Research > Homework Center > European history

European History

Megasites

The 18th Century Town and Its Inhabitants: http://mars.wnec.edu/~grempel/courses/wc2/lectures/towns.html

This mostly text summary explains what towns in the 18th century were like.
Charlemagne: http://history.boisestate.edu/westciv/charles/

History of the Carolingians and Charlemagne's conquests, his government, and the cultural activity in Europe.
EuroDocs: Primary Historical Documents From Western Europe: http://library.byu.edu/~rdh/eurodocs/

Primary documents for countries in Western Europe.
Speeches: http://www.historychannel.com/speeches/

Listen to famous speeches by noteworthy people from around the world. Speeches by Gandhi, MacArthur, Truman, Armstrong, and more.
Internet Modern History Sourcebook: http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/mod/modsbook.html

The Reformation (Protestant and Catholic), early modern world system, absolutism, the Sun King, religious groups, the Restoration, Colonial America, and Colonial Latin America, the Scientific Revolution, the Enlightenment, Age of Reason, French Revolution, Industrial Revolution, Napoleonic Wars, Romanticism, Nationalism, Liberalism, 19th century Britain, Italy and France, 19th century eastern and western Europe, socialism, imperialism and more.

Absolutism & Constitutionalism

Absolutism: http://www.wsu.edu:8001/~dee/GLOSSARY/ABSOLUTE.HTM

This website provides an in-depth definition of absolutism.
Age of Absolutism: http://www.wsu.edu/~dee/ENLIGHT/PRE.HTM

This website provides a history of absolutism and pre-enlightenment Europe.
Constitutionalism: http://usinfo.state.gov/products/pubs/principles/constitution.htm

This website provides an in-depth definition of contitutionalism.
Internet Modern History Sourcebook: Absolutism: http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/mod/modsbook05.html

This website looks at the history of absolutism in England, France and Spain, the wars of religion, Louis XIV as Sun King and more.
The Glorious Revolution of 1688: http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/timelines/britain/stu_glorious_rev.shtml

With the fall of James II in 1688 during the bloodless Glorious Revolution, British monarchs who followed had to obey rules imposed by Parliament. Absolute rule by the monarchy had come to an end.
The Path to Royal Absolutism: http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/bnf/bnf0004.html

From the end of the 15th century to the middle of the 17th century, France dealt with Reformation and Henry IV's conversion to Catholicism leads to the rise of absolutism with Louis XIV, the Sun King.
The Rise and Fall of Absolute Monarchy: http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/bnf/bnf0005.html

With France's Louis XIV's understanding that cultural supremacy would lead to political power, he connected culture to his monarchy, and therefore increased his political power by being a focus of that culture. With his increased power, he imposed absolute monarchy.
From Empire to Democracy: http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/bnf/bnf0006.html

During the late 18th century, the French people revolted against absolute power and the people gained control of the government.
Louis XIV, the Sun King: http://www.chateauversailles.fr/en/210_Louis_XIV_the_Sun_King.php

This is a biography of the Sun King from Versailles.
The British Civil Wars: http://www.british-civil-wars.co.uk/index.htm

This website presents a detailed history of the English Civil Wars between Scotland, Ireland, England and Wales.
Oliver Cromwell: http://www.olivercromwell.org/

This is a biography of Oliver Cromwell and his gain to political power in England. The website also explains the English Civil Wars.

