Chapter 13. World History Essentials

Early humans and civilizations. Homo sapiens appeared in Africa at least 300,000 years ago. Farming began about 10,000 years ago. Early civilizations arose in Mesopotamia, Egypt, the Indus Valley and China, with cities, writing and organized states [31][32].

Classical world. Greece developed city-states and philosophy; Rome grew from a republic to a vast empire; India saw the Mauryan and Gupta empires; China unified under the Qin (221 BCE) and Han. The Silk Roads linked Asia, Africa and Europe. Major religions and philosophies emerged, including Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam and Confucianism [31][32].

Post-classical world (about 500–1450). The Byzantine Empire, the Islamic caliphates, Tang and Song China, the Mongol Empire, West African states such as Mali, and the Maya, Aztec and Inca in the Americas. Medieval Europe saw feudalism and the Black Death [31][32].

Early modern world (1450–1750). The Renaissance, Reformation, European voyages (from 1492), the Columbian Exchange, the Atlantic slave trade, the Ottoman, Safavid and Mughal empires and the Scientific Revolution [31][32].

Revolutions and empire (1750–1914). The American (1776), French (1789) and Haitian (1791–1804) revolutions; the Industrial Revolution (from about 1760); European colonial expansion in Asia and Africa; nationalism and reform movements [31][32].

Twentieth century. World War I (1914–1918), the Russian Revolution (1917), the Great Depression, World War II (1939–1945), the Cold War (about 1947–1991), decolonization (for example India and Pakistan in 1947, Sri Lanka in 1948), and globalization [31][32].

Themes for essays: causes and consequences of revolutions and wars; nationalism; colonialism and resistance; economic change; ideas and religion; the role of individuals.

Review: In which year did the French Revolution begin? (Answer: 1789.)