British History Timeline Quiz

Early Britain

• The Neolithic people were the first invaders of Britain, arriving around 3000 BC from Europe, probably from the Spanish peninsula or North Africa.
• They settled in the Western parts of Britain and Ireland, kept animals, grew crops, and made pottery.
• They were small, dark, and long-headed people, and are most likely the forefathers of the dark-haired inhabitants of Wales and Cornwall today.

Henges

• After 3000 BC, people started building "henges" - circles of earth banks and ditches - in which they built wooden buildings and stone circles.
• These were centers of religious, economic, and political power.
• The most famous one is Stonehenge.

Beaker People (Bronze Age)

• Around 2400 BC, new groups of people arrived in southeast Britain from Europe - the Beaker people.
• They were round-headed, strongly built, and taller than the Neolithic people.
• It's unknown if they invaded or were invited because of their military or metalworking skills.
• They became leaders of British society.
• Their arrival is marked by the first individual graves fitted with pottery beakers, hence their name.

Celts (Iron Age)

• The Celts arrived around 700 BC.
• They were tall, had red or fair hair and blue eyes, and most likely came from central Europe or further east from southern Russia.
• They knew how to work with iron and make better weapons than those made of bronze.
• They continued to arrive in waves for the next 700 years and dominated the lowland areas of Britain.

Druids

• The Celts were organized into different tribes, which were ruled over by a warrior class of which priests named Druids were important members.
• Their type of worship included human sacrifice (700 BC).

Roman Occupation

• Britain was occupied by Romans from 43 to 409 CE.
• The Romans conquered the whole south of Britain, but a symbol of resilience, strength, and hope.

Important Dates in English-Speaking World's History

• 5: 43 CE: Roman Invasion of Britain
• 5: 430 CE: Anglo-Saxon Invasion of Britain
• 5: 865 CE: First Viking Invasions of Britain
• 5: 1066 CE: Battle of Hastings
• 5: 1215 CE: Magna Carta
• 5: 1337 CE: Start of the Hundred Years' War
• 5: 1348 CE: Black Death
• 5: 1455 CE: War of the Roses
• 5: 1492 CE: "Discovery" of the Americas
• 5: 1534 CE: Establishment of the Church of England
• 5: 1620 CE: Puritan colonization of America
• 5: 1760 CE: Start of the Industrial Revolution
• 5: 1776 CE: American Declaration of Independence
• 5: 1789 CE: French Revolution
• 5: 1815 CE: Battle of Waterloo
• 5: 1837 CE: Start of Queen Victoria's reign
• 5: 1861 CE: Start of the American Civil War
• 5: 1914 CE: Start of World War I
• 5: 1929 CE: Wall Street crash (Black Tuesday)
• 5: 1940 CE: Start of World War II
• 5: 1945 CE: First detonation of a nuclear device
• 5: 1947 CE: Independence of India and Pakistan
• 5: 1962 CE: Cuban Missile Crisis
• 5: 1979 CE: Election of Thatcher as PM
• 5: 2013 CE: Completion of Freedom Tower

Early Britain

• The first invaders of Britain were the Neolithic people, who arrived around 3000 BC from Europe, possibly from the Spanish peninsula or North Africa.
• They were small, dark, and long-headed people, who kept animals, grew crops, and made pottery.
• They settled in the Western parts of Britain and Ireland, and are likely the forefathers of the dark-haired inhabitants of Wales and Cornwall today.

Henges

• After 3000 BC, people started building "henges" - circles of earth banks and ditches in which they built wooden buildings and stone circles.
• These were centers of religious, economic, and political power, with the most famous one being Stonehenge.

Beaker (Bronze Age) People

• Around 2400 BC, new groups of people arrived in southeast Britain from Europe - the Beaker people.
• They were round-headed, strongly built, and taller than the Neolithic people.
• It's unknown if they invaded or were invited due to their military or metalworking skills, but they became leaders of British society.

Celts (Iron Age)

• The Celts arrived around 700 BC from central Europe or further east from southern Russia.
• They were tall, had red or fair hair and blue eyes, and knew how to work with iron and make better weapons than the ones made out of bronze.
• They continued to arrive in waves for the next 700 years and dominated the lowland areas of Britain.

Druids

• The Celts were organized into different tribes, ruled over by a warrior class of which priests named Druids were important members.
• Their type of worship included human sacrifice (700 BC).

