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The first column is the introduction and reflection. The second column is the Pre-1200 period and the developments of each major empire during this period. Columns three and four are the world from 1200-1450 CE. The last two, columns five and six are the world from the period of 1450-1750. At the bottom, a timeline of the major world regions is depicted. The lines coming together represent the regions becoming interconnected.

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Pre 1200

Early homonids rose and humans migrated around the world from Africa, forming early civilizations such as the Han dynasty, the Byzantine Empire, Ancient Greece, Toltecs, and more where humans began to develop relgious and social systems in pursuit of the creation of a complete society.

1200-1450

Powerful empires such as the Mongols, Sudanic Empires, Islamic Empires, and many more took shape around the world, developing further into functioning societies with trade along with other means of interconnectedness vastly spreading ideas and innovations.

1450-1750

Global connections and communication began to thrive in this era with improved technology and innovation. State power began to expand globally, with colonies and further discoveries being made in science, politics, and philosophy. The incorporation of the Americas into the worldwide network brought forth further major economic and political developments while Europe's global influence greatly increased.

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The Mongol Empire grew under the leadership of Chinggis Khan and, after his death, was divided into four Khanates. Nomadic people from Northern Asia, the Mongols spent much of their lives living in tents and traveling on horseback. Economically, the Pax Mongolica regulated trade along the Silk Roads and brought tribute from conquered peoples, with herding as a key aspect of their economy. The Mongols also advanced militarily with longbows and gunpowder projectiles, while facilitating the spread of ideas through trade. Additionally, they connected empires across the Silk Roads and played a major role in the spread of the Black Death.

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The Song Dynasty was influenced by Confucianism and had an imperial bureaucracy. Socially, it embraced Buddhism, Daoism, and Confucianism, with a patriarchal structure and a scholar-gentry class. Economically, it was primarily agricultural, relying on rice and free peasants, with strong trading and manufacturing sectors. Intellectually, the Song invented paper money (flying money) and gunpowder. Neighboring countries like Korea, Japan, and Vietnam adopted aspects of the Song dynasty in their empires.

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The Aztecs and Incas were powerful Native communities based in Mesoamerica and the Andes mountains, and though they had many differences, they were majorly similar groups. Both civilizations relied on tributes from lower classes and on agriculture to keep their communities afloat, they worshiped multiple gods and they were all held to high regard within their culture. The Aztecs developed floating gardens, Chinampas, and a merchant class, the Pochteca. As well as this, both civilizations had minimal contact with other groups in the world due to their location, causing less technological advancements, further allowing for future conquests of their land.

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In the Americas...

Spain and Portugal were both Maritime empires, empires that expanded through naval excursions mainly for the purpose of riches and new land. Both countries held important roles in the Columbian exchange, the global exchange of goods, people, and diseases, all sparked after Columbus; discovery. Thanks to better navigational devices, boats, and funding from rulers, these countries set up colonies in different parts of America, where native people were used as laborers and slaves. They also partook in intense competition with each other for economic power and land.

In Europe...

While conquering in America, back in Europe, Spain and Portugal were entering an era of scientific discovery providing them with new innovations such as compasses, improved maps and boats, weaponry, and more. In Europe they faced threats from the Ottoman Empire, sparking their desire to eradicate the Islamic empire.

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England, France, and Other European Countries 

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England, France, and Other European Countries 

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This time period in Europe recognized the Renaissance, Reformation, Scientific Revolution, and parts of the Enlightenment, all in 300 years. Europe, primarily the west, was rapidly changing from their previous religious and feudal views into a secular and technological society. Jobs became more diverse as the economy improved, allowing for changes in the overall social culture during this time, with the key of life no longer being survival.

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Southeast Asia consisted of small, individual empires, most of which were sea-based, such as the Srivijaya, Malacca, and Malaya empires. Rulers legitimized their power through religion. The population was primarily Buddhist and Muslim, with women holding more power than in other regions, participating in trade, markets, inheritance, marriage decisions, and some even holding political positions. Merchants were highly respected due to the importance of trade. Economically, the region relied on maritime trade, with some agricultural activity. The region was known for its shipbuilding, particularly jong ships, and the introduction of the compass from China and maps from Arabic traders. Southeast Asia also had contact with others, including Mongol attempts to conquer the area and trade with mainland China.

