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1500
The Ming Empire experienced economic growth
The Ming Empire experienced economic growth. But this productive period was followed by many decades of political weakness, warfare and rural woes until the Qing guided China back to prosperity and peace. -
1501
Shah Ismail becomes Shah of Persia
Shah Ismail becomes Shah of Persia, this is significant because it marks the beginning of Ismail’s rule of the Safavid Empire. -
1502
Safavid empire founded by Ismail I
Safavid empire founded by Ismail I, who declared Iran a Shi’ite state, showing how the role of religion affected the empire. Although Ismail’s reasoning for compelling Iran’s conversion to Shi’ism are unknown, the effect of this radical act was to create a deep chasm between Iran and its Sunni Muslim neighbors. -
1502
Ottomans fought the opening rounds of a two century war
Ottomans fought the opening rounds of a two century war with venice, the most powerful of Italy’s commercial city-states. This event proved the Ottomans political stability. -
1511
The Portuguese take over Malacca from local leaders
Malacca was a very important place for trading spices so when the Portuguese accessed this first it allowed for them to get a head start on an economic advantage in trading for almost a whole century. -
1514
Battle of Chaldiran
Battle of Chaldiran Takes place; Selim I defeats Ismail I of the Safavids; East Anatolia under Ottoman control for the first time. Win for the Ottoman Empire over the Safavid empire, causing political empowerment for the Ottoman empire. -
1516
Selim I conquers Egypt and Syria
Selim I conquers Egypt and Syria. The significance in this event is that this made the Red sea the Ottomans’ southern frontier, expanding Ottoman rule. -
1517
Battle of Ridaniya
Battle of Ridaniya. Selim I defeats Tuman bay II of Mamluk Sultanate of Egypt. Egypt still under Ottoman rule. This shows the Ottomans political strength. -
1520
Suleiman the Magnificent presided over the greatest ottoman assault on Christian Europe
Suleiman the Magnificent presided over the greatest ottoman assault on Christian Europe. In 1521, he conquered Belgrade and expelled the Knights of the Hospital of St. John from the island of Rhodes the following year. -
1520
Suleiman begins his reign
Suleiman begins his reign. This is important because it leads to Suleiman’s political and economic successes that occur later for the Ottoman Empire which significantly impact it's strength and power in battles/wars to come. -
1520
The Ottoman Empire became the most dominant, powerful empire in the Europe and Islamic world.
The Ottoman Empire was able to be sustained through great organization, strong military strategies and a strong army. This growth in the Ottoman Empire created both trade and conflict between European and Islamic powers and made lasting impacts on the Middle East, Asia and Europe. -
1524
Beginning of Tahmasp's reign
The first two years of Tahmasp's reign was consumed with Div Sultān’s efforts to eliminate Ustajlu from power. This lead directly to tribal conflict. -
1526
Period battles in Safavid Empire
Periodic battles broke out. This shows how there were evident struggles within the empire politically, especially once Tahmasp’s reign began. -
1526
The Battle of Panipat marks the beginning of the Mughal Empire.
