The Second Millenium

[Vince53]

On October 12, 1492, Christopher Columbus discovers America.

Actually, he discovered a group of islands in the Caribbean Sea that are south of the US and east of Mexico. Insisting that he is in the East Indies, Columbus dubs the Native Americans "Indians," and the name has stuck.

Using a collection of maps from previous navigators, Columbus had badly underestimated the size of the earth, due to translation problems with distance records. He believed the commonly-held view that Asia extended much further to the east than it actually did, and he believed that Japan was much further from the Asian mainland than it actually was. Like most educated people, however, he had known that the world was round.

On his first day in America, Columbus noted that the Indians would make good slaves. He had a royal commission from Spain, making him governor of all new lands he discovered, granting him 10% of the wealth discovered in these lands "in perpetuity," and naming his "Admiral of the Ocean." Seeing gold earrings on some Indians, he imprisoned them, hoping to find their gold mine. Columbus, Spain,and the Catholic Church would all justify their brutalization of the peaceful Indians because it spread Catholicism.

Sailing on, he landed in Cuba and insisted that it was part of Japan. After discovering a variety of inhabited islands, he returned to Spain. Later, he would lead three more expeditions to the Americas, still insisting that it was Asia.


Spain realized that they had signed away too much wealth to Columbus and his descendents and began cutting back. He sued and actually won some court victories. In 1500, Spain removed him as governor and he was even briefly imprisoned. It is not true that he was arrested for mistreating the Indians, as the slavery system he introduced had the approval of the Spanish government.

As propaganda, the British downplayed Columbus while exalting John Cabot, a later explorer. The US responded by glorifying Columbus. As the centuries rolled by, however, reality set in. Columbus Day is no longer an American holiday, and most Americans recognize Columbus as a great man, but not a good man.

 

[Vince53]

There's a whole new world out there (Well, two continents) in 1493.

Sicily expels all Jews. There might have been 137,000 of them

A successful Christopher Columbus returns to Spain with two of his three ships (one had run aground). Less than two months later, Pope Alexander VI declares all lands west of the Azores to be Spanish possessions. The vaguely-worded Papal decree might only have intended to make the Spanish conquests lawful. Spain, however, interpreted it to mean that no other nation could claim any of these lands. To be fair, Columbus had only discovered a group of islands, and no one realized that there were two continents out there.

Leading a second voyage, Columbus lands in Puerto Rico. The Spanish soon enslave the local Taino Indians, and by accidentally introducing infectious diseases, virtually exterminate them over the next few decades. Spain manages to hold onto Puerto Rico against the Dutch, French, and English, before losing it to the US in 1898.

 

[Vince53]

Never before has it been 1494.

Returning to Cuba, Christopher Columbus explores its southern coast.

England orders the Irish Parliament not to pass any laws without England's consent.


Columbus discovers Jamaica. Britain later seizes it, and today its Black majority population is the third most populated English speaking nation in the Americas. It became independent in 1962.

Meanwhile, in Tenerife, one of the Canary Islands off the west coast of Africa, the local chief resists Spanish conquerors. His forces kill about 950 men in a Spanish army of 1150 and the island briefly retains its independence. But the Spanish soon return and conquer them. However, it is the bloodiest single defeat Spain took in its expansion. Tenerife is part of Spain today.

A hurricane strikes the Spanish settlements in America. It is the first known case of Europeans observing a hurricane.

France invades Italy and captures Florence.

Na'od begins his unhappy fourteen year reign as Emperor of Ethiopia. With his kingdom gripped by internal dissent, he begins constructing a cathedral which his son will finish. Na'od is later killed battling the Moslems.

 

[Vince53]

Welcome to 1495.

Manuel the Fortunate begins his 26 year reign as King of Portugal. Under his successful leadership, Portugal will establish an empire, and arts and trade will flourish. He will rigorously force Jews to convert to Catholicism while trying not to kill them. When rioters kill thousands of suspected Jews, he executes their leaders.

France captures Naples and then defeats a Spanish army sent to help the Italians. And doctors record the first known case of syphilis among the French invaders.

Scotland founds the first English-speaking medical college.

 

[Vince53]

1496

Portugal expels all Jews.

England authorizes John Cabot to sail west and discover new lands.

Bartholomew Columbus, younger brother of Christopher, founds the city of Santo Domingo. It will eventually become the capital of the Spanish Empire in the Americas. Changing hands several times, this major seaport is the most-populated city in the Caribbean, and today is the capital of the Dominican Republic.

Scotland invades England.

 

[Vince53]

1497 is a big year.

