Prehistory and Ancient Civilizations

Prehistory (Before 3000 BCE)

• Earliest human-like species: Australopithecus afarensis (4 million years ago)
• Development of stone tools and early agriculture (Neolithic Revolution, 10,000 years ago)
• Emergence of early civilizations in Mesopotamia (Sumerians, 4500 years ago), Egypt (3100 BCE), and the Indus Valley (3300 BCE)

Ancient Civilizations (3000 BCE - 500 CE)

• Mesopotamia: Babylonians, Assyrians, and Persians; contributions: wheel, writing (cuneiform), law codes (Code of Hammurabi)
• Ancient Egypt: pyramids, mummification, hieroglyphics
• Ancient Greece: city-states (Athens, Sparta), philosophy (Socrates, Plato, Aristotle), theater, and Olympics
• Ancient Rome: republic, empire, law, and architecture

Middle Ages (500 - 1500 CE)

• Fall of the Roman Empire; rise of Christianity
• Feudalism and chivalry in Europe
• Islamic Golden Age: scientific and cultural advancements
• Crusades and the Black Death

Early Modern Period (1500 - 1800 CE)

• Renaissance: humanism, art, and science (Galileo, Copernicus)
• Age of Exploration: European colonization, discovery of the New World
• Enlightenment: reason, individualism, and democracy (Locke, Rousseau, Voltaire)
• Absolute monarchies and the rise of nation-states

Modern Era (1800 - 2000 CE)

• Industrial Revolution: industrialization, urbanization, and capitalism
• Nationalism and imperialism: colonialism, World War I, and World War II
• Cold War: communism, capitalism, and the rise of the United States and Soviet Union
• Decolonization, civil rights movements, and globalization

Contemporary Era (2000 CE - present)

• War on Terror and the Middle East conflicts
• Rise of globalization, digital age, and social media
• Environmental concerns, climate change, and sustainable development
• Shifts in global power dynamics and emerging economies

Prehistory (Before 3000 BCE)

• Human-like species emerged 4 million years ago, with Australopithecus afarensis being the earliest known species.
• Stone tools were developed and early agriculture began during the Neolithic Revolution, around 10,000 years ago.
• Early civilizations emerged in Mesopotamia, Egypt, and the Indus Valley around 4500, 3100 BCE, and 3300 BCE respectively, with the Sumerians, Egyptians, and Harappans being the earliest known civilizations.

Ancient Civilizations (3000 BCE - 500 CE)

• Mesopotamia was home to the Babylonians, Assyrians, and Persians, who contributed the wheel, writing (cuneiform), and law codes (Code of Hammurabi) to human civilization.
• Ancient Egypt built pyramids, developed mummification, and created hieroglyphics.
• Ancient Greece was characterized by city-states (Athens, Sparta), philosophy (Socrates, Plato, Aristotle), theater, and the Olympics.
• Ancient Rome was marked by the development of a republic, empire, law, and architecture.

Middle Ages (500 - 1500 CE)

• The Roman Empire fell, leading to the rise of Christianity in Europe.
• Feudalism and chivalry dominated European society during this period.
• The Islamic Golden Age saw significant scientific and cultural advancements.
• The Crusades and the Black Death had a profound impact on European society.

Early Modern Period (1500 - 1800 CE)

• The Renaissance was characterized by humanism, art, and scientific discoveries (Galileo, Copernicus).
• European exploration led to the colonization of the New World and the expansion of global trade.
• The Enlightenment emphasized reason, individualism, and democracy, with key thinkers including Locke, Rousseau, and Voltaire.
• Absolute monarchies and the rise of nation-states defined this period.

Modern Era (1800 - 2000 CE)

• The Industrial Revolution brought industrialization, urbanization, and capitalism.
• Nationalism and imperialism led to colonialism, World War I, and World War II.
• The Cold War was marked by the rise of communism and capitalism, and the emergence of the United States and Soviet Union as superpowers.
• Decolonization, civil rights movements, and globalization shaped the world during this period.

Contemporary Era (2000 CE - present)

• The War on Terror and conflicts in the Middle East have dominated global politics.
• Globalization, the digital age, and social media have transformed the world.
• Environmental concerns, climate change, and sustainable development have become pressing issues.
• Shifts in global power dynamics and the emergence of new economies have reshaped the world.