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30,000 BCE
Stone Age
Marked by the use of stone tools. It’s divided into the Paleolithic and Neolithic. -
3500 BCE
Copper Age
Where humans began using cooper for tools and weapons. Also known as the Chalcolithic. This period saw the beginnings of metalworking. -
3300 BCE
Bronze Age
Ancient Egypt: Known for the development of writing, architecture and a centralized government. Mesopotamia: Located between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, known as the “cradle of civilization” with early writing. (Cuneiform). Indus Valley: Noted for urban planning, advanced drainage systems, and trade. China: Early Chinese civilization developed along the Yellow River, leading to the first dynasties. -
2000 BCE
Judaism
One of the oldest monotheistic religions -
2000 BCE
Maya Civilization
In Mesoamerica, with advances of writing, mathematics, and astronomy. -
1595 BCE
Late Bronze Age
-Expansion of trade networks
-Improved weapons and armor
-Improvement in metallurgy and trade. -
1200 BCE
Iron Age
Assyrian Empire: A powerful Mesopotamian empire, known for its military prowess and administration. Nok Culture: Known for iron smelting and terracota sculptures Kushite Kingdom: Known for iron working Proto-Celtic and Hallstatt: Cultures in Europe known for their metalwork and as predecessors of Celtic Society -
800 BCE
Ancient Greece
The golden age of Athens -
753 BCE
Ancient Rome
A period where Rome was governed by electe officials and the Senate. -
475 BCE
Fall of the Western Roman Empire
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400 BCE
Buddhism
Founded by Siddhartha Gautama -
336 BCE
Alexander the Great
Expanded Greek Culture across the vast empire, spreading Hellenistic influence. -
330 BCE
Byzantine Empire
Continued for centuries after the fall of the West. -
323 BCE
Hellenism
The blend of Greek culture with the other cultures -
312 BCE
Seleucid Empire
Greek influenced rule in Asia -
306 BCE
Antigonids
Rulers in the Macedonian and Greek regions -
305 BCE
Ptolemaic Empire
Greek rulers in Egypt -
50
Christianity
Based on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ -
301
Catholic Church
It controlled lands and impacting politics -
476
Fall of the Western Roman Empire
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493
Theodoric the Great establishes the Ostrogothic Kingdom in I
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527
Justinian I ascends as Byzantine Emperor, later initiating major legal and architectural reforms
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610
Islam
Founded by the Prophet Muhammad -
732
Battle of Tours – Charles Martel halts the northward advance of Islamic forces.
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800
Coronation of Charlemagne as Emperor by Pope Leo III, uniting much of Western Europe
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843
Treaty of Verdun divides the Carolingian Empire among Charlemagne’s grand
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962
Otto I is crowned Holy Roman Emperor, reinforcing the idea of a revived Western Empire
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1054
The Great Schism formally splits Christianity into Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox branches
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1066
Norman Conquest of England – William the Conqueror defeats Harold II at Hastings.
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1095
Pope Urban II calls for the First Crusade at the Council of Clermont.
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1099
Crusaders capture Jerusalem during the First Crusade
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1122
Concordat of Worms resolves the Investiture Controversy between the papacy and the Holy Roman Emperor.
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1147
Launch of the Second Crusade
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1187
Battle of Hattin – Saladin defeats Crusader forces and recaptures Jerusalem.
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1190
Beginning of the Third Crusade, led by figures such as Richard the Lionheart.
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1215
Signing of the Magna Carta in England, laying foundations for constitutional governanc
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1229
End of the Albigensian Crusade with the Treaty of Paris, curbing heresy in southern France
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1229
End of the Albigensian Crusade with the Treaty of Paris, curbing heresy in southern France.
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1241
Mongol forces invade Eastern Europe (e.g., Battle of Legnica), affecting European political dynamics.
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1247
Second Council of Lyons discusses Church reforms and attempts at reuniting Eastern and Western Christiani
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1265
Simon de Montfort’s Parliament in England becomes an early model of representative government.
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1302
Pope Boniface VIII issues the papal bull Unam Sanctam, asserting papal supremacy.
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1315
The Great Famine begins in Europe, severely impacting population and society.
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1325
Aztec Civilization
A powerful empire in central Mexico -
1347
Outbreak of the Black Death in Europe, drastically reducing the population.
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1351
Crises
Great Famine, Black Death -
1378
Beginning of the Western Schism, splitting the Catholic Church with rival popes.
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1415
Portuguese Expeditions
Explored the Western coast of Africa -
1415
Execution of Jan Hus at the Council of Constance, sparking early reformist movements.
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1417
The Western Schism comes to an end with the election of a single pope.
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1438
Inca Civilization
Developed an extensive road network and advanced agricultural terraces -
1453
Fall of Constantinople to the Ottoman Turks, marking the end of the Byzantine Empire
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1455
Gutenberg prints the first Bible, revolutionizing the spread of knowledge with movable type.
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1492
Christopher Columbus’s voyage leads to the European discovery of the Americas
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1492
Castilian Expeditions
Christopher Columbus crossed the Atlantic, paving the way for Spanish colonization -
1494
Treaty of Tordesillas divides the New World between Spain and Portugal.
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1517
Martin Luther nails his 95 Theses to the church door in Wittenberg, sparking the Protestant Reformation.
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1521
The Diet of Worms condemns Martin Luther’s teachings.