The World History II course starts here. This is our beginning. Below are some tools to help you get a grip on what was going on in the world five centuries ago.
Major states and empires in the EASTERN HEMISPHERE
- England
- France
- Spain
- Russia
- Ottoman Empire
- Persia
- China
- Mughal India
- Songhai Empire
Major states and empires in the WESTERN HEMISPHERE
- Incan Empire
- Aztec Empire
Location of world religions in 1500 a.d. (c.e.)
- Judaism: Concentrated in Europe and the Middle East
- Christianity: Concentrated in Europe and the Middle East
- Islam: Parts of Asia, Africa, and southern Europe
- Hinduism: India and part of Southeast Asia
- Buddhism: East and Southeast Asia
Traditional trade patterns linking Europe with Asia and Africa
- Silk Routes across Asia to the Mediterranean basin
- Maritime routes across the Indian Ocean
- Trans-Saharan routes across North Africa
- Northern European links with the Black Sea
- Western European sea and river trade
- South China Sea and lands of Southeast Asia
Importance of trade patterns
- Exchange of products and ideas
Advancements exchanged along trade routes
- Paper, compass, silk, porcelain (China)
- Textiles, numeral system (India and Middle East)
- Scientific knowledge—medicine, astronomy, mathematics
The SOL requires you to know the above 11 STATES & EMPIRES. Note: All but the Inca & Aztec are located in the Eastern Hemisphere.
The SOL requires you to know the 5 MAJOR RELIGIONS and their locations circa 1500.
The SOL requires you to know these 6 MAJOR TRADE ROUTES circa 1500.
Notice how the LARGEST CITIES in the WORLD in 1500 nearly perfectly trace several of the MAJOR TRADE ROUTES.
The SOL requires you to know the locations of the above TECHNOLOGICAL & SCIENTIFIC EXCHANGES in the EASTERN HEMISPHERE.
Here are the people in charge of the 11 STATES & EMPIRES in 1500. (**You don't have to know these :)