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10000 BC
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The Earliest Americans
WHEN: 10,000 BC
WHERE: The American continents include North and South America. They are connected and span two hemispheres, from the frigid Arctic Circle in the north to the icy waters around Antarctica in the south.
WHAT: The cultures of the first Americans, including social organization, developed in ways similar to other early cultures.
WHO: Siberian hunters became the first Americans.
WHY: The Americas’ first inhabitants developed the basis for later American civilizations.
5000 BC
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WHEN: 5000BC
WHERE: The area known as Mesopotamia is an area between the two rivers Tigris and Euphrates. The location of Mesopotamia provides for very fertile, crop growing land.
WHAT: With the development of farming, there was a need for laws and order. The residents of the area, the Sumerians, created city-states as governing bodies. The Sumer society developed means of governing over the city-states to include record keeping and innovative technology.
WHO: Control of Sumer’s earliest governments were controlled by the temple priests. Through war, control over Mesopotamia changed many times. Hammurabi is best known for developing the Hammurabi Code, the written law.
WHY: It is believed that it was necessary for the Sumerians to invent things to help with their farming. They likely invented the wheel, the sail, and the technique of plowing. Out of necessity the Sumerians also developed mathematical and writing skills. During this historical period, the Hummurabi Code (written law) was also developed.
3200 BC - 2700 BC
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WHERE: The location of ancient Egypt was in North-Eastern Africa, along the Nile River and surrounded by desert on either side.
WHAT: The Egyptians built pyramids as tombs for deceased pharaohs. The structures were a display of amazing engineering. Not only were the structures incredible, the ability of the civilization to coordinate the development of the buildings was a display of an advanced civilization. Technology, strength, and government organization were needed to produce the structures.
WHO: In ancient Egypt, the rulers (Pharaohs) were seen as Gods.
WHY: The people of ancient Egypt developed many things that we still see in the world today. They developed the calendar to track the seasons for their crops. The development of writing numbers and mathematical equations can also be tracked to early Egypt, as this was required for the building of the massive pyramids. Egyptians also developed the mummification of bodies for preservation after death.
2000 BC - 300 BC
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Democracy and Greece’s Golden Age
WHEN: 2000 BC - 300 BC
WHERE: Ancient Greece was located in southeastern Europe along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea.
WHAT: Democratic principles and classical culture flourished during Greece’s golden age.
WHO: Socrates, Plato, Aristotle
WHY: At its height, Greece set lasting standards in art, politics, literature, and philosophy that are still influential today. Traits of the democratic government developed in Greece are seen in the US democratic government (three branches of government and power exercised by citizens).
1812 BC
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Judaism
WHEN: 1812 BC
WHERE: Canaan was the name of a large and prosperous ancient country located in the Levant region of present-day Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, and Israel. It was also known as Phoenicia. This is where the Hebrew religion originated.
WHAT: Judaism is a belief in one God who revealed himself to Abraham, Moses, and the Hebrew prophets. The religion is guided in accordance with Scriptures and rabbinic traditions.
WHO: Abraham, Moses, the Hebrew Prophets
WHY: From this tradition, Judaism, the religion of the Jews, evolved. Judaism is one of the world’s major religions.
753 BC
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The Roman Republic
WHEN: 753 BC
WHERE: Rome was built on seven rolling hills at a curve on the Tiber River, near the center of the Italian peninsula. It was midway between the Alps and Italy’s southern tip. Rome also was near the midpoint of the Mediterranean Sea.
WHAT: Power and Authority. The early Romans established a republic, which grew powerful and spread its influence.
WHO: The last king of Rome was Tarquin the Proud. Patricians were the wealthy landowners who held most of the power. The plebeians were the common farmers, artisans, and merchants who made up the majority of the population. Hannibal tried to attack Rome but was defeated when Scipio forced Hannibal to return to defend Carthage.
WHY: Some of the most fundamental values and institutions of Western civilization began in the Roman Republic. The US Government closely resembles the Roman Republic government with an executive, legislative and judicial branch.
700 BC - 500 BC
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Hinduism
WHEN: Can be traced back as far as 700-500BC
WHERE: Hinduism was started in Northern India near the Indus River.
WHAT: Hinduism is the world’s oldest religion that is still practiced. Hinduism is a collection of religious beliefs that became one religion.
WHO: Vishnu is a major Hindu God
WHY: The customs of Indian life are also influenced by the Hindu religion. The concept of hierarchical relationships are practiced inHinduism and as a result, the caste system is very evident in Indian culture. It is something that is thought to keep social order.
Buddhism
WHEN: Late 6th Century
WHERE: India
WHAT: Buddhism is a path of practice and spiritual development leading to Insight into the true nature of reality.
WHO: Siddhartha Gautama is the founder of Buddhism.
WHY: The beliefs of the Vedic Age developed into Hinduism and Buddhism. Almost one-fifth of the world’s people today practice one of these two religions.
539 BC - 331 BC
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The Persian Empire
WHEN: 539-331 BC
WHERE: Cyrus was a military genius, leading his army from victory to victory between 550 and 539 B.C. In time, Cyrus controlled an empire that spanned 2,000 miles, from the Indus River in the east to Anatolia in the west.
WHAT: The Persian Empire was the largest at the time. The immense Persian Empire extended over 2,500 miles, embracing Egypt and Anatolia in the west, part of India in the east, and the Fertile Crescent in the center.
WHO: Cyrus, his son -Cambyses, and his successor Darius
WHY: Leaders today try to follow the Persian example of tolerance and wise government.
334 BC
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Alexander’s Empire
WHEN: 334 BC
WHERE: Adriatic Sea to the Indus River.
WHAT: Alexander the Great conquered Persia and Egypt and extended his empire to the Indus River in northwest India.
WHO: Philip II, Alexander the Great, Darius III
WHY: Alexander’s empire extended across an area that today consists of many nations and diverse cultures. After Alexander’s death, his empire was divided by civil wars and was divided into areas ruled by Alexander's surviving generals and heirs.
221 BC - 202 BC
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Unification of China
WHEN: 221-202 BC
WHERE: Unified China is located in what we today know as China, on the Asian Continent.
WHAT: In the third century B.C., the Qin Dynasty (chihn) replaced the Zhou Dynasty. It emerged from the western state of Qin. The ruler who founded the Qin Dynasty employed Legalist ideas to subdue the warring states and unify his country. Shi Huangdi set standards throughout China for writing, law, currency, and weights and measures.
WHO: China’s most influential scholar was Confucius, Chinese thinker named Laozi,
group of practical political thinkers called the Legalists.
WHY: Prior to the Unification of China, during the Warring States Period, China was fragmented. After the Unification of China, the country became what is today known as China. The people, events, and ideas that shaped China’s early history continue to influence China’s role in today’s world.