Middle School World History Teaching Resources
This page lists the Premium resources in the Timemaps Atlas of World History designed for Middle School teachers and their students.
What’s in the World History Atlas?
The Atlas contains two sections:
- The Atlas of the World, with its regions and countries, and
- 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
These units address key curriculum topics covered by High School world history courses. Using engaging map sequences to show how the great episodes of history unfold, they lead students to a deeper understanding of their subjects. The accompanying notes aim to enhance students’ critical thinking skills whilst also developing their knowledge.
Contents:
- The Ancient World
- Ancient Mesopotamia
- Ancient Egypt
- The Kingdom of Kush
- Ancient India
- Ancient China
- Ancient Greece and the Greek World
- The Roman World
- The Medieval World
- The World of Islam
- African Civilizations
- China (after the Ancient Period)
- Japan
- India
- Early American civilizations
- The Middle Ages in Europe
- The Early Modern World
- The Modern World
The Ancient World (as a whole)
Core World Atlas:
A sequence of world maps provides a broad overview of ancient world history from 3500 BCE up to 500 CE:
World – 3500 BCE – 2500 BCE – 1500 BCE – 1000 BCE – 500 BCE – 200 BCE – 30 BCE – 200 CE – 500 CE
Key Topic Units:
The Origins and Spread of Farming
This sequence of maps tracks the origins and spread of farming throughout the world, between 10000 BCE and 3500 BCE.
Early Civilizations (multi-resource unit)
A panoramic overview of all the ancient civilizations of the Eastern Hemisphere up to 500 BCE. It gives a clear idea of the geographical and chronological settings of these civilizations.
World Trade Routes : Ancient World I: Early Civilizations – Teachers Notes coming soon
World Trade Routes : Ancient World II: Classical Civilizations – Teachers Notes coming soon
These two units contain sequences of world maps showing the spread of trade routes in the ancient world. They show how the different regions of Europe and Asia gradually became linked together by trans-continental trade systems.
The first unit covers the period between c. 3500 BCE to 500 BCE, and the second from 500 BCE to 200 CE.
Ancient Mesopotamia
Core World Atlas:
Ancient Mesopotamia – 3500 BCE – 2500 BCE – 1500 BCE – 1000 BCE – 500 BCE
For Mesopotamia’s place in the Middle East, the following maps will also be useful:
Middle East 3500 BCE – 2500 BCE – 1500 BCE – 1000 BCE – 500 BCE
These cover nations such as the Hittites who lived outside Mesopotamia but had an influence on it.
Key Topic Unit:
The Ancient Middle East (multi-resource unit)
The unit gives an broad overview of the region’s history between 3500 BCE and 500 BCE. As such, it is ideal for providing crucial background when teaching about Ancient Mesopotamia.
It includes episodes not covered by the free maps, such as the Akkadian empire of Sargon, the Babylonian empire of Hammurabi, the Kassite kingdom which came after, and the Assyrian Empire, Chaldean (Later Babylonian) Empire and Persian Empire. It also traces the history of the Israelites, whose history was intimately connected to that of Mesopotamia.
Ancient Egypt
Core World Atlas:
Ancient Egypt 3500 BCE – 2500 BCE – 1500 BCE – 1000 BCE – 500 BCE
For Egypt’s place in the Middle East, the following maps will also be useful:
Middle East 3500 BCE – 2500 BCE – 1500 BCE – 1000 BCE – 500 BCE
Key Topic Unit::
The Ancient Middle East (multi-resource unit)
As with the Ancient Mesopotamian topic, this gives the “Big Region” context for the rise and fall of Ancient Egyptian civilization. It clearly shows the changing place of Ancient Egypt in the broader Middle Eastern region, and includes episodes not covered by the maps in the Core World Atlas, such as the unification of Ancient Egypt in the Pre-Dynastic period, the rise and fall of the Old Kingdom, of the Middle Kingdom, and of the New Kingdom (including the height of its imperial period, which, again, the maps in the Core Atlas don’t show). Finally, it shows Ancient Egypt in decline, with the rise of regional superstates such as the Assyrian and Persian empires.
It also traces the history of the Israelites, which was intimately connected to that of Ancient Egypt.
The Kingdom of Kush
Core World Atlas:
Nubia 500 BCE – 200 BCE – 30 BCE – 200 CE – 500 CE Ancient Kush (Nubia) in 500 BCE, giving a brief history of the region prior to this date.
For broader context:
Africa 500 BCE – 200 BCE – 30 BCE – 200 CE – 500 CE
Key Topic Unit:
The Ancient Middle East (multi-resource unit)
As with Ancient Egypt and Ancient Mesopotamia, this unit covers the whole Middle East but is useful in referencing such episodes as the period when Kush conquered Egypt, which is not covered in the Core Atlas maps.
