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618
Picture Tang and Song Dynasties
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Period: 618 to 1279
Tang and Song Dynasties
The Tang dynasty (est. after Sui dynasty) was an influential Chinese dynasty that extended over much of Asia and dominated its neighboring countries. They advanced modes of transportation through roads, canals, and postal services. The Song Dynasty began 53 years after the collapse of the Tang. The Song Dynasty was known for expanding the bureaucracy in China. -
750
Picture Abbasid Caliphate
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Period: 750 to 1258
Abbasid Caliphate
The Abbasid Caliphate was a large Islamic empire (spread across the Middle East and expanded eastward) that began after overthrowing the Umayyad Empire. The early part of their reign was labeled as the Golden Age of Islam because many advancements were made in technology, science, and medicine. Arabic culture/art also began to flourish. In 1258, the Mongols were expanding and gaining power fast which ultimately led to the fall of the Abbasid Caliphate. -
Period: 800 to 1200
Feudalism in Europe
Feudalism is a decentralized system of government that is based on obligations by different types of people in a society. For example, a King would pay landowners (lords) in exchange for protection and defense for the King. This system was very popular in Europe from the 800s to the 1200s because it was supposed to be beneficial for both sides, however, women did not exactly benefit. Women were being "protected" but with this "protection" they did not have many rights in society. -
1200
Picture Mali Empire
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1200
Picture Mesoamerican Empires
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Period: 1200 to 1572
Mesoamerican Empires (Aztecs & Incas)
The Aztecs (Mexicas) began their empire after the fall of the Toltec. The empire began in their Mexican capital, Tenochtitlán, and conquered much of Mesoamerica. The Aztecs are known for using geography as defense, unique forms of agriculture (floating gardens), and human sacrifice. The Incan empire was located in the Andes region of South America. They differed from the Aztec because conquered people didn't pay tribute, and there was less human sacrifice and trade. Both declined due to disease. -
Period: 1200 to 1400
Mali Empire
West African empire founded by Sundiata in the 1200s. He built the foundation for a strong trade network that connected West and North Africa, he specifically established strong gold trade. Mansa Musa (Sundiata's grand-nephew) expanded the empire, he was also Muslim so he instilled Islam into Mali. Mali became a powerhouse in Africa during Mansa Musa's reign; however, after his death, the empire began to decline in the 1400s and the Songhay Kingdom took over. -
1206
Picture Mongol Empire
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Period: 1206 to 1556
Delhi Sultanate
The Delhi Sultanate was a Muslim Kingdom in northern India that ruled from the 13th century to the 16th century. It introduced Muslim Rule to India. The Delhi Sultanate imposed a tax, called jizya, on all non-Muslims that were under their empire, this was a main way to convert the people of India. The Sultan (leader) tried to expand into Southern India; however, they came face to face with the Mongols, who were extremely powerful and already defeated the Muslim empire, Abbasid Caliphate -
Period: 1206 to 1368
Mongol Empire
This gunpowder empire was the first to successfully invade Russia (harsh climate=challenge). Genghis Khan gathered a group of Mongol Chiefs in 1206 at kuriltai (meeting) where he was named leader of the Mongols. They were known for their forceful and violent attacks/invasions on other countries and empires in East Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. With their use of advanced weaponry (guns) and horses, they were nearly unstoppable. They finally lost power when the Ming Dynasty reclaimed China. -
1271
Picture Yuan Dynasty
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Period: 1271 to 1368
Yuan Dynasty
Kublai Khan (leader of Yuan Dynasty & grandson of Genghis Khan) was on a mission to conquer China. After 36 years, he finally succeeded, but instead of forcing Mongolian tradition, he created a new dynasty that included more Chinese tradition. There were similarities to what the Mongolians had done, like creating religious tolerance. Initially, the Chinese enjoyed being under Kublai Khan because he helped China prosper as far as arts & literature. In 1368, it was overthrown by the Ming Dynasty. -
1300
Picture European Renaissance
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Period: 1300 to
European Renaissance
Due to expanding trade, flourishing agriculture, and a growing middle class, Europe began a period of "revival" that created a refound interest in Greek and Roman art, literature, and culture. The Renaissance also included the new belief of "humanism" that focused on humans as opposed to God. The Renaissance led to increased nationalism and a rise in monarchies. -
1350
Bubonic Plague (Eurasia 14th Century)
The Bubonic Plague, also known as the Black Death, struck Eurasia in the mid 14th century, with its peak being from 1347-1352. This is recorded to be the most fatal pandemic in history, killing 75-200 million people. The believed cause was flea bites, and then it would spread by human contact. Aside from devastating amounts of deaths, trade in Europe was slowed/stopped for a long time which hurt many businesses and entire villages were wiped out. -
1368
Picture Ming Dynasty
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Period: 1368 to
Ming Dynasty
