Monthly Archives: February 2021

1579: Sokollu Mehmed Pasha & the Ottoman way of ruling

The biggest– or at least, the most interesting– thing that happened in world history in 1579 CE was the assassination by hands unknown of Sokollu Mehmed Pasha, the super-wily official who had been Grand Vizier of the Ottoman Empire since 1565. This fact prompted me to delve into Sokollu Mehmed’s biography on English-WP, where the … Continue reading 1579: Sokollu Mehmed Pasha & the Ottoman way of ruling

1578: Portugal, Ottomans, Safavids, English…

Here’s 1578 CE, the headlines then the stories: Portugal’s king dies in battle; succession chaos unfolds Ottomans start lengthy war against Safavids Explorers Humphrey Gilbert, Walter Raleigh set out from Plymouth Portugal’s king dies in battle; succession chaos unfolds Portugal’s King Sebastian had assumed the throne in 1557, aged three; and obviously the country had … Continue reading 1578: Portugal, Ottomans, Safavids, English…

1577: Queen Elizabeth “explores” empire-building

The major developments of world-historical importance in 1577 CE stemmed from the decisions England’s Queen Elizabeth I made to support two significant– and, she must have hoped, potentially very profitable– transoceanic “voyages of exploration”. By this time, Elizabeth had been on the throne for 19 years. She had done well consolidating her rule at home. … Continue reading 1577: Queen Elizabeth “explores” empire-building

Key developments of 1575

I’ll start with a couple of short items about the state of the world in 1575 CE, then move to the main action, which concerned the still-growing Mughal Empire. (Of course, in Europe meantime, numerous Catholic-Protestant battles, etc, were going on.) Iberian conquistadors consolidate rule in Americas, West Africa In “New Spain”, the Spanish settlers … Continue reading Key developments of 1575

Key developments of 1574 (mainly, Ottoman)

All the usual things were happening in the world of 1574 CE: Mughal Emperor Akbar consolidating his growing territories; Protestants and Catholics contending over broad areas of Europe; Portuguese and Spanish conquistadors doing their transnational thing, and so on. The main development of world-historical importance that year, however, was the Ottoman navy’s final conquest of … Continue reading Key developments of 1574 (mainly, Ottoman)

Key developments of 1573

Here they are: Akbar takes Gujarat for the Mughals Spanish ship full of S. American silver reaches Manila Ottomans and Venetians conclude peace treaty Maldivian nationalists expel Portuguese Wars of religion (still) in France and Netherlands; News of women’s role in defense of Haarlem Spanish conquistadors establish new cities in today’s Peru, Argentina Akbar takes … Continue reading Key developments of 1573

Key developments of 1572

Here were the main developments of world-historical impact that happened in 1572 CE: Protestant “Sea Beggars” in Netherlands establish first land base in Brielle China’s Longqing Emperor dies; experienced Mandarin oversees succession Ivan the Terrible routs the Tartar-Ottoman invaders Yet another War of Religion in France Conquistador capture of Túpac Amaru ends the Neo-Inca State … Continue reading Key developments of 1572