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.
Islamic Civilization
- Mohammed
- Islam, Basic Beliefs and Writings
- Islam, Early Spread and General Influence
- The Caliphate
- Umayyad Dynasty
- Abassid Dynasty
- Mamluks
- Deli Sultanate
- The Rise of the Ottomans
- Sufism
- Islamic Art, Science, and Technologies
- Islam, its effect in South Asia
- Islam, its effect in Sub-Saharan Africa
- Islam, its effect in the Middle East
- Islam, its effect on Western Europe
- Islam, its effect on Anatolia
The Recovery and Influence of China
- The Sui Dynasty
- The Tang Dynasty
- The Song Dynasty
- The Ming Dynasty
- China's Urban and Economic Recovery
- China's Influence on Korea
- China's Influence on Japan
- China's Influence on Southeast Asia
The Mongols
- Genghis Khan
- The Growth of the Mongol Empire
- The Mongols: Their effects on Russia
- The Mongols: Their effects on East Asia
- The Mongols: Their effects on the Dar al Islam
- The Mongols: Their effects on Anatolia
- The Impact of the Mongols in World History
New and Continuing Civilizations
- Medieval Japan
- Taika Reforms
- Heian Japan
- Japanese Feudalism
- The Byzantine Empire
- The Rise of Russia
- The Americas
- The Aztecs
- The Inca
- The Mayan
- Western Europe
- Europe's Economic Recovery
- European Feudalism
- Europe's High Middle Ages
- Europe's Crisis and Decline
- African Civilization
- Sub-Saharan Empires
- Ghana
- Mali
- Songhai
- Swahili City-States
- Great Zimbabwe
Changes in Belief Systems
- Christianity and the Great Schism
- Neo-Confucianism
- Changes in Buddhism
- Changes in Islam
Trans Regional Connections
- Trans-Saharan Trade
- Indian Ocean Trade
- Changes in Silk Road Trade
- Ibn Battuta
- Marco Polo
- Zheng He
- The Crusades
- The Vikings
- The Polynesians
Course Theme Summaries: Unit III
- Interaction between Humans and the Environment:Unit III
- Development and Interaction of Cultures: Unit III
- State-building, Expansion, and Conflict: Unit III
- Creation, Expansion, and Interaction of Economic Systems: Unit III
- Development and Transformation of Social Structures: Unit III
