Middle East and Ancient Civilizations

1939-1945 CE

Time range of World War II

1914-1918 CE

Time range of World War I

1492 CE

Columbus arrives in Caribbean, European settlement of Americas begins

1989 CE

Berlin wall comes down, initiating fall of communist governments in Eastern Europe

1848 CE

Karl Marx writes Communist Manifesto inspiring economic and political revolutions throughout the world for years to come

1948 CE

Israeli state founded in region historically known as Palestine

1917 CE

Bolsheviks seize power in Russia, later leading to the establishment of the Soviet Union

3000 BCE

First organized civilizations form throughout the world

1760 - 1840 CE

Period of increased mechanization, application of fossil fuels, industrialization and capitalist economic ideas

476 CE

Western Roman Empire falls, disrupting long-standing administration and organization structures throughout much of Europe

1517 CE

German monk, Martin Luther challenges power of the Roman Catholic Church and initiates period of religious upheaval in much of Europe

1800s BCE

Judaism adopted and established as a religion in parts of Middle East

100s CE

Christianity takes root throughout parts of Mediterranean region

600s CE

Islam begins and spreads as a religious belief system throughout much of Middle East and North Africa

1994 CE

Nelson Mandela elected President of South Africa

1947 CE

India gains independence from Great Britain

1959 CE

Fidel Castro's communist revolution takes power in Cuba

1793 CE

King Louis XVI is executed and French Revolution intensifies

1949 CE

Mao Zedong takes power and establishes communist China

1964 - 1973 CE

U.S. carries out intensified war effort in Vietnam and parts of Southeast Asia