Berlin & the Berlin Wall

The Berlin Airlift: http://www.trumanlibrary.org/whistlestop/study_collections/berlin_airlift/large/berlin_airlift.htm

Documents, images and history behind the airlift and the political situation that led to such a drastic event.
Newseum: The Berlin Wall: http://www.newseum.org/berlinwall/index.htm

This website presents how news and media were presented differently in East and West Berlin. The website also presents the history and politics behind the wall's creation.
Berlin Wall, Past and Present: http://www.berlinwall.itgo.com/

This website includes maps of the country's division, the exodus from East Berlin, the building of the wall, people's eloborate escape plans and the fall of the wall.
Berlin Wall Online: http://www.dailysoft.com/berlinwall/

The history and images of the Berlin Wall.
Chris De Witt's Berlin Wall Page: http://www.appropriatesoftware.com/BerlinWall/welcome.html

Check out this website for information about the Berlin Wall.
The Concrete Curtain: The Life and Death of the Berlin Wall: http://www.wall-berlin.org/gb/berlin.htm

This website about the Berlin Wall presents a history leading up to the construction of the wall, victims who died trying to escape, and its destruction in 1989. The German Historical Museum of Berlin recounts the history of the separation of east and west Germany, the Cold War, and the wall that separated families and friends for decades.
The Lost Border: Photographs of the Iron Curtain: http://www.brianrose.com/lostborder.htm

This website created by photographer Brian Rose captures the Berlin Wall in this photo documentary from many different landscapes through cities and backyards to farm land.
The Wall: http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/cold.war/episodes/09/

CNN Online spotlights how Berlin and the Wall became a part of the Cold War and its effects on the world.

Celts

Celtic Timelines: http://ancienthistory.about.com/library/bl/bl_time_europe_celts.htm

Outlines important events in Celtic history from 2,000,000BC to the present day.

The Enlightenment

Age of Reason: The Enlightenment: http://www.whitworth.edu/academic/Department/Core/Classes/CO250/Intro/d_ageof.htm

This website presents in an outline format, people and events of the Enlightenment, major world events, scientists and inventors, astronomical discoveries, transportation advances, poetry and literature of the time, artists, composers, and rulers, monarchs and tsars of the period. Click on links next to the timeline for more information about particular people or events. Includes links to maps from that period as well.
The European Enlightenment: Contents: http://www.wsu.edu/~dee/ENLIGHT/ENLIGHT.HTM

For older students, this website presents detailed information about the Enlightenment, Europe before the Enlightenment, the philosophies then, absolute monarchy, and the Industrial Revolution of the 18th century.
The Scientific Revolution: http://www.wsu.edu:8000/~dee/ENLIGHT/SCIREV.HTM

Learn about the discoveries of the universe, Kepler's, Francis Bacon's and Copernicus' explorations.
Galileo's Biography: http://es.rice.edu/ES/humsoc/Galileo//Bio/

This is an extensive biography of Galileo.

Great Britain

Elizabethan England
The Protectorate
Rulers

British History: http://www.britannia.com/history/

The website includes timelines, biographies and documents that explain the history of Britain.
British History: 1700-1950: http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/Britain.html

An encyclopedia of British History.
Canterbury Tour: http://www.hillside.co.uk/tour/

Take an online tour of the city of Canterbury.
Historic Royal Palaces: http://www.hrp.org.uk/webcode/home.asp

This official website of royal locations in England takes you on a tour of the sites and provides some historic facts.
Before and After the Great Fire of London: http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/games/fire/

BBC provides an animation of what London experienced during the great fire of 1666.
The Tower of London: http://www.hrp.org.uk/webcode/tower_home.asp

This official website of the Tower of London presents a history through the centuries, educational information, and more.
Tower of London: http://www.tower-of-london.com/

Read about prisoners of the tour, traditions and ceremonies, "passages from the last words of some of the unfortunate people who were beheaded either within the Tower or upon Tower hill," the ravens of the tour, interviews with the Yeoman warders, ghost stories of the tour, View the crown jewels and read the history of them. Take a virtual tour of the Tower of London (requires Shockwave plug-in) or a 360° panorama of the tour (Quicktime 3 plug-in required.)
The Tower of London Kids Tour: http://www.toweroflondontour.com/kids/

A tour of the tower for younger youth.
Children of Victorian Britain: http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/victorians/

An encyclopedia of British History.

