Hist 143 Informational Handout
Europe
1650 to 1789--Some useful
dates
c. 1650 to c. 1750--period of Absolutism in most European
monarchies: centralization, dynastic wars, attempted economic
self-sufficiency ("mercantilism")
1642-1651--English Civil War: Parliamentarians vs.
Royalists. The Parliamentarians won. Puritan general Oliver
Cromwell more or less dominated and ruled from about 1650 (he was "Lord
Protector" from 1653) to his death in 1658.
1660/61--Restoration of the crown in England with crowning of Charles
II.
1661-1715--Reign of Louis XIV in France.
1688--The Glorious Revolution in England. James II (Stuart)
ousted; William and Mary accept the throne and recognize the Bill of
Rights.
1682-1725--Reign of Peter the Great in Russia.
1740-1748--War of Austrian Succession (pitting Frederick the Great of
Prussia against Maria Theresa, Empress of Austria).
1756-1763--Seven Years War.
1774--Louis XVI begins his reign in France.
1775-1781--American Revolution and War of the Revolution
1789--Beginning of French Revolution