S T U D E N T H A N D O U T

Teachers Curriculum Institute Themes of World History 1

Historical Briefings
Foundations of World History, Prehistory300 C.E.
Ramses II was the third Egyptian pharaoh of the 19th dynasty. He reigned from
1279 B.C.E.1213 B.C.E. He is ofen regarded as the greatest and most powerful
pharaoh of the Egyptian Empire.
Early in his life, Ramses II embarked on several campaigns to capture territories
that were held by Hittites and Nubians. He also faced a constant struggle against
the Libyans, who tried continually to conquer the Egyptian delta.
In this painting, Ramses II is holding Nubian, Libyan, and Hittite prisoners of
war by the hair.
Circle examples in the short readings or in the images that relate to these fve themes: Cultural
Interaction, Political Structures, Economic Structures, Social Structures or Human-Environment
Interaction. Label each example with the correct theme.
Teachers Curriculum Institute
S T U D E N T H A N D O U T
Themes of World History 2
Historical Briefings
Stories about the legendary King Arthur were told in Wales as early as
the 9th century. Storytellers and early historians spread the story of King
Arthur far and wide.
In the 1100s, Geofrey of Monmouth told the tale of King Arthur, a great
conqueror who defeated a Roman army in France. His story spread to
France, where it was read by the a French poet Chrtien de Troyes, who
wrote his own accounts of Arthurs adventures and chivalry. Chrtien de
Troyes added to the legend by introducing a love story between Arthurs
wife, Queen Guinevere, and Arthurs most trusted knight, Lancelot.
Te legend of King Arthur has remained the subject of paintings, stories,
and even flms in many diferent countries. Tis 15th century painting
from the Netherlands shows the marriage between Arthur and Guinevere.
Expanding Interactions, 3001500 C.E.
S T U D E N T H A N D O U T
Teachers Curriculum Institute Themes of World History 3
Historical Briefings
In 1519, the Spanish explorer Hernn Corts sailed to Mexico in search of gold.
He landed on the coast and learned from the local inhabitants about tremendous
riches to be found further inland.
Corts advanced quickly to the Aztec capital city of Tenochtitln. Before reaching
the city, he was greeted by Montezumas ambassadors, as shown here. Te Aztec
emperor, Montezuma, feared that Corts was Quetzalcoatl, a terrifying god who
was predicted to seize the throne. When Corts arrived in the city, Montezuma
welcomed him, but Corts responded by taking Montezuma prisoner.
Te Spanish very quickly overpowered the Aztecs. Te Aztecs were no match for
Spanish guns, horses, and armor. the Spanish also unknowingly brought small-
pox with them, which killed large numbers of people. By 1521, the great Aztec
Empire had fallen to Spanish conquistadors.
The First Global Age, 14001799
Teachers Curriculum Institute
S T U D E N T H A N D O U T
Themes of World History 4
Historical Briefings
An Age of Global Revolutions, 17001914
In 1793, the French government found King Louis XVI guilty of plotting against
the nation. Tey sentenced him to death by guillotine, a new device for quick
beheadings.
France was in the midst of the French Revolution, a decade of upheaval and chaos
that shook France and most of Europe as well. France exploded into revolution for
a number of reasons:
A strong economy had produced a wealthy class of businessmen, yet they had no
voice in their government.
Peasants were no longer content to remain at the bottom of an outdated feudal
system.
Many people across France had read the ideas of philosophers, who called for
major social and political reforms.
Te French government was near bankruptcy afer participating in the Ameri-
can Revolution.
A decade of chaos followed. Governments rose and fell. Countless people were
executed. Finally in 1799, order was restored when Napoleon Bonaparte seized
power.
S T U D E N T H A N D O U T
Teachers Curriculum Institute Themes of World History 5
Historical Briefings
By the end of 1914, Europe had descended into war. On one side were Germany,
Austria-Hungary, and the Ottoman Empire. On the other side were Great Britain,
Russia, and France.
World War I was a devastating war. New weapons, such as machine guns, made
battles deadlier than ever. Soldiers dug trenches in the earth for protection. Bat-
tles dragged on and on with little progress. By the time the war ended, around 14
million people were dead.
During the frst Christmas of the war, a truce broke out in many places along the
front lines. German soldiers sang carols, and British soldiers sang carols in re-
turn. Tey came out of the trenches and shook hands. Tey exchanged souvenirs,
and some even played a game of soccer. But by December 26, it was all over. Each
side returned to their trenches, and the war was on again.
Global Crisis and Achievement, 19001945
Teachers Curriculum Institute
S T U D E N T H A N D O U T
Themes of World History 6
Historical Briefings
By the early 1960s, Chinese Communist Party chairman Mao Zedong was losing
his grip on power in China. To fght back, Mao launched a new program called the
Cultural Revolution.
In 1966, Mao organized students into groups called Red Guards. He urged the Red
Guards to attack anything and everyone that represented elite aspects of culture
and society. Intellectuals were forced from their homes and beaten.
At the same time, Mao was glorifed. His book Quotations from Chairman Mao
became the ultimate authority. Young people across China were encouraged to
seek revolutionary inspiration from his words.
Te result was chaos in Chinas cities. Te economy was paralyzed. Schools re-
mained closed. People lived in fear. Tis period of profound political and econom-
ic instability damaged China for years to come.
The Cold War and Beyond, 19451991