The Battle of Panipat marks the beginning of the Mughal Empire. The forces of Babur led to the defeat of the Lodi Empire. This is one of the earliest battles to involve gunpowder, firearms, and field artillery, proving the Mughal empire’s advancements in technology. However, Babur's rule is marked by ongoing wars of aggression, which prevent him from stabilizing his empire. -
1529
Suleiman the Magnificent led siege to Vienna
Suleiman the Magnificent led siege to Vienna, showing Suleiman’s political capabilities. This shows the importance of the reign of Suleiman as the period when the imperial system worked to perfection. -
1533
Ivan The Terrible Comes To Power
Conquers Siberia making Russia one of the largest empires in the world. He changes the image of a ruler as he is known to be a ruthless king specializing in torture and even apparently drinks Mercury for inspiration. Crazy Russian Tyrants. Like we haven't heard of them. Cough Stalin,Putin,etc. Cough. But Ivan begins the trend. -
1534
Suleiman I leads the Two Iraqs campaign against the Safavids
Suleiman I leads the Two Iraqs campaign against the Safavids, taking over Baghdad. This event shows political conflict between the Ottoman Empire and the Safavid Empire, as the Ottoman leads the Two Iraq campaign against them, leading to the Ottoman empire taking over a large city state. -
1540
Sher Shah Suri, leader of the rival Sur dynasty, drives Humayun out of India and seizes power
Sher Shah Suri, leader of the rival Sur dynasty, drives Humayun out of India and seizes power. Humayun takes refuge with the Safavid rulers in Persia, which serves to create a strong bond with the two dynasties. This shows social relations being made between empires. -
1543
Tokugawa Ieyasu (last of the three shogunates of Japan) was born
Tokugawa Ieyasu (last of the three shogunates of Japan) was born, who later asserted his domination over other daimyo and in 1603 established a new military regime. -
1543
European social contacts with Japan also presented that country with new opportunities and problems
European social contacts with Japan also presented that country with new opportunities and problems. Within thirty years of the arrival of the first Portuguese in 1543, warlords known as daimyo were fighting with Western-style firearms, showing their technological stability. -
1543
Japan first contacts the Portuguese
The first Japanese contact with Europeans was very significant as it led to the introduction of new technology through trading to Japan. This greatly impacted their culture and the development of future technology. -
1547
Ivan IV (Ivan the Terrible) becomes first Czar
The grandson of Ivan the Great, Ivan the Terrible, or Ivan IV, acquired vast amounts of land during his long reign (1533-1584) -
1552
Francis Xavier, a co-founder of the Jesuit Order dies.
This is an important event as the mixed responses towards his death created separation and rivalry between Japanese Christians and Japanese people with their own cultural faiths. (usually elites) -
1555
Peace of Amasya signed between the Ottoman and Safavid Empire
Peace of Amasya signed with the Safavid Empire. Eastern Anatolia, western Georgia, and western Kurdistan fall in Ottoman hands. The latter also gained control over most of Mesopotamia. Eastern Armenia, Eastern Georgia, Dagestan, and Shirvan remain under Safavid rule. This political peace treaty shows the political agreement between these two empires. -
1556
Akbar the Great comes to power
Akbar the Great comes to power. Shortly after retaking power, Humayun is fatally injured. Humayun's son, Akbar, succeeds him under a regent, Bairam Khan, the general who had won victory for his father. The rival Sur Dynasty once again attempts to seize power. -
1556
The Second Battle of Panipat solidifies Akbar's control
The Second Battle of Panipat solidifies Akbar's control. Under Bairam Khan, the Mughal army defeated the Surs and this solidified Akbar's control, proving his political powers as the Mughal ruler. -
1557
Spain gained permission to trade with the Chinese
Spain and China were two world superpowers during this period, so when they were permitted to trade with each other it obviously lasting , flourishing effects on both of their economies throughout history. -
1569
Akbar has a Muslim and Hindu son
To make sure that his son was both muslim and hindu, was a very direct action by Akbar, the ruler of the Mughal empire and is his attempt to unite the cultures or at least draw peace in the future which is somewhat successful. This decreases tension between the two religions after his birth. -
1581
Ivan The Terrible Kills his own Son
Continued evidence that this is a changing point in history of rulers being complete tyrants. This also is apart of shifting tide of European wars becoming family affairs and countries fighting over family matters. -
1582
Khanite of Sabir is Destroyed- Russian Empire
The only political power in the Siberian region,Khanite of Sabir, was destroyed by the Strogonovs, a wealthy Russian trading family. They easily took over small bands of foragers due to the armed adventurers they hired, and they toppled the Khanite of Sabir by their usage of rifles and troops. This is significant as this led to the scatter of Russian politics. -