Roman Occupation

• Britain was occupied by Romans from AD 43 to AD 409.
• The Romans conquered the whole south of Britain, but a symbol of resilience, strength, and hope.

Anglo-Saxon Invasion

• In 430 CE, the Anglo-Saxon invasion refers to the arrival of Germanic tribes from regions such as modern-day Denmark and Germany, known as the Anglo-Saxons, to Britain.
• These tribes gradually migrated and settled in various parts of Britain, displacing the Romano-British population and establishing their own kingdoms.

Viking Invasions

• In 865 CE, the first Viking invasions of Britain occurred.
• The Vikings raided all the monasteries, forced the Irish to untie, and their trade led to the first towns and ports in Ireland, with Dublin being founded by the Vikings.

Battle of Hastings

• At the Battle of Hastings on October 14, 1066, King Harold II of England was defeated by the invading Norman forces of William the Conqueror.
• By the end of the bloody, all-day battle, Harold was dead and his forces were destroyed.
• Harold was the last Anglo-Saxon king of England, and the battle changed the course of history and established the French-speaking Neolithic people as the new rulers of England.

Magna Carta

• Magna Carta was issued in June 1215 and was the first document to put into writing the principle that the king and his government were not above the law.
• It sought to prevent the king from exploiting his power, and placed limits on royal authority by establishing law as a power in itself.

Hundred Years' War

• The Hundred Years' War was a conflict between the monarchs of France and England.
• Starting in 1337 and not finally ending until 1453, the war lasted for 116 years, albeit not with continuous fighting but also long periods of peace included.

Black Death

• The catastrophic plague known as the Black Death hit Europe in 1348 and swept through the continent rapidly.
• It would eventually kill between a third and half of the population, sparking off a chain of events that would change the position of the peasant in England forever.

War of the Roses

• Series of dynastic civil wars between the houses of Lancaster and York for the English throne.

Other Important Dates

• 43 CE: Roman Invasion of Britain
• 430 CE: Anglo-Saxon Invasion of Britain
• 865 CE: First Viking Invasions of Britain
• 1066 CE: Battle of Hastings
• 1215 CE: Magna Carta
• 1337 CE: Start of the Hundred Years' War
• 1348 CE: Black Death
• 1455 CE: War of the Roses
• 1492 CE: "Discovery" of the Americas
• 1534 CE: Establishment of the Church of England
• 1620 CE: Puritan colonization of America
• 1760 CE: Start of the Industrial Revolution
• 1776 CE: American Declaration of Independence
• 1789 CE: French Revolution
• 1815 CE: Battle of Waterloo
• 1837 CE: Start of the reign of Queen Victoria
• 1861 CE: Start of the American Civil War
• 1914 CE: Start of WWI
• 1929 CE: Wall Street crash (Black Tuesday)
• 1940 CE: Start of WWII
• 1945 CE: First detonation of a nuclear device
• 1947 CE: Independence of India and Pakistan
• 1962 CE: Cuban Missile Crisis
• 1979 CE: Election of Thatcher as PM
• 2013 CE: Completion of the Freedom Tower

Early British History

• The Neolithic people were the first invaders of Britain, arriving around 3000 BC; they brought agriculture, domesticated animals, and pottery.
• They were small, dark-haired, and long-headed; likely the forefathers of the dark-haired inhabitants of Wales and Cornwall today.

Roman Invasion and Occupation

• The Romans occupied Britain from 43 CE to 409 CE.
• Hadrian's Wall was built during this period, marking the northern boundary of the Roman Empire.

Anglo-Saxon Invasion

• The Anglo-Saxon invasion occurred in 430 CE, with Germanic tribes migrating from modern-day Denmark and Germany.

Viking Invasions

• The first Viking invasions occurred in 865 CE.
• The Vikings raided monasteries, forced the Irish to untie, and established trade, leading to the first towns and ports in Ireland.

Battle of Hastings

• The Battle of Hastings took place on October 14, 1066, marking the end of Anglo-Saxon rule and the beginning of Norman rule in England.

Magna Carta

• The Magna Carta was issued in June 1215, establishing the principle that the king and his government are not above the law.

Hundred Years' War

• The Hundred Years' War lasted from 1337 to 1453, a conflict between the monarchs of France and England.

