A Walk Through Man

1. A Walk Through Man

2. Ancient Rome500BCE-476CE • Established a HUGE empire that lasted for over 500 years. (USA is only a little over 200 years old!) • Christianity inspired Roman culture and society as a result, the Christian religion became part of the legacy of ancient Rome.

3. Medieval Byzantine500CE-1453CE • This empire emerged after the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 CE. • The Capital City – Constantinople – was considered a very modern and wealthy city (water, sewer, public gardens, Hippodrome). • Constantinople was where the Silk Road ended and a major center of trade.

4. Medieval Europe 476CE-1450CE • The Medieval time period begins with the fall of Rome in 476ce. • Europe was in chaos after the end of Rome. • Charlemagne unified all Christian lands in Europe and brought a political system of feudalism. • The Catholic Church was a major unifying force in Europe

5. Medieval Islam600CE-1500CE • In the early 600’s a man named Muhammad introduced Islam to the people of the Arabian Peninsula. • His followers are called Muslims. • Muslims believe in one god (Monotheism). • During the “Golden Age” Muslims made advancements in Astronomy, irrigation, Mathematics, Medicine, Scholarship and Learning.

6. Medieval China220CE-1700CE • China is a huge country – about the size of the United States. • Chinese civilization developed along the fertile lands of the Huang He River. • Chinese gave some of the most important inventions: Compass, Paper, Wood Block Printing, Gunpowder, Mechanical Clocks and Paper Money

7. Medieval Japan 500CE-1700CE • Japan is a series of islands – 4 major islands and 3900 smaller ones • Natural Disasters are common on the islands such as earthquakes and Typhoons. • From Japan we get the Samurai – Japanese warriors who were famed for their courage and skill. • Samurai’s practice a code of behavior known as Bushido – “The Way of the Warrior”

8. Ancient Americas300CE-1500CE • 4 Major Civilizations – Olmec, Maya, Aztec and Inca. • Lived in present day Mexico, Central America and South America

9. Medieval Africa500CE-1600CE • Africa is the 2nd largest Continent on earth. • By late 700’s Muslim traders were crossing the Sahara Desert. • The exchange of goods: gold, salt, cattle, leatherworks, woven cloth, ivory made the medieval kingdoms wealthy. • Mansa Musa – Muslim ruler of Mali – took a pilgrimage to Makkah and brought riches and knowledge of Africa to Europe.

10. Renaissance Europe 1300CE-1600CE • Renaissance began in Florence, Italy then spread across the rest of Europe. • The renaissance also means a rebirth of trade - such as silk, spices and porcelain. • As trade and commerce expanded – towns and city-states grew more important. • Humanism (a philosophy) sought to balance faith with a focus on individual dignity.

11. Reformation in Europe 1500CE-1600CE • The new spirit of the Renaissance caused people to start questioning the teachings of the Catholic Church. • Reformers who broke away from the Catholic Church were called Protestants =Protested against the Church. • Martin Luther – German priest broke away and started the first Protestant Church.

12. World Exploration 1400CE-1700CE • With a limited knowledge of continents, Europeans set out to explore the world. • Countries such as Portugal, Spain, England, France and the Netherlands changed our knowledge of the world forever.

13. Enlightenment & Scientific Revolution 1500CE-1700CE • Using logic, observation and experimentation, scientists began to make dramatic discoveries. • Discovered heliocentric theory, gravity, scientific method, microscope, barometer, thermometer. • Enlightenment thinkers applied observation and reason to find new ideas about government.

14. What is social studies? Why do we have to take social studies classes in school? Directions: • Write down on a post-it what you think social studies is. • Write down a question you have about social studies.