries of Europe and prevails among most of the Latin races. The Code of Napoleon, like the Theodosian and Justinian Codes, did not originate with the legislative branch of government, nor on the initiative of the people. All these codifications originated with the ruler of the nation; their provisions were dictated by him. "The rigors of this systems were at times mitigated by a benign sovereign, but only to the extent that he desired; legislative bodies might at times be set up and function as he permitted; but any attempt by those bodies to go contrary to his will was somehow made ineffective; sometimes such efforts were treasonable and so treated. "The people under this system have those rights, powers, and privileges, and those only, which the sovereign considers are for their good or for his advantage. He adds or takes away as suits his royal pleasure. "All residuum of powers [remained] in the Emperor. Under this system, the people look into the law to see what they may do. They may only do what the Emperor has declared they may do. - 100 - A Synopsis of World History "It may be noted in passing, that under our [English] common law system, we look into the law to see what we may not do, for we may do everything we are not forbidden to do.... "We must always remember that despotism and tyranny, with all their attendant tragedies to the people, as in Russia ... come to nations because one man, or a small group of men, seize and exercise by themselves the three great divisions of government -- the legislative, the executive, and the judicial. "For now a score of centuries the nations and peoples of Western and Southern Europe -- the bulk of the civilized world ... have lived under this [Roman Civil Law] concept ... and, when the concept has been operative, have suffered the resulting tragedies -- loss of liberty, oppression, great poverty among the masses, insecurity, wanton disregard of human life, and a host of the relatives these evils brood."47 Napoleon proclaimed Emperor and is crowned in Paris by the Pope Austrian Empire begins with Habsburg assumption of the title Emperor of Austria AD 1805 Joseph Smith born Third Coalition (Austria, Russia, Sweden, Britain) v. France Battle of Trafalgar: British defeat French fleet decisively; Nelson killed Battle of Austerlitz: Napoleon defeats an Austrian-Russian army Treaty of Pressburg: Austria and France make peace AD 1806 Joseph Napoleon becomes King of Naples; Louis Napoleon becomes King of Holland Britain blockades continent Confederation of the Rhine: Holy Roman Empire ends Prussia wages war with France Battle of Jena: Prussians routed by French Napoleon occupies Berlin Napoleon blockades Britain AD 1807 British troops occupy Alexandria but Turks soon force them out again Napoleon goes on to take Danzig Battle of Friedland: French defeat the Russians Hostility between British and U.S. ship results in U.S. closing ports to British warships - 101 - A Synopsis of World History Treaties of Tilsit: Peace between Britain and France (French gain German lands) British seize Danish fleet (punishment for joining the Continental System) French invade Portugal AD 1808 French troops occupy Madrid; Joseph Bonaparte made King of Spain AD 1809 Battle of Talavera: British defeat Spanish under Joseph Bonaparte Austria joins the Continental System James Madison becomes fourth U.S. President Finland ceded to Russia AD 1810 Napoleon's General Jean Bernadotte made heir to Swedish throne France annexes Holland after abdication of Louis Bonaparte AD 1811 Prince of Wales rules as Regent (George III insane); 'The Regency' era begins in Britain South American countries begin to declare their independence from Spain Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen published AD 1812 Luddite Riots in England break Industrial machinery Napoleon invades Russia; enters Moscow; Moscow burned down Napoleon begins retreat from Moscow; his army ill and depleted Russia has victory over part of Napoleon's army at Smolensk War of 1812 between Britain and U.S. begins Ruins of Petra found in southwest Jordan Nathan Rothschild becomes head of House of Rothschild; he funds Napoleon and England AD 1813 Wars of liberation start all over Europe Austria declares war on France Prussia has many victories against French forces Battle of Leipzig: Napoleon defeated and retreats Allies threaten to invade France if Napoleon does not submit - 102 - A Synopsis of World History Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen published AD 1814 Allies enter Paris Napoleon abdicates and goes to Elba (island of western Italy) where he rules as sovereign, financed