Black Death

• The Black Death hit Europe in 1348, killing between a third and half of the population, leading to significant social and economic changes.

War of the Roses

• The War of the Roses was a series of dynastic civil wars between the houses of Lancaster and York for the English throne.

Other Key Events and Dates

• 1492 CE: Christopher Columbus "discovers" the Americas.
• 1534 CE: Establishment of the Church of England.
• 1620 CE: Puritan colonization of America.
• 1760 CE: Start of the Industrial Revolution.
• 1776 CE: American Declaration of Independence.
• 1789 CE: French Revolution.
• 1815 CE: Battle of Waterloo.
• 1837 CE: Start of Queen Victoria's reign.
• 1861 CE: Start of the American Civil War.
• 1914 CE: Start of World War I.
• 1929 CE: Wall Street crash (Black Tuesday).
• 1940 CE: Start of World War II.
• 1945 CE: First detonation of a nuclear device.
• 1947 CE: Independence of India and Pakistan.
• 1962 CE: Cuban Missile Crisis.
• 1979 CE: Election of Margaret Thatcher as PM.
• 2013 CE: Completion of the Freedom Tower.

Historical Interpretations of the American Civil War

• Different interpretations of the causes and meaning of the American Civil War persist among scholars, educators, and the public.
• Ongoing debates about the war's causes, significance, and the actions of key figures demonstrate that the understanding and resolution of the war's complexities are far from unanimous.

List of U.S. Presidents

• The list of U.S. presidents in order, from George Washington to Joe Biden.

England's "Summer"

• The 19th century in England is often referred to as the "summer" due to its long period of relative peace, economic growth, and nationalistic pride.
• England experienced economic prosperity driven by industrialization, technological advancements, and overseas trade.

Systems of Government

• The United States operates under a system of checks and balances, where each branch has powers that can limit or check the actions of the other branches.
• France is a unitary semi-presidential republic, with a centralized system of government.
• The French Constitution sets the framework for the organization of the state, and the President of France serves as the head of state and is elected by the people.

American Civil War (1861-1865)

• The American Civil War had its origins in the deep-rooted divisions between the Northern states, which were largely industrialized and favored the abolition of slavery, and the Southern states, which relied on slave labor and desired to maintain their way of life.
• Major U.S. presidents, such as Abraham Lincoln, played crucial roles in shaping the course of the war.

French Support for the American Revolution

• France was motivated by ideological reasons, as the American Revolution represented a struggle against monarchy and the fight for republican ideals, which aligned with the aspirations of French Enlightenment thinkers.
• France had a deep-seated desire for revenge against Britain due to their defeat in the Seven Years' War.
• France anticipated that a successful American revolution would open up new trade opportunities and strengthen their economic ties with the newly formed United States.

Important Dates in English-Speaking Worlds' History

• A list of important dates in English-speaking worlds' history, including the Neolithic period, Celtic migrations, Roman Invasion of Britain, and more.

French Revolution (1789-1799)

• The French Revolution was a result of widespread discontent with the monarchy, economic inequality, and political oppression.
• The revolution saw the rise of revolutionary ideals such as liberty, equality, and fraternity, and aimed to overthrow the monarchy and establish a republic.

Battle of Waterloo (1815)

• The Battle of Waterloo was fought near the town of Waterloo in present-day Belgium and was the final battle of the Napoleonic Wars.
• The battle resulted in a decisive victory for the coalition forces, effectively ending Napoleon's rule and his attempt to regain control of Europe.

Start of Queen Victoria's Reign (1837)

• Queen Victoria ascended to the throne, marking the beginning of her reign as the Queen of England.

Historical Interpretations

• Different interpretations of the causes and meaning of the Civil War persist among scholars, educators, and the public.
• The ongoing debates about the war's causes, significance, and the actions of key figures demonstrate that the understanding and resolution of the war's complexities are far from unanimous.

