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🏛️ General History Class – Class Notes
1. What Is History?
History is the study of past events, particularly in human societies.
It helps us understand how civilizations developed, why events happened, and how the past
shapes the present and future.
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2. Historical Sources
Primary Sources: Firsthand evidence (diaries, speeches, artifacts)
Secondary Sources: Interpretations or summaries (textbooks, biographies)
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3. Major Eras of World History
🗿 a. Prehistory (Before 3000 BCE)
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Stone Age: Tools, fire, hunting-gathering
Neolithic Revolution: Farming begins, permanent settlements
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🏺 b. Ancient Civilizations (3000 BCE – 500 CE)
Civilization Key Features
Mesopotamia (Iraq) First writing (cuneiform), law codes
Egypt Pyramids, pharaohs, hieroglyphs
Indus Valley Urban planning, drainage systems
China (Shang/Zhou) Dynasties, bronze work
Greece Democracy, philosophy, Olympics
Rome Republic, empire, roads, law, Latin
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🏰 c. Middle Ages (500–1500 CE)
Fall of Rome → rise of feudalism in Europe
Byzantine Empire, Islamic Caliphates: advanced culture & science
Crusades: Religious wars between Christians and Muslims
Black Death: Major plague in Europe
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🎨 d. Renaissance & Reformation (1300–1600)
Renaissance: Rebirth of art, science, and learning (Da Vinci, Michelangelo)
Printing Press (Gutenberg): Spread of knowledge
Reformation: Martin Luther’s 95 Theses → Protestantism
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🧭 e. Age of Exploration (1400s–1600s)
European countries explore the world (Columbus, Magellan)
Colonization of the Americas, Africa, and Asia
Trade routes and exchange of goods, cultures, and diseases (Columbian Exchange)
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👑 f. Enlightenment & Revolutions (1600s–1800s)
Enlightenment thinkers: liberty, reason, democracy (Locke, Rousseau)
American Revolution (1776): Independence from Britain
French Revolution (1789): Overthrow of monarchy, rise of republics
Industrial Revolution: Machines replace hand tools; urban growth
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🌍 g. Modern Era (1800s–Present)
19th Century
Imperialism: European powers colonize Africa and Asia
Nationalism: Unification of Italy and Germany
20th Century
World War I (1914–1918): Trench warfare, Treaty of Versailles
World War II (1939–1945): Hitler, Holocaust, Atomic Bomb
Cold War: USA vs. USSR (ideological, not direct fighting)
Civil Rights Movements: Equality efforts around the world
21st Century
Technology boom
Globalization and environmental issues
Ongoing conflicts and peace efforts
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4. Themes in History
Politics & Power: Governments, laws, wars
Economy: Trade, labor, industries
Society & Culture: Religion, language, art, traditions
Innovation & Technology: Tools, machines, discoveries
Conflict & Cooperation: Wars, diplomacy, alliances
Human Rights & Justice: Equality, freedom, civil movements
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5. Historical Skills
Chronology: Placing events in time order
Cause and Effect: Understanding why things happen
Compare & Contrast: Finding similarities/differences between events
Analyzing Sources: Who wrote it? When? Why?
Making Arguments: Using evidence to support historical claims
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🧠 Study Tips for History
Use timelines and maps
Remember dates and key figures
Focus on causes and consequences
Make flashcards for terms
Practice essay writing and source analysis
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Let me know if you’d like this as a printable PDF or adapted for a specific region (e.g.,
American history, World War II, or Ancient history)!
