A comprehensive timeline of the early modern period (1400–1804), from the Italian Renaissance through the Age of Exploration, Gunpowder Empires, Scientific Revolution, Enlightenment, and Age of Revolutions.
Florence and other Italian city-states lead a cultural revival drawing on classical antiquity.
The beginning of European overseas expansion.
Movable-type printing revolutionizes the spread of knowledge across Europe.
The Ottoman conquest ends the Byzantine Empire and reshapes the eastern Mediterranean.
The voyage that connects the Eastern and Western Hemispheres, initiating the Columbian Exchange.
The first direct sea route from Europe to India reshapes global trade.
Ismail I founds the Safavid Empire and imposes Shi'a Islam as the state religion of Persia.
The Protestant Reformation begins, permanently splitting Western Christianity.
The Ottoman Empire reaches its zenith in territory, law, and culture.
European weapons and disease topple the Aztec Empire.
The Battle of Panipat establishes Mughal rule over northern India.
The heliocentric model challenges 1,400 years of geocentric cosmology.
The Mughal Empire reaches its administrative and cultural peak under Akbar's tolerant rule.
Manchu invaders establish China's last imperial dynasty.
Universal laws of motion and gravitation culminate the Scientific Revolution.
Natural rights theory and government by consent lay the foundation of liberal democracy.
Lockean principles of natural rights justify the American break from Britain.
The French Revolution begins, overthrowing absolute monarchy.
The largest successful slave revolt in history shakes the institution of slavery worldwide.
Haiti becomes the world's first free Black republic.