Timeline of Events:

Circa 250-900 CE:

​ Maya Civilization Flourishes: Characterized by large urban centers, a sophisticated
writing system, a decentralized collection of city-states engaged in warfare and tribute
relationships, and an emphasis on human sacrifice.
8th-9th Century CE:
​ Emergence of Mississippian Culture: First large-scale civilization in North America,
centered around the Mississippi River Valley, focused on agriculture, ruled by powerful
chiefs, and known for extensive mound building projects.
After the Rise of Mississippian Culture:
​ Choco and Mesa Verde Societies Develop: Located in the dry southwest region of
North America, these societies develop innovative methods for water transportation and
storage, and construct large, unique structures.
Circa 1000 CE:
​ Wari Civilization Collapses: A significant Andean society that would later influence the
Incas.
960-1279:
​ Song Dynasty Rules China: Maintains and justifies rule through Confucianism and an
expanded imperial bureaucracy.
​ Buddhism Enters China: Spreads via the Silk Roads, influencing Chinese culture and
undergoing changes, leading to the development of Neo-Confucianism.
​ Commercialization of Song Economy: Increased production for trade leads to
prosperity and population growth.
​ Technological Innovations in Song China: Introduction of Champa rice and expansion
of the Grand Canal contribute to economic growth.
11th Century:
​ Seljuk Empire Established: Turkic pastoralists take control from the weakening
Abbasid Caliphate.
1200-1450:
​ Expansion of Global Trade Networks: Silk Roads, Indian Ocean Network, and
Trans-Saharan Trade Network expand due to technological innovations and commercial
practices.
​ Spread of Islam: Facilitated by trade and Sufi missionary activities.
​ Rise of New Islamic Empires: Seljuk, Mamluk, and Delhi Sultanates emerge, often
replacing Arab-led empires.
​ Religious Diversity in South and Southeast Asia: Hinduism remains dominant in South
Asia, while Buddhism and Islam spread in Southeast Asia.
​ Delhi Sultanate Faces Resistance: Rajput kingdoms and Vijayanagara Empire resist
Muslim rule in India.
 ​ Swahili Civilization Flourishes: A series of independent city-states on the East African
coast that grow wealthy through trade and are influenced by Islamic culture.
​ Rise of Great Zimbabwe: A powerful African state known for its trade in gold and its
adherence to indigenous religious beliefs.
​ Kingdom of Ethiopia Thrives: A unique Christian state in Africa, organized
hierarchically and engaged in trade with Mediterranean and Arabian Peninsula states.
​ Decentralization in Europe: Feudalism and manorialism dominate social, political, and
economic life.
​ Roman Catholic Church Exerts Influence: Dominates Western Europe, but corruption
and practices like the sale of indulgences cause growing discontent.
1250-1450:
​ Capital City of Great Zimbabwe Constructed: Massive structures cover 200 acres and
hold a population of approximately 18,000.
1258:
​ Mongols Sack Baghdad: Abbasid Caliphate effectively ends.
1293-1520:
​ Majapahit Kingdom Flourishes: A powerful Buddhist state in Southeast Asia located
on the island of Java.
1331:
​ Bubonic Plague Erupts in China: Spreads rapidly along trade routes, devastating
populations in the Middle East and Europe.
1336:
​ Vijayanagara Empire Established: Hindu kingdom in South India emerges as a
counterpoint to Muslim rule in the north.
1345-1528:
​ Aztec Empire Flourishes: Founded by the Mexica people, this large empire is
characterized by a decentralized power structure based on tribute states and a
continuation of human sacrifice practices.
14th Century:
​ Ottoman Empire Founded: Expands rapidly through the use of gunpowder weapons.
Early 1400s:
​ Inca Empire Rises: A centralized empire in South America that uses a bureaucracy and
the Mit'a system to administer its vast territory.
1428:
​ Aztecs Form Alliance: The Mexica people consolidate power in the region and enter an
alliance with two other Mesoamerican states, leading to the establishment of the Aztec
empire.
1450-1750:
 ​ Land-Based Empires Expand: Ottoman, Safavid, Mughal, and Qing Dynasties grow in
power and influence.
​ Gunpowder Fuels Expansion: Empires utilize gunpowder weapons for conquest and
military dominance.
​ New Methods of Administration: Bureaucracies, professional militaries, religious ideas,
art, monumental architecture, and tax collection systems are used to legitimize and
consolidate power.
​ Religious Changes: The Protestant Reformation splits the Christian Church in Europe,
while the Sunni-Shia split intensifies in the Islamic world. Sikhism emerges in South
Asia, blending Hindu and Islamic beliefs.
1453:
​ Ottomans Conquer Constantinople: A major turning point, marking the end of the
Byzantine Empire and opening the door for Ottoman expansion into Eastern Europe.
15th Century:
​ Rise of the Ming Dynasty in China: Ethnically Han Chinese dynasty expels the
Mongols and emphasizes Chinese traditions.
1517:
​ Martin Luther Initiates the Protestant Reformation: Challenges the Catholic Church,
leading to a major religious and political upheaval in Europe.
Early 16th Century:
​ Safavid Empire Founded: Led by Shah Ismail, who declares Shia Islam as the state
religion.
First Half of 16th Century:
​ Mughal Empire Established: Founded by Babur after conquering the Delhi Sultanate.
1526:
​ Babur Defeats the Delhi Sultanate: Marks the beginning of the Mughal Empire in
South Asia.
First Half of 17th Century:
​ Ming Dynasty Weakens: Manchu people from the north seize power and establish the
Qing Dynasty.
Cast of Characters:
Akbar (Mughal Empire): Grandson of Babur and ruler of the Mughal Empire, known for his
tolerance of religious diversity and effective administration.
Babur (Mughal Empire): Founder of the Mughal Empire in South Asia.
Christopher Columbus (Spanish Explorer): Sailed west across the Atlantic, encountering the
Americas and opening up the Transatlantic trade.
Emperor Kangxi (Qing Dynasty): Ruler of the Qing Dynasty who used art and Confucian
imagery to legitimize his rule over the Han Chinese population.
Iban Battuta (Moroccan Traveler): Muslim scholar who traveled extensively throughout Dar
al-Islam and documented his experiences, providing valuable insights into the cultures and
societies of the time.
Junga (Ming Dynasty): Chinese admiral who led expeditions throughout the Indian Ocean,
spreading Chinese culture and technology and enrolling states in the tributary system.
Louis XIV (France): Absolutist monarch who built the Palace of Versailles as a symbol of his
power and a tool to consolidate his control over the French nobility.
Mansa Musa (Mali Empire): Ruler of the Mali Empire who consolidated trade and expanded
the empire’s wealth and influence.
Martin Luther (German Monk): Initiated the Protestant Reformation, challenging the Catholic
Church and sparking a major religious and political transformation in Europe.
Shah Abbas (Safavid Empire): Safavid ruler who strengthened the military, including the
adoption of gunpowder weapons and the creation of an enslaved army of Christians from the
Caucasus region.
Shah Ismail (Safavid Empire): Founder of the Safavid Empire and a key figure in intensifying
the split between Sunni and Shia Islam by declaring Shia Islam as the state religion.
Tokugawa Shogunate (Japan): Ruling clan that unified Japan and implemented a policy of
isolationism, limiting contact with European powers.
Prince Henry the Navigator (Portugal): Patron of exploration who encouraged Portuguese
voyages down the African coast, leading to the establishment of a trading post empire.
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