by the French Government French Monarchy restored (Louis XVIII) Ferdinand VII restored to Spanish throne Netherlands created by union of Holland and Austrian Netherlands U.S. defeats a British fleet; Britain abandons U.S invasion; War of 1812 comes to a close Congress of Vienna begins The Vienna Congress did not conclude until 1815. It was attended by Austria, Prussia, Russia, Britain, France and other European powers to settle the so-called 'balance of power' after the Napoleonic wars. Evidence suggests it was in reality orchestrated by the Illuminati to establish a 'League of Nations' to lay down the foundation of a world government, but this was shot-down by the Tsar of Russia and the conspirators thus failed to set up their precursor to a world government at this time. It was this action of the Tsar that was said to be the reason why the Illuminati went after Russia first. Norway ceded to Sweden AD 1814-1830 Holland forms union with Austrian part of Netherlands AD 1815 Battle of New Orleans: U.S. defeat British troops; War of 1812 ends Napoleon lands at Cannes and gains support; he starts his second reign when he reaches Paris; Louis XVIII leaves France Battle of Waterloo: Allied army under Wellington defeat Napoleon Nathan Rothschild is said to have made a great deal of money from Waterloo (the Rothschilds reportedly funding both sides in the Napoleonic wars). He had prior notice of the outcome of the battle due to his agents in Europe and was said to have led those in Britain into thinking Wellington had lost. Consequently people started selling their consuls (paper money) and, when very cheap, Nathan's agents bought them all up! When news arrived that Wellington had defeated Napoleon the consuls sky-rocketed and Nathan had virtual control of the British economy. This was called the 'Coup of coups'.48 Treaty of Paris: Switzerland becomes a neutral state Napoleon abdicates, is taken prisoner and exiled to St Helena (an island of the South Atlantic) Duchy of Luxembourg becomes a Grand Duchy within Netherlands - 103 - A Synopsis of World History Grimm's Fairy Tales published by the brothers Grimm AD 1817 Mississippi becomes the 20th U.S. State James Monroe becomes fifth U.S. President AD 1818 U.S.-Canada border established (the 49th parallel) AD 1819 Spain cedes all territory east of Mississippi to U.S. Alabama joins U.S. as 22nd state AD 1820 George III of England dies and is succeeded by the Regent (George IV) Cato Street Conspiracy Joseph Smith's First Vision (the Restoration begins) Joseph Smith was the first prophet called by God of whom we have record since Peter in the Old World and Moroni in the New. Moreover Joseph Smith was the Prophet of the Restoration and as such presides over all the other prophets of the Dispensation of the Fulness of Times (see AD 1830). The Restoration was an event foreseen by many of the ancient prophets49 and looked forward to by many good men. It is interesting to note that many of the early American statesmen and clergy believed America to be a chosen land, a New Jerusalem or Zion, in which God would (if anywhere) restore the true principles of the gospel.50 Portugal revolts at British control AD 1821 Mexico declares independence from Spain as do many other South American nations Napoleon dies AD 1822 Champollion deciphers the Rosetta Stone (ancient Egyptian understood for first time) Greece seeks to break from Ottomans AD 1823 Monroe Doctrine "The greatest and most powerful fortification in America is the 'Monroe Doctrine.'...It was the inspiration of the Almighty which rested upon John Quincy Adams, Thomas Jefferson and other statesmen, and which finally found authoritative expression in the message of James Monroe to the Congress in 1823."51 said Joseph Fielding Smith. The Monroe Doctrine established the U.S. policy for dealing with other nations. Chiefly that "the American continents...are henceforth not to be considered as subjects for future colonization by any European powers..." and "in the wars of the European powers in matters relating to themselves we have never taken any part, nor does it comport with our policy so to do." This policy has been ignored by the U.S. Government many times during the Twentieth and Twenty-First Century, especially when it entered World War II and later allowed the Communists to take and keep Cuba. More recently U.S. troops being involved as a world policeman through the U.N. has taken the violation of the - 104 - A Synopsis of World History Monroe Doctrine and the Constitution to new heights. It is not unreasonable to suggest that this violation has contributed greatly to