The Protectorate

An Agreement of the Free People of England: http://www.constitution.org/eng/agreepeo.htm

This manefesto calling for constitutional reform in England created by John Lilburne and other prisoners in the Tower of London.
The Stewarts and Civil War: The Protectorate 1649-1660: http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/timelines/england/stu_protectorate.shtml

The role of Cromwell in British reform.

France

History of France: http://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/france_159/discovering-france_2005/france-from-to-z_1978/history_1984/

This website from the French Ministry of Affairs presents the history of France from ancient times to the 5th republic and then from the 1958 to the present.
Le Poulet Gauche: http://www.lepg.org/

"This is a guide to the history, culture, and daily life of 16th century France."
Paris at the Time of Philippe Auguste: http://www.philippe-auguste.com/uk/

This website looks at Paris during the 12th century.

Industrial Revolution

Internet Modern History Sourcebook: Industrial Revolution: http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/mod/modsbook14.html

Learn how industrialization revolutionized agriculture, textiles and power. Learn about the lives of workers and social classes.
What the Industrial Revolution Did for Us: http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/programmes/industrial_revolution/

BBC explains how Britain benefitted from advances in industry and technology.
Child Labour: http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/IRchild.htm

What was life like for children who worked in English factories during the Industrial Revolution? What kinds of laws were passed to protect them? Find out at this website from the Spartacus Encyclopedia of British History.
Industrialisation: http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/society_culture/industrialisation/

How did the Industrial Revolution influence Britain? Find out here.
The Industrial Revolution: http://mars.wnec.edu/~grempel/courses/wc2/lectures/industrialrev.html

From Professor Gerhard Rempel, Department of History, Western New England College, this website provides an overview.
Spread of Industrialization Tables: http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/mod/indrevtabs1.html

The website contains statistics showing how industrialization spread in Europe from the 1700s to the 1900s.
The Textile Industry: http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/Textiles.htm

Find out how the domestic system of making cloth differed from the industrial system, read about people who invented the machinery, and discover what life was like for those who worked in the factories. This website is part of the Spartacus Encyclopedia of British History.
The Trade Union Movement: http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/TU.htm

Because many factory workers were treated so poorly during the Industrial Revolution, unions sprung up to defend the rights of workers. Find out more about the organizers of the unions, important law and events, and the unions themselves at this website from the Spartacus Encyclopedia of British History.

Imperialism

Internet Modern History Sourcebook: Imperialism: http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/mod/modsbook34.html

A review of imperialism throughout Africa, Asia and the Middle East.
The Age of Imperialism: http://www.smplanet.com/imperialism/toc.html

In the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, the United States pursued an aggressive policy of expansionism, extending its political and economic influence around the globe.
The Scramble for Africa: http://wombat.cusd.chico.k12.ca.us/~bsilva/projects/scramble/

This website from Pleasant Valley High School in Chico, California.explains Europe's move to imperialism over African countries in the 17th century.
Imperialism and the Balance of Power: http://users.erols.com/mwhite28/1907powr.htm

This 1914 map illustrates the economic and political importance of European holdings throughout the world.

Inquisition

The Medieval Inquisition: http://courseweb.stthomas.edu/medieval/francis/inquisition.htm

Explore the events of the Inquisition.
The Inquisition: http://galileo.rice.edu/chr/inquisition.html

Information about the Inquisition.
The Malleus Maleficarum: http://www.malleusmaleficarum.org/

Published in 1486, this work is considered the guidebook for the Inquisition to identify, persecute and dispatch witches.

Irish Famine

Irish Famine: http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/state/nations/famine_01.shtml

The BBC presents the history of the famine, poses the question whether the famine was really artificial, the role of politics in the famine and more.
Irish Potato Famine: http://www.historyplace.com/worldhistory/famine/

Discover what political and economic factors led to the famine.
Views of the Famine: http://vassun.vassar.edu/~sttaylor/FAMINE/

Newspaper graphics and stories about the famine from London and other newspapers at the time.