The Reign of the Safavid Empire by Shah Abbas the Great Begins
Shah Abbas' rule is significant as his reign is regarded by many historians as the peak of the Safavid Empire, an empire that was dominant for over 200 years. -
The Imjin War Begins
The Imjin War was an extremely important event as it was the largest pre-twentieth-century war in East Asia, it lasted 7 years had powerful effects on Korea and led to the eventual fall of the Ming dynasty. -
Japanese Warlord Toyotomi Hideyoshi invades Korea
the Japanese warlord Toyotomi Hideyoshi, having recently united the feuding domains of Japan under his leadership, invaded Korea as the first step in his attempt to conquer China. China, then under the Ming dynasty, came to Korea’s aid and defeated Hideyoshi’s forces, but in the process Korea was devastated by the war. -
Hideyoshi withdraws his troops from Korea
This move by Hideyoshi is significant, as if Japan had continued fighting in Korea and gaining territory it could have impacted the borders we see today in East Asia -
Japanese skills in production of technology and art skyrocketed
Due to the large group of Korean artisans brought to Japan from Korea after the war in 1592, Japanese art and tech became must more advanced, making their country much better off for the future. -
Workers at Jingdezhen throw themselves into kilns as protest
In 1601, workers in Jingdezhen threw themselves into kilns to protest awful working conditions during a time of corruption in the government. This shows one of the first times in history when workers participated in a "strike" type event protesting working conditions. -
Matteo Ricci resided in Beijing and became an expert in Chinese language
Matteo Ricci served as a western scholar in Beijing, studying their culture. As he was a European he spread all of his findings about the culture to his country, making them more knowledgeable about the traditions and culture in China which likely changed their interactions in the future. -
Tokugawa Shogunate was established
The Tokugawa Shogunate was a new military regime that dominated other daiymo they were responsible for several military and political changes in Japan -
Date Masashu sends sends an embassy to the Vatican
This embassy was the first example of the Japanese volunteering to go to learn about Christianity and come into contact with a European area. This leads to conflicts in the future between Japanese culture and Christianity and eventually makes Japan an isolated country -
Japanese issue a decree banning Christianity
This event is important as it shows the Japanese are isolating themselves from European Culture and the rest of the world in order to try and establish their own state and culture. -
Formal relations between Korea and Japan begin again
These relations after the war significantly helped Korea at the time because they were devastated by the war, so when they could trade and interact with Japan again it significantly helped their economy in a time of suffering -
First Manchu Invasion
This is one of the many wars in the long lasting feuds between Korea and China which will go on for many centuries. -
Japan issued new decrees to keep Christianity away from Japan
The Japanese during the 1630s desired to be completely separate from Christianity so they issued new decrees which made trade a lot harder between Europe and Japan. This becomes significant as it is one of the ways Japan shapes to become such an isolated country from the rest of the world in the future. -
Second Manchu Invasion
After the failed attempt a couple years back the Koreans try again continuing the long lasting feuds between them and the Chinese. -
The Dutch take over the town of Malacca
This town was very valuable to the Portuguese as it allowed them to dominate trade in spices, so when the Dutch took it over it swayed the power of the Portuguese to the Dutch, increasing Danish profit and economic prosperity -
Manchu occupy Beijing
Beijing was the capital of the strongest power in East Asia, China making it very significant when an opposing power like the Manchu took control of it. -
Climate Changes have major impacts on China
The world was going through the Little Ice Age when temperature dropped which caused agricultural stress and famine throughout the Ming Empire, this led to uprisings and diseases to increase. This is significant as it is a very low point that some say led to the destruction of the Ming Dynasty. -
Moscow Salt Riots
This and example of citizens revolting against the more powerful government. We this later in the tea tax revolt and even the French Revolution. -
Law change turned peasants into surfs- Russian Empire
Long periods of warfare put a strain on the empire, and this led to many people selling themselves to slavery in order to avoid starvation. When the war was over, landlords wanted to recover runaways. This lead to the law change which turned peasants into serfs, meaning they were legally bound to their landlord and unable to switch masters. -
The reign of Kangxi begins.
