Perspectives on World History

What is the Appropriate Scope of World History? “Big History?” “Big History?” Considers broadest patterns of life, universeConsiders broadest patterns of life, universe Beginning: “Big Bang” Beginning: “Big Bang” End: “Big Crunch” End: “Big Crunch” Perspective: What happens if we condensed 13 billion years – the est. age of the Universe – into 13 years?Perspective: What happens if we condensed 13 billion years – the est. age of the Universe – into 13 years?

Perspective: If the Universe began 13 years ago, then at this moment…. The earth would have existed for about 5 yearsThe earth would have existed for about 5 years Multi-cellular organisms, for 7 monthsMulti-cellular organisms, for 7 months The asteroid that killed the dinosaurs would have landed 3 weeks agoThe asteroid that killed the dinosaurs would have landed 3 weeks ago Hominids (bipedal apes) would have existed for 3 daysHominids (bipedal apes) would have existed for 3 days Our own species, Homo Sapiens, for 53 minutesOur own species, Homo Sapiens, for 53 minutes Farm based societies, for 5 minutesFarm based societies, for 5 minutes The entire recorded history, for 3 minutesThe entire recorded history, for 3 minutes Modern industrial society, for 6 secondsModern industrial society, for 6 seconds

What is the Appropriate Scope of World History? Existence of “man”? Existence of “man”? Hominids split from great apes about 4 million years ago Hominids split from great apes about 4 million years ago AustraleopithecusAustraleopithecus Homo HabilisHomo Habilis Homo ErectusHomo Erectus Homo Sapiens / NeanderthalHomo Sapiens / Neanderthal

Perspective: Man’s Existence If you made a timeline of man’s existence with graph paper, how long would it be? If you made a timeline of man’s existence with graph paper, how long would it be? Assume 1 square = 1000 yearsAssume 1 square = 1000 years How long since man split from apes?How long since man split from apes? 4 million years 4 million years How many squares? How many squares?

Perspective: Man’s Existence Look at a sheet of graph paper… Look at a sheet of graph paper… 55 squares / sheet55 squares / sheet So how many sheets of graph paper are needed to make our timeline??? So how many sheets of graph paper are needed to make our timeline??? 73 sheets!!!73 sheets!!!

Perspective: Civilization Of the 73 sheets, how many represent non- hunter/gatherer man? Of the 73 sheets, how many represent non- hunter/gatherer man? Not even one sheet - only squares!Not even one sheet - only squares! This change from hunter gatherer to settled farmer is called the “Neolithic Revolution” This change from hunter gatherer to settled farmer is called the “Neolithic Revolution” The Neolithic Revolution led directly to civilization The Neolithic Revolution led directly to civilization

What is the appropriate scope of World History? Civilization was driven by agriculture Civilization was driven by agriculture More food = support more peopleMore food = support more people More people = more mouths to feedMore people = more mouths to feed BUT more people = more food you can growBUT more people = more food you can grow With more people & more food, you must organize = civilizationWith more people & more food, you must organize = civilization THUS: CIVILIZATION IS ALL ABOUT FOOD SURPLUS!!!THUS: CIVILIZATION IS ALL ABOUT FOOD SURPLUS!!!

Why have Humans Succeeded? Humans have been successful at adapting to their environment Humans have been successful at adapting to their environment Natural selection (genetic)Natural selection (genetic) Individual learning (trial & error)Individual learning (trial & error) “Collective learning” (Education, record keeping)“Collective learning” (Education, record keeping) Since Industrial Revolution, man has been successful at adapting environment to them Since Industrial Revolution, man has been successful at adapting environment to them

Appropriate Scope of World History? Study of Civilization Major points of World History Major points of World History Neolithic RevolutionNeolithic Revolution Rise of CivilizationRise of Civilization Columbian ExchangeColumbian Exchange Industrial RevolutionIndustrial Revolution Modern EraModern Era The “Columbian Exchange”