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Period: 750 to 1258
Abbasid Caliphate
The third caliphate to succeed Muhammad, this empire dominated the Middle-East. Scholars traveled to the House of Wisdom at the empires capital, Baghdad. They are best known for preserving and translating ancient Greek texts, creating Algebra, and being tolerant of Christians. Their power declined following Seljuk and Mongol invasions. -
Period: 802 to 1431
Khmer Empire
This Southeast Asian empire thrived on rivers and irrigation systems instead of maritime power. Originally Hindu the country would eventually convert to Buddhism, creating magnificent temple in the capital, Angkor Thom. -
Period: 850 to 1267
Chola Dynasty
Early Indian kingdom in Southern India -
Period: 960 to 1279
Song Dynasty
Best known for expanding the Grand Canal, creating the first guns, and benefiting from the Silk Road. A common practice during this dynasty was foot binding, which coincided with the Confucian practice with filial piety. -
1150
Angkor Wat
The largest religious monument in the world was constructed in the early 12th century under the rule of Khmer King Suryavarman II. Originally a Hindu temple, it would evolve into a Buddhist temple. -
Period: 1200 to 1450
Period 1
From the conquests of Genghis Khan to the Fall of Constantinople -
1201
Nasir al-Din al-Tusi (1201-1274)
Islamic scholar during the Abbasid golden age in Baghdad's House of Wisdom. He made several contributions to astronomy, mathematics, philosophy, and medicine. -
1202
The fourth Crusade (1202-1204)
The last major Crusade, instead of attacking the Holy Land, Venetians convinced the Crusaders to attack Constantinople who owed them money and was a Mediterranean trade competitor. -
1206
Genghis Khan 1206-1227 (Mongolian)
Elected by the Mongolian chieftains in 1206, Genghis began his conquest of Asia from 1210-1227. His descendants would continue the conquest of Russia, Iraq, and China. -
Period: 1206 to 1556
Delhi Sultanate
This Islamic Empire dominated northern India for three centuries and prevented Mongolian expansion. The sultanate never created an organized government and were consistently resented for imposing the jizya, a tax against non-Muslims. -
1215
Magna Carta (England)
Also known as the Great Charter, the English barons forced King John to sign the document which guaranteed the people certain rights, such as trial by jury. -
1240
Golden Horde (Mongolian)
Under the leadership of Batu, this Mongolian army conquered Russia and sacked Kiev. They established a tribute system which lasted till Ivan the great defeated them in 1480 -
Period: 1250 to 1517
Mamluk Sultanate
Originally ethic Turkish slaves who served as soldiers for Arabs, Mamluks eventually seized the Egyptian government and created an economically prosperous empire based on cotton and sugar. -
1271
Marco Polo travels 1271-1295
This Venetian merchant extensively traveled throughout Asia and wrote a captivating description of Kublai Khan's China. -
Period: 1279 to 1368
Yuan Dynasty
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Period: 1293 to 1520
Majapahit Empire
At the height of its power, this Java kingdom had 98 tributaries due to its control of sea routes (especially the straights of Malacca). -
1320
The Divine Comedy
Written by Dante Alighieri, this book was not only written in Italian vernacular, but describes heaven, hell, and purgatory. It was also a criticism of corruption in the Catholic Church. -
1325
Tenochtitlan founded
The Aztec capital was built on a island in Lake Texcoco. The home to nearly 200,000 people consisted of pyramids, aqueducts, chinampas, and irrigation systems. -
Period: 1325 to 1521
Aztec Empire
This hunter-gatherer tribe settled in modern day Mexico City, where they created an empire by conquering the surrounding tribes and establishing a tribute system. They are famous for Chinampas (floating gardens), art, fashion, and human sacrifice. They were defeated by the Spanish conquistador, Hernan Cortes -
1332
Ibn Khaldun (1332-1406)
Known as the father of historiography (the study of historical writing). The Muqaddimah is his most famous work. -
Period: 1336 to
Vihayanagara Empire
This south Indian empire began when the Delhi Sultanate sent two brothers to expand its territory in India. This Hindu kingdom is best known for their urbanization. -
Period: 1337 to 1453
The Hundred Years' War
This war between England and France was fought over hereditary rights to the French throne. Famous for the English longbow, Henry V and Joan of Arc, this war decimated northern France, but led to French re-unification and victory over the English. -
Period: 1368 to
Ming Dynasty
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Period: 1438 to 1572
Inca Empire
This South American empire was formed through the conquests of Pachacuti. They are best known for their terraces and cities in the mountains, as well as the Carpa Nan (roadway system). Instead of a tribute system, this civilization had the Mit'a system, which required civil labor from its citizens. -
Period: 1450 to
Period 2
The Age of Exploration, Gunpowder Empires, and Colonial period -
1453
Fall of Constantinople
Mehmed II and the Ottomans complete their conquest of the Byzantine Empire and capture Constantinople -
1455
Gutenberg Bible
Gutenberg prints the Bible using his printing press; This changes the access to literature. -
1460
A'ishah al-Ba'uniyyah (1460-1507)
Famous female Sufi poet, best known for "Clear Inspiration, on Praise of the Trusted One." Sufism is a branch of Islam that focused introspective truths and mysticism. -
1492
Christopher Columbus (Spain)
Funded by the Spanish monarchs, Isabella & Ferdinand, Columbus sails west in hopes of finding India. Instead, he found the Bahamas -
1498
Mira Bai (Bhakti Movement)
Mira Bai was a Hindu mystic who wrote poems during the Bhakti Movement in India. This movement focused on emotion within the spiritual life instead of studying religious texts. This approach to religion is similar to Sufi Muslims -
Period: to
Thirty Years' War
Major war of religion between Catholics and Protestants in Europe resulting in the Peace of Westphalia -
Period: to
Qing Dynasty
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Period: to
Period 3
Revolutions -
Period: to
Industrial Revolution
Typically divided into two revolutions:
1st: 1760-1870 Textiles & Railroads
2nd: 1870-1914 Steel & Mechanization -
Communist Manifesto
This publication by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels highlighted the issues of the Bourgeoisie and called for the Proletariat to rise up. -
Berlin Conference
Led by Otto von Bismarck, this conference established the Scramble for Africa. -
Period: to
Period 4
Global conflict and decolonization -
Period: to
WWI
From the Assassination of Franz Ferdinand in 1914 to the Armistice in 1918 -
Period: to
WWII
From the Invasion of Poland in 1939 to VE & VJ day in 1945 -
Period: to
Cold War
The Cold War is a era of indirect conflicts between the US & USSR from the Truman Doctrine to the fall of the Soviet Union.