-
Greatly improving farming, early Africans developed iron tools for efficient cultivation.
-
Africa’s cultures have been influenced by their environment and has been ruled by three major empires (Ghana, Mali, and Songhai) and passed down their history orally.
-
Before the Spanish conquistadors came, 3 major civilizations existed, including the Mayans, the Aztecs, and the Incas.
-
During the Middle Ages, Europe developed feudal systems which was similar to the Japanese system. Despite other invasions for nearby countries, such as the Vikings, early Europe managed to create a society dependent a lot to Christianity .
-
After the fall of the Roman Empire, Europe divided themselves into small kingdoms which was the start of the Middle Ages. The Middle Ages is also called the medieval, Latin for the Middle Ages.
-
China and Korea had a lot of influence on Japan, which taught the people many thing such as Chinese characters, but more importantly, Buddhism. This led to their modified version of Buddhism called the Zen.
-
Japan was a isolated country made of islands which 80% of it were mountains that made it hard to farm. Japan also gained many ideas (influence) from nearby country such as China and Korea. Japan developed different types of leaderships such as figureheads and shoguns.
-
Islam has developed the second major religion called Muslim that has influenced people around the world. Muslims were responsible in creations of many achievements while being ruled by many empires, specifically the Ottoman, the Safavid, and the Mughal Empire.
-
The starter of the great religion Muslim, was born in a rich family and received great wealth. Despite the satisfaction, Muhammad was concerned about how rich people did not help the poor and established a religion to fix it. This influential person was born in the late 5th century...
-
After 300 years of no leaders (also known as the Period of Disunion), the Sui Dynasty appeared and made the Grand Canal, which linked northern and southern China.
-
After the Period of Disunion, there were more dynasties that appeared and successfully invented many useful items that some are still used today (or influenced layer creations).
-
After the death of Muhammad, many followers collected records or accounts of his teaching to form a book (like the Bible) called the Qur’an. Muslims believe that the words of the Qur’an are the exact words of god given to Muhammad.
-
The Franks were a strong group who first conquered Gaul (future France) and were in a incline through ruler Clovis, but the kingdom reached its most powerful point through the reign of king Charlemagne. He was known to be a brilliant warrior.
-
Among the various Chinese dynasties, the Song Dynasty started the concept of paper money, which replaced the original currency of coins or shells.
-
The reason is undetermined, but the Mayans suddenly declined which lead to a mysterious disappearance. During the decline, people stopped building temples and moved from the cities to countrysides.
-
The Song Dynasty made a large development of creating the group called a bureaucracy. The group is made of unlelected gov. officials that passed the civil service examinations.
-
He brought feudalism to France, and was later nicknamed as William the Conquerer because him and his knights sailed to England and destroyed the King.
-
After being introduced to Buddhism, Japanese monks later invented the Zen religion, which later got popular (in Japan) in 1100.
-
Frustrated nobles created strong armies to change the leadership, and as a result, Minamoto’s clan won. Instead of getting rid of the emperor, he had the emperor a figurehead and ruled Japan as a shogun.
-
After being wealthy, Ghana had decline mostly because of invasions such as from the Almoravids, overgrazing herds, and internal rebellions.
-
Known to be one of the most powerful people in the Middle Ages, Eleanor of Aquitaine ruled Aquitaine and became the queen of France after marrying Louis VII, but later became the queen of England after divorcing Lousi and marrying King Henry II
-
Greatly expanding the Mongolian territory, Genghis Khan was given the nickname “Universal Ruler” because of his many victories. His was known to destroy numerous towns and farms.
-
After growing up under a harsh ruler, Sundiata built an army that overthrew his country’s harsh ruler and even Ghana, which then he controlled their salt and gold trades.
-
The Muslim explorer Ibn Battutah is well known for his successful expeditions to further countries such as in Africa, India, China, and Spain. Adventures such as this improved the maps in Muslim research.
-
The Muslim traveler Ibn Battutah, was the most famous Muslim visitor and wrote many accounts about the place and spread the information to many people. He describes about their political cultural lives.
-
The Ottoman Empire, an empire of Muslim Turkish warriors, was making process through the Christian Byzantine Empire, succeeding in the battles thanks to their strong army, and eventually ended up invading Constantinople. With the advantage of cannons, slave soldiers and gun power, Mehmed II was victorious in adding Constantinople into the Ottoman Empire.
-
Hernan Cortes came to the Aztecs in 1519, and the Aztecs did not attack them because they had a legend that their god would return at that date. The Emperor gave them gifts that include gold and precious metals, but Cortes got greedy and took the Emperor as prisoner for more valuables. He killed the Emperor later anyways.
-
During the reign of Atahualpa, Francisco Pizarro took over the Incas with 180 men with the help of Indians. Before this happened, Francisco managed to pull out 24 tonnes of precious metals from the emperor and allowed the Spanish to rule the land for over 300 years.
-
Although it seems random and small, a Muslim doctor (name unknown) discovered a cure for smallpox, a disease now seen mild but deadly in the past. This is an example to many other achievements Muslims have accomplished in the field of medicine.
-
During the Song Dynasty, the invention of porcelain was made which lead up to countless and beautiful pottery to be kept or sold.
-
In early Japan, people developed various types of martial arts such as judo and karate. These fighting forms are still practiced today.
-
Thankfully to the Mayans, the civilization were able to study the sky and develop calendars that are still used today all over the world.
-
Begun by early monks, monasteries supported education and provided help to the poor and sick. Since they taught Christianity, they are still used to benefit Catholic Christianity and help the poor.
-
Through African griots, Africa was able to remember and pass down old stories that were informative and entertaining. The stories can now teach the modern world about Africa’s history.