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Japan Meets the West 1853-1905
The date was July 8, 1853; the place, Yedo, a sprawling collection of wooden houses overlooking an arm of the
The Powers Carve Up China 1841 – 1914
China, that immense portion of East Asia bounded by the chilly Amur River and the hot jungles of Indo-China, by
India and the Indies 1856 – 1914
In 1856, Great Britain was at war with Russia in the Black Sea area and with the Chinese emperor in
Early Civilizations to Modern Age
Florence in the Golden Age 1469 -1498
Lorenzo de’ Medici was far from handsome. His skin was sallow, his eyes had a short-sighted squint and his nose
Milan, City of Splendour and War 1277-1515
Milan’s most important business street had no displays of velvet cloaks, bright bolts of silk, or cloth-of-gold. It was a
Gentlemen, Scholars and Princes 1400 – 1507
One day in the fifteenth century, the Turkish potentate of Babylonia decided to send gifts to the greatest ruler in
Distant Past and New Challenges
Milestones of History
Attila, The Scourge of God (451 A.D.)
Attila, the “Scourge of God” was the legendary force that — curiously enough — helped to hold the tottering Roman
Old Europe Crumbles (451 – 520 A.D.)
Old Europe crumbles as barbarian waves batter civilizations. Ironically, the victory on the Mauriac Plain sealed the fate both of
St. Benedict’s Rule 520 A.D.
St. Benedict’s monks tried to poison him, on one occasion it is said – and they often disregarded his instructions,
