Historical Concepts and Events

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Revolution

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A fundamental change in political power or organizational structures that takes place in a relatively short period of time.

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Reformation

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A movement in the 16th century to reform the Catholic Church in Western Europe, leading to the establishment of Protestant churches.

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Counter-reformation

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The period of Catholic revival beginning with the Council of Trent (1545–1563) and ending at the close of the Thirty Years' War (1648).

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Inquisition

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A group of institutions within the Catholic Church whose aim was to combat heresy.

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Renaissance

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A period in European history marking the transition from the Middle Ages to modernity and covering the 15th and 16th centuries.

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Enlightenment

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An intellectual and philosophical movement that dominated the world of ideas in Europe during the 18th century.

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Printing Press

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A device for applying pressure to an inked surface resting upon a print medium, thereby transferring the ink.

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Treaty of Tordesillas

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An agreement between Portugal and Spain, dividing the newly discovered lands outside Europe.

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Columbian Exchange

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The widespread transfer of plants, animals, culture, human populations, technology, and ideas between the Americas and the Old World.

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Middle Passage

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The stage of the triangular trade in which millions of Africans were forcibly transported to the New World as part of the Atlantic slave trade.