The beginning of Kangxi's reign marks a very prosperous time for the Qing Empire as this accelerated new economic, cultural and military development for a new dyansty making it a very important event. -
Ottoman Invasion of Venice
The Ottomans attempt to occupy Venice and fail completely changes the course of history. -
Emperor Kangzix writes to Rome- Qing Empire
Emperor Kangxi writes to Rome supporting Jesuit position & after further dispute ordered expulsion of all missionaries. This is significant as it leads to a decline in the Jesuit presence in China after the 18th century, due to the persecution of Christians. -
Emperor Kangxi falls ill with malaria- Qing China
Kangxi, the Chinese emperor at that time, fell ill with malaria. Jesuit medical treatment (America Quinine) aided his recovery.This lead to the significant introduction of illustrated books detailing anatomical and pharmaceutical knowledge. -
Kangxi writes his position to Rome about religious teaching
KangXi orders the expulsion of all Jesuits from China causing the influence of Christianity in China to rapidly decline. This makes rids China of Christianity's influence making China predominantly have one religion. -
The Forty-Seven Ronin incident
This incident was and especially important one as it shows a strong transition from a militaristic and traditional Japan to a more modern and traditional one. This is seen when a samurai is killed, ad a group of 47 ronin kill him in revenge. They are then tried under the law, and found guilty, showing how civil laws and ideas were taking over more traditional, militaristic ones. -
The beginning of the 'Tulip Period'
The Tulip Period was a period where European style, fashion and culture became popular in the Ottoman Empire. This is significant as it shows the impact European culture had on areas in the Middle East and West Asia. These changes had a lasting affect and it the effect of Europe cultures in these areas can still be seen today. -
Afghan invaders topple last Safavid shah-Safavid Empire
Due to the inflation of cheap silver, trade through Safavid territory declined. This led to shahs not being able to pay their army. Due to having such a weak government and little support from nomadic groups, it was fairly simple for Afghan invaders to capture Isfahan and put a significant end to Safavid rule. -
Nizam al-Mulk establishes his own independent state at Hyderabad- Mughal Empire
As the Mughal empire was in decline, the sultan's powerful vizier, Nizam al-Mulk, gave up on the central government of the empire and made his own independent state. This is significant because he was the first to set up his own political state, and other government official soon followed. -
Iranians under Nadir Shah sack Dehli- Mughal Empire
Nadir Shah, a warlord who seized power in Iran, invaded the Mughal capital and went back to Iran with the "peacock throne", a priceless jewel-encrusted symbol of Mughal grandeur. This is significant as this was a huge cultural blow to the Mughal empire. -
Europeans had much softer taxes on trade with the Ottomans while Islamic traders had higher taxes
Europeans benefited from long term trade deals with the Ottomans that included make them even more wealth in comparison to Islam who had strict taxes and could not gain profit as easily. -
The Qing Empire captures a state more than twice the size of the Ming
By 1783, the Qing Empire finished their conquest of China and the areas around it stretching for a land area of more then twice the amount the Ming held. This is significant as it set the foregrounds for what was to be the much larger country, China, in the eventual future. -
Religious Persecution of Catholics in Korea
This is a trend that will continue throughout Asia since they now view anything European as bad. -
Lord George Macartney is Dispatched to Qing China
British government dispatched Lord George Macartney, a well-connected peer with practical experience in Russia and India, to China, to China. This was known as the “Macartney Mission”, which ended up being an unsuccessful attempt for the British Empire” to establish a diplomatic relationship with the Qing Empire. -
The Qianlong Emperor declines Macartneys offer to alter the Canton trading system
The expansion of the Canton trading system could have economically expanded both the European and Asian economies extensively for a long time., but by declining this, The Qianlong emperor significantly makes a decision that would impact trade between continents in the future. -
Battle of Praga
Russian soldiers captured the Praga borough of Warsaw and massacred its civilian population.