Stone Age, Paleolithic, and Mesolithic Periods

• The Ice Age started 25,000 years ago.
• Homo sapiens appeared approximately 200,000 years ago.
• Humans migrated from Africa 60,000 years ago.
• The agricultural revolution, where people learned to utilize plants and crafts, and developed warfare and religion, began 10,000-12,000 years ago.
• Key hominid species include Australopithecus, Homo habilis, Homo erectus, Neanderthals, and Homo sapiens.

Stone Age

• It is the earliest period of human culture, characterized by stone tools.
• Cave paintings are a notable aspect of the Stone Age.

Paleolithic Period

• The earliest phase of the Stone Age, starting 2.5 million years ago.
• People lived in tribes of 20-30 individuals.
• Hunter-gatherers traveled for food, collecting berries, nuts, and honey.
• They hunted animals like woolly mammoths and cave bears.
• People wore leather clothing.
• The mastery of fire occurred around 500,000 years ago.

Mesolithic Period

• The second period of the Stone Age.
• Frames made from animal bones were used for housing.
• Bows, arrows, and spears were used for hunting.
• The first rafts and boats were developed.
• Dogs were domesticated.

Neolithic Period

• The final stage of cultural evolution in the Stone Age.
• People became skilled farmers.
• Cattle breeding began.
• People settled together in villages.
• Pottery, basketry, and weaving emerged.

Pre-Modern Period (3,500-1,500 BCE)

• Significant inventions include machineries, gunpowder, the compass, paper, silk, roads, and printing.

• The wheel was crucial for infrastructure development.

• The Silk Road was a network of trade routes.

• Cuneiform is the earliest form of text, written on blocks.

• The Silk Road is considered the first worldwide web, connecting China, India, and East Africa.

• In the 16th Century, European diseases like the bubonic plague spread.

Early Modern Period (1500-1750)

• This era includes the Renaissance and the Enlightenment.
• The Gutenberg Printing Press was invented.
• Windmills and watermills were utilized.
• Objective science emerged.
• Printing became mechanized.
• Advanced navigation was developed.
• Maritime techniques were revised.
• The rise of capitalism occurred.
• National joint-stock companies were created.
• Religious wars and political alliances formed.
• Interdependencies between nations increased.

Modern Period (1760-1950)

• Railroads were developed.
• Transshipment became mechanized.
• Markets expanded.
• Inequalities within societies grew.
• Racial inequality was evident.
• Multinational banks emerged.
• The concept of a guardian of universal law and morality arose.
• Advances in science and technology occurred.
• World trade boomed.
• The gold standard was adopted.
• European colonial empires expanded.
• Political dynasties faced enforcement problems.
• Migration occurred.

Contemporary Period (1750-1970)

• The Bretton Woods System was established to promote free trade and economic cooperation after World War II.

Globalization Theories

• Manfred Steger discussed globalization.
• Neoliberalism promotes self-regulating markets without unnecessary business interference.
• Adam Smith and David Ricardo were key figures in neoliberal economic theory.
• Estate Descent refers to the next legitimate heir.
• The Japanese occupation had an influence on globalization.

Manfred Steger's Perspectives on Globalization

• Pessimistic hyperglobalizers believe countries are negatively influenced by Western cultures (McDonaldization).
• Optimistic hyperglobalizers hold a more positive view of cultural exchange.

Five Claims of Globalization

• Neoliberalism is a driving force.
• Globalization is seen as inevitable and irreversible.
• There is no single entity in charge of globalization.
• Globalization lacks centralized leadership but serves to sustain.
• Globalization is portrayed as beneficial to everyone, which is largely ideological.
• Globalization is synonymous with the spread of world democracy.

Dimensions of Globalization

• Neoliberalism, as advocated by Adam Smith and David Ricardo.
• McDonaldization of culture.
• The IMF and World Bank promote structural adjustment and neoliberal policies.
• These institutions were established at the 1944 Bretton Woods Conference.
• Can increase poverty.
• They also offer loans.
• The IMF aims to stabilize global currencies and promote international monetary cooperation.
• The United Nations replaced the League of Nations.
• The gold standard declined, leading to the dollar's detachment from gold.
• Transnational corporations increased in number due to globalization in 1970.
• Political globalization involves the intensification of political interrelations.
• Approximately 80% of internet content is in English.
• Globalization involves the adaptation and transformation of local cultures.
• The power of TNCs has increased, benefiting from global trade liberalization.
• This facilitates international trade.
• Large media companies drive cultural globalization.
• Woodrow Wilson's principle of national self-determination influenced globalization.
• The concept of sovereignty is related to the rise of global governance.
• Modern nation-state systems face global issues like climate change, which challenge their sovereignty.
• The interconnectedness of globalism is reflected in Taoism, Buddhism, and animism.
• Free trade has potential benefits such as boosting global wealth, but also drawbacks such as rising debt.
• The UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) aim to end poverty and protect the planet.
• Hyperglobalizers view the spread of Western values and culture as a positive force that promotes democracy and free markets.

Cultural Dimension

• Pessimistic hyperglobalizers view globalization negatively.
• Optimistic hyperglobalizers view globalization positively.