List of U.S. Presidents in Order

• George Washington (1789-1797)
• John Adams (1797-1801)
• Thomas Jefferson (1801-1809)
• James Madison (1809-1817)
• James Monroe (1817-1825)
• John Quincy Adams (1825-1829)
• Andrew Jackson (1829-1837)
• Martin Van Buren (1837-1841)
• William Henry Harrison (1841)
• John Tyler (1841-1845)
• James K. Polk (1845-1849)
• Zachary Taylor (1849-1850)
• Millard Fillmore (1850-1853)
• Franklin Pierce (1853-1857)
• James Buchanan (1857-1861)
• Abraham Lincoln (1861-1865)
• Andrew Johnson (1865-1869)
• Ulysses S. Grant (1869-1877)
• Rutherford B. Hayes (1877-1881)
• James A. Garfield (1881)
• Chester A. Arthur (1881-1885)
• Grover Cleveland (1885-1889)
• Benjamin Harrison (1889-1893)
• Grover Cleveland (1893-1897)
• William McKinley (1897-1901)
• Theodore Roosevelt (1901-1909)
• William Howard Taft (1909-1913)
• Woodrow Wilson (1913-1921)
• Warren G. Harding (1921-1923)
• Calvin Coolidge (1923-1929)
• Herbert Hoover (1929-1933)
• Franklin D. Roosevelt (1933-1945)
• Harry S. Truman (1945-1953)
• Dwight D. Eisenhower (1953-1961)
• John F. Kennedy (1961-1963)
• Lyndon B. Johnson (1963-1969)
• Richard Nixon (1969-1974)
• Gerald Ford (1974-1977)
• Jimmy Carter (1977-1981)
• Ronald Reagan (1981-1989)
• George H.W. Bush (1989-1993)
• Bill Clinton (1993-2001)
• George W. Bush (2001-2009)
• Barack Obama (2009-2017)
• Donald Trump (2017-2021)
• Joe Biden (2021-present)

England's Summer

• The 19th century in England is often referred to as the "summer" due to its long period of relative peace, economic growth, and nationalistic pride.
• England experienced economic prosperity driven by industrialization, advancements in technology, and overseas trade.

The American Civil War

• The American Civil War had its origins in the deep-rooted divisions between the Northern states, which were largely industrialized and favored the abolition of slavery, and the Southern states, which relied on slave labor and desired to maintain their way of life.
• The war was fought between the Union (Northern states) and the Confederacy (Southern states) from 1861 to 1865.
• Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States, played a significant role in shaping the course of the war.
• The war was fought over issues such as slavery, states' rights, and economic differences.

France and the American Revolution

• France was motivated to support the American Revolution due to ideological reasons, such as the struggle against monarchy and the fight for republican ideals.
• France had a deep-seated desire for revenge against Britain due to their defeat in the Seven Years' War.
• France anticipated that a successful American revolution would open up new trade opportunities and strengthen their economic ties with the newly formed United States.
• France formally allied with the American colonies by signing the Treaty of Alliance in 1778, pledging military and financial support.

The United States Government

• The United States is a federal republic, meaning it has a central government that shares power with individual states.
• The U.S. Constitution, ratified in 1788, serves as the supreme law of the land and outlines the structure of the federal government.
• The Constitution establishes a separation of powers among the executive, legislative, and judicial branches.

Important Dates in English-Speaking Worlds' History

• Neolithic period: approximately 3000 BCE
• Celtic migrations: 700 BCE
• Roman Invasion of Britain: 43 CE
• Anglo-Saxon Invasion of Britain: 400 CE
• First Viking Invasions of Britain: 800 CE
• Battle of Hastings: October 14, 1066
• The Anarchy: 1135-1153
• House of Plantagenet: 1154-1485
• Magna Carta: June 15, 1215
• Start of the Hundred Years' War: 1337
• Black Death: 1348
• House of Tudor: 1405-1603
• War of the Roses: 1455-1487
• "Discovery" of the Americas: 1492
• Renaissance (time period): 14th-17th century
• King Henry VIII: 1509-1547
• Reformation: 16th century
• Establishment of the Church of England (Act of supremacy): 1534
• Reign of Queen Elizabeth I: 1558-1603
• Puritan colonization of America: 1620
• English Civil War: 1642-1651
• English Commonwealth: 1649-1660
• English Restoration: 1660
• Settlement of Canada by the Iroquois: 17th century
• Settlement of Canada by the French: 17th century
• Seven Years' War: 1756-1763
• English Conquest of Quebec: 1759
• Enlightenment (time period): late 17th-late 18th century
• Start of the Industrial Revolution: 1760
• American Revolution: 1765-1783
• American Declaration of Independence: July 4, 1776
• Establishment of the New South Wales colony in Australia: 1788
• George Washington: 1789-1797
• French Revolution: 1789-1799
• Romantic literary period: 1800-1850
• Battle of Waterloo: June 18, 1815
• Start of Queen Victoria's reign: June 20, 1837
• The Boer War: 1899
• Start of World War I: July 28, 1914
• Wall Street crash (Black Tuesday): October 29, 1929
• The Great Depression: 1929-1939
• Franklin D. Roosevelt: 1933-1945
• Social Security Act: 1935
• Independence served as a catalyst for the American Revolutionary War, which ultimately led to the formation of the United States of America as an independent nation.

