High School Teaching Resources
(Click on this link if you teach the AP World History course.)
What’s in the World History Atlas?
The Atlas contains two sections:
1. The Atlas of the World, with its regions and countries, and
2. Units on Key Topics in World History.
Section 1: The World Atlas
This contains a huge series of map sequences, tracking world history as a whole, and also the histories of different parts of the world.
The main Atlas is organized in three different levels:
Level 1: World Maps
At this level a single sequence of twenty maps covers the history of the world. Together, these maps offer a panoramic overview of the history of the world as a whole.
World Maps: 3500 BCE (currently free) – 2500 BCE (currently free) – 1500 BCE – 1000 BCE – 500 BCE – 200 BCE – 30 BCE (currently free) – 200 CE – 500 CE – 750 CE – 979 CE – 1215 – 1453 (currently free) – 1648 – 1789 – 1837 – 1871 – 1914 (currently free) – 1960 – 2005
Level 2: Big Region Maps
Map sequences, following the same dates as the world maps, track the histories of the historic regions of the world.
Africa – East Asia – Europe – India and South Asia – Middle East – North America – Oceania – South America – South East Asia
Level 3: Country Maps
Map sequences at this level cover the individual countries of the world.
Like the two previous levels, the map sequences at this level all conform to the same set of dates. This means that the world can be explored at all three levels at twenty different points in time. At this level, however, the map sequences start at the point when a country emerges into the light of history.
Arabia – the countries of the Arabian peninsula, including Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE, from 1000 BCE
Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay – from 1648
Australia – from 1648
Brazil – from 1453
Britain – from 30 BCE
Canada – from 1648
Central Europe – the countries of Central Europe, including Austria, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, and The Czech Republic – from 979 CE
China – from 2500 BCE
Chile – from 1648
Central Africa – the countries of Central Africa, including Angola, Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Republic of Congo, Gabon, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawai, Mozambique, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe – from 750 CE
Egypt – from 3500 BCE
France – from 500 BCE
Germany, Austria and Switzerland – from 979 CE
Greece and Southeastern Europe – including the countries of Albania, Bosnia, Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia – from 1500 BCE
Iran – from 2500 BCE
Iraq – from 3500 BCE
Italy – from 500 BCE
India and South Asia – including the countries of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka – from 3500 BCE
Japan – from 200 BCE
Korea – from 200 BCE
Low Countries – Belgium, Luxembourg, Netherlands – from 979 CE
Mexico and Central America – Belize, Costa Rica, Cuba, El Salvadore, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama – from 3500 BCE
New Zealand – from 1789
North East Africa -the countries of Eritrea, Ethiopia, Somalia, Sudan, – from 1500 BCE
Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia – from 1500 BCE
Eastern Europe – the countries of Russia, Ukraine and Belarus from 750 CE
Scandinavia – the countries of Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden from 750 CE
Spain and Portugal – from 500 BCE
South East Asia – the countries of East Timor, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam
Southern Africa – the countries of Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, – from 1215.
Syria, Lebanon, Israel, Jordan – from 2500 BCE
Turkey – from 2500 BCE
West Africa – Benin, Cameroon, Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guines Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Mauretania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Togo – from 500 CE
The United States – from 1648
Venezuela, Colombia and the Guianas – from 1453
Section 2: Key Topics in World History
Listed below are a range of extension units which cover key curriculum topics in world history. To access these, you need to be a subscriber to our Premium service. Unfortunately, this is closed to new subscribers – click here to find out why.
Contents:
Period 1: Ancient World to c. 500 BCE
Key Topics in World History Units:
The Origins and Spread of Farming + Teachers Notes
A sequence of world maps shows the origins and spread of farming in world history, between c. 10000 BCE and c. 3500 BCE.
Early Civilizations (multi-resource unit)
This unit consists of two main resources – a slideshow and map sequence – plus accompanying guidance for teachers and students.
The unit offers a panoramic overview of all the ancient civilizations of the Eastern Hemisphere up to 500 BCE. It gives a clear idea of their geographical and chronological settings, and where each fits into the broader context of world history during these millennia.
World Trade Routes at the time of the Early Civilizations, 3500 BCE to 500 BCE – (Teachers Notes coming soon)
A series of maps looking at the growth of trade routes during the early civilizations in world history.
