1. Introduction to World History

2. HM: The Problem of Evidence Primary Secondary Tertiary Bias

3. HM: The Problem of Objectivity Source Bias Historian Bias Is Objective History Possible?

4. HM: The Problem of Causation Great Men? Impersonal Forces

5. HM: The Problem of Motives Deciphering Witness Statements Lack of Witness Statements Actions Speak Louder Than Words Economic vs. Idealistic

6. The Stone Age: 1-2 Million BC to 3,500 BC Paleolithic: 1-2 Million BC to 10,000 BC –Humans become Human –Hunter-Gatherer Lifestyle Mesolithic: 10,000 BC to 6,000 BC –Humans begin to domesticate animals and plants –Better tools Neolithic: 7,000 BC to 3,500 BC –Agriculture begins –First villages and towns; Civilization begins

7. The Bronze Age: 3,500 BC to 1200 BC Early Bronze Age (c.3500-2000 BC) –Metalworking begins –Age of the City-State Middle Bronze Age (c.2000-1600 BC) –Nomadic tribes gain bronze and challenge the urban civilizations Late Bronze Age (c.1600-1200 BC) –Society now develops to incorporate large, powerful kingdoms with sophisticated bureaucracies able to rule over large areas and coordinate powerful trade networks.

8. Iron Age: 1200-500 BC Ironworking now predominates Barbarians ravage Bronze Age States Rise of Large Scale Empires

9. Age of Agricultural Empires (500 BC – 1789 AD) Human society dominated by Agriculture Empires exist, limited by communications and terrain The Malthusian Cycle dominates –Growth: More land than people –Apogee: Just enough land for everyone –Decline: Too many people, not enough land, corruption, war, famine, death, destruction –Go back to square 1 once enough die.