A Look at the Western History Timeline

Western history timeline covers the main events of the cultural and political development of the western world. It begins in ancient Greece and Rome, where the development of science, philosophy, art, theater, architecture, and democracy set a foundation that was embraced by the Romans and later absorbed and extended by the European powers as they conquered the world. From these roots, western civilization grew to dominate the modern world and to exert major global influence today.

In the Middle Ages, feudalism developed, a system in which lords and vassals were bound by sacred oaths to support each other in times of war. The medieval period also saw the rise of a powerful religion that was dominated by the Catholic Church. A number of wars were fought between the Catholics and Protestants that eventually led to the Thirty Years’ War. The 16th century was a time of exploration and expansion, as European powers raced each other to become the first to reach Asia, Africa, and the Americas. In the process, national boundaries became hardened, creating the countries that we know as France, Spain, England, and so on. It was also a time when the Catholic Church lost much of its influence as the Protestant Reformation gained ground.

The 20th century was a period of two world wars and the invention of totalitarian states. It was a period of economic growth and the development of a global economy, but it was also a period of extreme oppression by dictators (Mussolini, Hitler, Idi Amin, Pol Pot and others). It was a period of great social unrest, including civil rights movements and the fight against global colonialism.

The 21st century has seen the rise of a new kind of imperialism, one that does not seek to dominate the world through trade and military power, but rather by using the force of its economic might to gain political independence for those nations that are not able or willing to compete on their own terms. This type of imperialism is putting unprecedented stress on the planet’s resources and creating the potential for permanent ecosystem damage. As we move into this new era, it is important to remember that Western culture is not limited to Europe and that equally momentous developments have occurred in Africa, Asia, and the Americas. We should also remember that history does not repeat itself, but it often rhymes.