The Ancient Middle East (multi-resource unit)
This unit consists of several resources covering the Ancient Middle East from 3500 to 500 BC. It takes in Ancient Mesopotamia, Ancient Egypt, the Hittites, and the great empires of Assyria, Babylon and Persia. It also tracks the history of the Ancient Israelites, allowing users to see their story in the broader context of the ancient world.
Ancient India (slideshow)
This slideshow is part of a multi-resource unit covering the whole of ancient Indian history, from 2500 BCE through 500 CE. It includes the Indus Valley civilization, the Aryan occupation and the Vedic period of ancient India down to the time of the Buddha – and beyond (see below, Classical section).
Ancient China (slideshow)
This slideshow is part of a multi-resource unit covering the whole of ancient Chinese history, from 1500 BCE through 500 CE. It includes the Shang dynasty and the Zhou dynasty down to the time of Confucius – and beyond (see below, Classical section).
Teaching about Early Civilizations using the TimeMap of World History
Suggestions on how to use the TimeMap of World History with your students. They focus on using the free maps, but are equally relevant to the premium maps.
These suggestions are in addition to those offered in the teaching notes which accompany each Premium unit.
Core World Atlas maps:
A sequence of maps of the world provides a broad overview of ancient world history from 3500 BCE up to 500 BCE:
World 3500 BCE – 2500 BCE – 1500 BCE – 1000 BCE – 500 BCE
The key regions of the world in this period are:
Middle East 3500 BCE – 2500 BCE – 1500 BCE – 1000 BCE – 500 BCE (For Ancient Mesopotamia – 3500 BCE – 2500 BCE – 1500 BCE – 1000 BCE – 500 BCE, and Ancient Egypt – 3500 BCE – 2500 BCE – 1500 BCE – 1000 BCE – 500 BCE)
Africa 500 BCE – 200 BCE – 30 BCE – 200 CE – 500 CE (For Nubia – 500 BCE – 200 BCE – 30 BCE – 200 CE – 500 CE)
India and South Asia 3500 BCE – 2500 BCE – 1500 BCE – 1000 BCE – 500 BCE
East Asia 3500 BCE – 2500 BCE – 1500 BCE – 1000 BCE – 500 BCE (and China – 2500 BCE – 1500 BCE – 1000 BCE – 500 BCE)
South America 3500 BCE – 2500 BCE – 1500 BCE – 1000 BCE – 500 BCE
North America 3500 BCE – 2500 BCE – 1500 BCE – 1000 BCE – 500 BCE
Period 2: The Classical World c. 500 BCE to c. 500 CE
Key Topics in World History Units:
World Trade Routes at the time of the Classical Civilizations, 500 BCE to 500 CE (Teachers Notes coming soon)
A sequence of maps looks at the growth of trade routes in the Classical period of world history (500 BCE to 500 CE). These include the rise of such historic trade arteries as the Silk Road and Indian Ocean routes.
Greece and Persia: 585 BCE to 100 CE (multi-resource unit)
Two main resources, a slideshow and a sequence of map pages (each accompanied by supporting teachers notes), look at the interactions between the Persians and the Greeks in the two centuries. They cover the period from before the Persian Wars to after the time of Alexander the Great.
The Persian Wars, 499 BCE to 478 BCE (PowerPoint unit) + Teachers Notes
Focuses on the famous wars between the Persian empire and the Greek city-states which included the battles of Marathon, Thermopylae and Salamis.
Ancient India (multi-resource unit)
Two main resources, a slideshow and a map sequence, plus accompanying guidance for teachers and students, cover this topic. The slideshow covers the entire period of ancient India, while the map sequence covers the period from the time of the Buddha down to the Gupta empire.
Ancient China (multi-resource unit)
Two main resources, a slideshow and a map sequence, plus accompanying guidance for teachers and students, cover this topic. The slideshow covers the entire period of ancient China, while the map sequence covers the period from the time of Confucius to after the fall of the Han empire.
The Rise and Fall of the Roman Empire: 500 BCE to 500 CE (multi-resource unit)
Two main resources, a slideshow and a map sequence, plus accompanying guidance for teachers and students, follow the fortunes of Ancient Rome as it rises to dominate the Mediterranean world, and then enters a long period of decline and fall.
Teaching about Classical Civilizations using the TimeMap of World History
Suggestions on how to use the TimeMap of World History with your students. They focus on using the free maps, but are equally relevant to the premium maps.
These suggestions are in addition to those offered in the teaching notes which accompany each Premium unit.