Medieval Times & Middle Ages megasites

Anglo-Saxon England: http://www.britainexpress.com/History/dark_ages_index.htm

Background about the Anglo-Saxons with a history and resource links.
The Internet Medieval Sourcebook: Byzantium: http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/sbook1c.html

An exceptional resource covering the Byzantine empire's history.
The Camelot International Village: http://www.camelotintl.com/

Click on the different people in the street to learn more about their craft or trade and how they lived in the Middle Ages. Find out about entertainers, peasants, traders, thieves, knights, church and religion, women, and lords of the manor.
Feudal Terms of England (and Other Places): http://humanum.arts.cuhk.edu.hk/LocalFile/feudalterm.html

Alphabetical list of feudal terms defined.
Doninion and Domination of the Gental Sex: The Lives of Medieval Women: http://library.thinkquest.org/12834/

The website includes biographies of significant medieval women and explores the duties and jobs of women during that time.
Footwear of the Middle Ages: http://www.personal.utulsa.edu/~marc-carlson/shoe/SHOEHOME.HTM

This website provides historical context for footwear in the Middle Ages, with special emphasis on Britain and Denmark.
Internet Medieval Sourcebook: http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/sbook.html

Comprehensive collection of online texts from the entire medieval era, organized by topic and chronologically.
Journey through the Middle Ages: http://library.thinkquest.org/4051/

Play the game or find out information about feudalism, food, knights, jobs and trades, weapons and education. From ThinkQuest Junior whose focus is for grades 4 to 6.
Life in the Middle Ages: http://www.kyrene.k12.az.us/schools/brisas/sunda/ma/mahome.htm

Provides society and customs, everyday living and more. Mrs. Sunda's 4th and 5th grade classes at Brisas Elementary in Tempe, Arizona researched and created this site.
Medieval Fiefdom: http://library.thinkquest.org/10949/

Find out "what it was like to live and work during the eleventh to fourteenth century England." Requires VRML plugin (link to download at the site).
Medieval Technology Pages: http://scholar.chem.nyu.edu/tekpages/Technology.html

This website provides information on technological innovations and related subjects in western Europe during the Middle Ages, by subject or by timeline.
Middle Ages: http://www.learner.org/exhibits/middleages/

Everyday life in medieval times including feudal life, religion, clothes, the arts and more.
The Middle Ages: http://www.themiddleages.net/

This is a great first stop to learn about the Middle Ages, knights, famous medieval people and more.
Medieval English Towns: http://www.trytel.com/%7Etristan/towns/towns.html

This indepth website focuses on "medieval boroughs of East Anglia and social, political and constitutional history."
Castle Learning Center: Medieval Jobs: http://www.castles-of-britain.com/castle32.htm

Informative article about work in the Middle Ages which includes a list of jobs with brief descriptions of the kind of work involved.
Invasion of England, 1066: http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/bayeux.htm

A history of the Norman invasion.
The Murder of Thomas Beckett: http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/becket.htm

The murder of Thomas Beckett.
Medieval Timeline Reference: http://www.timeref.com

"A database of medieval events, people and places." Includes a timeline, people, places, maps, family trees and more.
Medieval and Renaissance Wedding Information: http://www.drizzle.com/~celyn/mrwp/mrwp.html

Information and articles about 16th century weddings.
Middle English Lyrics: http://www.luminarium.org/medlit/lyrics.htm

Read Middle English lyrics with translations next to them!
A Guide to Medieval and Renaissance Instruments: http://www.music.iastate.edu/antiqua/instrumt.html

Presented by Musica Antiqua, a group of early music performers. Clicking on the name of an instrument brings you to a page with information about that instrument, a sound file, and a photo of someone playing it.
Regia Anglorum: http://www.regia.org/listings.htm#index

"These pages are designed to be an interactive experience for anybody with an interest in Early Medieval Europe and in Anglo-Saxon and Viking Britain in particular."

