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Emergence of hominids; beginning of the Paleolithic era.

🏹Early Man

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Rise of River Valley Civilizations:

Mesopotamia: Sumer, Babylon, Hammurabi’s Code (1754 BCE).

Egypt: Pyramids, centralized rule, Nile-based agriculture.

Indus Valley: Urban planning (Mohenjo-Daro, Harappa).

China: Shang Dynasty; introduction of writing, bronze

tools.

⚖Development of river valley civs, law codes, etc..

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Augustus becomes the first Roman Emperor, marking the start of the Roman Empire. Roman peace ensured stability which allowed for their trade and culture to flourish .

🗺 Middle Ages, Crusades, etc..

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622 CE: Founding of Islam, which unified the Arabian peninsula under the religion, which quickly spread to the Middle East, North Africa, and beyond

650 CE: Founding of Christianity which then spread across Europe, eventually becoming a dominant cultural and religious force

1095 CE: Launch of the First Crusade; European Christians attempt to reclaim the Holy Land through a series of military campaigns

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Establishment of the Mongol Empire under Genghis Khan through the unification of Mongol tribes

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Abbasid Caliphate: Decline; flourishing of Islamic science and culture.

☪Developments in Dar al-Islam

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Trans-Saharan Trade: Gold and salt trade connects West Africa with North Africa.

👩‍🔧References to Networks of Exchange between these civilizations:  Silk Roads, Mongols, Indian Ocean Exchange, Trans-Saharan Trade

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Silk Roads: Revival under Mongol rule; Marco Polo visits Yuan China.

👩‍🔧References to Networks of Exchange between these civilizations:  Silk Roads, Mongols, Indian Ocean Exchange, Trans-Saharan Trade

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1215 CE: The Magna Carta was signed in England which limited royal authority and introduced legal accountability.

⚠ Developments in Europe

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Mongol Empire falls, leaving many trade routes unprotected and unused.

⛩ Developments in East Asia

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Ottoman Empire: Captures Constantinople (1453), expanding into Europe, Asia, and Africa.

💥Empire Expansion

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European Empires: Portugal and Spain establish colonies in Africa, Asia, and the Americas (1490s onward).

💥Empire Expansion

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Reformation (1517): Martin Luther challenges Catholic Church; Protestant sects form.

☾ Empire Belief Systems

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Catholic Counter-Reformation (1545-1648): Jesuits lead missionary efforts globally.

☾ Empire Belief Systems

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Safavid Empire: Establishes Shia Islam as the state religion in Persia (1501-1736).

💥Empire Expansion

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Mughal Empire: Expands under Akbar the Great (r. 1556-1605), blending Islamic and Hindu cultures.

💥Empire Expansion

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Ming Dynasty: Centralization of power; Zheng He's voyages (1405-1433) project Chinese influence.

🌆 Empire Belief Systems

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Syncretism: Vodun (West Africa and Catholicism); Sikhism in Mughal India (founded 1469, grows under Akbar).

☾ Empire Belief Systems

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Founding of the Yuan Dynasty in China by Kublai Khan which integrated the cultures of China and the Mongols.

⛩ Developments in East Asia

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Indian Ocean Trade: Monsoon winds foster trade between East Africa, the Middle East, and Asia.

👩‍🔧References to Networks of Exchange between these civilizations:  Silk Roads, Mongols, Indian Ocean Exchange, Trans-Saharan Trade

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Speech gene led to communication as well as knowledge-sharing and social organization. cultural evolution included art, tool-making, and societal structures. The Neolithic Revolution begins the transition from hunting-gathering to agriculture. permanent settlements began to arise, as well as a surplus in food production.

🏹Early Man

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Neolithic Revolution; shift to agriculture and domestication.

🏹Early Man

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Rise of Greek city-states; development of democracy in Athens.

🏛 Greece, Rome, etc...

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Roman Republic founded; expansion across the Mediterranean.

🏛 Greece, Rome, etc...

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Qin Dynasty unifies China (start of the Great Wall).

🏛 Greece, Rome, etc...

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The fall of the Western Roman Empire was due to barbaric invasions and economic decline. This set the stage for the Medieval period, which included fragmented kingdoms and the feudal system.

🗺 Middle Ages, Crusades, etc..

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Islam founded; spread across the Middle East and North Africa.

