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The document provides an overview of key historical periods and civilizations, starting from Prehistory to the Middle Ages, and covering significant events and advancements in Ancient Mesopotamia, Egypt, India, China, Greece, and Rome. It also discusses the Middle Ages, the Age of Exploration, and major revolutions including the Scientific Revolution, the Enlightenment, the American Revolution, and the French Revolution. Each section highlights the cultural, political, and social changes that have shaped human history.

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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
40 views1 page

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The document provides an overview of key historical periods and civilizations, starting from Prehistory to the Middle Ages, and covering significant events and advancements in Ancient Mesopotamia, Egypt, India, China, Greece, and Rome. It also discusses the Middle Ages, the Age of Exploration, and major revolutions including the Scientific Revolution, the Enlightenment, the American Revolution, and the French Revolution. Each section highlights the cultural, political, and social changes that have shaped human history.

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1.

Introduction to History
History is the study of past events, civilizations, and significant changes that
have shaped human societies.
It is divided into Prehistory (before writing) and History (after writing was
developed).
2. Ancient Civilizations
Mesopotamia (c. 3000 BCE – 539 BCE)
First civilization, located in modern-day Iraq.
Developed the cuneiform writing system and the Code of Hammurabi (first legal
code).
Ancient Egypt (c. 3100 BCE – 332 BCE)
Located along the Nile River.
Famous for pyramids, pharaohs, and hieroglyphic writing.
Believed in an afterlife and mummification.
Ancient India (c. 2500 BCE – 500 CE)
Indus Valley Civilization (Harappa & Mohenjo-Daro).
Vedic Period: Birth of Hinduism and Sanskrit texts.
Maurya & Gupta Empires: Advancements in mathematics, astronomy, and medicine.
Ancient China (c. 1600 BCE – 220 CE)
Shang Dynasty (first recorded dynasty).
Qin Dynasty: First emperor Qin Shi Huang unified China & built parts of the Great
Wall.
Han Dynasty: Silk Road trade flourished.
Ancient Greece (c. 800 BCE – 146 BCE)
Birthplace of democracy, philosophy (Socrates, Plato, Aristotle), and the Olympic
Games.
Alexander the Great spread Greek culture across Asia.
Ancient Rome (c. 753 BCE – 476 CE)
Roman Republic (509 BCE): Established laws (Twelve Tables).
Roman Empire (27 BCE): Ruled by emperors like Julius Caesar & Augustus.
Fall of Rome (476 CE): Marked the beginning of the Middle Ages.
3. The Middle Ages (c. 500 – 1500 CE)
Feudalism: Lords, knights, serfs system.
The Crusades (1095–1291): Religious wars between Christians & Muslims over the Holy
Land.
The Black Death (1347–1351): A plague that killed millions in Europe.
The Renaissance (14th–17th century): Rebirth of art, science, and culture (Leonardo
da Vinci, Michelangelo).
4. The Age of Exploration (15th–17th Century)
European nations explored new lands for trade and colonization.
Christopher Columbus (1492): Discovered the Americas.
Vasco da Gama (1498): Reached India via sea.
Ferdinand Magellan (1519-1522): First to circumnavigate the world.
5. Revolutions and Major Changes
The Scientific Revolution (16th–17th Century)
Advances in astronomy (Copernicus, Galileo).
Development of the scientific method (Francis Bacon).
The Enlightenment (17th–18th Century)
Emphasis on reason, liberty, and democracy.
Thinkers: John Locke (natural rights), Montesquieu (separation of powers), Voltaire
(freedom of speech).
The American Revolution (1775–1783)
Colonies in North America fought for independence from Britain.
Declaration of Independence (1776) by Thomas Jefferson.
Formation of the United States.
The French Revolution (1789–1799)
People revolted against monarchy and feudal privileges.
Storming of the Bastille (1789) marked the beginning.
Napoleon Bonaparte later took power.

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