Europe and Russia Shaped by History

The Prince of Moscow grew rich and powerful by making deals with the Mongolians and slowly became the strongest ruler in the region.

By 1400 A.D. a new way of life centered around cities had begun to develop around Europe. Trade increased, towns grew into cities, Christianity rose, and there were more opportunities.

In the 1400s, Portuguese travelled along the western coast of Africa. During their journey they started to trade gold, ivory, and slaves which became very profitable.

Around 1450, an important invention known as the printing press was invented in Germany. Before printed books, books were copied by hand which took a very long time. The printing press allowed more quantities of books and increased the ability of people to read and write

In 1492 a big and profitable discovery was made, while searching for a shortcut to the Indian Ocean spice trade, Christopher Columbus landed in the Americas.

In 1500s, a period known as the Renaissance, or the rebirth of interest in learning and art reached its peak. The people during this time relooked at the ideas and culture of the Greeks and the Romans.

The period in European history from the 1600s to the 1700s can be called as the Age of Monarch . During this time, many European monarchs exerted great power over their subjects. This time period can also be called the Age of Revolution which was the beginning of modern age science and democracy.

By 1600, many European Nations began following the policy of imperialism which is to take over other countries and turn them into colonies.

By the 1600s, France, England, and the Netherlands, took a growing share of riches to be gained from overseas trade and settlement.

From 1643 to 1751, one of Europe's most powerful kings was the king of France, king Louis XIV.

Until the late 1700s, nearly all goods were made by hand. People made what they needed,or bought if from a crafts-person. The Industrial Revolution changed it all as it changed the way goods were made and the way people live.

In1776, 13 of the colonies ( a territory ruled by another nation) rebelled against the British king because they felt that the laws applied to them was unfair. The colonists defeated the British and formed an independent nation of United States

In 1789, 13 years after the American declared their independence, the French people used extreme violence to overthrow their government, in the name of freedom and brotherhood. The French Revolution gave new ideas about political and economical change.

Catherine the Great ruled the Russian court and died in 1796

The late 1800s were called the Age of Imperialism. During that time, the nations of Belgium, France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Great Britain, and Germany colonized most of Africa, most of Southeast Asia, and many South Pacific Islands.

Destructive nationalism played a part in causing two world wars and the death of millions of people during 1900-1950.

Since Great Britain's factories were so successful, business people began to build factories. By 1900, factories produced many of the goods made in the United States and Western Europe. Governments also began passing laws to protect workers.

During 1990, people of Europe were filled with Nationalism which is pride of their countries.

Twelve countries had adopted the euro. Denmark, Sweden, and the United Kingdom chose not to.