The Blitz - AP World History Overview

Course Introduction

• Surveys approximately 10,000 years of world history.
• Focuses primarily on last 1000 years.
• Emphasizes global history beyond Western civilizations.
• Aims to develop critical thinking, evaluative skills, and document analysis.

Period 1/2: 8000 BCE - 600 CE

• Key Marker Event: Neolithic/Agricultural Revolution.
• End of Period: Fall of major classical civilizations (Rome, Han China, Gupta India).
• Topics Covered:
  • Environmental and periodization issues.
  • Development in agriculture and technology.
  • Early civilizations: Mesopotamia, Egypt, Indus Valley, Shang China, Meso/South America.
  • Rise and fall of classical civilizations: Zhou/Han China, Gupta India, Greece, Rome.
  • Major belief systems: Polytheism, Hinduism, Judaism, Confucianism, Daoism, Buddhism, Christianity.

Period 3: 600 - 1450

• Collapse of Classical Civilizations: Set the stage for new trends and migrations.
• Significant Developments:
  • Importance of older belief systems over political organizations.
  • Impact of nomadic groups: Bedouins, Mongols.
  • Emergence and spread of Islam.
  • Europe connected to major trade routes.
  • Major empires in South America (Inca) and Mesoamerica (Maya, Aztec).
  • Chinese hegemony in Asia.
  • Increased long-distance trade.

Period 4: 1450 - 1750

• World Linkage: First global contact across hemispheres.
• Features:
  • Rise of sea-based trade over land-based.
  • European kingdoms gained world power.
  • Decline in power of nomadic groups.
  • Transformation of labor systems, emergence of slave trade.
  • Gunpowder Empires in Middle East and Asia.

Period 5: 1750 - 1900

• Industrial Revolution Impact:
  • Changed world trade and technology.
  • Major migrations to Americas.
  • Environmental impact due to industrialization.
  • Revolutions and enlightenment philosophies led to nationalism.
  • Expansion of Western dominance.

Period 6: 1900 - Present

• Marked by Conflict and Diplomacy:
  • Two World Wars and the Cold War.
  • Nationalism and decolonization.
  • Great Depression’s economic impact.
  • Emergence of multinational corporations.
  • Political experiments in Russia, China, Latin America.
  • Social reforms and massive population movements.
  • Environmental movements in response to urbanization and deforestation.