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1. The Empire of Babylon is known for Hammurabi’s Code which established laws for the empire. In China around 800 AD, the Han Dynasty created a large bureaucracy, supported by Confucian culture and the scholar-gentry, during which Chinese innovations such as the compass, gunpowder, paper, and silk flourished. In India, Hinduism dominated around 800 AD, with the caste system in place. In Rome, Constantine converted the empire to Christianity by 300 AD, but the empire fell as Germanic tribes fled the Huns. Diocletian split Rome into Eastern and Western halves, with the Eastern side becoming the Byzantine Empire, benefiting from trade through Constantinople. Ancient Greece was the birthplace of democracy and laws that applied to everyone. The Olmecs, one of the first major Mesoamerican civilizations, were known for their massive stone structures, rubber, and chocolate. Teotihuacan developed obsidian weapons, temples like the Pyramids of the Moon and Sun, and practiced chinampa farming, influencing the Aztecs and Toltecs, who shared beliefs in human sacrifice. The Toltecs, known for their giant human sculptures, also worshipped Quetzalcoatl. At the height of its power around 1000 AD, the Empire of Ghana was rich in gold and saw the arrival of camels from Asia.

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The Sudanic empires, such as Mali, were heavily influenced by Islam, with Mansa Musa unifying the kingdom and greatly increasing its wealth. Islam strengthened trade and economic ties in these larger empires. Griots played a key role in preserving history through storytelling. The economy flourished through trans-Saharan trade, agricultural activities, and merchant taxation. Saddles made camel travel and goods transport easier. Contact with others was primarily through trade and occasional conflicts with neighboring regions.

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Ethiopia was an independent Christian nation with a Christian population and the Amharic language. The economy was based on agriculture and barter. Notable intellectual achievements include the construction of the rock-hewn churches of Lalibela. Ethiopia had conflicts with neighboring pagan and Islamic states and engaged in trade through the Red Sea and Indian Ocean.

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Swahili rulers used Islam to legitimize their power, with Muslim merchants holding influence. The Swahili language was a blend of Bantu and Arabic. The economy relied on Indian Ocean trade, exporting goods like timber, ivory, and gold, while importing silk, porcelain, and spices. Intellectual achievements included shipbuilding of dhows and cartography. The Swahili coast traded with the Song Dynasty and Dar-al-Islam.

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Central Africa consisted mostly of decentralized states, with larger empires like Yoruba, Benin, Kongo, and Great Zimbabwe. Knowledge was transmitted orally due to illiteracy, and Bantu migrations increased the population. Men focused on hunting and trade, while women handled domestic duties. The economy was based on agriculture, herding, trade, and blacksmithing. Intellectual achievements included iron tools and weapons. There was little outside contact, except occasional trade with North and East Africa.

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The Ottoman Empire emerged from a group of Turkish people in Anatolia under Mongol rule, eventually becoming a dominant force and establishing their own empire.

Politically, the empire was ruled by sultans with limited power, as the Janissaries controlled the artillery and could overthrow them. Economically, a warrior aristocracy owned land worked by peasants.

The Ottomans followed Sunni Islam and were innovators in military technology, particularly with large cannons and firearms.

Mehmed II's conquest of Constantinople, using massive cannons, marked a turning point. He reopened the city to trade and transformed its Christian churches into mosques.

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The Safavid Empire was a Shi’a Muslim state.

The Battle of Chaldiran marked a significant conflict between the Shi’a Safavids and Sunni Ottomans, with an Ottoman victory leading to a decline in Shi’a conversions.

Economically, the empire relied on a warrior aristocracy that owned land cultivated by peasants.

Shah, Abbas the Great, was a patron of mosques and the arts.

The empire eventually declined due to a lack of suitable successors and invasions.

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The Mughal Empire was founded by Babur, who wanted to conquer India.

Akbar, the son of Humayun, was one of India’s greatest leaders. He created Din-I-Ilahi to unite Hindus and Muslims, improved women’s rights, and was a patron of the arts. After his reign, women’s rights declined, and Hindu-Muslim conflicts increased.