All of Ireland is struck by famine.

The Italian navigator John Cabot, who is working for England, lands in Newfoundland, off Canada's east coast. The shortest route from Europe to North America goes across the Arctic, but it is frozen all year. The shortest possible sailing route will usually land you in Newfoundland, which is now part of Canada. The legendary Irish monk, Brendon the Navigator, had already landed in Newfoundland eight and a half centuries earlier.


"The Bonfire of the Vanities" takes place in Florence. The legendary and controversial Catholic reformer, Savonarola, leads thousands of followers in a public burning of immoral objects such as cosmetics, mirrors, and books. Preaching strongly against the corruption of the Catholic Church, he is excommunicated a few months later.


Savonarola made major prophecies about a glorified republic that never came to pass. He was a champion of honest government and religion, and a defender of the poor. He never left the Catholic Church, which will execute him next year.


Catholic monarchs invent the peso, a copper coin that will become the major European and American currency for the next three centuries.

 

[Vince53]

It's not to late for 1498!

He started last year, but Portuguese explorer Vasco de Gama reaches India--by sailing around Africa. By finding this trade route, the Portuguese avoid the problem of having to travel through Turkish lands to trade with India.

On his third voyage, Christopher Columbus discovers South America. Meanwhile, Portuguese explorers land in Canada.

Leonardo da Vinci completes "The Last Supper." He painted it on the wall of the dining room of a Dominican convent and church. Despite being hit by Allied bombs in World War 2, the building still stands and is still in use.

 

[Vince53]

1499 is a bad year for the Holy Roman Empire. They send a 16,000 man army to invade Switzerland, and 6,000 Swiss respond. The Empire's troops decide to take a bath, and the Swiss catch them by surprise. After heavy losses on both sides, the Empire's troops flee, and Switzerland is now independent of the Holy Roman Empire.

You should understand that the Holy Roman Empire had been falling apart for centuries. Italian city-states had their own armies and navies while still pretending to be part of the Empire. Nations of central and eastern Europe fought each other and signed treaties while pretending to be part of the Empire.

Speaking of Italian city-states, the Turkish navy deals the Venetian navy a major defeat off Italy's southern coast. But the victorious Turks still have to withdraw after the battle.

A voyage that included Amerigo Vespucci discovers the largest lake in South America. Vespucci was a brilliant Italian financier employed by Spain. He had helped Spain break their monopoly agreement with Christopher Columbus and had played a major role in breaking the corrupt monopolies of the Medici Family. Traveling as an observer with various Spanish fleets sent to the New World, he was the first person to realize that South America is not part of Asia. His observbations and writings later proved that all of these new discoveries were part of a "New World," and "America" is named after him.

The first French dictionary is published.

 

[Vince53]

The Sixteenth Century just sailed into port. And we just passed over 5,000 "views" of this thread. I want to thank our loyal readers and remind you that you are allowed to post on this thread as well.



Welcome to the Sixteenth Century.

The two greatest events of the Sixteenth Century are the Protestant Reformation and the expansion of European power into the rest of the world.

Rife with wealth and corruption, Catholicism will never recover from the resurgence of the Biblical doctrine of justification by faith. Not all Protestants were Godly about it, though; by weakening the power of the Catholic Church, rulers could keep more of their national wealth. And by seizing the vast lands of the Catholic Church, nations could increase their own power.

Spain and Portugal will take the lead in conquering the mostly-peaceful American Indians, opening trade routes to Asia, and establishing Asian and African colonies.

Busy with conquering peaceful Indians, Europe usually leaves the Ottoman Empire alone, as it continues to expand further east into Asia and into north Africa.

Conflicts develop over the scientific belief that the Sun is the center of the universe (actually, it is only the center of the solar system, but that came later) vs. the teachings of Thomas Aquinas that the Earth is the center of the universe. So what? Thomas Aquinas had written many of the doctrines of the Catholic Church, and proving him wrong in one area challenged his authority in others.

In the southeastern United States, the Mississippian Culture disappears. A combination of drought and cold weather weakened them into collapsing into separate cultures. Possibly the first American civilization, it had flourished in its last seven centuries of existence.

 

[Vince53]

And now, welcome to the year 1500 itself.

In Greenland, the surviving descendents of the Viking settlers neatly pack their things and join the Innuit (Eskimos). They blend in and disappear. Two centuries later, Denmark will send an expedition to find out what happened to them. The Danes inform the small number of Innuit that they are part of the Danish Empire, treat them kindly, and later annex Greenland. Greenland today is part of the nation of Denmark.

