AP World History: Modern - Timeline Notes

Overview

• The timeline is not for memorization but understanding context.
• Focus on how events relate and progress over time.
• Highlighted topics often appear on tests.

Period One: 700 to 1450

Key Empires & Dynasties

• Abbasid Caliphate (750-1258)

  • Islamic Empire with Baghdad as capital.
  • Built around trade; used receipts and bills.
  • Decline led to Turkic Muslim empires.

• Song Dynasty (960-1279)

  • Neo-Confucianism; hierarchy & filial piety emphasized.
  • Legal and social restrictions on women (e.g., foot binding).
  • Economic development: Champa rice, Grand Canal.

• Delhi Sultanate (1206-1526)

  • Spread Islam in Southeast Asia.
  • Resistance from Rajput Kingdom.

• Mongol Empire (1206-1227)

  • Genghis Khan’s reign unified Mongolian tribes.
  • Cultural diffusion, impact on Russia.
  • Importance of Silk Roads.

• Ottoman Empire (1299-1923)

  • Founded post-Mongol Empire fall.
  • Expanded using gunpowder, Janissaries.

Significant Events

• Crusades (1095-1291)

  • European Christians' campaigns to convert Muslims.

• Magna Carta (1215)

  • Established right to fair trial.

• Mansa Musa’s Pilgrimage (1324)

  • Highlighted Mali’s wealth in the Mediterranean.

• Black Death (1346-1388)

  • Devastated populations across Europe and the Middle East.

Technological & Cultural Developments

• Printing Press (1440)

  • Invented by Johannes Gutenberg.
  • Increased accessibility to books and literacy.

• Start of Atlantic Slave Trade (1441)

  • Transported millions across the Atlantic.

Period Two: 1450 to 1750

Key Events & Empires

• Ottoman Empire conquers Constantinople (1453)

• Mughal Empire (1526-1748)

  • Notable rulers: Akbar (tolerant) and Aurangzeb (persecutory).

• Safavid Empire (1501-1722)

  • Largest Shia empire, conflict with Ottomans.

Cultural and Scientific Developments

• Protestant Reformation (1517)

  • Initiated by Martin Luther’s 95 Theses.

• Scientific Revolution (1550-1700)

• Enlightenment (1715-1789)

  • Led to major revolutions, suffrage expansion.

Period Three: 1750 to 1900

Key Events

• First Industrial Revolution (1760-1789)

  • Steam engine as main driver.

• American Revolution (1765-1783)

• French Revolution (1789-1795)

• Haitian Revolution (1791-1804)

Cultural Shifts

• Rise of Social Darwinism (1860s-1870s)

Key Inventions & Policies

• Suez Canal (1859)

  • Built by Britain, pivotal for trade.

• Meiji Restoration (1868)

  • Westernization of Japan.

Period Four: 1900 to Present

Major Conflicts & Changes

• World War I (1914-1918)

• World War II (1939-1945)

  • Holocaust (1941-1945).

• Cold War (1947-1991)

  • US vs. Soviet Union, arms race, proxy wars.

Key Political & Social Movements

• Partition of India (1947)
• Chinese Communist Revolution (1945-1950)
• Fall of Berlin Wall (1989)

Notable Events

• 9/11 Attacks (2001)

  • Led to US invasion of Afghanistan.

• NAFTA (1994)

  • Trade agreement between Canada, Mexico, US.