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Period: 476 to 1450
European Feudalism
Feudalism in Europe essentially started a trend in social structure. Peasants were separated by serfs and often farmed for their lord. Lords and vassals had more power, however, and often served the king or gained more responsibilities. Unlike Japanese Feudalism, Europe had used a particular social structure form, and served the Catholic Church as a main religious source. -
Period: 581 to 907
Tang/Song Dynasties
During the Song Dynasty, there had been an interest in both agricultural and economic reforms due to the previous militarian-based Sui Dynasty. Because of increased printing and press, literacy rates had shot up, resulting in urbanization efforts and more trade. Trade with the both the Tang and Song revolved around gunpowder and weapons, possibly due to the Sui. In addition, religious efforts were centralized and China grew into a social class that organized society into a men-based system. -
Period: 750 to 1258
Abbasid Caliphate
Once the Umayyad rulers fell to become the Abbasids, their innovation and correlation with trans-European trade made them to be one of the most influential empires of this time. Baghdad and Constantinople both grew as economic zones and represented the Golden Age of learning. This expanded to areas outwards such as Europe and allowed literacy, education, and militarism strength to move through their history, some of which influenced many learning styles and economic set-ups. -
1200
Mali Empire
Mali had been a very quick-growing society that utilized gold trade, cultivation, and Islamic beliefs to become one of the greatest societies in history. Under merchants, farmers, and Sundiata, Mali arose Ghana with Timbuktu. Though Ghana had been a very powerful state beforehand with massive amounts of trade and religious reform, Mali outgrew them due to their increased literacy and trade. Mansa Musa had been extremely important in this process as a religious and political leader. -
1200
Mesoamerican Empires
The Aztec Empire ruled current day Mexico. Canals, irrigation, and popular markets were vital to the economy. Ruled by a king, they demanded tribute and practiced sacrifices. Though a famine occurred in 1450, they united through polytheism. The Incas lived in Cuzco and started roads, bridges, and message systems. The economy grew through terraces, animals, and Mita. Kings and nobles ruled over commoners, and they believed Incan kings lived eternally. Eventually, Spaniards conquered the region. -
Period: 1200 to 1500
Age of Exploration (1)
Prior to the large-scaled exploration lead by Spaniards, the beginnings of exploration started with caravans throughout Arabia, compasses, and the start of sails and ships. The primary motives for this came to spread religion, wealth, and general curiosity. Asia promoted triangular sails, compasses, and new transportation methods. As a result, religion, culture, crops, and diseases were spread dramatically. -
Period: 1206 to 1526
Delhi Sultanate
The Delhi Sultanate had been a powerful area in India rising. The economic status grew tremendously as they traded items such as fabrics, cottons, spices, and dyes. Protection against the Mughal Empire had been prime because during this time, The Mughals had been an extremely powerful empire that eventually rose to power within India. Dar-al-Islam had continued to make a great impact on India and remained steady as the social classes of northern India changed. Indian Ocean trading was vital. -
Period: 1206 to 1368
Mongol Empire
Led by Genghis Khan, the Mongol Empire advanced in bridges, printing, astronomy, and used gunpowder as a source of warfare. They had religious tolerance, valued merchants, and practiced Islamic faith. Russia, being extremely powerful, often rivaled the Mongols, and though winning, was very impacted by the Mongols. They utilized Mongol militarism and leadership, truly showing the benefits of Mongolian set-up. The Mongols spread past the Golden Horde and became increasingly powerful afterwards. -
Period: 1271 to 1368
Yuan Empire
Once the Mongols had essentially destroyed Zhongdu previously, Kublai Khan set to rebuild it under the name "Dadu". It included diverse lands, religious tolerance, and a Golden Age of art and literature. Plays, common literature, and museums spring up with this and it creates a global influence past the borders of China. Eventually, though, the Yuan founded the Ming Dynasty, which would reign for around 300 years. -
Period: 1300 to
Ottoman Empire
Founded by the Osman Dynasty, the Ottomans are recognized as one of the most influential empires in history. With Constantinople as its capital, the Ottomans remained the trading center between the East and West for centuries. They established devshirme under Mehmed II, which strengthened the military and aristocracy. In addition, they controlled the slave trade. However, they would soon be defeated in WW1 by powerful enemies. -
1342
Bubonic Plague
Due to increased trade and shipments, the Bubonic Plague started with fleas. It moved from China to AfroEurasia and established the name "The Black Death". 1/3 of the population had died from this illness, and it devastated political establishments and societies. Afterwards, recovery was prolonged, but it taught humans that we need to be more sanitary and more cautious. -
Period: 1350 to
European Renaissance
