World History Overview
World history covers the story of all human civilizations. This guide surveys key eras — the Middle Ages, Renaissance, Reformation, Age of Exploration, and Industrial Revolution.
The Middle Ages (500–1500 CE)
After the fall of Rome, Europe entered the Middle Ages (also called the Medieval Period).
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Feudalism | Social system: King → Lords → Knights → Serfs (peasants) |
| Catholic Church | Dominated European life; Popes had enormous political power |
| Crusades | Military campaigns (1095–1291) to control Jerusalem |
| Black Death | Bubonic plague (1347–1353) killed ~1/3 of Europe's population |
| Islamic Golden Age | Middle East preserved and advanced math, science, medicine |
Renaissance and Reformation (1300–1600)
The Renaissance ("rebirth") began in Italy and spread across Europe — a rebirth of art, learning, and Greek/Roman ideas.
- Artists: Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Raphael
- Gutenberg's printing press (1440) — spread ideas rapidly
- Humanism — focus on human achievement and reason
The Protestant Reformation (1517) began when Martin Luther challenged the Catholic Church, leading to new Christian denominations (Lutheran, Calvinist, Anglican) and decades of religious wars.
Age of Exploration & Industrial Revolution
The Age of Exploration (1400s–1600s): European nations explored and colonized the Americas, Africa, and Asia.
- 1492: Columbus reaches the Caribbean
- Columbian Exchange: foods, animals, and diseases moved between hemispheres
- Colonization brought wealth to Europe — and enormous suffering to Native and African peoples
The Industrial Revolution (1760s–1840s) transformed society: factories replaced handcraft, steam power moved trains and ships, and millions moved to cities.
- James Watt's steam engine
- Rise of capitalism and the working class
- New social problems: child labor, poor urban conditions
Quick Quiz
Test what you just learned. Choose the best answer for each question.