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Period: 500 to 1500
Feudalism in Europe
Feudalism in Europe was system of land ownership and class ranking. Land was divided up by kings to their lords or nobles as fiefs.Through feudalism a structured society based on relationships achieved through the holding of land in exchange for labour. The decline of feudalism was gradual but progressed quickly as political positions shifted during the time surrounding the Bubonic plague. -
Period: 618 to 1279
Tang and Song Dynasties
The Tang Dynasty came prior to the Song and lasted from 618 until 960. It was known as a time of great cultural advancements and new reforms. Women were treated equally to men in many standards as they were allowed to dress feely and hold high government positions. Following the Tang Dynasty was the Song which lasted from 960 until the Mongols conquered China in 1279. Many advancements and inventions were created during the Song Dynasty. Both Dynasties are referred to as China's Golden Age. -
Period: 750 to 1517
Abbasid Caliphate
The Abbasid Caliphate lead the Islamic culture for over three centuries. Under their rule great intellectual and cultural developments were made in the Islamic culture. It was a long period of stability, trade, and innovation until it fell due to the Mongol Empire. The time during their rule was known as the golden age of Islamic culture. -
Period: 1206 to 1368
Mongol Empire
The Mongol Empire is known to be the largest land based empire in all of history and was extremely powerful. Under their rule Mongol soldiers quickly overtook much of the Asian region through cruel but effective warfare. Under their control trade and culture prospered. Trade along the Silk Road was protected and paper money was introduced which made it safer to travel and trade. They also practiced religious tolerance under the empire and welcomed scholars of many different backgrounds. -
Period: 1206 to 1526
Delhi Sultanate
The Delhi Sultanate was a rule over India that lasted from 1206 until 1526. It was made up of 5 separate dynasties. The rule of the Delhi Sultanate brought the Islamic religion into India which remained even after the rule of the Sultanate ended. The Islamic religion was harshly imposed on the predominantly Hindu India at the start of the Delhi Sultanate rule, however became more tolerant over time. -
Period: 1235 to
Mali Empire
The Mali Empire was an empire located in West Africa. The empire became the largest empire in West Africa and had significant impact on the surrounding culture. The empire became the richest in South Africa due to its wealth in salt and gold. After the death of Mansa Musa the empire began to lose power over lack of order and desire of smaller states to break free. -
Period: 1279 to 1368
Yuan Dynasty
The yuan Dynasty was the first of China that was ruled by a foreign leader. The dynasty was founded by Genghis Khan but ruled by his grandson Kublai Khan. Under the dynasty China's foreign trade system was expanded. After the capture of the capital of Beijing the Ming Dynasty swiftly took over the Yuan in 1368. -
Period: 1300 to
European Renaissance
The European Renaissance was a period of increased art and learning. It was known as a period of rebirth of culture, art. politics, and economy. It inspired a change of ideas and morals as well as new philosophies. The renaissance became a turning point of revolutionary ideas and led to many eras of advancement like the scientific revolution. -
Period: 1347 to 1352
Bubonic Plague
The Bubonic Plague was a plague that spread over Europe resulting in mass casualties. Also known as the Black Death the plague causes a state of mass panic in European civilization. People fled from their homes and the power of the Catholic church as well as feudalism began to decrease as people questioned authority of the kings and priests. The plague was quickly spread through the active trade and ended up wiping out a third of Europe's population. -
Period: 1368 to
Ming Dynasty
The Ming dynasty became the first dynasty of China to overthrow the Mongols after overtaking the Yuan dynasty. Life in China was drastically changed as Hongwu became the first emperor of the dynasty. Many practices such as foot binding and reintroduced civil exams as well as expanded agriculture and confucianism support began to take place in China. Hongwu immediately begun to erase all aspects of Mongol culture under his rule. -
Period: 1419 to 1507
Age of Exploration
The Age of Exploration was a time period where European countries sailed ships around the world with the common goal to find new trading routes and partners. Most of the exploration was based on the philosophy of god, gold, and glory. Each country wanted to explore and expand to gain wealth and status as well as spread religious beliefs. While many exploring countries gained wealth is the form of trade, gold, and spices, they also spread disease and death to many of the places they colonized. -