After the plague shattered communities, people had an intense liking for expressing new ideas and commodities. This led to creative developments in science, art, and literature. It had a global impact as even today we worship known artists such as Da Vinci and Michelangelo. New forms of self-expression arose and caused religious tolerance and blending. Though starting in Europe, this had been a global revolution of self-expression. -
Period: 1368 to
Ming Dynasty
Proceeding the Yuan Dynasty, the Ming Dynasty rose to stabilize trading systems and basic economics. The silk industry grew and popular cities such as Beijing housed royalty within the Forbidden City. The Ming did not follow tradition of the Mongols, but they instead reestablished bureaucracy and expanded the Great Wall of China. Though powerful, the Mongols would overtake the Ming armies and take the emperor prisoner. Many outside regions such as the Portuguese would take high interest in this. -
1450
Atlantic Slave Trade
Because of European influence, land and showcasing of slaves became popular. As a result, Africans became a target for kidnapping and forceful labor. Plantations had been common, especially in North America, and typically housed indentured servants. However, the Triangular Trade had been more harsh--it involved the kidnapping, transportation, and work of cash crops with the slaves. Today, we celebrate music Africans introduced such as jazz, and Europeans today speak creole languages brought in. -
1450
Portuguese Trading Post Empire
By this time, the Portuguese were invested in controlling trade routes for profit and spreading religion. They utilized heavy artillery and maintained at least fifty trading posts around Africa. However, due to Portugal's smaller size and population, the trade began to slow down. In conjunction with other countries, the Portuguese interacted in the African Slave Trade and helped the distribution of spices and ivory from India. This strengthened the trading distribution for centuries. -
Period: 1492 to
Spanish Colonial Empire
During this time, Spain had been characterized as a "superpower" because of their extensive interactions with outside countries. Spain had led global exploration alongside Portugal and opened several trade routes across the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. This increased their wealth, maximizing their commerce and overall influence. Today, we still see Spanish influence because of old trade routes and social/governmental structures associated in European countries. -
1500
Age of Exploration(2)
Starting with capitalism in Europe, trading routes began to be desired. We know the famous Columbus who sailed West in an effort to find a trade route, and are aware of the saying "God, Gold, and Glory" as motives, but these travels cause a global market, new economic benefits once new materials had been distributed, and a desire for more land. Some areas such as the Americas had been exposed to deadly outcomes, though, and this caused a very mixed reaction during this time. -
1500
The Reformation
Due to Catholic Church corruption, many people were against the claims of priests. They would abuse power in churches, and ultimately created a harsh environment. Though, some attribute it to a language barrier. Inquisition was often used and the Jesuits grew to overcome missionaries in the area. This had a major impact on surrounding areas in Europe, and in some parts just simply spread the faith. Today, we see democracy and civil rights as effects because of our individual rights of beliefs. -
Period: 1526 to
Mughal Empire
Once the Delhi Sultanate fell, one of the remaining groups had grown to be the Mughal Empire. Architecture, Muslim religion, and cultural diffusion occurs in this time period with the well-known Taj Mahal and a blend of Indian culture. Due to this, even today we see that most Indians are Muslims, and we see the intricate architecture they built. Zamindars collected taxes and greatly contributed to local commerce and trade with cash. -
Period: to
Tokugawa Shogunate
The Tokugawa Shogunate had utilized agriculture, newly enforced military tactics, and the global commerce to shoot up in power. Rice was extremely common during this time, and some areas even counted it for taxes. The social structure allowed the leader, Ieyasu, to rise into power and create an efficient workforce both in the military and in farming. This is an important moment in history because it allowed a boom in Japan's economy, which is why they are so powerful today. -
Period: to
Qing Dynasty
Under powerful emperors such as Qianlong and Kangxi, the Qing Dynasty transformed China to be more religiously tolerant, literate, as well as being a proto-industrial society. Being culturally strict compared to the Yuan, though more religiously tolerant allowed a spike in a strict set of rulers. Literacy increased with the Kangxi Dictionary and the Encyclopedia during this time. Though women were not as enabled, men saw a jump in education and militarism. -
The Enlightenment
Emerging from the Scientific Revolution, many philosophers came during this time to express beliefs of natural law, liberalism, and nationalism. This came to be called "the Age of Isms." Popular philosophers such as Adam Smith and John Locke brought upon new ideas and supported religions such as Deism, natural rights, and improvement of the human race, and governmental structures. This has been influential to everyone today because it enabled free thought and the base for a democracy. -
