World Civilizations Overview 300-1300 CE

Nazca and Moche Civilizations

• Flourished in South America from 300 to 900 CE.
• Known for intricate textiles and the Nazca Lines, impressive geoglyphs etched into the desert.

Islamic Expansion

• Rapid growth of Islamic caliphates began around 600 CE.
• Expansion across the Middle East, North Africa, and parts of Asia transformed cultural and political landscapes.

Tang Dynasty

• Golden age of China spanned from 618 to 907 CE.
• Major advancements in culture, technology, and territorial expansion occurred.

Ghana Empire

• Emerged around 800 CE, controlling key gold and salt trade routes in West Africa.
• Wealth and prosperity characterized this influential kingdom until around 1100 CE.

Feudalism in Europe

• Developed between 800 and 1300 CE, defining social structures of medieval Europe.
• Hierarchical systems included lords, vassals, and serfs, establishing local governance.

Toltec Civilization

• Rise of the Toltec Empire in Mesoamerica occurred from 850 to 1250 CE.
• Influenced future civilizations such as the Aztecs through culture and trade.

Mongol Empire

• Founded in the 1200s by Genghis Khan, creating the largest contiguous empire in history.
• Empire extended from China to Europe, facilitating trade and cultural exchanges.

Mali Empire

• Flourished from 1200 to 1600 CE in West Africa, renowned for its wealth, especially in Timbuktu.
• Mansa Musa became a notable leader, known for his pilgrimage to Mecca and cultural influence.

Aztec Empire

• Established Tenochtitlán around 1325 CE, marking the rise of an influential Mesoamerican civilization.

Inca Empire

• Expansion of the Inca Empire began around 1400 CE, becoming the largest empire in pre-Columbian America.

Age of Exploration

• Between 1492 and 1600 CE, European powers such as Spain and Portugal explored and colonized the Americas, Africa, and Asia.
• Motivated by economic gain, technological advancements in navigation, and missionary zeal.

Songhai Empire

• Reached its peak during the 1500s as the largest empire in West Africa, controlling significant trade routes.

Mughal Empire

• Existed from 1526 to 1857 CE, known for a cultural golden age under rulers like Akbar.

Fall of the Inca Empire

• Conquest by Francisco Pizarro in 1533 led to the Spanish colonization of South America.

Qing Dynasty

• The last imperial dynasty of China from 1644 to 1912, marked by expansion and conflicts with Western powers.

American Revolution

• Occurred from 1775 to 1783, resulting in the independence of the 13 colonies and the formation of the United States.

French Revolution

• A political upheaval from 1789 to 1799, overthrowing the monarchy and leading to widespread European changes.

Haitian Revolution

• In 1804, successfully established Haiti's independence from France, marking the only successful slave rebellion.

Latin American Wars of Independence

• Between 1821 and 1830, led by figures like Simon Bolivar, resulted in the end of Spanish colonial rule.

Meiji Restoration

• Japan underwent rapid modernization and industrialization starting in 1868, transforming into a global power.

American Civil War

• Fought from 1861 to 1865, leading to the abolition of slavery in the United States.

Scramble for Africa

• Occurred between 1884 and 1885 during the Berlin Conference, where European powers divided Africa for colonization.

Opium Wars

• Conflicts between China and Britain from 1839 to 1842 regarding trade and sovereignty, forcing Chinese concessions.

Indian Rebellion

• Major uprising in 1857 against British rule resulted in direct control of India by the British Crown.

Age of Exploration Drivers

• Economic motivations centered on bypassing Ottoman trade control for Asian goods.
• Technological advancements like the caravel, astrolabe, and improved maps enhanced exploration capabilities.
• Religious zeal from Catholic monarchs sought to spread Christianity to new territories.

Decline of Exploration

• Shift toward empire building and consolidation over discovery led to a focus on maintaining colonies.
• Mercantilism prioritized trade benefits for mother countries, reducing exploratory efforts.
• The Scientific Revolution and Enlightenment shifted focus from exploration to intellectual pursuits.
• Continuous wars in Europe limited resources for exploration and redirected attention.

Road to Imperialism

• Industrial Revolution spurred demand for raw materials, leading to increased colonization.
• The 19th century saw the partitioning of Africa and heightened political tensions among European powers.

Age of Discovery Events

• Key voyages included Christopher Columbus's arrival in the Americas (1492) and Vasco da Gama's route to India (1498).
• Magellan's voyage marked the first European contact with the Philippines in 1521, ultimately leading to Spanish colonization.

Enlightenment Era

• The American and French Revolutions (1775-1799) inspired movements for independence worldwide.
• Spanish colonial rule in the Philippines faced growing resistance among the educated classes.

19th Century Context

• Filipino identity and nationalism grew amidst European Enlightenment ideas and colonial exploitation.
• The opening of the Suez Canal in 1869 facilitated cultural exchanges and the modernization of Filipino society.