Download Turning Points in History

Important Turning
Points in History
Fall of Roman Empire: 476 C.E.
Life Before the Turning Point
Vast Empire under one law code. Led by an Emperor who had total
authority. Pax Romana – 200 years of peace in Rome. Great achievements
such as law, government, art and architecture (dome and arch), aqueducts,
roads, etc. Increase in trade and security throughout empire.
Turning Point
Poor leadership, lack of method of succession,
struggling economy, weakening military, and peasant
and slave revolts led to the split of the Empire. Fell in
476 CE when Visigoths sacked Rome!
Effects/Changes/Impact
Led to Dark Ages! Lack of centralized government
caused feudal society to emerge. Peasants looked
toward local nobles for protection and worked the land
for them. Manorialism developed – self sufficient
economic system with limited trade. Most people
lacked education and the Catholic Church dominated
society. Gothic Architecture.
The Crusades: 1095-1272
Life Before the Turning Point
Europe was in the Dark Ages. There was little
trade and lack of education. Serfs worked the land
and did not leave their manor. The Church
dominated socially and politically.
Turning Point
Pope Urban II called for all Christians
to unite and fight the Muslims to
regain control of the Holy lands.
Effects/Changes/Impact
After four Crusades, the Muslims won control of the Holy
lands. However, the crusades resulted in increased trade in
Europe and the development of towns. Trade routes
needed to be protected, which led to the rise of power of
Kings and the decrease of power of the nobles.
The Printing Press: 1436
Life Before the Turning Point
Many people were illiterate and ideas traveled slowly through
trade. Most books were based on ideas of the church (Bibles)
and were hand written. Most books were written in Latin.
Turning Point
Johann Gutenberg invented the Printing Press, a hand
press, in which ink was rolled over the raised surfaces
of moveable hand-set block letters held within a wooden
form and the form was then pressed against a sheet of
paper.
Effects/Changes/Impact
Created a revolution in the production of books. Led to the
rapid exchange of ideas throughout Europe and an increase
in literacy. Fostered the rapid development in science, arts
and religion.
The Renaissance: 1400s
Life Before the Turning Point
Roman Catholic Church dominated social and cultural aspects of society.
Art and architecture were influenced by religious ideals. Gothic
Architecture was designed to show the power of God. Most people
believed that they were meant to suffer on Earth in order to get to Heaven
in the afterlife.
Turning Point
A renewal in Greco-Roman ideals led to belief in Humanism –
humans are special and individuals can achieve great things. Popes,
Kings, and wealthy merchants became patrons of the arts and hired
artists to create paintings, sculptures, buildings, etc.
Effects/Changes/Impact
Artists such as Michelangelo and Leonardo Da
Vinci as well as writers such as Petrarch,
Machiavelli, and Shakespeare would influence
western culture. Ideals of humanism and
questioning spirit would lead to the
Reformation, Age of Exploration, Scientific
Revolution, and the Enlightenment.
The Protestant Reformation: 1517
Life Before the Turning Point
The Roman Catholic Church dominated Europe. The Pope had
power over Monarchs and could excommunicate anyone from the
church. They also collected a tithe, a 10% tax that all land holders
had to pay. The Church was also offering indulgences, where
people could pay for the forgiveness of their sins.
Turning Point
Martin Luther, a German monk, posted his 95 Theses on the door
of a Church in Wittenberg, Germany. He protested the corruption
of the Roman Catholic Church and was excommunicated when
he refused to recant.
Effects/Changes/Impact
Europe was split religiously for the first time (North: Protestant,
South: Roman Catholic.) Other Protestant groups developed
such as Calvinism and the Anglican Church in England. Led to
the Catholic Counter-Reformation, the Inquisition, religious wars,
and aggressive missionary work.
Age of Enlightenment: 1600s-1800s
Life Before the Turning Point
Europe was led by Absolute Monarchs such as King Louis XIV
of France, Phillip II of Spain, Czar Peter the Great of Russia,
Empress Maria Teresa of Holy Roman Empire. The justified
their rule by claiming Divine Right, power to rule from God.
Turning Point
Inspired by the scientific revolution, many scholars began to use
reason and logic to question the rule of Absolute Monarchs. They
believed in natural laws and rights that existed in politics and
government.
Effects/Changes/Impact
John Locke, Jean Rousseau, and Voltaire became
the major Enlightenment thinkers of the time
believing in Natural Rights of “Life, Liberty, and
Property,” the common good, and freedom of
speech. Their ideas led people to question Divine
Right rule and resulted in Revolutions in North
America, France, and Latin America.
The Meiji Restoration: 1867-1910
Life Before the Turning Point
Japan was ruled by the Tokugawa Shogunate who ruled
through a centralized Feudal system. The Shogun had
isolated Japan from trade with other nations except China,
Korea, and the Dutch. Japanese society was controlled by
the government, which banned Christianity.
Turning Point
U.S. Commodore Matthew Perry made a trip
to Japan in an attempt to become trading
partners with them. The Japanese and U.S.
signed the Treaty of Kanagawa which ended
250 years of isolation.
Effects/Changes/Impact
Led to the fall of the Tokugawa Shogunate and the beginning of
the Meiji Restoration, where the Emperor took over as leader of
Japan. Japan began to rapidly modernize and westernize its
military, industry, and social customs. This led to the need for
Japan to imperialize other lands for resources. (annexation of
Korea, Sphere of Influence in China, Russo-Japanese War)
World War I: 1914-1919
Life Before the Turning Point
European nations were competing with one
another for military and economic superiority.
Militarism, Alliances, Imperialism, and Nationalism
were increasing.
Turning Point
The Assassination of the Archduke Ferdinand in Sarajevo, Bosnia
was the spark that started the War. When Austria-Hungary
blamed Serbia, Germany declared war on Russia and France and
WWI was on!
Effects/Changes/Impact
Mass production of weapons and new technology such as the
Machine gun, airplane, tank, poison gas, and submarine caused
enormous casualties and damage. Britain, France, U.S. and Italy
won the war and forced Germany to sign the Treaty of Versailles.
Economic problems after the war would lead to the rise of
Totalitarian leaders like Hitler and Mussolini. Also, during the
war, Russia had a revolution- resulted in the first communist
nation, the USSR.