Period: to
Industrial Revolution
Prior to Industrialization, families would often grow their own crops, make their own clothes, and lived in rural areas. However, as the cottage industry increased with women, more inventions began to spark. The spinning jenny, the water frame, and eventually the assembly line came into play, creating a more diligent work force that could produce quicker. Steam-powered transportation rose, and because of Britain's excess capital, the county grew tremendously. -
American Revolution
During Britain's rule over America, the government and economy had not been stable. Dramatic taxation of the citizens had occurred which later became referenced in the phrase "taxation without representation." Because of the previous Enlightenment which brought ideas of free thought and nationalism, the citizens were inspired to rebel and get independence. After the event of the Boston Tea Party, the Declaration of Independence introduced checks and balances, separation of powers, and stability. -
French Revolution
During Napoleon's powerful reign in France, he attempted to fix the economic struggles. Beforehand, France had been spending more money than they were gaining, causing a need for more taxation and revolt. As France attacked Russia, many lives were tossed as well as funds. Ultimately, a French Republic was established by the peasants. It caused a political reform that affected the economy greatly once the effects of the French and Indian Revolution showed. -
Haitian Revolution
In Haiti, slaves were often forced to farm sugar and coffee because of the tropical climate. Maroons, escaped slaves, revolted eventually against their white masters, leaving behind destruction. Jean-Jaques Dessalines eventually declared the independence permanently. Haiti became the first colony in Latin America to win its independence and the first to raise from a slave revolt. Even today, we still see this celebrated as one of the most powerful revolts in history with Haitian nationalism. -
Period: to
Tanzimat Reforms
As the Ottoman Empire slowed down with their powers and commerce, they had attempted to utilize political, economic, and social reforms to regain validity. The army had been improved with new tactics, secular law grew, and industrialization had all occurred in order to build up their lessoning commerce and strength. Overall, the reforms had been partially successful with keeping the Ottomans operating for some more time, but these factors eventually failed and the empire fell. -
Opium Wars
Once Britain began producing opium in India, Chinese citizens were quick to become addicted to the trade. Before this time period, global commerce had risen, allowing China and Japan to experience Western influence. Britain, however, slowly shut down the opium trade all together, which sparked the Opium War. Without a proper navy, China backed down with the Treaty of Nanking. Soon, spheres of influence opened once Hong Kong had been taken by Britain, sparking the Taiping Rebellion -
Taiping Rebellion
Once the Opium War ended around 1840, negative feelings towards the Qing were leftover because of the alterations in trade. The Chinese people resented the fact that the current emperor was in fact Manchu, and not Chinese as they were. Hong Xiuquan was one of these people, and he believed that God told him to overthrow the Qing Dynasty. Peasants, miners, and low-class workers joined, but after failed campaigns in Nanjing and Beijing, along with the rise of the plague, the campaigns declined. -
Sepoy Mutiny
Also known as the Indian Rebellion, the Sepoy Mutiny was an uprising against the British soldiers. Hindus and Muslims had been religiously restricted by the British prior to this, and they had soon reacted violently as a response. However, the British response was to fight back, along with governing more strictly. Finally, though, in 1947 India won their independence. This set the stage for trade, independent government control, and a rise for nationalism proceeding this time. -
Meiji Revolution
This ended the Edo Period, a period with strong Japanese power commercially, agriculturally, and culturally. It focused on alteration of political figures in Japan. Previously, the Samurai had been powerful figures in the social status, however, as the Tokugawa Shogunate fell, a more oligarchic feel rose. This helped Japan modernize in education and military, which was much needed as Western areas had been ahead in industrialization. The economy was transformed and Japan was more interactive. -
Berlin Conference
Because of competition between European nations, African citizens, land, and natural resources were highly desired to increase profit. Nations such as Germany, France, and the British held the Berlin Conference in order to divide up the counties in Africa. Few were left independent. As a result, African countries' economies and societies were left stunted, and women tended to outnumber men in populations. -
Period: to
Scramble for Africa
Starting with the Berlin Conference in 1884, many powerful colonies such as Britain, France, and Germany felt inclined to take power over Africa. They had desired more land and more commerce due to the growing nationalism and global economic spikes. Africa was then split up, and many countries fought over which areas of land to occupy. People were taken as slaves, and the Africans were dispersed.
