Prologue: History before 1200 C.E.

Part 1: Human Development to c. 600 B.C.E.

The First Migrations

• Modern Humans' Origin

  • First appeared in East Africa between 200,000 B.C.E. and 100,000 B.C.E.

  • Survival through hunting and foraging; lived in small, mobile groups.

• Cultural Developments

  • Adaptation to environments, development of tools, and artistic expression.

  • Emergence of animism as a religious belief system.

• Global Migration

  • Migration beyond East Africa began between 100,000 and 60,000 years ago.

  • By 10,000 B.C.E., humans inhabited every continent except Antarctica.

The Agricultural Revolution

• Transition to Agriculture

  • Around 8000 B.C.E., warming climate led to crop cultivation and animal domestication.

  • Resulted in food surplus, allowing specialization in non-food producing activities.

• Societal Changes

  • Population growth and formation of larger settlements.

  • Development of new technologies (irrigation, metallurgy) and social hierarchies.

  • Emergence of governments and writing systems for record-keeping.

The First Civilizations

• Mesopotamia

  • First civilization around the Tigris and Euphrates rivers (modern Iraq).

  • City-states emerged, characterized by patriarchy and monumental architecture.

  • Invention of cuneiform for record-keeping and law.

• Egypt

  • Centralized under pharaohs, with advancements in writing (hieroglyphics) and mathematics.

  • Women had more rights compared to other civilizations.

• Indus Valley

  • Sophisticated urban planning and trade, but language remains undeciphered.

• China

  • Developed a centralized system with ancestor veneration.

• Non-River Valley Civilizations

  • The Olmec and Chavin civilizations in the Americas engaged in trade.

Hinduism and Judaism

• Religious Developments

  • Transition from animism to more abstract beliefs, including polytheism and monotheism.

• Hinduism

  • Originated with Aryan migrations; Vedas introduced concepts of reincarnation and caste.

• Zoroastrianism

  • Early form of monotheism focusing on good vs. evil.

• Judaism

  • Developed around 4,000 years ago; covenant with God and the significance of Abraham.

Part 2: The Classical Era, c. 600 B.C.E. to c. 600 C.E.

Great Empires

• Key Empires

  • Persian, Greek, Roman, Byzantine, Mauryan, Gupta, Qin, and Han.

• Trade and Cultural Exchange

  • Silk Roads and maritime routes facilitated the flow of goods and ideas.

Buddhism

• Origins and Teachings

  • Founded by Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha) around 530 B.C.E.

  • Core principles summarized in the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path.

• Spread of Buddhism

  • Rejected the caste system, appealing to lower castes; spread through trade routes.

Confucianism and Daoism

• Confucianism

  • Founded by Confucius during the Warring States period; emphasized education and social harmony.

• Daoism

  • Focused on harmony with nature, contrasting with Confucian social order.

Civilizations of Western Eurasia

• Persia

  • Established by Cyrus the Great; known for centralized governance and religious tolerance.

• Greece

  • Comprised of city-states; notable for democracy in Athens and military focus in Sparta.

• Rome

  • Expanded through military conquests; developed legal concepts and public infrastructure.

The Development of Christianity

• Origins

  • Emerged from Judaism; Jesus' teachings led to the formation of Christianity.

• Growth and Persecution

  • Spread despite Roman persecution; became the official religion under Constantine.

Part 3: Postclassical Civilizations, c. 600–c. 1200

Trade Networks and Cultural Exchange

• Intensification of Trade

  • Silk Roads, Indian Ocean, and trans-Saharan routes flourished, facilitating cultural exchange.

• Spread of Islam

  • Founded by Muhammad in the 7th century; core principles outlined in the Quran.

  • Rapid expansion and establishment of the Abbasid Caliphate, promoting cultural and scientific advancements.

China’s Dynasties

• Sui and Tang Dynasties

  • Reunification and expansion; construction of the Grand Canal and advancements in technology.

• Song Dynasty

  • Continued prosperity; innovations in manufacturing and trade.

Developments in Africa

• Trade and Islam

  • Growth of trade networks, particularly in West Africa; spread of Islam through trade.

• Great Zimbabwe

  • Emerged as a powerful kingdom in southeastern Africa.

South Asia and Southeast Asia

• Cultural and Religious Influence

  • Hinduism and Buddhism spread through trade; Islam became dominant in Southeast Asia.

Europe

• Fragmentation and Unity

  • Decline of the Western Roman Empire led to decentralized governance; Christianity provided cultural unity.

The Americas

• Civilizations

  • Decline of the Mayans; rise of Mississippian and Toltec civilizations.

The World in 1200

• Emerging States

  • Increased trade and cultural exchange; distinct developments in Africa, Europe, and Asia.

• Predictions for the Future

  • Anticipation of continued growth and change, with unforeseen events