The Ming Dynasty defeated the Yuan Dynasty and reclaimed China in 1368. The Ming intended to bring back traditional Chinese culture and get rid of Mongol influences that the Yuan had brought. The Ming brought back the Civil Service Exam and the ways of Confucianism. Also, China was expanded under their rule (some Mongol lands and parts of Central Asia were conquered). -
1400
Picture Age of Exploration
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Period: 1400 to
The Age of Exploration (15th-17th Century)
The Age of Exploration or Age of Discovery is a loosely dated period of time that describes when explorers started using navigational skills/tools, maps, trade routes, and the ocean to discover new parts of the world. This led to an increase in the trade of goods, new colonies, new interactions between groups of people (ex: Europeans and Native Americans), and the expansion of empires. This came with increased conflict between people as well (ex: Spanish and Portuguese). -
Period: 1400 to
The Age of Exploration (15th-17th Century)
During the Age of Exploration, European ships sailed around the world and brought back new knowledge to their mother countries. This knowledge had a great impact on the physical and human geography of our modern world. For example, the Age of Exploration introduced Europeans to the Americas, which in turn increased trade between the New World (Americas) and the Old World (Columbian Exchange) which led to more trade routes (land and sea) like the Atlantic Slave Trade. -
1492
Spanish Colonial Empire
The Spanish Colonial Empire lasted from 1492 to 1968 but its peak was the late 15th century to the 17th century. It officially took off once Christopher Columbus explored the Americas, and they began to colonize the New World. Spain not conquered land in the Americas, they also conquered parts of Asia and Oceania. Spain was one of the largest, wealthiest, and most powerful empires in history. -
1500
Picture Portuguese Trading Empire
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Period: 1500 to
Atlantic Slave Trade
Lasting for over 300 years, the Atlantic Slave Trade was a system created to transport slaves (primarily from Africa) into the Americas. This was brutal for the enslaved people because they were often starved or dehydrated and many did not survive the trip to the Americas. The three main countries that participated in the slave trading was Britain, Portugal, and France. -
Period: 1500 to
Portuguese Trading Empire (16th and 17th Centuries)
Portuguese mariners created their trading post empire in the 16th century. The Portuguese set up many trading posts stretching from west Africa to east Asia. Their intent was not to conquer the land necessarily, but they wanted to conquer all of the trade in those territories. The Portuguese brought highly valued goods like ivory, spices, gold, sugar, cotton, and slaves back to Europe. -
1517
The Reformation
The Reformation was an event that significantly changed Christianity in Europe. Martin Luther led this after he posted his '95 Theses' on a church door, this document was essentially a list of things that criticized the Catholic Church, and how it should be changed. This criticism led to a split in the church, the Catholics, and Martin Luther's followers who were called Protestants. After the Reformations, Protestantism became much more popular in Europe. -
1520
Ottoman Empire (peak=16th century)
This was one of the most powerful Islamic empires in history. Officially it lasted from 1299-1922, however, its peak was in the 16th century during the reign of Suleiman the Magnificent. The Empire expanded across different parts of Afro-Eurasia and spread Islam to many countries. Although Islam was encouraged, religious tolerance was very important to the Ottomans (ex: Jews found refuge in the Ottoman Empire and were allowed to remain Jewish as long as they followed other orders of the Sultan). -
1526
Picture Mughal Empire
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Period: 1526 to
Mughal Empire
This gunpowder empire controlled much of South Asia during the 16th and 17th centuries. The Mughal empire was ruled by Muslims, meaning there was Islam influence in the art, culture, and religion; however, a large majority of people under the empire were Hindu. The Mughal Empire helped unite India and create a strong political system. Due to several foreign attacks, the empire lost its military power and lost control of India. -
Picture Tokugawa Shogunate
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Period: to
Tokugawa Shogunate
The Tokugawa Shogunate helped reorganize the Japanese government to a centralized system. Japan was divided into "hans" or territories that were each controlled by a "daimyo" or a leader, however, they were still under the power of the shogunate who was the ultimate leader of Japan. Also, under the shogunate, mobility of social classes was banned. -
Period: to
Qing Dynasty
The Qing Dynasty was the last imperial dynasty of China, it took power right after the Ming dynasty, and was succeeded by the Republic of China. The Qing dynasty took hold of China by pretending to help the Ming when in actuality they were taking control. The Manchu (the people of the Qing Dynasty) forced their distinctive culture on the people of China, for example, men had to dress in traditional clothing and wear their hair queues. -
Picture The Enlightenment
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Period: to
The Enlightenment
The Enlightenment, also called the Age of Reasoning, was period of time lasting the entire 18th century, where philosophies, politics, sciences, and inventions that were previously labeled "radical" became popularized. Humanism and Nationalism also became prominent in society, in turn, there was a rise in revolutions across the world (ex: French, Haitian, and American). -