🗺 Middle Ages, Crusades, etc..

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First Crusade launched to reclaim the Holy Land.

🗺 Middle Ages, Crusades, etc..

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Development of feudalism in Europe; height of trade networks like the Silk Roads.

🗺 Middle Ages, Crusades, etc..

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Song Dynasty: Innovations in gunpowder, paper money, and maritime technology.

⛩ Developments in East Asia

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Japan: Establishment of the Kamakura Shogunate; Samurai code of Bushido.

⛩ Developments in East Asia

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The Ming Dynasty overthrows the Yuan, ushering in an era of Chinese cultural flourishing with the help of Zheng He

⛩ Developments in East Asia

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Mamluk Sultanate: Islamic state in Egypt, defeating Mongols at Ain Jalut.

☪Developments in Dar al-Islam

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Delhi Sultanate: Spread of Islam; syncretism with Hinduism.

🛕 Developments in South and Southeast Asia

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Maya Civilization: Decline post-900 CE; advances in astronomy and math remain significant.

Aztecs: Establishment of Tenochtitlán (1325); tribute empire.

Incas: Andes-based empire with advanced road systems and terrace farming.

🏗 State building in the Americas

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Mali Empire: Reached its height under Mansa Musa (1324 pilgrimage).

🐫 State building in Africa

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Swahili Coast: Trade networks connect East Africa to Indian Ocean trade.

👩‍🔧References to Networks of Exchange between these civilizations:  Silk Roads, Mongols, Indian Ocean Exchange, Trans-Saharan Trade

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Black Death (1347-1351): Kills a third of Europe’s population, reshaping economies.

⚠ Developments in Europe

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Hundred Years' War (1337-1453): Conflict between England and France.

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Spanish Colonies: Encomienda system exploits Indigenous labor (1494-early 1700s)

🌆 Empire Belief Systems

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Printing Press (1450): Gutenberg revolutionizes communication in Europe.

🧑‍💻 Technological Innovations

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Navigation Tools: Astrolabe, caravel ships enable European exploration.

🧑‍💻 Technological Innovations

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1492: Columbus reaches the Americas, beginning European colonialism.

🧨 Exploration

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1498: Vasco da Gama reaches India via Cape of Good Hope.

🧨 Exploration

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Columbian Exchange

To Americas: Smallpox, horses, wheat.

To Old World: Potatoes, maize, tobacco.

Impact: Population growth in Europe; demographic collapse in the Americas.

🌽 The Columbian Exchange

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Spanish and Portuguese Empires: Establish trade routes connecting Africa, Asia, and the Americas (16th-17th centuries).

🛤 Maritime Empires

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Dutch and British East India Companies: Dominate spice and textile trade (1602-1707).

🫚 Internal and External Challenges to Power

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Peasant Revolts: Pugachev Rebellion in Russia (1773).

🔫 Internal and External Challenges to Power

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Colonial Resistance: Indigenous revolts in the Americas (16th-18th centuries).

🔫 Internal and External Challenges to Power

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European Conflicts: Thirty Years' War (1618-1648); Treaty of Westphalia (1648) redefines state sovereignty.

🔫 Internal and External Challenges to Power

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Seven Years' War (1756-1763):

A global conflict fought in Europe, the Americas, and Asia.

Britain emerges as the dominant colonial power, gaining Canada and India from France.

Spain trades Florida for Havana with Britain; France retains some Caribbean colonies.

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Pre-1200:

When the speech gene emerged, it catalyzed the development of complex societies, since it enabled communication and cooperation between people. This innovation was the highest point In the Neolithic revolution, where agriculture began to transform human lifestyles, which allowed for the growth of different settlements and more structured societies. The evolutions of early human civilizations such as the Indus valley civilization highlights humanity’s capacity for innovation, which was mostly seen in urban planning and the organization of societies. The codification of laws such as the Hammurabi’s code reflected a shift towards more structured governments and justice systems. This layed the groundwork for our modern legal systems.

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Classical Civilizations (Greece, Rome, etc.):

Political systems like the Athenian democracy and the Roman Republic introduced models of governance that emphasized citizen participation and accountability. Models such as this influenced future institutions globally. The fall of Rome demonstrated how fragile their centralized power was, which underscored the need for adaptable political and economic systems. This helped shape the medieval world.

