At the beginning of unit 3 the classical civilizations are gone and religion takes a primary role in defining civilizations. Although the Roman empire never recovers, the eastern half, the Byzantine Empire, continues until the end of this time period and spreads orthodox Christianity and a model of strong centralized government. Buddhism is now a permanent feature of Chinese civilization, and through the dynamic and urban dynasties of the Tang and Song, spreads to Korea, Japan and southeast Asia. Perhaps the most remarkable religious phenomenon of this unit is the rise and spread of Islam. Islamic empires spread culture and ideas, and form spheres of increased trade and contact. The Silk Road trade routes--so prominent in connecting the classical civilizations of the previous unit--are eclipsed by Indian Ocean trade. And finally, nomadic people play a important role during this era, the most important of which are the Mongols who build the largest land empire the world has ever seen. By the end of this unit, western Europe and China are each experiencing a renaissance of culture, Russia is recovering from Mongol domination, and the two hemispheres of the globe are about to be introduced by Columbus. 

As you read the Key Concepts, don't just memorize individual facts (although you do need to know them.) It is important that you know how facts serve as examples of the larger concepts under which they are indexed. 

This period begins with the fall of Constantinople to the Muslim Turks, an event which impels Europeans to find new trade routes to the East. In this pursuit, the two hemispheres of the world meet and engage in the first truly global system of trade. A major difference between this and the previous period is that Islam is divided into 3 regional empires rather than a single unified Dar al Islam. The role of nomadic people is significantly less important in this era, as only large wealthy empires can afford the large militaries armed with firearms, another characteristic of this era. Gunpowder transforms West Africa, Japan, the Muslim world, and allows the Russian empire to continue its growth. Europe undergoes a cultural transformation in which intellectuals relied on direct experience and observation rather than the presumptive authority of the past to gain knowledge. The resulting benefits in science allowed Europe to project itself into the Indian Ocean and to subjugate people in the New World as they created colonies and exploited indigenous people there. China was once again ruled by foreigners and Japan centralized its rule with the aid of gunpowder. Both of these Asia powers were able to resist the Europeans during this time period, but were not so fortunate in the next.

As you read the Key Concepts, don't just memorize individual facts (although you do need to know them.) It is important that you know how facts serve as examples of the larger concepts under which they are indexed. 

At the beginning of this era, the ideas of the Enlightenment challenge traditional ideas about political legitimacy and lead to the American and French Revolutions. Independence movements spread across the Americas and Caribbean. The Industrial Revolution transforms the social and economic foundations of people’s lives, and creates the need for vast amounts of raw materials and markets in which to sell manufactured goods. A new wave of imperialism sweeps the globe, and penetrates areas formally inaccessible to Europe, such as China, Japan, and Africa. Challenged by the new changes in economic and political thought, long standing civilizations struggle between reforming their ways and retaining their traditional identities. Russia, the Ottoman Empire, China and Japan all deal with these struggles, with varying degrees of success. Global competition for colonies and the building of large armies to maintain them bring the world closer to war. 

As you read the Key Concepts, don't just memorize individual facts (although you do need to know them.) It is important that you know how facts serve as examples of the larger concepts under which they are indexed.