America's decline. Angel Moroni first visits Joseph Smith AD 1825 December Uprising in Russia John Quincy Adams becomes sixth U.S. President AD 1826 (4 Jul) John Adams and Thomas Jefferson both die exactly 50 years after the signing of the Declaration of Independence to the day AD 1827 Joseph Smith entrusted with gold plates AD 1828 Russia gains exclusive right to maintain a navy on the Caspian Sea Russia declares war on Ottomans (already hit by British and French) Isle of Man becomes a dependency of United Kingdom AD 1829 Stephenson's Rocket (England) Greece officially becomes independent Priesthood restored to the earth Both the Aaronic and Melchizedek Priesthood were restored; the first by the resurrected John the Baptist, and the second by the resurrected Peter, James and (translated) John. This Priesthood, or authority to act in the name of God, had been absent from the earth generally since the Apostasy seventeen centuries earlier. Illuminati appoint committee to create 'Communism' The timing of the rise of the Communist (Illuminist) philosophy just after the translation of the Book of Mormon is an interesting one. Isaiah records a prophecy of the coming forth of the Nephite scripture and immediately afterwards gives the following warning: "Woe unto them who seek deep to hide their counsel from the Lord, and they say, Who seeth us? and who knoweth us?...for shall the work say of him that made it, He made me not? or shall the thing framed say of him that framed it, He had no understanding?";52 after speaking of a time when a marvellous work and a wonder would come forth (the Book of Mormon and Restoration) Apostle Ezra Taft Benson pointed out the verses just quoted and said: "It is well to ask, what system established secret works of darkness to overthrow nations?...Who blasphemously proclaimed the atheistic doctrine that God made us not? Satan works through human agents. We need only look to some of the ignoble characters in human history who were contemporary to the restoration of the gospel to discover fulfilment of Isaiah's prophecy. I refer to the infamous founders of Communism and others who follow in their tradition."53 Andrew Jackson becomes 7th U.S. President AD 1829-30 The Book of Mormon (another testament of Jesus Christ) published A record of God's dealings with the inhabitants of the Americas from c. 2200 BC to AD 400. Today it stands with the Bible as another Testament of Jesus Christ of whom it not only testifies but also gives an - 105 - A Synopsis of World History account of his visit to the Americas after his Resurrection and Ascension. The Book of Mormon was written by and is primarily a sacred record of the tribe of Joseph. The coming forth of the Book of Mormon was prophesied by Ezekiel54 in which he referred to it as "the stick of Joseph in the hand of Ephraim" and "the stick of Ephraim". A 'stick' has reference to a book (books or scrolls were on sticks in those days); it is mainly Ephraimites today that possess and teach from the Book of Mormon. The Bible is referred to as the "stick of Judah" in the same passage of scripture. Summary of the Dispensation of the Meridian of Time: During the First Millennium the supernal Atonement was wrought and the Church (and thus the Priesthood) was organized. Then the Apostasy and Dark Ages set in. During this time the Anglo-Saxon Common Law (derived from the Law revealed to Moses) came to prominence in northern Europe/Scandinavia and came to England with the Anglo-Saxon colonization. The Roman Civil Law, codified and taught in Europe and Constantinople, also began to ravish Europe during this period. Toward the end of the first thousand years Anno Domini England began to emerge as a nation. Near the beginning of the second millenium an anti-Common Law government from Europe (the House of Normandy) established its rule in England. Over the next few centuries there were struggles between Ruler's Law (the absolute power of the monarch) and People's Law (i.e. Common Law); the Common Law gained victories in the eventual establishment of a Parliament and such documents as the Magna Charta, the Petition of Right, and the English Bill of Rights. The countries of Europe were preoccupied (even when they were fighting each other) with the riches of the East that the Crusaders and Marco Polo's accounts had tempted them with. Attempts to find a route to the East by travelling west led to the discovery of the New World. A desire for religious freedom (fuelled by the Reformation movement in Europe) led to the founding of the colonies and thus the beginnings of the American Republic which would take the Common Law