The Black Plague

The Black Death: http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/society_culture/welfare/black_01.shtml

BBC recounts the spread and significance of the plague in England.
The Black Plague: http://history.boisestate.edu/westciv/plague/

Brief explanations for the cause, beginning and events occurring throughout Europe's plague as well as its effects on all aspects of life then.
The Black Plague: A Hands-On Epidemic Simulation: http://www.mcn.org/ed/cur/cw/Plague/Plague_Sim.html

Play this game to act out how the plague spread and killed so many people so rapidly. From Mendocino Middle School in California.
Death Defined: http://historymedren.about.com/library/bldeath.htm?pid=2765&cob=home

"What was it like for a victim of the plague?" This website gives a detailed description of the Plague symptoms. This website also explains how it was transmitted.
The Black Death, 1348: http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/plague.htm

A history of the black death. Includes a map.
Pistioa: Ordinances for Sanitation During a Time of Mortality: http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/med/pistoia.html

A primary source of how the town of Pistoia in Italy dealt with the plague.

Castles

Castle Builder: http://score.rims.k12.ca.us/activity/castle_builder/

Discover the work and people it took to build a castle.
Castles Learning Center: http://www.castles-of-britain.com/castle6.htm

Find out all about castle life, from bathing and washing to surviving a siege. Very comprehensive site.
Castles of Germany: http://www.mediaspec.com/castles/

Learn about the history of the different castles in Germany.
Destroy the Castle: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/lostempires/trebuchet/destroy.html

Play this interactive game to learn how important trebuchets were to medieval soldiers.
The Castle through the Ages: http://historymedren.about.com/library/weekly/aa071098.htm?once=true&

Discover walled cities, warriors, mottes, and more.
Ghosts in the Castles: http://www.nationalgeographic.com/castles/enter.html

Explore castles of the middle ages with ghosts as your tourguide.
British Castles: http://www.camelotintl.com/heritage/castles/

Discover the history of several castles of England.
The Fortification of Castle Walls and Gates: http://library.thinkquest.org/10949/fief/hicastlegate.html

Learn about the sizes of castles, towers, gatehouses here.
Kitds Castle: http://kotn.ntu.ac.uk/castle/view.html

Click around the castle to learn about life in a castle.

The Crusades

Internet Medieval Sourcebook: The Crusades: http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/sbook1k.html

This website provides extensive history of the Crusades.
Crusades: A Guide to Online Resources: http://www.the-orb.net/encyclop/religion/crusades/crusade.html

Military and political background, first crusade, later crusades, and more.
Crusades: Catholic Encyclopedia: http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/04543c.htm

Includes click definitions, origins through the final loss of eastern colonies.
Islam and Islamic History in Arabia and The Middle East: The Crusaders: http://www.islamicity.com/mosque/ihame/Sec10.htm

With an Arab perspective, this website explains the Crusades.

Knights

Knight: http://www.infoplease.com/ce6/history/A0827924.html

This website defines knighthood, its existence in medieval times and in feudalism, and more.
Knight Life: http://historymedren.about.com/library/blknighttoc.htm?once=true&

How did one become a knight? What was their purpose? What are the origins of knighthood in Europe? Check this website to find out.
The Medieval Knight: http://library.thinkquest.org/10949/fief/medknight.html

Find out at this website what a knight is, how one becomes a knight, what chivalry is, what types of armor and weapons were used.

