My epic padlet by MASON MUMFORD

The Renaissance Begins

masonm2026 — 2024-05-17 15:05:22 UTC

In the 1400s, Europeans return to the ideas of classical antiquity. Humanism becomes popular. Art and science flourishes. It lasted until the Reformation in the 1600s, but its effects are still felt today.

Printing Emerges

masonm2026 — 2024-05-17 15:10:46 UTC

Johannes Gutenberg, in 1440, invented the printing press. While printing existed before, the press allowed it to be done in mass. Now, it was profitable to sell books. The first book he printed in mass was the Bible.

Luther Teaches

masonm2026 — 2024-05-17 15:19:00 UTC

In the 1500s, a priest named Martin Luther is dissatisfied with the Roman Catholic Church. He thinks indulgences are a scam. He leads an entire sect away from the Church with teachings of sola scriptura and antisacerdotalism. He translates the Bible to German, helping the laity.

Polo Travels

masonm2026 — 2024-05-17 15:25:32 UTC

Europe feels cramped after the Renaissance. Interest spreads in exploration, over land and sea. There is much money to be made, fame to be had, and natives to convert. When Marco Polo travelled into Asia in 1270 and chronicled it in The Travels of Marco Polo, the urge to explore reached a fever pitch. It is no coincidence that European governments start colonies immediately after.

Africa Gets Rich

masonm2026 — 2024-05-17 15:31:36 UTC

There is labor to be done. No shortage of laborers are found in Africa. In the 1500s, African slave traders begin selling to traveling Europeans. Slave labor is quite economical; it comes as no surprise that Europe and America snap up about 12 million Africans before the end of the slave trade.

England Stands Divided

masonm2026 — 2024-05-20 13:38:59 UTC

When Charles I tries to dissolve parliament, they pass the 19 Propositions. Now, both claim supreme authority over England. The royalist Cavaliers and democratic Roundheads war; the Roundheads win and execute Charles. Eventually, Charles II is installed, but he possesses no power.

England Needs an Assist

masonm2026 — 2024-05-20 13:43:13 UTC

James II tries to disregard Parliament and recreate absolute monarchy. Parliament nicely asks the Netherlands to invade; they oblige. Later, Parliament codifies their constitutional rights.

A Colony Revolts

masonm2026 — 2024-05-20 13:50:25 UTC

An English colony in America is dissatisfied with crown rule and revolts. They proclaim a constitutional republic. Eventually they win after 7 years. America uses the industrial power of slavery to catapult their economy forward in mere decades.

The French are Poor

masonm2026 — 2024-05-20 13:54:31 UTC

After the American Revolution, the French are inspired. They are very poor, yet the royals are conspicuously wealthy. The royals are executed. Unfortunately they execute too many people, and it becomes unpopular. A strong leader named Napoleon is then elected; he fends off attacks from royal countries.

Industry Rises

masonm2026 — 2024-05-20 14:04:33 UTC

People realize machines can make stuff much faster than people. We then see an explosive growth in economic output, followed by a similar growth in quality of life and wealth. Additionally, trade becomes a lucrative activity.

Africa's Got Gold

masonm2026 — 2024-05-20 14:12:47 UTC

European countries discover valuable resources in Africa. Suddenly, they scramble to set up colonies. In the end, the British and French possess most of the continent. The locals are not treated well by the colonial government.

War in Europe

masonm2026 — 2024-05-20 14:19:42 UTC

A Serbian killed an Austrian duke, causing war between the two. Germany allied with Austria, while Russia allied with Serbia. Germany went to war with Russia. France allied with Russia, so Germany went to war with France. Belgium got in the way. Britain is allied with Belgium and so goes to war with Germany.

Another War in Europe

masonm2026 — 2024-05-20 14:23:38 UTC

Germany elects a strong leader, who decides to annex land with German majorities. Europe ignores this. Then Germany decides to take the rest of Europe, alongside Italy. They do. The Soviets fight them. The US ignores this, but Germany's friend Japan pokes the US. The US destroys Germany and Japan.

A New Bomb

masonm2026 — 2024-05-20 14:27:33 UTC

In the fight against Japan, the US has developed a new type of bomb. When a large amount of fissile material suddenly reaches a critical mass, a large amount of energy is released. The US enriches some uranium and makes one bomb. They put some uranium in a reactor to make some plutonium, with which they make another bomb. Both are dropped. 200,000 people die.

Two Wars Later

masonm2026 — 2024-05-20 14:31:42 UTC

Europe is weak now. The Soviets and the US remain. Both try to persuade states to their "side". Just to prevent idiot Europeans from starting another war, the US creates the League of Nations. It has been 80 years and no war has broken out.