Ancient India
Core World Atlas:
For the Indus civilization and the later Classical Indian civilization, see:
India and South Asia 3500 BCE – 2500 BCE – 1500 BCE – 1000 BCE – 500 BCE – 200 BCE – 30 BCE – 200 CE – 500 CE
Key Topic Unit:
Ancient India (multi-resource unit)
This is useful in covering episodes not included in the Core Atlas maps, such as the rise and fall of the Maurya and Gupta empires.
Ancient China
Core World Atlas:
For the origins and development of civilization in ancient China, see:
For Ancient China, including the Shang and early Zhou dynasties, see:
China 2500 BCE – 1500 BCE – 1000 BCE – 500 BCE – 200 BCE – 30 BCE – 200 CE – 500 CE –
For a broader perspective on East Asia, showing the spread of farming and civilization from China to neighbouring countries such as Korea and Japan, see:
East Asia 3500 BCE – 2500 BCE – 1500 BCE – 1000 BCE – 500 BCE – 200 BCE – 30 BCE – 200 CE – 500 CE
Even the world maps are of interest, particularly those showing what a major empire Han China was in the later ancient world:
World 500 BCE – 200 BCE – 30 BCE – 200 CE – 500 CE
Key Topic Unit:
Ancient China (multi-resource unit)
This is useful in covering episodes not included in the Core Atlas maps, such as the Warring States period and the unification of China under the Qin dynasty.
Ancient Greece and the Greek World
Core World Atlas:
Greece 1500 BCE – 1000 BCE – 500 BCE – 200 BCE
In geographical terms, these maps are limited to the Greek mainland, the Aegean Sea and western Asia Minor – i.e. the heartland of the Greek world.
The Greater Greek world, which took in the Mediterranean and Black Sea coasts, can be seen in:
Europe 1500 BCE – 1000 BCE – 500 BCE – 200 BCE
and also
Middle East 500 BCE – 200 BCE – 30 BCE – 200 CE – 500 CE
Key Topic Units:
For the early rise of Greek civilization, within the broad context of the Bronze Age and early Iron Age worlds, see the Premium unit First Civilisations + Teachers Notes
Greece and Persia (multi-resource unit)
This unit follows the major events in the Greek world from just before the Greek-Persian Wars to the fall of the Greek states to Rome. It also looks at the much-neglected (but pivotal) Persian world. It includes the conquests of Alexander the Great and the divisions which followed his early death.
The Roman World
Core World Atlas:
There are no Core Atlas maps which cover the Roman Empire at its height (but see the Key Topic Unit below). However, the following maps are useful:
Italy 500 BCE – 200 BCE – for Rome’s early history
Europe 500 BCE – 200 BCE – 30 BCE – 200 CE – 500 CE
Middle East 500 BCE – 200 BCE – 30 BCE – 200 CE – 500 CE
Even the world maps are of interest, particularly those showing what a major state the Roman was in the later ancient world:
The World 500 BCE – 200 BCE – 30 BCE – 200 CE – 500 CE
Key Topic Units:
The Rise and Fall of the Roman Empire (multi-resource unit)
Provides an overview of the Rise and Fall of the Roman Empire.
Roman Government (PowerPoint Presentation) + Teachers Notes
A closer look at a particular theme of Roman history, which has had profound influence on all later Western civilization.
The Medieval World
Core World Atlas:
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 big regions of the world:
Europe – 500 CE – 750 – 979 – 1215 – 1453
Africa – 500 CE – 750 – 979 – 1215 – 1453
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
South America – 500 CE – 750 – 979 – 1215 – 1453
North America – 500 CE – 750 – 979 – 1215 – 1453
Click here for some ideas for using these maps for teaching Medieval World history in middle schools.
Key Topic Units:
World Trade Routes : The Medieval World
A sequence of maps shows the spread of trade routes during the period 500 CE to 1453 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 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.
Medieval Europe (multi-resource unit)
An overview of European history from the end of the Roman Empire to the birth of Early Modern Europe. Covers episodes such as the Viking raids, the Crusades, the Black Death, and the decline of the Byzantine Empire.
The World of Islam
Core World Atlas:
Middle East 500 CE – 750 – 979 – 1215 – 1453 – 1648 – 1789
Key Topic Units:
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 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.
China (after ancient times)
Core World Atlas:
China 500 CE – 750 – 979 – 1215 – 1453 – 1648 – 1789
For the broader region context, showing the connections between China and her neighbours, especially Japan and Korea, see
East Asia 500 CE – 750 – 979 – 1215 – 1453 – 1648 – 1789
Key Topic Units:
A unit on Chinese history designed specially for middle school students is planned. In the meantime, two units aimed at high school students may be useful as classroom presentation.
