The Growing World From 1550 To 1650 History Essay

The world was growing and changing during the period from 1550 to 1650. Life was growing and changing and so were the people.

There were many famous people that lived during the period from 1550 to 1650. Philip II was one of them. He was the king of Spain and he lived from 1527 to 1598. He was king from 1555 to 1598. Philip II was revolted against in Aragon in 1591 because the people did not like his rule. With all of Philip II’s military campaigns, Spain became bankrupt by 1596. When Philip II died, his empire was divided and in a poor economic situation.

Charles V was emperor of the Holy Roman Empire from 1519 to 1558 and he lived from 1500 to 1558. At the end of Charles V reign, he gave Spain to Philip II and he gave the crown to his brother Ferdinand I who became emperor of the Holy Roman Empire in 1558.

Another famous person that lived during the period from 1550 to 1650 was Maximilian II. He lived from 1527 to 1576 and he, “Was king of Bohemia from 1562, king of Hungary from 1563, and emperor of the Holy Roman Empire from 1564 until his death.” Maximilian II lived when the Ottoman Empire was at its peak, but Maximilian II was unable to fight off the Turks and push them out of Hungary.

Mehmed II also lived during the period from 1550 to 1650. Mehmed III lived from 1566 to 1603 and he was the sultan of the Ottoman Empire. He became sultan in 1595. He was a very religious and sensitive sultan.

There were other events that were happening during the period from 1550 to 1650. One was when Michelangelo died in 1564 and his mortal remains were being fought over. He was first, “Buried in the Church of the Apostle Saints in the presence of the highest dignitaries of the Church and an enormous crowd.” The people erected a tomb for Michelangelo in the basilica of St. Peters. Michelangelo’s body was eventually buried in the Church of St. Croce.

Another event that happened was in 1571. This was when the last guerrilla war was waged by the Incas. Pizarro was the one who beat and conquered him.

Traffic between Spain and its American colonies was expanding during 1500 to 1650. Spain’s galleons were loaded with gold and silver from its American colonies. On the way back to Spain, these galleons were attacked by pirates from France, England, and Holland. Charles V and King Philip II needed the gold and silver to pay for their armies at war.

Italy was in terrible times from 1494 to 1559. Italy was the main place of European war. First, French kings wanted Italy and then Charles V wanted Italy. Wars lasted for 65 years.

The Black Death was also sweeping across Europe during the period from 1550 to 1650. The Black Death was coming and going several times during this period. It killed millions of people all across Europe.

The use of national languages evolved during the period from 1550 to 1650. The Bible in German served as a unifying element for the different Germanic dialects. Tuscan became the model to follow for all Italian writers. The ability to read and write grew tremendously during this time period.

Many things were introduced during the period from 1550 to 1650. Princes and rich noblemen of the Renaissance loved to surround themselves with furniture, ceramics, and ornaments of gold and silver because it displayed wealth, good taste, and knowledge of ancient allegory. Ivory was also introduced during this period from Africa. Italy introduced faience which is a kind of pottery covered with white tin-based enamel and it is decorated in color. The creation of furniture for display also started during the 16th century. For example, they made desks with as many as eight secret drawers.

Family life as we know it today was born in the Renaissance. At first, it only concerned the most privileged classes of society while nothing changed for the less privileged people in the country side to any great extent.

Things were changing for the better and for the worse during the period from 1550 to 1650. We might not be living the same way we are right now if it were not for the Renaissance.

Works Cited

“Maximilian II, Holy Roman Emperor – New World Encyclopedia.” Info:Main Page – New World Encyclopedia. Web. 18 Nov. 2010. <http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Maximilian_II,_Holy_Roman_Emperor>.

Pierre, Michel. The Renaissance. Morristown, NJ: Silver Burdett, 1985. Print.