Core World Atlas maps:
For a broad overview of the Classical world see the following world maps:
World 500 BCE – 200 BCE – 30 BCE – 200 CE – 500 CE
For the key regions of the Medieval world, see:
Europe 500 BCE – 200 BCE – 30 BCE – 200 CE – 500 CE
(For a close-up on Ancient Greece, see Greece 1500 BCE – 1000 BCE – 500 BCE – 200 BCE, and on Early Rome see Italy 500 BCE – 200 BCE)
The Middle East 500 BCE – 200 BCE – 30 BCE – 200 CE – 500 CE
India and South Asia 500 BCE – 200 BCE – 30 BCE – 200 CE – 500 CE
East Asia – 500 BCE – 200 BCE – 30 BCE – 200 CE – 500 CE (For a close-up on Ancient China, see China 500 BCE – 200 BCE – 30 BCE – 200 CE – 500 CE)
South America – 500 BCE – 200 BCE – 30 BCE – 200 CE – 500 CE
North America – 500 BCE – 200 BCE – 30 BCE – 200 CE – 500 CE
Period 3: The Medieval World, c. 500 CE to 1450 CE
Key Topics in World History Units:
World Trade Routes in the Medieval Era, 500 to 1453 (Teachers Notes coming soon)
A sequence of maps looks at the development of trade routes in the Medieval Era of world history, and their impact as conduits of trans-regional influences.
Medieval China (multi-resource unit)
Two main resources, a slideshow and map sequence, plus accompanying guidance for teachers and students, cover this topic.
The period covers the middle centuries of the imperial age of Chinese history, when China’s identity as a Confucian, bureaucratic state was tested, confirmed and refined.
Medieval India (multi-resource unit)
Two main resources, a slideshow and map sequence, plus accompanying guidance for teachers and students, cover this topic.
During this period of South Asian history, great cultural changes take place: the decline of Buddhism, the rise of mature Hinduism, and the intrusion of Islam.
Medieval Europe (multi-resource unit)
Three main resources, a slideshow and two map sequences, plus accompanying guidance for teachers and students, cover this topic.
The Medieval period saw massive transformations for this region: the fall of the Roman empire, the Viking invasions, the Norman Conquest of England, the Crusades, the Black Death, and many more.
The Islamic Caliphate: 622 to 1253 CE
Looks at the rise and spread of Islam in the centuries when, as well as being a new religion, it was one of the greatest empires of the world.
The Mongol Empire: 1200 to 1500 CE
The Mongol Empire was the largest land empire in world history. Its impact was powerfully felt across Europe, the Middle East, India, China, Japan and South East Asia.
Teaching about the Medieval World using the TimeMap of World History
Suggestions on how to use the TimeMap of World History with your students. They focus on using the free maps, but are equally relevant to the premium maps.
These suggestions are in addition to those offered in the teaching notes which accompany each Premium unit.
Core World Atlas maps:
A sequence of maps of the world provides a broad overview of medieval world history from 500 CE through 1453 CE:
World – 500 CE – 750 CE – 979 CE – 1215 – 1453
For a focus on the key regions of the world, from most of which you will be able to follow links down to individual countries:
Europe – 500 CE – 750 – 979 – 1215 – 1453
Africa – 500 CE – 750 – 979 – 1215 – 1453
The Middle East 500 CE – 750 – 979 – 1215 – 1453
India and South Asia – 500 CE – 750 – 979 – 1215 – 1453
East Asia – 500 CE – 750 – 979 – 1215 – 1453
…and in the Americas:
Period 4: The Early Modern World, 1450 to 1750 CE
Key Topics in World History Units:
World Trade Routes in the Early Modern Era, 1453 to 1789 (Teachers Notes coming soon)
A sequence of maps looks at the development of trade routes in the Early Modern Era of world history, a time when Europeans pioneer maritime trade, linking all the oceans together.
China: the Late Dynasties: 1450 to 1760 CE + Teachers Notes
Looks at the Ming and Qing dynasties, when imperial China reached its peak. The unit leaves the Qing dynasty at its magnificent height – its decline is dealt with in the next section.
India: the Mughal era: 1450 to 1750 CE + Teachers Notes
Covers the early modern period in the history of the Indian subcontinent, dominated by the rise and fall of the glorious Mughal empire.
Early Modern Europe: 1450 to 1750 CE + Teachers Notes
Includes the periods of the Renaissance, Reformation, Counter-Reformation, Wars of religion, the Scientific Revolution and the Enlightenment.