Monasteries, orders & cathedrals

Abbey: http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01010a.htm

Learn about the history of abbeys and view a floor plan online.
Archabbey of Pannonhalma: http://www.bences.hu/en

Tour the monastery and learn about the Benedictine order.
Collapsed Cathedral: http://www.learner.org/exhibits/middleages/rel_act.html

Which famous cathedral collapsed? Find out here.
The Hall of Church History: http://www.gty.org/~phil/medieval.htm

Overview of church in medieval times.
Life in a Medieval Monastery: http://www.mtangel.edu/library/subject/monastic.htm

Information from Mt. Angel Abbey in Oregon and includes a booklist on the topic.
Maulbronn Monastery - 850 years old: http://home.bawue.de/~wmwerner/english/maulbron.html

A website about a monastery in Baden-Württemberg and includes images and a floor plan of the grounds.
Middle Ages: Religion: http://www.historyforkids.org/learn/medieval/religion/

This website presents medieval bibles, documents, holy orders, Islam, saints and martyrs, theology and history.
Men of God: Bishops, Priests and Monks: http://library.thinkquest.org/10949/fief/higod.html

Learn about the different roles of medieval clergymen.
Monasticism: http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/10459a.htm

Learn about the origins of monasticism, the different orders, and more.
Religion: http://www.learner.org/exhibits/middleages/morelign.html

This website describes the roles of monks and nuns in medieval times.
Suppression of English Monasteries under Henry VIII: http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/10455a.htm

Discover the details of religious suppression here.
Tour of Durham Cathedral & Castle: http://www.dur.ac.uk/~dla0www/c_tour/tour.html

Take a tour of the castle and the cathedral.
Westminster Abbey: http://www.westminster-abbey.org/

Take a tour of the abbey.

Napoleon & Napoleonic Wars

France During the French Revolution and Under Napoleon Bonaparte: http://www.txdirect.net/users/rrichard/napoleo1.htm

An annotated chronology of civil and military events.
Napoleon: http://www.napoleon.org/en/home.asp

Extensive information about not only Napoleon Bonaparte but Napoleon III.
The Virtual Battle of Borodino: http://www.hamilton.edu/academics/Russian/warandpeace/vb/

This website allows you to be a part of the Battle of Borodino.You can choose to follow either Napoleon or Kutuzov through the battle to see what happened. Developed for Professor Frank Sciaca of the Russian Studies Department as a Senior Computer Science Seminar project.

Reformation

Luther's 95 Theses: http://www.gty.org/~phil/history/95theses.htm

Martin Luther's work reproduced on the Internet.
Discovery and Reformation: http://www.wsu.edu:8000/~dee/REFORM/

An overview of the Reformation, its role in Europe and in England.
Martin Luther: http://www.luther.de/en/

Legends, life, timeline, people in Luther's environment, and times.
Martin Luther and the Reformation: http://mars.vnet.wnec.edu/~grempel/courses/wc2/lectures/luther.html

The website presents the background, political ramifications, and impact the Reformation had on Europe.
The Necessity of Reforming the Church (1543): http://www.swrb.ab.ca/newslett/actualnls/NRC_ch00.htm

John Calvin's work in its entirety.
The Protestant Reformation: http://history.hanover.edu/early/prot.html

Martin Luther, John Clavin, English, Scottish and radical reformations.

Renaissance

Renaissance megasites

Renaissance Secrets: http://www.open2.net/renaissance2/

Discover Renaissance Venice, learn about Gutenberg, and explore why some conspired against the queen.
The Dancing Master: http://www.shipbrook.com/jeff/playford/

"Plain and easie Rules for the Dancing of Country Dances, with the Tune to each Dance, to be play'd on the Treble Violin."
A Guide to Medieval and Renaissance Instruments: http://www.music.iastate.edu/antiqua/instrumt.html

Page-long descriptions and information about various instruments from this era.
Medieval and Renaissance Wedding Information: http://www.drizzle.com/~celyn/mrwp/bib.html

Information and articles about 16th century weddings.
Renaissance: What Inspired this Age of Balance and Order?: http://www.learner.org/exhibits/renaissance/

This website explores printing and thinking during the era, symmetry, shape and size, Florence, exploration and trade, as well as movement out of the Middle Ages.
Virtual Renaissance: http://www.twingroves.district96.k12.il.us/Renaissance/VirtualRen.html

Visit a town, learn about interesting characters of the time, and experience Renaissance culture.

