AP World History
Periodization
6 Historical Periods are studied.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Technological and Environmental Transformations
Ancient Periods
8000 BCE to 600 BCE (5%)
Organization and Reorganization of Human Societies.
Classical Empires
600 BCE to 600 CE (15%)
Regional and Transregional Interactions
Middle Ages
600 CE to 1450 CE (20%)
Global Interactions
Renaissance, Reformation and Exploration
1450 CE to 1750 CE (20%)
Industrialization and Global Integration
Modern Period
1750 CE to 1900 CE (20%)
Accelerating Global Change and Realignments
Contemporary 1900 CE to Today (20%)
1. Technological and Environmental
Transformations
8000 BCE – 600 BCE
Of all the time periods covered in the AP World
History curriculum, Foundations (8000 BCE - 600 BCE)
spans the largest number of years. It begins with an
important Marker Event - the Neolithic Revolution - and
ends with the rise of three major classical civilizations Rome in the Mediterranean region, Han China, and the
Gupta Empire of India.
• Ancient Empires – Four River Valley Civilizations –
Egypt, Mesopotamia, Indus and Shang China.
• Classical Empires – Greece, Rome, Gupta of India and
Han China.
2. Organization and Reorganization of
Human Societies
600 BCE – 600 CE
Sometimes called the Classical Period, this time period
traces the development and the fall of the major historical
empires which shaped our own modern cultures and
economies.
Classical Empires – Greece, Rome, Gupta of India and Han
China. Also included here, although out of chronological
context is the Mayan Empire in the Americas.
As states and empires increased in size and contacts
between regions multiplied, religious and cultural systems
were transformed and transmitted over wide distances.
3. Regional and Transregional
Interactions
600 CE to 1450 CE
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It begins with the birth of Mohammed. Islam is the story
of the Post-Classical period. Mostly because so many
other stories are contingent upon it. Pay attention to
how the religion operates as both a spiritual and secular
force. We started with three principal classical
civilizations and in this period we will see those three
expand to breed other civilizations,
The world gets more complicated now. This is the
period of "World Religions", belief systems being
exported like trade goods. As you might imagine, at
times, it causes some problems.
Interregional to Global Networking. The establishment
of interregional trade networks that link areas far more
expansive than we saw during the Classical Period. It
ends with the new extended use of the Printing Press.
3. Global Interactions
1450 CE -1750 CE
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In the preceding era trade was existent but was slow,
different regions were connected but there wasn't a
true, complete feeling of globalization.
In the pre-modern era, trade increased significantly due
to maritime exploration by Europeans, who sought
silver, sugar, slaves and converts.
Era of Absolute Rulers.
New ideals of government arose and led to revolutions
in the Modern Period which replaced those Absolute
monarchs.
It begins with the beginning of the extended use of the
printing press to spread information and new ideas and
with the discovery of the NEW WORLD.
It ends with the coming Industrial Revolution and the
extensive use of the steam engine in industry and
agriculture.
5. Industrialization and Global
Integration
1750 CE – 1900 CE
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This period begins with the Industrial
Revolution and ends with the logical
conclusion of Industrialization and Imperialism
– The First World War – WWI.
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It is a time when nations attempted to expand
into empire in an effort to capture raw
materials for industry and to find markets for
their manufactured goods.
REVOLUTION!!
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6. Accelerating Global Change
and Realignments
1900 to Today
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Two world wars and the Cold War marked the conflicts
of the Twentieth Century.
Atomic Bomb and other WMDs.
TECHNOLOGY!!! SPACE!!!!
Rise and fall of Communism
GLOBALIZATION
ENERGY DOMINATONS. Rise of OPEC
and Arab nations.
Populations continually moved and shifted.
Communications in the form of telegraphs, radio,
movies, telephones, television and computers highlight
the era.
Internet
Introduction to World History
History of the World in Seven Minutes
 http://worldhistoryforusall.sdsu.edu/movies
/flash_large.htm
 Population Growth in Time Periods
 http://worldhistoryforusall.sdsu.edu/dev/the
mes/keytheme1.htm
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