The French Revolution

• The French Revolution was a result of widespread discontent with the monarchy, economic inequality, and political oppression.
• The revolution saw the rise of revolutionary ideals such as liberty, equality, and fraternity, and aimed to overthrow the monarchy and establish a republic.
• The revolution witnessed events such as the storming of the Bastille, the Reign of Terror, and the rise of Napoleon Bonaparte.
• It brought significant changes to French society, including the abolition of feudalism, the establishment of a new legal system, and the spread of revolutionary ideas throughout Europe.

The Battle of Waterloo

• The Battle of Waterloo was fought near the town of Waterloo in present-day Belgium and was the final battle of the Napoleonic Wars.
• It was fought between the French forces, led by Napoleon Bonaparte, and a coalition of European powers, primarily led by the Duke of Wellington and the Prussian General Gebhard von Blücher.
• The battle resulted in a decisive victory for the coalition forces, effectively ending Napoleon's rule and his attempt to regain control of Europe.

Queen Victoria's Reign

• Queen Victoria ascended to the throne, marking the beginning of her reign as the Queen of England.

The Victorian Era

• The Victorian era was a time of cultural and economic flourishing, exploration, and the defeat of the Spanish Armada.
• It was marked by the rise of a self-confident culture with a strong sense of national identity.

Imperial Expansion

• The empire expanded through colonization, acquisition of territories, and strategic alliances.
• It relied on economic exploitation, including the extraction of resources and the establishment of trading networks, to sustain its power and influence.

Decline of the British Empire

• The end of the Victorian era marked the beginning of the decline of England's imperial project and nationalistic confidence.
• Internal challenges, such as economic downturns and social unrest, as well as external factors like global conflicts and the rise of anti-imperial movements, contributed to the erosion of England's imperial dominance.

World War II

• World War II had a transformative impact on England and the United States.
• The war propelled the United States into the position of a (neo)colonial power through various factors, including military spending and the development of a powerful military-industrial complex.

Australia and New Zealand

• Aboriginals were the first inhabitants of Australia, surviving as hunter-gatherers.
• Captain Cook is commonly credited with "discovering" Australia.
• The establishment of the New South Wales colony in Australia occurred in 1788, marking the beginning of British colonization in Australia.
• Abel Tasman is often credited with "discovering" New Zealand.

Historical Events

• The reign of Elizabeth I refers to the period from 1558 to 1603, known as the Elizabethan era.
• The American Declaration of Independence was adopted on July 4, 1776.
• The Boer War was fought between 1899 and 1902 in South Africa between British forces and the Boers.

Canada

• The king of England is Canada's Head of State.
• Canada is officially bilingual.
• Quebec contributes most obviously to Canada's political, economic, and cultural landscape.

Settlement of Canada

• The settlement of Canada by the Iroquois refers to the indigenous Iroquois people establishing their presence in the territory now known as Canada long before European colonization.
• The Iroquois Confederacy, a powerful Neolithic people, were the first invaders, arriving around 3000 BC.

Historical Events in Chronological Order

• Settlement of Canada by the Iroquois: ~3000 BC
• Establishment of the New South Wales colony in Australia: 1788
• American Declaration of Independence: 1776
• The Boer War: 1899-1902
• World War II: 1939-1945

Cultural Identity

• Cultural identity refers to the sense of belonging and identification with a particular culture or group.
• It is shaped by various factors, including nationality, ethnicity, religion, language, and geography.

England as a Popular Destination for Migrants

• Good temperature for agriculture
• Sufficient rain
• Little to no flooding
• Plenty of game
• Forests easily cleared for agriculture
• The sea is the "highway" of the Middle Ages

Test your knowledge of major events in British history, from the Roman Invasion to the American Declaration of Independence. How well do you know the timeline of British history?