Period: 1428 to 1533
Mesoamerican Empires
The Aztec Empire was an empire based in Central Mexico. The Aztecs made significant developments in cultivation and irrigation. They worshiped many different gods and performed human sacrifice to appeal to the god of the sun. The Inca Empire was based in the peruvian highlands and made significant aritechiral developments allowing them to live in the mountains. They made highly developed roads, walls, and irrigation networks still in use today. -
Period: 1453 to
Ottoman Empire
The Ottoman empire marked a period of time when the gunpowder empire spanned over the Mediterranean and Black Sea area. The empire began as Constantinople was conquered by Mehmed II. To remain in power the empire used the Islamic religion and practices such as the devshirme system and Shariah laws. Under the empire trade through the Straits of Bosporus flourished. The Ottoman Empire is one of the longest lasting empires to date. -
Period: 1492 to
Spanish Colonial Empire
The Spanish Colonial Empire was one where technology and inventions flourished. Inventions such as the astrolabe, caravel, and lateen sails emerged. These inventions led to long distance trading and traveling systems that transformed Spain into a maritime empire. The extensive trade partnered with the desire to spread their religion and gain more wealth and power led to immense colonization of spanish empires. -
Period: 1500 to
Portuguese Trading Post Empire
The Portuguese Trading Post Empire was built through the immense trade routes developed under their rule. The Portuguese controlled most of the trade routes from Africa to India as they began to explore and developing trading posts through Africa's coastline. Under this exploration the Portuguese took over many city-states in East Africa and gained access to luxury good such as spices and ivory.Merchants wishing to trade at the trading posts had to buy safety conduct passes from the Portuguese. -
Period: 1500 to
Atlantic Slave Trade
The Atlantic Slave Trade was the process of Africans being seized and sold throughout the Atlantic. As sugars profitability rose so did the need for cheap labor on the sugar plantations. The slave trade mainly used the triangular trade route and its Middle Passage as a way to transport and sell slaves. The enslaved Africans worked in terrible conditions and slave owners often lost up to 10% of their slaves annually due to the living conditions. -
Period: 1517 to
The Reformation
The Reformation was a movement in Europe to address the corruption occurring in the Catholic Church. The church at the time had much of the power in Europe and out of greed began to advertise false indulgences which allowed for people to pay the Church to forgive their sins. Martin Luther led the reformation as he saw the corruption in making followers pay for a false forgiveness. He wrote his 95 theses which protested against indulgences which resulted in many new branches of Christianity . -
Period: 1526 to
Mughal Empire
The Mughal empire spanned over the North and South region of India as they conquered land ruled by the Delhi Sultanate. Barbur, started the gunpowder empire in 1526 used the gunpowder as well as Zamindars to enforce the taxes and keep power. The empire was predominantly led by muslim leaders however the caste system of the Hinduism religion remained while previously imposed taxes were lowered. During the empire arts, culture, and trade flourished. -
Period: to
Tokugawa Shogunate
The Tokugawa Shogunate was also called the Edo Period in Japan as it was a time of peace and prosper. After the warring state period in Japan, it was unified under the rule of Nobunaga, Hideyoshi, and Tokugawa. Under the rule of the emperor isolationism in Japan was heavily promoted. Western influence was as limited as possible as a ban on foreigners and Christians was placed. -
Period: to
Qing Dynasty
The Qing dynasty was the last dynasty to rule over China. After the fall of the Ming dynasty the Qing dynasty took power. Many of the Ming policies like the civil service exam and isolationism remained under the Qing rule. Under the Qing the Chinese territory was expanded into Central Asia. During their rule China was a peaceful place as art flourished and the manchu culture spread throughout China. -
Period: to
The Enlightenment
During the Enlightenment period ideas from the Scientific revolution and the Renaissance led to a shift in thinking and perspective. Also named the Age of Reason, the Enlightenment developed new ideas based on logic and reason. Ideas such as liberty, equality, reason, rationality, progress, and nationalism were formed. The ideas developed during this time led to many problems as conflicting ideas clased and resulted in nationalist and independent beliefs. -
Period: to
Industrial Revolution
