Prologue+(Empires+before+1492)

=Prologue: The world outside=

This unit examines the various empires that existed and thrived around the world during the 14th century CE. Below are copies of handouts/assignments available for download during the unit only, as well as links to websites for research purposes (or for further information). Scroll down this page, which is listed in chronological order, to find what you seek.
 * [[file:Prologue Unit Plan.doc]] - Contains the Unit Calendar, the Honors homework assignments and unit project information (for the CP and Honors sections)

The "Big Idea" (overarching concept of Unit)

 * What are the defining characteristics of an empire?
 * What causes them to rise and fall?

Ming Dynasty China

 * **Handouts/assignments** (posted for download on dates listed on calendar)
 * Cultural Achievements handout
 * Zheng He Geography assignment
 * Voyages of Zheng He Handout
 * **Beyond the classroom**
 * [|History of Chinese Dynasties]
 * [|1421 Hypothesis] (Wikipedia entry)
 * Menzies, Gavin. //1421 - The Year China Discovered America// (New York: HarperCollins Publishers Inc., 2004)
 * A [|website], continuing the research started with the book, has been setup and is occasionally updated with new information.
 * **Midterm Madness VI competitors:**
 * [|Zhu Di] (Ming Emperor)
 * [|Zheng He] (Chinese Explorer)

Pre-Columbian American Empires (Aztec and Inca)

 * **Handouts/assignments** (posted for download on dates listed on calendar)
 * Chapter 16:3 worksheet
 * Chocolate Timeline
 * Chapter 16:4 worksheet
 * Guns, Germs and Steel worksheet
 * **Beyond the classroom**
 * [|History of the Aztec/Mexica People] (Wikipedia entry)
 * [|History of the Inca People] (Wikipedia entry)
 * Diamond, Jared. //Guns, Germs and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies// (New York: W.W. Norton and Company, 1997)
 * A [|website] was constructed by PBS and National Geographic for a three-part series based on the book in 2005.
 * This book won the Pulitzer Prize for Science in 1998
 * **Midterm Madness VI competitors:**
 * [|Moctezuma II] (last Aztec ruler)
 * [|Atahualpa] (last Inca ruler)

Islamic Calphates to Ottoman Empire

 * **Handouts/assignments** (posted on dates listed on calendar)
 * Fresh Notes guide to Islam
 * Cultures Clash worksheet
 * Battle of Constantinople
 * Battle of Vienna
 * **Beyond the classroom**
 * [|History of Islam] (Wikipedia entries)
 * [|Story of Muhammad]
 * [|Five pillars of Islam]
 * [|Six articles of belief]
 * [|History of the Ottoman Empire] (Wikipedia entry)
 * **Midterm Madness VI competitors:**
 * [|Mehmed II] (conqueror of [|Constantinople])
 * [|Suleiman the Magnificant] (nearly invaded Europe, ruled at the height of the Ottoman Empire)

Empire of Mali

 * **Handouts/assignments** (posted on dates listed on calendar)
 * Ibn Battuta on Timbuktu (primary source activity)
 * **Beyond the classroom**
 * [|History of the Empire of Mali] (Wikipedia entry)
 * Information on [|Timbuktu]
 * [|Ibn Battuta's Saharan Travels] (text from his book //Rihla//)
 * **Midterm Madness VI competitors:**
 * [|Ibn Battuta] (Islamic version of Marco Polo)
 * [|Mansa Musa] ("exposed" riches of Mali to the world)

Return to the Home Page