Events That Changed the World Through the Sixteenth Century

Except for the twentieth century, the period from the late Middle Ages through the sixteenth century witnessed the most significant developments in the history of the world. From the expulsion of the Muslims from Spain, through the flowering of the Renaissance, the religious strife of the Reformation, and the attempts by great empires to conquer their own continent and expand into the New World, the enormous political, religious, and social change took place on every continent of the globe are examined. These events and their impact have been carefully described and analyzed in this useful student resource. The events covered are: the Reconquista in Spain, the Renaissance, the Hundred Years’ War, the Ming Dynasty Comes to Power, the Age of European Expansion Begins, the Development of Movable Type, the Fall of Constantinople, the Conquest of the New World, the Protestant Reformation, and the Spanish Armada.

An introductory essay provides factual material about the event in a clear, concise, and chronological manner that makes complex history understandable. An interpretive essay, written by a recognized authority in the field, explores the short-term and long-term ramifications of the event. Each chapter concludes with a helpful annotated bibliography of further reading. A glossary, timeline of events, and table of ruling houses and dynasties across the globe provide additional reference value. Events That Changed the World Through the Sixteenth Century is an ideal addition to the high school, community college, and undergraduate reference shelf, as well as excellent supplementary reading for social studies and world history courses.

FRANK W. THACKERAY is Professor of History at Indiana University Southeast. He is author of Antecedents of Revolution: Alexander I and_ the Polish Kingdom (1980) and the co-editor (with John E. Findling) of the Events That Changed the World series and the The Events That Changed America series, both published by Greenwood. Also with John E. Findling, he is co-editor of Statesmen Who Changed the World (1993). He and Findling are also series editors of the Greenwood Histories of the Modern Nations series.

JOHN E. FINDLING is Professor of History at Indiana University Southeast. He is the author of Dictionary of American Diplomatic History (1980-89), Close Neighbors, Distant Friends: United States-Central American Relations (1987), and Chicago’s Great World’s Fairs (1995). With Kimberly D. Pelle, he co-edited Historical Dictionary of World’s Fairs and Expositions, 1851-1988 (1990) and Historical Dictionary of the Modern Olympic Movement (1996). With Frank W. Thackeray, he is co-editor of the Events That Changed the World series and the Events That Changed America series and also series editor of the Greenwood Histories of the Modern Nations series.