The world in
What happened in 1534?
8 events across 4 world regions, each with its sources.
Europe
Outbreak of the Protestant ReformationIn 1517, the Protestant Reformation broke out in Western Christianity. Initiated by theologians like Martin Luther, the movement posed a religious and political challenge to the papacy and Catholic authority, seeking to return to the roots of Christianity. It marked the beginning of Protestantism, the end of the Middle Ages, and the start of the early modern period.
SourcesWikipedia ↗Image: 95Thesen.jpg : User:Shizhao derivative work: 6birc ( talk ) / Public domain ↗
Passage of the Acts of Supremacy and the English ReformationIn 1534, the Parliament of England passed an Act of Supremacy, declaring King Henry VIII and his successors as the Supreme Head of the Church of England, replacing the Pope. This act marked the beginning of the English Reformation, separating from the Roman Catholic Church. The act was later superseded in 1558, establishing Elizabeth I as the Supreme Governor of the Church.
SourcesWikipedia ↗Image: Unknown author Unknown author / Public domain ↗
- Affair of the Placards
On the night of 17–18 October 1534, anti-Catholic posters appeared in public places in Paris and the provincial cities of Blois, Rouen, Tours, and Orléans. One was placed on the bedchamber door of King Francis I at Amboise, an affront that led him to abandon his conciliatory policies toward the Protestants.
SourcesWikipedia ↗
Construction of the Fortezza da BassoThe Fortezza da Basso, officially named the Fortress of Saint John the Baptist, was built in the 16th century, integrated into Florence's 14th-century walls. Covering nearly 100,000 square meters, it serves as a major venue for conferences and exhibitions.
Central & South America
Founding of QuitoSpanish colonists founded Quito in the 16th century in a high Andean valley. It later became the capital of Ecuador, noted for its mild climate due to its equatorial location and high altitude.
SourcesWikipedia ↗Image: Asamblea Nacional del Ecuador / CC BY-SA 2.0 ↗
Cusco becomes a Spanish colonial cityCusco, located in the Huatanay Valley of the Andes in southeastern Peru, was the cradle of the Inca Empire. After the Spanish conquest, it was transformed into a major city under colonial rule, becoming the capital of the eponymous province and department.
Sub-Saharan Africa
Ethiopian–Adal WarFrom 1529 to 1543, the Christian Ethiopian Empire fought the Muslim Adal Sultanate. Ethiopian forces were drawn from northern highland regions, while Adal's army included Harla, Somali, Afar, and Ottoman-backed gunmen. Portugal later sent musketeers to support Ethiopia. The war ended in a costly Ethiopian victory, weakening the empire and enabling the massive migration of Oromo people into the region.
SourcesWikipedia ↗Image: Unknown author Unknown author / Public domain ↗
West Asia
Outbreak of the Ottoman–Safavid War of 1532–1555In 1532, a new war broke out between the Ottoman Empire, led by Suleiman the Magnificent, and the Safavid Empire, ruled by Tahmasp I. It was one of many conflicts between the two arch-rivals. After years of fighting, the Ottoman Empire confirmed its territorial gains in the Peace of Amasya.
SourcesWikipedia ↗Image: Fethullah Çelebi Arifi (historian, poet and painter) and/or Matrakçı Nasuh (painter of landscape) and/or other painters / Public domain ↗
Around 1534
These are known only to the century, not to the year. They are listed separately so a rough date is never mistaken for an exact one.
- Beginning of the Columbian Exchange
- Beginning of the Renaissance
- Construction of the Badaling Section of the Great Wall
- Formation of the Sacred Mijikenda Kaya Forests
- Founding of Varlaam Monastery
- Completion of the Mehmed Paša Sokolović Bridge
- Construction of Villa d'Este begins
- Founding of the Cathedral of the Archangel