Teaching about the Early Modern World using the TimeMap of World History
Suggestions on how to use the TimeMap of World History with your students. They focus on using the free maps, but are equally relevant to the premium maps.
These suggestions are in addition to those offered in the teaching notes which accompany each Premium unit.
Core World Atlas maps:
The early modern world sees the histories of the different regions begin to be knitted together in the wake of European expansion. A global perspective is therefore necessary for this period, and can be gained here:
World maps 1453 – 1638 – 1789.
An understanding of the expansion of Europe requires a grasp of what was actually happening IN Europe. This can be seen here:
The regions that felt European expansion most keenly in this period were North and South America, as can be seen here:
South America 1453 – 1648 – 1789
Mexico and Central America 1453 – 1648 – 1789
For North America as a whole, with an emphasis on the Native Americans and how the coming of Europeans impacted their lives, see:
North America 1453 – 1648 – 1789
The Atlantic Slave Trade was a feature of colonial America, and this had a major impact on Africa:
Asia at this time was less directly affected by European expansion, and each of the major regions saw the blossoming of major states. See
The Middle East 1453 – 1648 – 1789 (The Ottoman Empire)
India and South Asia 1453 – 1648 – 1789 (The Mughul Empire)
East Asia 1453 – 1648 – 1789 (for more close-ups, see China 1789
For other parts of the world which are not so popular in middle school curricula but are interesting in their own rights, are
Period 5: The Modern Era
Key Topics in World History Units:
India: the British Raj: 1750 to 1900 CE (Teachers Notes under development)
Looks at the rise of British rule in India, the nature of that rule, and its impact on Indian society.
Modern China: the Later Imperial Period: 1760-1901 CE (Teachers Notes under development)
Covers the Opium Wars, the Taiping rebellion, The Self-Strengthening Movement, the Sino-Japanese War and the Boxer rebellion.
Modern Europe: 1750-1900 CE (Teachers Notes under development)
Takes in the French Revolution and Napoleon, the Industrial Revolution, the 1848 revolutions, and the unification of Italy and Germany.
Teaching about Modern World using the TimeMap of World History
Suggestions on how to use the TimeMap of World History with your students. They focus on using the free maps, but are equally relevant to the premium maps.
These suggestions are in addition to those offered in the teaching notes which accompany each Premium unit.
Core World Atlas maps:
While not aimed specifically at education as narrowly-defined, the free maps contain much information of use to studying the period.
Articles giving more in-depth details and backgrounds to all the topics covered here can be found in our Encyclopedia.
The history of the modern world has been global in scope, in a way not true of earlier times. A global perspective is therefore necessary, and can be gained here:
World maps: 1789 – 1837 – 1871 – 1914
The dominating theme in modern world history up to the 20th century is the accelerating expansion of European power.
Europe 1789 – 1837 – 1871 – 1914
Within Europe, certain countries repay special attention:
Britain 1789 – 1837 – 1871 – 1914 (the first industrial society and the rise of the first parliamentary democracy)
France 1789 – 1837 – 1871 – 1914 (the French Revolution, Napoleon and after)
Germany 1789 – 1837 – 1871 – 1914 (a new, powerful European state)
Russia 1789 – 1837 – 1871 – 1914 (a giant looming over Europe.
In this period, several offshoots became established around the world:
The United States 1789 – 1837 – 1871 – 1914
Canada 1789 – 1837 – 1871 – 1914
Australia 1789 – 1837 – 1871 – 1914
New Zealand 1789 – 1837 – 1871 – 1914
as well as:
South America 1789 – 1837 – 1871 – 1914
Mexico and Central America 1789 – 1837 – 1871 – 1914
Much of the rest of the world fell under the rule of European empires, as can be seen in:
Africa 1789 – 1837 – 1871 – 1914
India and South Asia 1789 – 1837 – 1871 – 1914
South East Asia 1789 – 1837 – 1871 – 1914
The Pacific 1789 – 1837 – 1871 – 1914
Other regions did not come under direct rule, or were ruled only briefly, but were deeply impacted by Western powers:
The Middle East 1789 – 1837 – 1871 – 1914
East Asia 1789 – 1837 – 1871 – 1914 …especially China 1789 – 1837 – 1871 – 1914
Japan was the outstanding example of a country which successfully resisted Western encroachment – 1789 – 1837 – 1871 – 1914