KINGDOMS AND EMPIRES OF THE FERTILE CRESCENT: Sumer to Persia 3000-300 BCE

Topics include the origin of governmental institutions, the foundations of Western law, the expansion of Sumer, Babylonia, the Chaldeans, Hitties, Persians, and Egyptians.

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ANCIENT EGYPT

Topics include the development of Egyptian culture, religion, political systems, historical periods, influence of the Hyksos, and Ptolemys.

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AEGEAN CIVILIZATIONS: Neolithic Greece to the Hellenistic Age

Topics include Mediterranean culture from the Phoenicians to the Macedonians, trade, city-states and democracy, Greek philosophers, Hebrew monotheism, Aegean battles, conquests, and technology.

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ANCIENT ROME

History of ancient Rome from its founding in the eight century BCE through the collapse of the western empire in 476 CE. Republic and Empire contrasted. Expansion of the Empire traced. Barbarian invasions discussed.

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MEDIEVAL EUROPE

Beginning with a series of maps and a review of Constantine to Charlemagne, this presentation covers the Magyars, Vikings, Normans, Catholic Church, art, architecture, feudalism, Byzantine and Ottoman Empires, Crusades, and ends with the Black Death. It explores the rise of universities, science, philosophy, literature, warfare, the rise of city states, and the social consequences of the Black Death.

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THE BLACK DEATH AND OTHER PANDEMICS

Begins with epidemics in the ancient world, origins of the Black Death, economic and social effects, plagues after the Black Death and a brief background of the science of plagues and mass epidemics.

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INDIA and SOUTHEAST ASIA

Starts with geographic background, Aryan conquests, Mauryan and Guptan empires, and the development and spread of Hinduism and Buddhism throughout Asia.

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HISTORY OF AFRICA

Introduces geography of the continent, starts with ancient African civilizations, highlights major empires by region, and traces the slave trade through pan Africanism.

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MESOAMERICA and ANDIAN CIVILIZATIONS

Opens with a discussion of the geography of the regions and highlights the major civilizations including the Olmecs, Teotihuacán, Mayans, Zapotec, Mixtec, Toltec, and Aztecs.

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ISLAMIC CIVILIZATION

Covers the history of Islamic civilization beginning with pre-Islamic Arabia, includes Mohammed, factions, spread of Islam, crusades, Ottomans, North Africa and Persia and Islam today.

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CHINA: Ancient Civilization to Communist Revolution

Overview of regional geography, traces the history of China beginning with early Chinese civilizations, Confucius, the dynasties, Mongolian conquest, the Manchu, and People’s Republic of China.

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THE RENAISSANCE

Begins with an overview of the movement including the origins, timeline of major events, and role of trade in city-states. Highlights major accomplishments in art, architecture, music, literature, and science. Discusses the diffusion of the Renaissance.

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THE AGE OF EXPLORATION

Beginning with a review of the ancient world's voyages of exploration and trade routes this PowerPoint covers the entire scope of European voyages of discovery. Extensive coverage of Portugal, Spain, Netherlands, England and France and Russia's contributions are examined. Separate sections on the technology and reasons for the voyages of explorations (spices etc) from the 15th to 18th centuries are also included.

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HERNAN CORTES AND THE CONQUEST OF MEXICO

This presentation employs a variety of media and primary sources to take students back to 1519 and the epic collision between the Spanish and the Aztecs. The program traces the conflict from its origins to its dramatic conclusion and long-term aftermath.

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THE ENLIGHTENMENT

Begins with a brief review of various historical influences. Covers the major philosophical ideas including rationalism, secularism, progress, toleration, empiricism, natural rights, contractual government, and new theories of education; also discusses the diffusion of the ideas.

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THE INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION

Opens with the Second Agricultural Revolution and conditions for change in England, and discusses the major innovations and inventions during the era including in iron, coal, transportation, and enterprise. Explores life for laborers, ideas of Victorian Era, and the music, literature and art of the period.

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THE FRENCH REVOLUTION

Topics include events leading up to the revolution, major people, places, and events.

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EUROPEAN IMPERIALISM: 1800-1914

Topics include industrialization and technology, the partition of Africa, imperialism in India, Southeast and Southwest Asia, China, the East India Company, and the Boxer Rebellion.

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EUROPEAN NATIONALISM: 1814-1848

Topics include the characteristics of 19th century European nationalism, the influence of the French Revolution on the spread of nationalism, the unification of Germany and Italy, and tensions in the Balkans.

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WORLD WAR I

Reviews the major causes of the war and covers the major battles, new technologies, war in the air and at sea, Armenian genocide, life on the homefront, and ends with the Treaty of Versailles.

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EUROPE BETWEEN THE WARS

Topics include postwar rebuilding, the effects of the Great Depression, totalitarian governments, the Spanish Civil War, societal and cultural developments, and scientific and technological innovations.

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WORLD WAR II

Explores the major causes of the war. This media rich presentation is organized by year, covering the major events during the seven years of the war. Discusses life on the homefront, contribution of women and minorities, and ends with the aftermath of the war.

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The Modern Era: 1945-1970

Beginning with postwar Europe and Asia, this presentation covers the Cold War and end of colonialism, the Arab-Israeli conflict, and the changes in population, art, science, and technology.

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The Modern Era: 1971-2009

Begins with detente and the collapse of the Soviet Union. Other major topics covered include terrorism, environmental issues, globalism, social issues, science and technology. The regions of Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Middle East are highlighted.

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