Unit 1 Choice Project

Paleolithic Age

10,000 BCE

The paleolithic age lasted from 2,500,000-10,000 BCE. During this time, small nomadic groups roamed around hunting and gathering. This primitive group had not yet discovered farming, and had unsophisticated stone tools.

Neolithic Era

5000 BCE

The neolithic age lasted from 10,000-4,000 BCE. What distinguishes this period is the discovery of agriculture, or the farming of plants and animals. People were able to settle in organized communities and had "free-time" to start crafts and trades.

Mesopotamia

3500 BCE

Mesopotamian civilizations were located in between the Tigris and Euphrates river for the fertile farmable land. It lasted from 3,500-539 BCE. It was the "cradle of civilization" and contained many different cities.

Old Kingdom

2500 BCE

The old Kingdom of ancient Egypt was the first Egyptian civilization. It lasted from 2,700-2,200 BCE. Pharaohs ruled the kingdom through viziers and bureaucracy. During this time, pyramids were built as sacred tombs for the pharaohs.

Indus River Valley Civilization

2300 BCE

The Indus River valley civilization was located near the Indus and Ganges river from 3,000-1,500 BCE. The valley was in between the Hindu-Kush and Himalayan mountains. Monsoon winds and the rivers flooding consistently twice a year benefited agriculture.

Harappa and Mohenjo Daro

2100 BCE

Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro were civilizations in the Indus River Valley Civilization. They were carefully planned cities with large populations of around 35,000. One famous invention includes the natural air-conditioning made by organizing windows with ocean winds. They were a peaceful society and had a mysterious disappearance which was most likely a combination of conquest, earthquakes, or other natural disasters.

Middle Kingdom

2000 BCE

The Middle Kingdom was the 2nd Egyptian civilization which was expanded further South up the Nile river to Nubia. It lasted from 2,055-1,650 BCE. Traders were sent to Kush, Syria, and Mesopotamia which is important because thus far, they had been isolated by the desert. At this time, pharaohs were expected to provide for the public and they created canals which connected the Nile river and Red Sea.

Shang Dynasty

1750 BCE

First major rulers of China from 1,750-1,045 BCE. It was a farming society ruled by aristocrats. Bronze tools and weapons also emerged in this society.

Hyksos defeated the Middle Kingdom

1650 BCE

The new Kingdom commenced with Hyksos defeating the Middle Kingdom in 1650 BCE. Hyksos introduced bronze for tools and weapons, as well as military skills including technology like chariots.

Arrival of the Aryans

1600 BCE

Indo-European people known as Aryans arrived in India and extend control. They lived in tribal groups as warriors before settling in India. They developed the Sanskrit language and are the ancestors of modern day Indian people.

Hinduism is founded

1500 BCE

Hinduism is a polytheistic religion consisting of 4 vedas, karma, and reincarnation. Karma is the idea that what you do in this life affects your future lives after reincarnation. It spread via trade and orally and believes there are 33 million forms of One Consciousness.

New Kingdom

1250 BCE

The new Kingdom lasted from 1,550-1,070 BCE. Bronze tools and weapons such as chariots emerged which leads Egypt to become the most dominant power in Southwest Asia. It entered a period of economic prosperity but instability starts with the leadership of Amenhotep IV.

"Sea People" attack Egypt

1200 BCE

"Sea People" attacked the Egyptians near 1200 BCE, who are people from Greece. These seafarers invaded multiple civilizations such as Syria, Palestine, and Egypt. Evidence for these attacks come from Egyptian texts and illustrations.

Declares Mandate of Heaven

1046 BCE

The Mandate of Heaven is the belief that emperors rule with divine power. If an emperor rules poorly, he can be overthrown and a new dynasty can rule. The Mandate of Heaven was stated in the Rites of Zhou.

Zhou Dynasty

1045 BCE

The Zhou Dynasty ruled from 1,045-256 BCE. They declare the Mandate of Heaven, and the dynastic cycle develops. Major public works projects are created to control flooding and irrigate farm fields. The iron plow also increases farm yields.

Chinese Written Language emerges

900 BCE

Chinese written language emerges with the Zhou Dynasty. Original writing was found inscribed on tortoise shells and chicken bones. Eventually, the characters became more and more stylized and written in metal. The first text discovered describes results of an administrative meaning that took place in the city of Chengzhou.

Silk farms erupt

500 BCE

Silk farms were created during the Zhou Dynasty. Silk was woven into cloth and is popular for its softness and structural integrity. Bits of fabric have been found as far as Greece, showing evidence of the Silk Road. The Silk Road was a trade operation of silk from China to the Mediterranean as early as the 5th century BCE.

Unifies China

221 BCE

The Qin dynasty united China. All the separate areas come together under Emperor Qin and a central currency is installed. A system of roads were built and control extended to the Red River. Terracotta soldiers were created to protect Emperor Qin in his journey to the afterlife.

Qin Dynasty

221 BCE

The Qin dynasty was the last major dynasty of ancient China and ended up uniting China under one leader. Legalism was adopted as the official ideology, and those who did not support the regime were punished. Province and counties existed under the main government with positions that were appointed by the court, unlike previous positions which had been inherited.

Grand Canal is Built

1 CE

The Grand Canal was built to support China's growing population and economy. With the unification of regions, goods needed to be transported, which the canal allowed for. It has over 2,000 km of man-made waterways and connects five of China's main river basins. Ultimately, the Grand Canal united China more and more over time.