The Industrial Revolution was the period of transition into heavy manufacturing. The revolution caused a movement of people from rural areas into bigger cities in order to find opportunities to work in factories. Through this movement mass production and the use of new technology in labor began to see an incline. During this time many inventions such as the seed drill and steam engine were invented to help make life and labor easier. -
Period: to
American Revolution
The American Revolution was the result of the growing tension and desire of the American colonies to be free from the rue of Great Britain. After aiding the British in the French and Indian war the colonies were heavily taxed by Britain to aid war debt. The taxing was viewed as unfair by the colonies so they began to protest for their independence. With the help of the French, the colonies won the war for their independence and established the Declaration of Independence. -
Period: to
French Revolution
The French Revolution was inspired by ideas stemming from the Enlightenment as well as the success of the American revolution. The French desired a new political and social rule. The war began with the creation of the National Assembly who issued the Declaration of Rights of Man and the Citizen in attempt to overthrow the monarchy. The assembly won the war and Napoleon Bonaparte rose to power. -
Period: to
Haitian Revolution
The Haitian Revolution marks the first successful slave revolt in history. The revolution was led by former slave Toussaint L´Óverture and slaves joined to revolt against their French masters. The revolt was successful and resulted in the French colony of Saint Domingue to become the independent nation of Haiti. Based on equality and citizenship to everyone, the nation of Haiti was no longer a land of slavery but freedom. -
Period: to
Tanzimat Reforms
As a result of increasing industrialization the Ottoman Empire went through many different reforms. The creation of secular systems for schooling took education out of the ulamas rule. Ottoman laws were codified as new ones were created. Resulting from the instatement of the Ottoman Reform Edict the entire legal system of the empire was changed. Equality for all men regardless of religion and ethnicity was declared under the new legal system. -
Period: to
Opium Wars
The Opium wars were ones fought between the Chinese dynasties and Western Europe. The emperor of China made opium illegal in 1729 however the law went ignored by many. There were two opium wars with the first one being the result of Chinese officials refusing British imports of Indian opium. The second war occured as China refused negotiation and trade with western countries. As a result of the second war opium trade was legalized. -
Period: to
Taiping Rebellion
The Taiping Rebellion was rebellion led by peasants, common workers, and miners to overthrow the Qing Dynasty of China. The Rebellion was aided by the British and French but eventually failed in 1864. During the time of the war outbreaks of famine and plague on top of war deaths caused the combined total of 20 million people. The deaths and internal problems resulting from the war led China´s economic affairs to be easily dominated by other countries. -
Period: to
Sepoy Mutiny
The sepoy Mutiny was the revolt of Hindu and Muslim religions in retaliation to the British. The British began to create rifle cartridges using by products of cow and pig which infuriated Hindus and Muslims. The cow was seen as a sacred animal in Hindu culture while pigs are sacred to Muslims. With the high presence of Christian British officials in India many began to feel the British were trying to convert them to Christianity. The Sepoy Mutiny was unsuccessful and resulted in many deaths. -
Period: to
Meiji Revolution
The Meiji Revolution was one that altered the way of Japanese life forever. Under the revolution many of Japan's customs began t modernize due to European influence. Clothing, language and culture experienced modernization as well as women's rights. Many places such as hospitals, railroads, and schools began to become modernized as well. Literacy improved in Japan as newspapers began to be read by all. -
Period: to
Scramble for Africa
The Scramble of Africa was the rush of European powers to claim and colonize land in Africa. The cultures and practices of the African lands being colonized were ignored as European troops took what they wanted. As borders were drawn many cultural and religious groups were divided which resulted in conflict and tension. The splitting of Africa was decided entirely by European powers at the Berlin Conference. -
Period: to
Berlin Conference
The Berlin Conference was one held to settle disputes over land claims in Africa. European countries agreed that to claim land any nation could send in troops to occupy the wanted space. Only European nations attended the conference so the nations in Africa had no say. This led to the European countries taking control of African territory with no regard to the natives or culture.