1575

1575 was a year in the late 16th century characterized by ongoing political and religious conflict, as well as continued expansion of European powers in the Americas and Asia. It occurred during a period of state formation and global exploration, with tensions between emerging nation-states, reform movements within the Catholic Church, and rivalries among major powers shaping events across continents.

One well-documented event of the year was the Battle of Nagashino in Mikawa Province, Japan, on June 28–29, 1575. In this engagement, the combined forces of Oda Nobunaga and Tokugawa Ieyasu defeated Takeda Katsuyori. The battle is noted for its effective use of coordinated volley fire with firearms and for signaling a shift in Sengoku-period warfare, contributing to the decline of the Takeda clan’s fortunes.

In Europe, the Wars of Religion continued to influence politics and society, with Catholic and Protestant factions contesting influence across the continent. The Catholic Church pursued reforms associated with the post-Trent era, while rulers and states navigated religious change alongside dynastic and territorial ambitions.

Beyond Europe, European powers maintained and expanded their colonial and commercial activities in the Americas and Asia. The era’s broader trends—the spread of global trade networks, missionary efforts, and the consolidation of imperial administrations—shaped developments in subsequent decades, setting foundations for broader geopolitical realignments in the early modern world.