AP World History: Modern Timeline Notes

Introduction

• Focus: Understand context and connections between events, not memorization of dates.
• Highlight: Emphasize events often tested in exams.
• Resources: Use the full AP world study guide for detailed notes.

Period One: 700 to 1450

Key Empires and Dynasties

• Abbasid Caliphate (750-1258)

  • Capital in Baghdad; trade-based with receipt and bill systems.
  • Decline led to rise of Turkic Muslim empires like the Seljuk Empire.

• Song Dynasty (960-1279)

  • Neo-Confucianism with a strong emphasis on hierarchy and filial piety.
  • Expansion of imperial bureaucracy and economic growth through Champa rice and Grand Canal.

• Mongol Empire (Reign of Genghis Khan 1206-1227)

  • Unified Mongol tribes; facilitated global trade and cultural diffusion.
  • Known for ruthless military tactics and efficient organization.

Significant Events

• Crusades (1095-1291)

  • European military campaigns to convert Muslims and non-Christians.

• Delhi Sultanate (1206-1526)

  • Spread Islam in Southeast Asia; resisted by the Rajput Kingdom.

• Magna Carta (1215)

  • Established the right to a fair trial.

• Black Death (1346-1388)

  • Bubonic plague spread through trade routes; killed about a third of the population in affected areas.

Cultural and Technological Advances

• Printing Press (1440)

  • Invented by Johannes Gutenberg; increased literacy and book accessibility.

• Caravel Ship (1400s)

  • European advancement in shipbuilding aiding exploration.

Period Two: 1450 to 1750

Empires and Colonization

• Ottoman Empire (1299-1923)

  • Founded by Osman Bey; expanded using gunpowder weapons.
  • Implemented devshirme and created Janissaries.

• Safavid Empire (1501-1722)

  • A major Shia empire in conflict with the Ottoman Empire.

• Mughal Empire (1526-1748)

  • Akbar promoted religious tolerance and arts; Aurangzeb persecuted Hindus and Sikhs.

Exploration and Colonization

• Columbus's Voyages (1492)

  • Initiated Spanish colonization and the Columbian Exchange.

• Rise of Trade Companies

  • British and Dutch East India Companies established in 1600 and 1602 respectively.

Scientific and Intellectual Movements

• Scientific Revolution (1550-1700)

  • Notable for advances in scientific thought and methodology.

• Enlightenment (1715-1789)

  • Philosophical movement leading to major social and political revolutions.

Period Three: 1750 to 1900

Revolutions and Reforms

• Industrial Revolution (1760-1789 & 1870-1914)

  • Marked by the steam engine and later technological advancements.

• American (1765-1783) & French Revolutions (1789-1795)

  • Influenced by Enlightenment ideas; often tested.

• Latin American Wars for Independence (1806-1826)

  • Inspired by Enlightenment and independence movements.

Social and Political Changes

• Abolition Movements and Reforms

  • Emancipation of Russian serfs (1861) and the US Emancipation Proclamation (1863).

• New Imperialism and Colonial Expansion

  • Berlin Conference (1885) initiated the scramble for Africa.

Period Four: 1900 to Present

Major Conflicts

• World War I (1914-1918) & WWII (1939-1945)

  • Key events include the Armenian genocide, the Holocaust, and the use of atomic bombs.

• Cold War (1947-1991)

  • Defined by ideological conflict between the US and USSR, including proxy wars.

Decolonization and Independence Movements

• Indian Partition (1947)

  • Led to the creation of India and Pakistan after British withdrawal.

• African and Asian Independence Movements

  • Post-WWII decolonization efforts.

Technological and Cultural Shifts

• Space Race

  • Part of Cold War competition; significant technological advancements.

• Digital Revolution

  • Rise of the internet and technology in the late 20th century.

Globalization

• Economic and Political Alliances

  • NAFTA (1994) and the establishment of the UN (1945) highlight shifts towards global cooperation.

• Modern Conflicts and Terrorism

  • 9/11 attacks initiated global anti-terrorism efforts.

Conclusion

• Study Strategy: Focus on understanding the significance and interconnections between events.
• Use available resources for in-depth information on complex topics.