1. Perspectives on World History

2. What is the Appropriate Scope of World History? “Big History?” (considers broadest patterns of life, universe) “Big History?” (considers broadest patterns of life, universe) The Beginning: “Big Bang”The Beginning: “Big Bang” The End: “Big Crunch”The 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?

4. What is the Appropriate Scope of World History? Hominid existence? Hominid existence? AustraleopithecusAustraleopithecus Homo HabilisHomo Habilis Homo ErectusHomo Erectus Homo Sapien & NeanderthalHomo Sapien & Neanderthal Hominids split from great apes about 4 million years ago Hominids split from great apes about 4 million years ago

5. Perspective: Hominid Existence Timeline of Hominid existence Timeline of Hominid existence Graph paper: 1 square = 1000 years Graph paper: 1 square = 1000 years How many squares = hominid existence? How many squares = hominid existence?

6. Perspective: Hominid Existence Hominid existence = 4000 squares!!! Hominid existence = 4000 squares!!! 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?So how many sheets of graph paper? 73 sheets!73 sheets!

7. 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 10-12 squares!Not even one sheet - only 10-12 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

8. Perspective: Civilization and Population Growth Civilization was driven by agriculture Civilization was driven by agriculture More food = more peopleMore food = 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 the people = civilizationWith more people & more food, you must organize the people = civilization THUS: IT IS ALL ABOUT FOOD SURPLUS!!!THUS: IT IS ALL ABOUT FOOD SURPLUS!!!

9. Perspective: Population Growth More energy consumption + complex society = higher population rates! More energy consumption + complex society = higher population rates!

10. Perspective: Population Growth Why do populations grow? Why do populations grow?

11. Why have Humans Succeeded? Humans have been successful at harnessing large energy flows Humans have been successful at harnessing large energy flows Adapting to their environment 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: adapting environment to them Since Industrial Revolution: adapting environment to them

12. Crucial Points in History Neolithic Revolution Neolithic Revolution Rise of Civilization Rise of Civilization Columbian Exchange Columbian Exchange Industrial Revolution Industrial Revolution Modern Era Modern Era The “Columbian Exchange”