1. INTRODUCTION: An Age of Accelerating Connections
PERIOD 3 (600CE-1450)

2. The End of the Classical Era 
Between CE many of the classical states and civilizations of the world experienced severe disruption, decline or collapse:
Han Dynasty (China)
Roman Empire (Europe)
Gupta (India)
Also…
Meroe (Nubia)
Axum (South of Nubia in Axum)
Maya (will study soon)
Teotihuacan (will study soon)

3. COMPARE and Contrast DECLINE/FALL:
Han
Rome
Political Ineffectiveness
Inflation, empire too large to govern, corruption, overspending
High turn-over, inflation, empire too large to govern, corruption, overspending
Inability to push back invaders
Xiongnu
Huns, Germanic tribes
Peasant Unrest
High taxes, unfair land distribution
High taxes, latifundia, slavery
Revolution/Civil War
Wang Mang, Daoism promotes Yellow Turban Uprising
Peasant revolts
Collapse
Generals usurp power and form independent states
Foreign Germanic mercenaries depose emperor after Rome is split in two (West/East)
Year
220CE
476CE

4. Compare/Contrast FALL OF INDIA
Maurya
Gupta
Political Ineffectiveness
Decentralized government, bureaucracy cost more than state income, inflation
Decentralized government, costly wars defending empire, disputes within royal family
Invaders NA
White Huns*
Peasant Unrest
Revolution/Civil War
Rajput fight for power*
Rajput break away
Collapse
Independent kingdoms break away
Year
184BCE
c. 550CE

5. New Period BEGINS! Also Known As….
Post-Classical Medieval Middle Ages **Third Wave Civilizations** (600CE-1450CE)

6. Patterns of TWC
Each TWC was culturally unique but (like their predecessors) they featured states, cities, specialized economic roles, sharp class and gender distinctions.
One of the largest TWC will be Islam!
All TWCs borrowed heavily from their predecessors.

7. TWC Patterns continued…
Older/classical civilizations persist or are reconstructed
Byzantine Empire (Eastern half of Rome)
China – Sui, Tang, and Song dynasties
India – Hinduism persists
Sub-Saharan Africa - Ghana, Mali, Songhai sustain long distance trade (Niger River civilizations)
Mesoamerica/Andes – Aztecs, Incas

8. TWC Patterns continued…
Trade continues to unite Afro-Eurasia
Silk Road expands throughout Asia
Trans-Saharan trade expands in West Africa
Maritime – Indian Ocean/East Africa, Mediterranean, East China Sea
NEW TRADE CITIES DEVELOP!
(Trade goods, religions, and germs… Oh my!)