The Mughal military used firearms and elephants effectively.

Aurangzeb expanded the empire to its greatest extent but left it vulnerable to invasions.

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Ivan III, known as Ivan the Great, freed Russia from Mongol control and pledged to expand its territory.

Cossacks, or soldier-peasants, were recruited to settle newly seized lands. The population was predominantly Christian.

The economy relied on serfdom, with serfs heavily taxed, creating conditions similar to slavery.

Peter the Great westernized Russia by reforming the military, developing a navy, improving weapons, and promoting education in mathematics and science.

Catherine the Great, an enlightened leader, further expanded Russia's territory.

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Zhu YuanZhang (Hongwu Emperor): eliminate mongol influence and revived the civil service examination.

Zheng He trade expeditions: sailed across the Indian Ocean. encouraging all nations to have maritime exploration and trade.

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The slave trade was a triangular system between the Americas, Europe, and Africa: America received slaves, Europe obtained resources, and Africa acquired weapons.

Powerful African empires like the Asante and Dahomey relied on guns, and war led to the capture of slaves.

In the 1800s, abolitionists began to push for the end of the Transatlantic slave trade.

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The Aztecs were organized around the altepetl, a type of city-state ruled by a leader who had control over the local nobles. They were known for capturing people from other communities and sacrificing them. Aztec merchants traveled long distances and traded with other empires. They also created a calendar, kept records, made music, and built pyramids. The Aztecs moved through many communities, including the Toltecs, and took prisoners for their sacrifices.

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The Incans believed they were the children of the god Viracocha. Their empire was run by a system of officials who helped manage everything. They celebrated the sun with big festivals every year on June 24th. The Incas collected tribute from the people they ruled, which made them wealthy. They also built temples to worship their gods and had a lot of knowledge about healing practices, some of which are still used today. When they conquered other lands, they forced people to worship Incan gods.

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The Mayas had Mayapan as their political center. They faced many invaders trying to take over their land, but their society remained strong. Economically, trading became more common, especially in cotton, salt, and other goods from the Caribbean.

Intellectually, the Mayas were impressive. They built many structures like plazas, pyramids, and ball courts. They also made advancements in math, astronomy, calendars, writing, and art.

The Mayas also borrowed a lot of ideas from the Toltecs, which helped shape their culture.

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The Abbasid Caliphate faced many internal conflicts that eventually led to their decline. They helped spread Islam from Spain to India and created the House of Wisdom, a center for learning and scholarship. This brought new opportunities for intellectual growth. The Abbasids controlled a vast area, including parts of Europe, Africa, and Asia.

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The Ottoman Empire was led by Turkish warriors called Ghazis, who fought for the faith of Islam. They ruled as an absolute monarchy. The Ghazis fought against the Byzantines and Mongols. Economically, the Ottomans controlled the key trade routes between Europe and Asia. Many Muslim children were forced to learn Arabic and Islamic theology. The Ottomans also cut off Asia Minor from Byzantine control.

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Europe was politically fragmented, although commerce grew in scale and complexity. From the 10th to 14th centuries, there was colonization and expansion, but the Black Death in the 1340s caused massive deaths, reversing population growth.

Most villages were controlled by powerful figures living in manors, which were symbols of wealth and power. Lords were the main political figures at the time.

Crops often failed, and food was scarce. Around 80-90% of the population were serfs, bound to the land in poverty. This period marked a key turning point in European history.

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African connections with Europeans:

The Portuguese first created trading outposts in Africa for basic commodities. As demand for slave labor grew, slaves started to be traded to the American colonies from Africa.

Bantu speaking tribes encountered the Dutch East India company in the southern area of Africa. The Cape colony was expanding for fertile land. The Cape colony needed more slave labor. The Dutch(Boers)moved upwards, taking over land.

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The Umayyad Caliphate was very militaristic and had a lot of control over the Arab world. They faced internal conflicts and persecuted different groups. Economically, they expanded through military conquests and helped develop the Arabic language and literature. Intellectually, they constructed the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem. They also persecuted surrounding groups during their reign.

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Daniel, Brady, Maya, Angie

Group 3

Period 5