Category Archives: Project 500 Years

Key developments of 1529

Through the first decade of this project, I have been gaining a more robust picture of the ways in which the explosion of “Western” imperial/colonial power upon the world outside Europe was linked to developments inside Europe itself. Case Study #1 for that was of course the synchronicity between Ferdinand and Isabella’s reconquista of the … Continue reading Key developments of 1529

Key developments of 1530

In 1529 CE, we looked at some momentous events inside the European heartland. Today, looking at 1530 CE, some of the most notable strands of the story of the emergence of European-origined imperialisms onto the world scene are developments that happened in the “ROW” (rest of the world): In February, a Spanish conquistador in the … Continue reading Key developments of 1530

Key developments of 1531 (and notes on Spain’s early-16th century empire)

Most of the developments I’m noting from 1531 CE relate to Spain’s still rapidly growing transatlantic empire– see more on this, below. Within Europe during this year, various Catholic-Protestant things were happening, though nothing that stands out. But the first two items here concern two large pre-Western empires in Africa… 1531 saw two large battles … Continue reading Key developments of 1531 (and notes on Spain’s early-16th century empire)

Key developments of 1532, and notes on Portugal’s slavery system in Brazil

Today, looking at 1532 CE, we’ll return to looking more at what the Portuguese Empire was up to worldwide (and especially in Brazil.) But first, a broader look at the main events that impacted the continuing development of the “West’s” domination of the world: In January, São Vicente was established as the first permanent Portuguese … Continue reading Key developments of 1532, and notes on Portugal’s slavery system in Brazil

Key developments of 1533

Perhaps because of the bias of English-Wikipedia’s editors, their list of the notable events of 1533 CE seems dominated by details in the English monarch’s moves against Papal authority. England’s emergence as an aspirant to global-imperial power will come along some time later but one of its key roots undoubtedly lay in Henry VIII’s leading … Continue reading Key developments of 1533

Key developments of 1534

1534 CE was a pretty interesting interesting year in the development of European-origined imperialism. Scroll on down for a quick visit to the history of printing. But here were the main global-political events of the year: In March, Portugal’s King John II established the first system to organize and promote permanent settlement and control in … Continue reading Key developments of 1534

Key developments of 1535

So 1535 CE was another busy year in the emergence of European-origined empires: Spanish conquistadores in “the New World” founded the settler-city today known as Lima, Peru and imprisoned the Inca leader they had installed as their puppet in the country just a year or so earlier. But in Yucatán, the fierce resistance of the … Continue reading Key developments of 1535

Key developments of 1536

The main themes of 1536 CE that had a bearing on the continuing emergence of European-origined empires were as follows: In January, the Spanish-backed Franciscans established the Colegio de Santa Cruz de Tlatelolco, in Mexico City. It was described as “the oldest European school of higher learning in the Americas.” The Franciscans, it turns out, … Continue reading Key developments of 1536

Key developments of 1537

Lots of things going on in 1537 CE, both in the Americas and in the empire-builders’ European heartland: In both Norway and England, attempted counter-revolutions by local Catholic forces were crushed, and the state’s Dissolution of the Monasteries continued in both both countries. Quite a lot going on in Peru. The Incan emperor Manco Inca … Continue reading Key developments of 1537