of Britain and, in an environment of freedom, improve upon it and establish a nation and government that the ancient prophets foresaw and of which one modern-day prophet would later say: "differs but little from that of the kingdom of God".55 After the preparatory period of the Enlightenment, Renaissance, Reformation, and the establishment of a free government the stage was set for the Restoration of the fulness of the gospel to the earth through the Prophet Joseph Smith. At about the same time a terrible conspiracy had its modern beginnings, its purpose to destroy freedom and the religion of Christ. REFERENCE NOTES FOR THE MERIDIAN OF TIME, THE UNIVERSAL APOSTASY, AND THE ENLIGHTENMENT 1 III Nephi 10:18. McConkie, Bruce R. (1966) Mormon Doctrine Salt Lake City, Utah: Bookcraft. 3 See 3 Nephi 16:1-4. 4 See Acts 4:32. 5 Horowitz, Jerome The Elders of Israel and the Constitution, (1970) Ogden, Utah: Horowitz, p. 125. 6 Whence?, p.90. 7 See Cuthbert, Derek A. The Second Century: Latter-day Saints in Great Britain, 1937-87 (1987) Cambridge: The University Press, p. 193. 8 Daniel 11:31; 12:11; Matthew 24:15; Joseph Smith-Matthew, vs. 12. 9 Whence?, p. 19, 115. 10 See Whence?, p. 5, 17. 11 Clark, J. Reuben (1962) Stand Fast By Our Constitution, Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Company, pp. 138-139. 12 Thirteenth, p. 72. 13 Jewish Encyclopedia, 1925 edition, p. 3. 2 - 106 - A Synopsis of World History 14 Genesis 36:8. Jewish Encyclopedia, 1925 edition, Volume V, p. 41. 16 Clark, J. Reuben, (1962) Stand Fast By Our Constitution, Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Company, p. 140-141. 17 Myers, Philip, Rome: Its Rise and Fall, p. 523. 18 Fowler, W.W. revised by Charlesworth, M.P. (1912) The Home University Library of Modern Knowledge: Rome London: Oxford University Press. p. 147-148. 19 Clark, J. Reuben. (1973) Stand Fast By Our Constitution Salt lake City, Utah: Deseret Book company, p. 145. (Skousen) 20 Thirteenth, p. 19. 21 Thirteenth, p. 13. 22 Thirteenth, p. 152. 23 Padover, Saul K., (1943) The Complete Jefferson, New York: Tudor Publishing Company, pp. 16-17. 24 Whence?, p. 53. 25 See World History: A Chronological Dictionary of Dates, p. 195. 26 Thirteenth, p. 167. 27 Thirteenth, p. 173. 28 'Columbus to Dona Juana de la Torre', Raccolta di documenti e studi pubblicati della R. Commissione Colombiana, pt. I, vol. ii, p.79. 29 'Letter of Columbus on the Fourth Voyage' in The Four Voyages of Columbus, tr. Cecil Jane, 2:90-92. 30 Smith, Joseph Fielding Progress of Man, p. 528. 31 See 1 Nephi 13:12 32 Diary of Benjamin F. Johnson, quoted by Cecil McGavin, (1956), Salt Lake, Utah, p. 199. 33 Reich, passim. 34 I Nephi 13:17-19. See also Jonathan A. Dibble's article "Delivered by the Power of God" (Ensign, October 1987, p. 45-53). 35 Messages of the First Presidency, The Improvement Era, November, p. 761; emphasis added. 36 Benson, Ezra Taft, I Testify, Conference Report, October 1988; emphasis added. 37 Webster, Nesta H. (1924) Secret Societies and Subversive Movements, pp. 405-406 (see Enemy, p. 331). 38 Reich, p. 96. 39 J. Reuben Clark referring to the Framers of the Constitution, Conference Report, April 1957, p. 47. 40 Wilford Woodruff referring to the Framers of the Constitution, Conference Report, April, 1898, p. 89. 41 Ezra Taft Benson, Conference Report, April, 1976. 42 The Constitution - A Glorious Standard, Conference Report, April 1976. 43 Conference Report, April 1948, p.182. 44 From a statement issued by Joseph Smith and other Church leaders, Documentary History of the Church, Vol. 3, p. 305 (see Smith, Joseph Fielding, (1979) Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, Salt Lake City, Utah: Deseret Book Company, p. 148) 45 Thirteenth, p. 147-148. 46 Benson, Ezra Taft (1977) God's Hand in Our Nation's History, Speeches of the Year, Provo, Utah: Brigham Young University, 303-307. 47 Clark, J. Reuben Stand Fast By Our Constitution, Salt Lake City, Utah: Deseret Book Company, pp. 146-147. 48 The Jewish Encyclopedia, (1905) Volume X, Funk and Wagnalls Company. 49 See, for instance, Isaiah 11:11, Daniel 2:44, Acts 3:21, Eph. 1:10. 50 For more information on this see Chapter 3 of W. Cleon Skousen's book The Majesty of God's Law (Skousen). 51 Smith, Joseph Fielding, The Progress of Man, Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Company, pp. 466-467. 52 Isaiah 29:15-16, compare Inspired Version 29:27-28. 15 - 107 - A Synopsis of World History 53 Benson, Ezra Taft, A Witness and a Warning, Conference Report, October 1979. Ezekiel 37:15-28. 55 Brigham Young in Journal of Discourses, Volume 6, page 345. 54 - 108 -