Victorious French invaders had captured Milan last year. This year, they are briefly driven out but soon return.

Portugal formally claims Brazil. Although independent today, Brazil still speaks Portuguese, while most of Latin America speaks Spanish.

Russia wins such a massive victory over Lithuanian invaders that Lithuania has never recovered.

Turkey defeat Venice in another naval battle and seizes two Venetian strongholds in Greece.

The population of Europe is estimated to be be 56.7 million.

The last wild wolf is England is killed.

Go-Kashiwabara begins his 26 year reign as Emperor of Japan. Japan is impoverished by civil war, but the new Emperor manages to hold the nation together. His opponents dwindle away for lack of funds.

 

[Vince53]

1501 is a big year for rulers.

Ismail I becomes Shah of Iran. His dynasty will rule until 1736, expanding into one of the world's most powerful nations. He forces his entire territory to convert to Shi'ite Islam under penalty of death. Later, his Empire will include all of Iran, Azerbaijan and Armenia, most of Georgia, the Caucasus, Iraq, Kuwait, and Afghanistan, as well as parts of modern day Syria, Turkey, Pakistan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan. Ismail himself will die of alcoholism in 1526.

The son of Pope Alexander VI stages an orgy at the Papal palace, with the Pope in attendance.

Arthur, Prince of Wales, is the older brother of Henry VIII. He marries Catherine of Aragon, daughter of Spain's King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella. Arthur was the legitimate Heir to the Throne of England from both the House of Tudor and the House of York, and his birth had symbolized the end of the War of the Roses. His marriage was designed to form an alliance with Spain, but Arthur dies next year.

Amerigo Vespucci maps several stars which cannot be seen in Europe.

 

[Vince53]

I hope you enjoy 1502.

On his fourth voyage to the New World, Christopher Columbus discovers Central America. This narrow strip of land (which is part of North America) connects the two American continents.

The first Black African slaves arrive in America. They are brought to Hispaniola, a large island that is divided today between the Dominican Republic and Haiti. Both nations are predominantly Black today.

Montezuma (He Who is Angry in a Noble Manner) begins his legendary 18 year reign over the Aztecs. As ruler, he expanded the Aztec Empire to its greatest size, and he greeted the Spanish courteously. Montezuma hosted the Spanish in his capital for several months before the Aztecs rebelled. Conflicting reports say that the Spanish murdered him, or that his people stoned him while he was pleading with them to submit to the Spanish.

You never heard of Peter Henlein? Why, you're probably wearing his invention right now. He invented the watch, although it was worn around the neck because it was too big to go around your wrist.

Asher Lemmlein was a German Jew who announced that he was the forerunner of the Messiah. He announced that the Messiah was would be coming to Italy within six months. His popular message spread through Germany and Italy and even brought Catholics to repentance. And then he disappeared without a trace.

Henry VIII, whose nickname is "Harry," becomes Prince of Wales and heir to the Throne of England. He has many distinctions, including being the only man to have the Devil named after him. "Old Harry" is still a nickname for Satan in parts of England.

 

[Vince53]

1503 is a bad year for choosing Popes.

Pius III serves 26 days as Pope before dying of natural causes. A compromise candidate between two powerful factions, he was chosen because he was regarded as a weakling.
He is succeeded by Julius II, who reigns for ten years as "The Fearsome Pope." A vigorous patron of the arts, he hires Michaelangelo to paint the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, producing one of the world's greatest masterpieces.
One of Julius's first moves is to grant England's King Henry VIII a dispensation to marry his brother's widow (who claimed that their mariage was never consummated). Twenty years later, this will lead to the English Reformation and formation of the Anglican Church.
Julius moves powerfully to break the temporal power of the Borgia Family over the Papal States. He next drives the various Italian city-states out of papal territory (usually through diplomacy and threats of excommunication). He manages to unite with some of his rivals, including foreign enemies, and drives Venice out of the Papal territories that Venice had refused to leave.
He founds the Swiss Guards (bodyguards to the Pope) and imagining himself to be the Emperor of Rome, seeks to unite Italy as one nation again. Although he forms successful alliances that drive the French out of Italy, his allies are in no hurry to give up the territory they have captured. However, they leave the papal States independent, and Julius is regarded as a very successful Pope.

 

[Vince53]

We have returned to 1503.

During France's invasion of Italy, a drunken French knight insulted the courage of the Italians. Therefor, a duel was arranged between thirteen Italian knights vs. 13 French knights. The Italians won, got to keep the horses and weapons of the French knights, and were paid a ransom to release the French knights.

