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Top Ten Most Significant Events of The Last 1000 Years
Top Ten Most Significant Events of The Last 1000 Years
1005-2005
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-Just for fun...
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1.) Protestant Reformation (Years)
Challenged people to think for themselves, broke the church's control over the faith/thoughts of people. Provided an alternative powerbase in Europe. Led to mercantilism and the expansion of European Power.
2.) Fall of Constantinople (1453)
Forced the seeking of alternative trade passages.
3.) World War I (1914-1919)
4.) World War II (1939-1945)
5.) The Cold War (1947-1990)
6.) Foundation of the United States of America [Struggle for Independence] (1774-1791)
...Providing a model for all future revolutionary movements- IE the French Revolution, later Latin American revolutions, showing that such a thing could be done. Also, like the founding of Islam and the establishment of a continent-spanning Caliphate, the eventual evolution of Democracy and the creation of a United States wholly independent from Britain was not inevitable. Finally, America, as the Dominant Superpower has destroyed governments, set up puppets and generally interfered in financial markets and everything everywhere.
7.) Invention of the Printing Press
Such a method for the dissemination of ideas led to the ability of Martin Luther to spread his message to the people and gave heretics more ability to gain popular support. The printing Press was a major democratizing force in the world. As the power of the press became available, the plurality of voices began to effect the world on a much larger scale.
8.) Collapse of Colonialism/Imperialism (1919-1970s)
The destruction of the colonial order, beginning with the destruction of the Austrian and Ottoman Empires and disintegration of the Russian set into motion national indepence movements, power struggles, and wars that continue on today. Past Imperial policies, like Ghenghiz Khan's policies, changed the outlook and the progress of nations far and wide. The development of nearly all former colonial empires today has to deal with the past and confront westernization and globalization in the light of former wrongs.
9.) Ghenghiz Kahn and successive Mongol Conquests in Europe/Middle East/India/Asia (1258-1340)
10.) Establishment of Communism in Russia (1918)
Directly leading to the Cold War and providing the world with a practical example of a practical alternative to Capitalism. An imperial empire spanning two continents.
Some might cite the authoring of the Communist Manifesto- however, that particular book played almost no role in the Revolutions of 1848- and only took off as a worldwide movement/'threat' after the establishment of Leninist Russia and the 3rd International.
Note: These do seem to be remarkably Euro-centric with the exception of 2, 8 and 9 to some degree. Thus, I may have left off notable Asian events. This is due to ignorance, I must admit. However, what also must be acknowledged that it is the West who at one time controlled nearly the entire world due to colonialism and thus the experiences and effects of Western colonialism and imperialism can still be felt in all corners of the world today.
Also notable is that yes, the Chinese did invent paper, but that was done before 1005 CE and is outside the scope of this list. The invention of gunpowder is important, yes, but so is the invention of nuclear weapons, the cannon, and other military advancements that completely altered situations. I tried to keep this list free of inventions save that of those related to learning. Thus, the Printing Press is allowed whereas war-inventions are not.
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So what do you all think? Comments? Improvements?
-dc
1005-2005
---
-Just for fun...
---
1.) Protestant Reformation (Years)
Challenged people to think for themselves, broke the church's control over the faith/thoughts of people. Provided an alternative powerbase in Europe. Led to mercantilism and the expansion of European Power.
2.) Fall of Constantinople (1453)
Forced the seeking of alternative trade passages.
3.) World War I (1914-1919)
4.) World War II (1939-1945)
5.) The Cold War (1947-1990)
6.) Foundation of the United States of America [Struggle for Independence] (1774-1791)
...Providing a model for all future revolutionary movements- IE the French Revolution, later Latin American revolutions, showing that such a thing could be done. Also, like the founding of Islam and the establishment of a continent-spanning Caliphate, the eventual evolution of Democracy and the creation of a United States wholly independent from Britain was not inevitable. Finally, America, as the Dominant Superpower has destroyed governments, set up puppets and generally interfered in financial markets and everything everywhere.
7.) Invention of the Printing Press
Such a method for the dissemination of ideas led to the ability of Martin Luther to spread his message to the people and gave heretics more ability to gain popular support. The printing Press was a major democratizing force in the world. As the power of the press became available, the plurality of voices began to effect the world on a much larger scale.
8.) Collapse of Colonialism/Imperialism (1919-1970s)
The destruction of the colonial order, beginning with the destruction of the Austrian and Ottoman Empires and disintegration of the Russian set into motion national indepence movements, power struggles, and wars that continue on today. Past Imperial policies, like Ghenghiz Khan's policies, changed the outlook and the progress of nations far and wide. The development of nearly all former colonial empires today has to deal with the past and confront westernization and globalization in the light of former wrongs.
9.) Ghenghiz Kahn and successive Mongol Conquests in Europe/Middle East/India/Asia (1258-1340)
10.) Establishment of Communism in Russia (1918)
Directly leading to the Cold War and providing the world with a practical example of a practical alternative to Capitalism. An imperial empire spanning two continents.
Some might cite the authoring of the Communist Manifesto- however, that particular book played almost no role in the Revolutions of 1848- and only took off as a worldwide movement/'threat' after the establishment of Leninist Russia and the 3rd International.
Note: These do seem to be remarkably Euro-centric with the exception of 2, 8 and 9 to some degree. Thus, I may have left off notable Asian events. This is due to ignorance, I must admit. However, what also must be acknowledged that it is the West who at one time controlled nearly the entire world due to colonialism and thus the experiences and effects of Western colonialism and imperialism can still be felt in all corners of the world today.
Also notable is that yes, the Chinese did invent paper, but that was done before 1005 CE and is outside the scope of this list. The invention of gunpowder is important, yes, but so is the invention of nuclear weapons, the cannon, and other military advancements that completely altered situations. I tried to keep this list free of inventions save that of those related to learning. Thus, the Printing Press is allowed whereas war-inventions are not.
---
So what do you all think? Comments? Improvements?
-dc
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