Industrial Revolution
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Period: to
Industrial Revolution
The Industrial Revolution was a period of time where manufacturing was modernized and created to be more efficient for workers. Technological advances were also made during this time because of the advanced machinery. The revolution began in London, England and diffused from there out to the United States. This period resulted in a higher population, increase in production of goods, cheaper goods a higher standard of living, but also more pollution and often unsanitary working conditions. -
Picture American Revolution
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Period: to
American Revolution
The American Revolution was a revolt in which the American Patriots wanted independence from Great Britain (for reasons like unfair tax codes and harsh demands of the colonists). With the assistance of France, the United States won their independence and became their own nation. This was the fuel that lit a spark for other independence revolutions such as the French and Haitian. -
Picture French Revolution
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Period: to
French Revolution
Fueled by the American Revolution, this 10 year revolution began when Bastille (a prison) was invaded by the revolutionaries. The Revolt was led by the rising middle class that wanted freedom from France's absolute monarchy. Some of the causes include corrupt government leadership, unfair taxes, the enlightenment, and debt. This war came to a close when Napoleon (a military general) overtook the revolutionaries and began his own reign of the French Consulate (he was the leader). -
Picture Haitian Revolution
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Period: to
Haitian Revolution
The Haitian Revolution was the first successful slave revolt in history. Haiti was previously a colony controlled by the French called Saint-Dominigue, however, it gained its independence when Toussaint L'ouverture led the slaves in a revolt that made Haiti their own independent nation. This influenced other countries to abolish slavery as well. -
Period: to
Tanzimat Reforms
The Tanzimat Reforms was a period of modernization specific to the Ottoman Empire. The Ottoman Empire was previously extremely powerful, but as other nations/empires such as Japan, England, and the US modernized (Industrial Revolution and Tokugawa Shogunate), the Ottomans lost power fast and fell behind. In order to keep up, the Tanzimat Reforms were initiated. Many different updates were put into place, educational systems became more westernized along with the style of clothing. -
Picture Opium Wars
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Period: to
Opium Wars
There were two Opium Wars, the first from 1839-44, and the second from 1856-60. This set of wars was based off of the fact that Chinese leaders wanted to stop the opium trade. On the other hand, the British were illegally exporting opium into China from India (East India Company) for profit. As a result, there was a high addiction to opium in China which negatively affected their people and economy. Overall, Great Britain and France (2nd war) won the opium wars and Britain gained Hong Kong. -
Period: to
Taiping Rebellion
Led by Hong Xiuquan, the Taiping Rebellion was a very violent uprising of civilians of China against the powerful Qing Dynasty who ruled over China. Xiquan (self-proclaimed prophet) created his own dynasty and fought to convert people to their own version of Christianity; however, after 20 years, the Taipings were defeated by the Qing. The Qing never did regain all of their power over China after the Taiping Rebellion, they were extremely weakened. -
Sepoy Mutiny
Also called the Indian Rebellion or Indian Revolt, Sepoy Mutiny was an uprising of the people of India against Great Britain who controlled India at the time. The Indians/Sepoys were tired of being exploited by the British Crown, and the British gaining wealth at the expense of the people of India. It was deemed unsuccessful because India did not gained independence right then; however, the British East India Company was disassembled. This was one of the first steps towards India's independence. -
Picture Meiji Restoration
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Period: to
Meiji Restoration
Following the Tokugawa period, was the Meiji Restoration period. The Meiji period was the official end of the Tokugawa Shogunate (Japan was under a militarized government), and the beginning of Japan's return to being under imperial rule (the direct rule of an emperor). The Meiji period aided in the unification of Japan, and helped get rid of decaying feudal system. This also started the modernization of Japan. -
Picture Scramble for Africa
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Period: to
Scramble for Africa
The Scramble for Africa was a process during the "New Imperialism Period" in which European nations fought to annex, invade, and colonize parts of Africa. More land equaled more power, and Africa was not stable enough to function on their own, so instead stronger nations just took it. While European nations gained wealth from their African territories, it took even more money for them to colonize it in the first place. African people and their resources were harshly treated and exploited. -
Berlin Conference
The Berlin Conference was a meeting between European nations about Africa. This conference allowed slave trade, and said that Africa was going to be divided up among America and European nations. It also said that the natives of Africa had no power and water areas (lakes and rivers) would be neutral. This meeting helped put regulations on European colonization and reduce the amount of commpetition.