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Middle Ages and Religious Developments:

The founding of Islam and Christianity reshaped the global culture and politics. Not only did these faiths unite large populations, but they also inspired significant events like the Crusades, which influenced trade, cultural exchange, and mixed faith interactions. The first crusade illustrated the entanglement of religion and politics. This marked a period of intense conflict and exchange between Europe and the Islamic world.

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1200-1450:

This era witnessed the rise and fall of many major empires such as the Mongol Empire, whose big size facilitated unparalleled exchange of goods, ideas, and technologies. But, the empire’s collapse disrupted trade networks that had been established, which altered the dynamic of the global economy. State-building flourished around the world from the Mali and Aztec Empires to the Ming Dynasty. These states developed distinct cultural and political systems that reflected their own environments and historical contexts. The black death greatly impacted Europe. It reduced the population by a third, and altered labor structures which ultimately catalyzed social and economic transformations.

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1450-1750:

The age of exploration and empire-building marked a new phase of interactions that stretched globally. The Colombian Exchange reshaped different ecosystems and economies even though it also brought devastating diseases to the Americas that ended up wiping out entire Indigenous populations. The rise of maritime empires like Spain, and Portugal demonstrated the importance of technological innovations within the navigation and military strategies. These empires set the stage for modern trade networks that are globalized. Internal and external challenges like the Safavid decline or the colonial revolts underscored the vulnerability of centralized powers, which showed how government systems had to adapt to maintain their sustainability and stability.

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This overview illustrates a theme that tends to recur: humanity’s capacity for innovation and adaptability among challenges. From the development of the speech gene and agriculture to the rise and fall of empires. Each milestone reflects the ability that humans have to use technology, culture, and governance to address their needs and to expand their influence.

The speech gene and the Neolithic revolution highlight the power that communication has in advancing human potential. Similarly, the collaboration within empires, from trade routes to political systems, shows the importance of connection.

While advancements such as the Colombian Exchange and empire-building brought growth and exchange, they also brought exploitation of humans, conflict, and diseases. Their progress often came with dire consequences that helped shape societies in profound and usually unequal ways. Whether through the fall of the Western Roman Empire, the Black Death, or colonial revolts, human societies demonstrate the ability to innovate in the face of adversity.

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Pre-1200s

Connection to Modern Democracy (Athens, Greece): Athens' early democratic practices (5th century BCE) laid the groundwork for representative government. Today, principles of democracy influence governments worldwide.

Connection to Social Inequality: The caste systems in River Valley civilizations like India and Egypt parallel modern issues of systemic inequality (e.g., economic classes).

Date to Note: 509 BCE - Roman Republic founded; inspires modern republics.

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1200–1450

Global Trade Networks: The Silk Roads (active from 130 BCE to 1453 CE) were the "Internet of their time," connecting cultures and economies. Modern parallels include the global shipping industry and digital trade.

Women’s Rights: Vietnamese women’s resistance to Confucian gender roles (Tran Dynasty) reflects ongoing struggles for gender equality, from suffragettes to feminist movements today.

Date to Note: 1347–1351 - The Black Death spread along trade routes, echoing the COVID-19 pandemic’s reliance on global networks for transmission.

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1450–1750

Cultural Blending: Akbar’s policies to unify Hindus and Muslims in the Mughal Empire resonate with modern efforts toward religious tolerance and multicultural governance.

Columbian Exchange and Globalization: The exchange of crops like maize and potatoes parallels modern globalization. Consider avocado toast or sushi as examples of foods exchanged between cultures today.

Date to Note: 1517 - Martin Luther's 95 Theses catalyzed the Protestant Reformation, much like modern social media activism reshapes societal values.

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For this timeline, we color-coded our three time periods of the timeline:

Yellow: Pre-1200

Green: 1200-1450

Purple: 1450-1750.

We included all the events we thought were most memorable and influential after discussing them, as well as a small sentence describing them and a theme in bold at the bottom of the textbox.

Moving down the timeline, we included a ladder as the action of moving down the ladder shows how civilization keeps growing by building on what came before. Each step down connects the past to the present, showing how everything is linked.

Our central theme in this timeline was connectivity and on the sides of the timeline and as you go farther out horizontally, we have more textboxes focused on analysis and broader events rather than smaller key events closer to the ladder.