Tools of the Historian: Assessing time in world history( changes and continuities)

Chronology-the study of time Various historians break-down or compartmentalize history in a variety of ways. Important technologies, events, people, places or developments ( turning points) provide a perspective about when a period, epoch or era should begin and end. Like geography, chronology can be an important tool to view perspective (POV)

Political Major Dynastic rule (Chinese Mandates of Heaven, ruling families Rise and fall of empires (and Emperors) Presidencies Dominant powers of the time ( this is disputed by historians based on varying degrees of evidence) Cycles of political revolutions ( usually identifying a change) Events ( 9-11, Pearl Harbor, Sacking of Rome, Conquest of the Americas)

Time is measured by key economic technologies which define the times Stone Age (paleo and Neolithic) Bronze Age Iron Age Industrial Age Nuclear Age Commodities like drinks :” A History of the World in Six Glasses” by Tom Standage These technologies signify a turning point in how things are done.

Culture Christian Gregorian calendar ( originally B.C and A.D for before Christ and Anno Domini in Jesus’ life) Jewish and Muslim calendars are lunar as are Chinese calendars Mayas developed the most accurate calendar based on their astronomical observations. Eras of peace and prosperity and are often called Golden Ages of Pax( Romana, Sinica, Islam, Mongolica)

Time is tricky Think of your own life since you were born. Regardless of how history is broken down, it signifies that great changes come about by these cycles. These changes are debated by historians as to the impacts and whether they garner mention or merit. As a historian, you will be asked to not just evaluate periodization to determine changes but also evaluate continuities ( what remains the same and why) Think of your own life since you were born. What has changed (Think S.P.I.C.E)? What has Remained the same? (Why?)

To date events Before the birth of Christ or B.C., historians count backward from the year 1. After the birth of Christ or A.D., historians count forward starting at the year 1. THERE IS NO YEAR 0!!! World History has replaced this with B.C.E and C.E to reflect less cultural bias for before and during the common era

Theses The study of time is problematic for historians because of the differentiated way to break chunks of time down politically through the dominant empires and politically entities which clearly defined these eras, economically through the technologies which were utilized by those societies who thrived and culturally by the hegemonic religions which guided people’s worldview whether linearly or cyclically. Chronology troubles world historians as there is no universal manner to encapsulate time by , rather, view it politically to break down important events which served as turning point ( wars, attacks, fall), economically by the dominant commodities traded and networks of distribution, and cultural framework for looking at the religions who provided a framework for living. Time allows the student to view the historical narrative through a political view through the cyclical ebbs and flows like Chinese dynasties, historiographically looking at commodities like beverages who altered human development and cosmologically by viewing the developments as they unfolded in the universe starting with the Big Bang and narrowing it down into the present.