lxvTimeline of Significant Events
17 THCENTURY1648: The Treaty of Westphalia is signed on October 24, ending the Thirty Years War.
1649: Charles I is executed on January 30.
1670: Britain and the Netherlands conclude a treaty of peace and commerce on July 27.
1689: Britain’s Glorious Revolution results in the abdication of the Catholic king, James II, from the throne, in favor of his Protes-
tant daughter and son-in-law, William and Mary of Orange, who were crowned April 11.
1693: Agreement between the Holy Roman Emperor and his allies for the defense of the middle and lower Rhine signed on Feb-
ruary 14.
1698: France and Sweden form the Defensive League on July 9.
18 THCENTURY1701: Prussia and Brandenburg renew their secret alliance on November 16.
1713: The Treaty of Utrecht, signed April 11, ends the War of the Spanish Succession.
1718: The Quadruple Alliance of 1718 is formed on August 2 to prevent Spain from changing the terms of the Treaty of Utrecht.
1727: Treaty of amity and alliance is signed by Bavaria and France on November 12.
1746: Denmark and Russia renew their treaty of alliance and guarantee on June 10.
1762: Catherine II overthrows her husband, Peter III, to become empress of all the Russias on September 22.
1763: The Treaty of Paris ends the Seven Years War and the French and Indian War on February 10.
1776: The American colonies declare independence from Britain on July 4.
1781: General Cornwallis surrenders to American and French troops at Yorktown on October 19.
1789: The French Revolution commences with the storming of the Bastille on July 14, alarming autocratic powers throughout
Europe.
19 THCENTURY1804: Napoleon is crowned emperor on December 2.
1805: The Battle of Trafalgar is fought on October 21, securing a decisive British victory over allied French and Spanish naval
forces.
1807: The Treaty of Tilsit is signed on July 7, obliging Russia to join Napoleon’s Continental System, which effectively bans trade
with Britain by denying the naval hegemon access to European ports, including those of neutral countries.
1812: Napoleon reaches Moscow on September 14, vacating it on October 19.
1815: Napoleon’s forces are defeated in the Battle of Waterloo on June 18.
The Congress of Vienna is held, establishing the European balance of power following the defeat of Napoleon.
1833: Austria and Russia sign the Treaty of Münchengrátz on September 19 to secure Polish lands.
1838: Victoria is crowned queen on June 28.
1840: The London convention for the pacification of the Levant is signed by Austria, Great Britain, Prussia, and Russia on July 15.