World History: A Global Survey

Complete syllabus

Every chapter and lesson

1. 01

   Chapter 1 · 3 lessons

   Foundations (to 600 BCE)

   1. 1.1

      The Neolithic Revolution

      8 min · Quick check

      Lesson goal: By the end you can explain the significance of the Neolithic Revolution in human history.

      • Define the Neolithic Revolution and its characteristics.
      • Identify the transition from nomadic lifestyles to settled farming communities.
      • Discuss the impact of agriculture on social structures and population growth.
   2. 1.2

      Mesopotamia & Egypt

      9 min · Quick check

      Lesson goal: By the end you can analyze the contributions of Mesopotamia and Egypt to early civilization.

      • Define key features of Mesopotamian and Egyptian civilizations.
      • Explore the development of writing systems, such as cuneiform and hieroglyphics.
      • Examine the role of religion and governance in shaping these societies.
   3. 1.3

      Early India & China

      8 min · Quick check

      Lesson goal: By the end you can compare and contrast the early civilizations of India and China.

      • Define the major characteristics of early Indian and Chinese civilizations.
      • Identify significant achievements in philosophy, governance, and trade.
      • Discuss the influence of geography on the development of these civilizations.
2. 02

   Chapter 2 · 3 lessons

   Classical Empires (600 BCE–600 CE)

   1. 2.1

      Greece & the roots of Western thought

      9 min · Quick check

      Lesson goal: By the end you can explain the foundational ideas of Western thought that originated in ancient Greece.

      • Define key philosophical concepts introduced by Greek thinkers such as democracy, ethics, and logic.
      • Identify major figures in Greek philosophy, including Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle.
      • Discuss the impact of Greek thought on later civilizations and modern Western philosophy.
   2. 2.2

      Rome: republic to empire

      9 min · Quick check

      Lesson goal: By the end you can analyze the transition of Rome from a republic to an empire.

      • Define the characteristics of the Roman Republic and its political structure.
      • Explain the factors that led to the decline of the Republic and the rise of imperial rule.
      • Identify key emperors and their contributions to the expansion and administration of the Roman Empire.
   3. 2.3

      Han China, India & Persia

      8 min · Quick check

      Lesson goal: By the end you can compare and contrast the major classical empires of Han China, India, and Persia.

      • Define the key features of governance, culture, and economy in Han China, India, and Persia.
      • Discuss the interactions and exchanges between these empires and their influence on each other.
      • Analyze the reasons for the successes and declines of these empires.
3. 03

   Chapter 3 · 3 lessons

   The Postclassical World (600–1450)

   1. 3.1

      The rise & spread of Islam

      9 min · Quick check

      Lesson goal: By the end you can explain the rise and spread of Islam and its impact on global history.

      • Define Islam and its core beliefs.
      • Identify key figures in the early Islamic community.
      • Describe the expansion of Islamic territories and influence.
      • Discuss the cultural and scientific contributions of Islamic civilization.
   2. 3.2

      Medieval Europe & Byzantium

      8 min · Quick check

      Lesson goal: By the end you can analyze the political and cultural developments in Medieval Europe and Byzantium.

      • Define feudalism and its role in Medieval Europe.
      • Identify the significance of the Byzantine Empire in preserving classical knowledge.
      • Discuss the interactions between Medieval Europe and the Islamic world.
      • Examine the impact of the Crusades on Europe and Byzantium.
   3. 3.3

      Silk Roads & Indian Ocean trade

      9 min · Quick check

      Lesson goal: By the end you can evaluate the significance of trade routes like the Silk Roads and Indian Ocean trade in connecting cultures.

      • Define the Silk Roads and Indian Ocean trade routes.
      • Identify key goods and ideas exchanged along these routes.
      • Discuss the role of merchants and trade networks in cultural exchange.
      • Examine the impact of trade on the economies of connected regions.
4. 04

   Chapter 4 · 3 lessons

   Connecting the Globe (1450–1750)

   1. 4.1

      The Mongol legacy

      8 min · Quick check

      Lesson goal: By the end you can explain the impact of the Mongol Empire on global trade and cultural exchange.

      • Define the Mongol Empire and its geographical extent.
      • Discuss the Mongol contributions to trade routes, particularly the Silk Road.
      • Analyze the cultural exchanges facilitated by Mongol rule.
   2. 4.2

      Exploration & the Columbian Exchange

      9 min · Quick check

      Lesson goal: By the end you can describe the significance of exploration and the Columbian Exchange in shaping global interactions.

      • Define exploration and the Columbian Exchange.
      • Identify key explorers and their contributions to global exploration.
      • Examine the effects of the Columbian Exchange on the Americas and Europe.
   3. 4.3

      Early modern empires

      8 min · Quick check

      Lesson goal: By the end you can analyze the characteristics and impacts of early modern empires.

      • Define early modern empires and their global significance.
      • Discuss the political, economic, and cultural aspects of these empires.
      • Evaluate the legacy of early modern empires on contemporary global relations.
5. 05

   Chapter 5 · 3 lessons

   Revolutions & Industry (1750–1914)

   1. 5.1

      Atlantic revolutions

      9 min · Quick check

      Lesson goal: By the end you can explain the causes and effects of the Atlantic revolutions.

      • Define the term 'Atlantic revolutions' and identify the key revolutions involved.
      • Discuss the Enlightenment ideas that influenced these revolutions.
      • Analyze the social and political changes resulting from the Atlantic revolutions.
   2. 5.2

      The Industrial Revolution

      9 min · Quick check

      Lesson goal: By the end you can describe the key features and impacts of the Industrial Revolution.

      • Define the Industrial Revolution and its time frame.
      • Identify the technological innovations that characterized the Industrial Revolution.
      • Examine the social and economic changes brought about by industrialization.
   3. 5.3

      Imperialism

      8 min · Quick check

      Lesson goal: By the end you can analyze the motivations and consequences of imperialism in the 19th century.

      • Define imperialism and its key characteristics.
      • Discuss the economic, political, and social motivations behind imperialism.
      • Evaluate the effects of imperialism on colonized regions and imperial powers.
6. 06

   Chapter 6 · 3 lessons

   The Modern World (1914–present)

   1. 6.1

      The world wars

      9 min · Quick check

      Lesson goal: By the end you can explain the causes and consequences of the world wars.

      • Define the major causes of World War I and World War II.
      • Identify key events and turning points in both wars.
      • Discuss the social, political, and economic impacts of the world wars on global history.
   2. 6.2

      The Cold War & decolonization

      9 min · Quick check

      Lesson goal: By the end you can analyze the effects of the Cold War and the process of decolonization.

      • Define the Cold War and its ideological underpinnings.
      • Examine the impact of the Cold War on international relations.
      • Discuss the process and significance of decolonization in various regions.
   3. 6.3

      Globalization today

      8 min · Quick check

      Lesson goal: By the end you can evaluate the implications of globalization in the modern world.

      • Define globalization and its key characteristics.
      • Identify the economic, cultural, and political dimensions of globalization.
      • Discuss the challenges and opportunities presented by globalization today.