Elizabethan England

Life in Elizabethan England: http://renaissance.dm.net/compendium/

Discover the games played, food eaten, religious beliefs, occupations, fashion, education and more.
Elizabethan England: http://www.springfield.k12.il.us/schools/springfield/eliz/

Architecture, decorative armor, Hampton Court Palace, Bridge, musical instruments, and more. crime and punishment, entertainment, fashion, food and medicine during the Elizabethan period. Elizabeth I and the era, Bloody Mary, Mary Tudor, defeat of the Spanish Armada, Henry VIII and his six wives, Lady Jane Grey, Mary Queen of Scots, Tower of London and a brief history of the tower. "This website was created by senior English Literature/ Composition students at Springfield High School as part of an introductory study of the Elizabethan Period of English history and literature. The project focuses on important figures, events, and cultural trends of the time."
Poverty in Elizabeth England: http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/state/monarchs_leaders/poverty_01.shtml

Basic information on Elizabeth and her life, including childhood, who her parents were, life under Mary, Queen Elizabeth, Mary Queen of Scots, the ARmada, and her death.
Tudor History: http://tudorhistory.org/

Life in Tudor England, architecture, dates in Tudor history, foods, historical figures, maps, Tudors in the movies, and more.

Renaissance Italy

Italian Renaissance: http://www.sparknotes.com/history/european/renaissance1/

This website includes a glossary of terms, biographies of key figures of the time, maps, a timeline and looks at art, women and literature of the time.
The Civilization of the Renaissance in Italy: http://www.idbsu.edu/courses/hy309/docs/burckhardt/burckhardt.html

The complete text of Jakob Burckhardt's 1878 essay on the Italian Renaissance. Very detailed, scholarly information.
The Early Modern Italian Renaissance: http://www.wsu.edu/~dee/REN/

From Washington State University, is an exploration of the Italian Renaissance. It includes sections on the idea of the Renaissance, backgrounds, humanism, Neo-Platonism, important Renaissance figures such as Pico della Mirandola and Leonardo da Vinci, visual arts, architecture, and public space.
Florence and Tuscany: http://galileo.rice.edu/gal/florence.html

Tour Florence, learn about daily life, food, music, architecture, patronage system and key historic figures and the church.
Rome Reborn: The Vatican Library & Renaissance Culture: http://lcweb.loc.gov/exhibits/vatican/toc.html

Very extensive scholarly information about the Renaissance, based on material from the Vatican Library. The website was produced by the Library of Congress and includes many scanned images of documents.

Russian history

Victorian Age

Victorian London: http://mars.wnec.edu/~grempel/courses/wc2/lectures/victoria.html

"London fascinated the West as the first example of the 'world city.'" Find out why.
Children in Victorian Britain: http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/victorians/

BBC presents this interactive website to help students understand how children worked, played and learned in Victorian England.
Victorian Britain: http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/lj/victorian_britainlj/preview.shtml

BBC presents information about Victorian England.
Victorian Dictionary: http://www.victorianlondon.org/

Details on the social history of Victorian London.
The Victorian Web: http://www.victorianweb.org/

Religion, philosophy, social customs, literature, science, technology, politics and gender issues of the Victorian period.

Wars of Religion

The Wars of Religion: http://www.wsu.edu/~dee/REFORM/WARS.HTM

National and civil wars during the 16th and 17th centuries between Christian faiths led to much bloodshed and political upheaval in Europe, including the Thirty Years War.
The Wars of Religion: http://www.lepg.org/wars.htm

Civil wars in France during the 16th and 17th centuries fought for religious freedoms.
The Thirty Years War: http://www.pipeline.com/~cwa/TYWHome.htm

Learn about the numerous wars throughout central Europe during the early 17th century between the Hapsburgs, Austria, Spain, France etc. and among the Catholics, Lutherans and Calvinists.