Medieval China (multi-resource unit)
This sequence includes the middle centuries of the imperial age of Chinese history, when China’s identity as a Confucian, bureaucratic state is tested, confirmed and refined.
The Mongols ruled many lands, but they also provided one of the dynasties of China. This was the Yuan dynasty, founded by Kublai Khan, and was one of the most significant periods in China’s long history.
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 (after ancient times)
Core World Atlas:
India and South Asia 500 CE – 750 – 979 – 1215 – 1453 – 1648 – 1789
Key Topic Units:
A unit on Indian history, designed specially for middle school students, is planned. In the meantime, two units aimed at high school students may be useful as classroom presentations:
Medieval India (multi-resource unit)
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.
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 American civilizations
Core World Atlas:
Central America (for the Maya, Toltec and Aztec civilizations):
Mexico and Central America 3500 BCE – 2500 BCE – 1500 BCE – 1000 BCE – 500 BCE – 200 BCE – 30 BCE – 200 CE – 500 CE – 750 – 979 – 1215 – 1453
For the native American cultures of North America, see:
North America 3500 BCE – 2500 BCE – 1500 BCE – 1000 BCE – 500 BCE – 200 BCE – 30 BCE – 200 CE – 500 CE – 750 – 979 – 1215 – 1453
South America (for the Inca civilization and its predecessors):
Peru 1500 BCE – 1000 BCE – 500 BCE – 200 BCE – 30 BCE – 200 CE – 500 CE – 750 – 979 – 1215 – 1453
For the broader context of Andean civilization, see:
South America 3500 BCE – 2500 BCE – 1500 BCE – 1000 BCE – 500 BCE – 200 BCE – 30 BCE – 200 CE – 500 CE – 750 – 979 – 1215 – 1453
The Middle Ages in Europe
Core World Atlas::
Europe 500 CE – 750 – 979 – 1215 – 1453
Key Topic Unit:
Medieval Europe 400 to 1450 CE (multi-resource unit)
Covers the period of massive transformations between the fall of the Roman empire to the rise of early modern Europe, and includes such events as the Viking invasions, the Norman Conquest of England, the Crusades, the Black Death, and much more.
The Early Modern World
Core World Atlas:
World:
The early modern world sees the histories of the different regions begin to be knitted together as Europe expands. A global perspective is therefore necessary for this period, and can be gained here:
An understanding of the expansion of Europe requires a grasp of what was actually happening IN Europe. This can be seen here:
The region that felt the expansion most keenly in this period was the Americas, as can be seen here:
South America, from the end of the Pre-Columbian period through the colonial period:
South America 1453 – 1648 – 1789
For Central America, see:
Mexico and Central America 1453 – 1648 – 1789
For North America, see:
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 much 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
Middle East 1453 – 1648 – 1789 (The Ottoman Empire)
India and South Asia 1648 – 1789 (The Mughul Empire)
East Asia 1789 (The Manchu, or Qing, dynasty of China, and also Tokugawa Japan)
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
and Oceania 1789
Click here for some ideas for using these maps for teaching Early Modern World history in middle schools.
No middle school Key Topic Units on Modern World history are available yet. However, the following unit, primarily designed for high school students, may be useful, with some adapting as a classroom presentation in middle schools:
Early Modern Europe: 1450 to 1750 CE + Teachers Notes
Covers the periods of the Renaissance, Reformation, Counter-Reformation, Wars of Religion, the Scientific Revolution and the Enlightenment.
World Trade Routes : Early Modern Era
A sequence of maps shows the dramatic expansion of trade routes during the early modern era of world history.
The Modern World
Core World Atlas:
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 1789 – 1837 – 1871 – 1914
Europe
The dominating theme in modern world history up to the 20th century is the accelerating expansion of European power. Then, Europe tore itself apart in two huge wars. This tumultuous history can be seen here:
Europe 1789 – 1837 – 1871 – 1914
Within in 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 the 20th century, the United States took over from Europe as the most dynamic region in the world.
For the United States see:
Other European offshoots also appeared:
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 world fell under the rule of European empires, before regaining independence in the 20th century:
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 power:
Middle East 1789 – 1837 – 1871 – 1914
East Asia 1789 – 1837 – 1871 – 1914
including
China 1789 – 1837 – 1871 – 1914
and Japan (of the late Tokugawa and Meiji periods) 1789 – 1837 – 1871 – 1914
Click here for some ideas for using these maps for teaching Modern World history in middle schools.
No middle school Key Topic Units on Modern World history are yet available. However, the following units, designed primarily for high school students, may be useful, with some adapting as classroom presentations in middle schools.
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.
The Raj: British India, 1750-1900 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: 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.