Meanwhile, A Spanish army sent to Southern Italy defeats a larger French army that is already there.

England and Scotland sign the Treaty of Everlasting Peace. It lasts ten years.

Pluto moves outside the orbit of Neptune, where it will stay for another 233 years.

James IV, King of Scotland, marries Margaret Tudor, the daughter of Henry VII, King of England. This will later produce an heir to the Thrones of both kingdoms.

Leonardo da Vince begins painting the Mona Lisa.

A fortune in gold and silver arrives in Spain from the New World, and this will continue until 1650.

 

[Vince53]

!504 is a really bad year for France. They are forced to yield captured territory in Italy to Spain, including Naples. Spain's King Ferdinand is now King of Naples, Italy.

Over in the New World, native Jamaicans refuse to give supplies to Christopher Columbus. Knowing that a luna eclipse will occur that night, he uses it as a sign to frighten them into submission.

Later this year, Spain's Queen Isabella dies, ending her generous patronage of Columbus.

South of Egypt and north of Ethiopia is a large, miserable, poverty-stricken area known as "The Sudan." This year, the Funj Empire begins, and it will thrive for a centruty and a half, building its financial success on the slave trade. The Funj will actually get successful farming established. Their empire never officially ended, but three centuries later, most of it had voluntarily gone to local leaders. Today, what is left of it is a nation named "The Sudan."

 

[Vince53]

Welcome to 1505!

Already worried about eternity, 22 year old Martin Luther is terrified when he is caught in a furious storm. He promises Saint Anne that if she will rescue him, he will become a monk, and he joins the Augustinian Order a few months later.

Kilwa was a small but very prosperous Moslem kingdom off Africa's east coast. When their ruler rufuses to pay tribute, Portuguese explorers sack the kingdom, kill him, and claim it for Portugal. Seven years later, Arab mercenaries re-seize the island.

A Portuguese fleet attacks some small Moslem kingdoms in Africa and seizes them.

Poland establishes the serf system. Serfs cannot leave their lands and remain subject to their local ruler.

 

[Vince53]

Well, Pilgrim, it's 1506.

Pope Julius II founds the Swiss Guards. Actually, Swiss mercenaries had served in various European courts for some time. You could trust them, because the isolated Swiss had not been able to form alliances with the different European factions. Today, however, the Vatican Swiss Guards are the only unit left. In 1927, Switzerland banned all Swiss from serving in foreign armies, with the Vatican guards being exempted.

At different times, Swiss Guards actually served in front-line combat for various Popes, but today they serve only as bodyguards, palace guards, and the Vatican City military. There are about 135 of them.

Pope Julius II also lays the foundation stone of today's Saint Peter's Basilica. And, several months later, the Pope personally leads troops in recapturing Bologna, Italy, from its excommunicated tyrant.

 

[Vince53]

1507 has just shown up.

What? You've never heard of Martin Waldseemuller? He produces a world map showing the New World as a separate continent. He names the new world "America."

Martin Luther is ordained as a Catholic priest.

About this time, the Sikh religion is established in India. Today it is the fifth largest religion in the world, with about 30 million members.

Portugal conquerts Mozambique on Africa's southeastern coast. It regains its independence 470 years later, descends into a chaotic civil war, and is currently a stable democracy.

 

[Vince53]

I can't wait for 1508!

Portugal begins colonizing Mozambique, which it had conquered last year.

Not too Smart--the Holy Roman Empire attacks Venice. Venice beats them so badly that the Empire is forced to cede territory to the Venetians.

"To Whom Lions Bow" begins his 32 year reign as Emperor of Ethiopia. With help from the Ottoman Empire, African Moslems will pillage and devastate Ethiopia for decades. Help from Portugal will arrive just after the Emperor's death, but his son will successfully recover much of Ethiopia's territory.

Michelangelo begins painting the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, producing one of the world's great masterpieces.

 

[Vince53]

It 1509 this year.

You never heard of the Battle of Diu, but it is one of the ost important naval batles in history. Portugal was getting too powerful, and the time had come to stop them. The Ottoman Turks, the Egyptians, the Indians, the Venetians, and some small Moslem nations assembled a joint fleet off the coast of India. Portugal, however, gives them a beating and rapidly seizes various coastal cities in India. For the next century, Portugal will have the mightiest empire in the world.

Henry VIII becomes King of England and quickly marries Catherine of Aragon, his brother's widow.

It's bad enough that Venice lost a major naval battle with its Moslem and Hindu allies. Now it gets beaten by an army of French mercenaries who have invaded Italy.

About 10,000 people are killed in a massive Turkish earthquake.