View source for AP World History timeline & study guide

{| class="wikitable" style="float:right; margin:0 0 1em 1em; width:300px; font-size:small; background:#f9f9f9;"
|-
! colspan="2" style="background:#e9ecef; text-align:center;" | AP World History – Timeline & Study Guide
|-
| '''Course'''
| AP World History: Modern
|-
| '''Page type'''
| Chronological timeline and study guide
|-
| '''Audience'''
| Students · Educators
|-
| '''Coverage'''
| c. 1200 CE – present
|-
| '''Primary focus'''
| Historical chronology · Periodization · Context
|-
| '''Use'''
| Timeline review · Big-picture synthesis · Exam preparation
|-
| '''Status'''
| Core content complete; entries expanded and refined as needed
|-
| '''Collaboration'''
| Questions, clarifications, corrections, or student assistance are welcome via the  
[https://school4schools.com/school4schools-wiki/ contact page].
|}
'''AP World History: Modern timeline, 1200-present'''

Article purpose: 

* timeline via sortable chart columns
* associate time, place, theme and make connections

== List of APWH Units ==
AP World History: Modern framework:
* '''Unit 1: The Global Tapestry''' (c. 1200–1450)
* '''Unit 2: Networks of Exchange''' (c. 1200–1450)
* '''Unit 3: Land-Based Empires''' (c. 1450–1750)
* '''Unit 4: Transoceanic Interconnections''' (c. 1450–1750)
* '''Unit 5: Revolutions''' (c. 1750–1900)
* '''Unit 6: Consequences of Industrialization''' (c. 1750–1900)
* '''Unit 7: Global Conflict''' (c. 1900–present)
* '''Unit 8: Cold War and Decolonization''' (c. 1900–present)
* '''Unit 9: Globalization''' (c. 1900–present)

== Units 1-2, 1200 to 1450 ==

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size:small;"
|+
!Dates
!Empire / Event
!Region (AP)
!Theme 1
!Theme 2
!Main Ideas / Notes
|-
! colspan="6" style="background:#e6e6e6; text-align:center;" |
Unit 1 — The Global Tapestry (c. 1200–1450)
|-
|750–1258
|Abbasid Caliphate
|West Asia
|Religion
|State Power
|
* Capital at Baghdad; heart of Dar al‑Islam
* Caliph combined religious and political authority
* Fragmented by 9th century into autonomous states
* Symbolic Sunni center despite political weakness
* Ended by Mongol sack of Baghdad (1258)
[[File:Regions of the Lands of Islam by al-Muqaddasi.jpg|thumb|Dar al‑Islam ("house of Islam", i.e., the Muslim World) in the 10th century|center|217x217px]]

|-
|960–1279
|Song Dynasty
|East Asia
|State Power
|Technology
|
* Strong bureaucracy via civil service exams
* Commercialized economy; urban growth
* Innovations: paper money, printing, gunpowder
|-
|1095–1492
|Crusades
|Europe / West Asia
|Religion
|Conflict
|
* Christian holy wars to reclaim Jerusalem
* Increased contact between Europe and Islamic world
* Stimulated trade, cultural diffusion, and hostility
|-
|1173–1206
|Ghurid Dynasty
|South Asia
|Cultural Diffusion
|Religion
|
* Introduced Islam to northern India
* Challenged Hindu political dominance
* Transferred Persian culture (architecture, literature)
|-
|1206–1526
|Delhi Sultanate
|South Asia
|State Power
|Cultural Diffusion
|
* Muslim dynasties ruling northern India
* Founded by Turkic mamluks
* Religious tolerance but social hierarchy favored Muslims
* Repelled Mongols; weakened by Timur’s sack of Delhi (1398)
* Ended by Mughal conquest
|-
|1206–1277
|Genghis Khan
|Central Asia
|Empire
|Military
|
* Unified Mongol tribes
* Conquest through mobility, terror, meritocracy
|-
|1215
|Magna Carta
|Europe
|Governance
|Law
|
* Limited royal authority
* Early precedent for constitutional rule
|-
|1279–1368
|Yuan Dynasty
|East Asia
|Empire
|Social Hierarchy
|
* Mongol rule over China
* Ethnic hierarchy favored Mongols over Han Chinese
* Integrated China into Eurasian trade networks
|-
|1324
|Mansa Musa’s Pilgrimage
|West Africa
|Religion
|Trade
|
* Demonstrated Mali’s immense gold wealth
* Strengthened West Africa’s Islamic connections
|-
|1325
|Tenochtitlan Founded
|Mesoamerica
|Urbanization
|State Power
|
* Capital of the Aztec Empire
* Built on Lake Texcoco with complex engineering
|-
|1336–1572
|Vijayanagara Empire
|South Asia
|State Power
|Religion
|
* Hindu empire resisting Islamic expansion
* Major urban, economic, and cultural center
* Fell after defeat by Deccan sultanates
|-
! colspan="6" style="background:#e6e6e6; text-align:center;" |
Unit 2 — Networks of Exchange (c. 1200–1450)
|-
|1260–1350
|Pax Mongolica
|Eurasia
|Trade
|Globalization
|
* Mongol peace enabled Silk Road trade
* Increased exchange of goods, people, and ideas
|-
|1260
|Division of Mongol Empire
|Eurasia
|Empire
|Governance
|
* Split into Yuan, Ilkhanate, Golden Horde, Chagatai
* Political unity weakened after succession disputes
[[File:Asia in 1335.svg|thumb|Mongol khanates c. 1335|center|160x160px]]

|-
|1271–1295
|Marco Polo’s Travels
|Eurasia
|Trade
|Cultural Diffusion
|
* Introduced Europeans to East Asian wealth and organization
|-
|1271–1285
|Failed Mongol Invasions of Japan
|East Asia
|Empire
|Environment
|
* Kamikaze (“divine winds”) destroyed invasion fleets
|-
|1325–1354
|Ibn Battuta’s Travels
|Afro‑Eurasia
|Trade
|Cultural Diffusion
|
* Documented extensive Islamic world connectivity
|-
|1346
|Black Death in China
|East Asia
|Disease
|Demography
|
* Spread along Silk Roads under Mongol rule
|-
|1347–1388
|Black Death in Europe
|Europe
|Disease
|Social Change
|
* Killed up to half the population
* Weakened feudalism due to labor shortages
|-
|1351–1368
|Red Turban Rebellion
|East Asia
|Rebellion
|State Power
|
* Contributed to fall of Yuan Dynasty
|-
|1353
|Gunpowder Perfected in Europe
|Europe
|Technology
|Cultural Diffusion
|
* Originated in China; transmitted via Mongols
* Ended dominance of knightly cavalry
|-
|1368–1644
|Ming Dynasty
|East Asia
|State Power
|Trade
|
* Restored Han Chinese rule
* Rebuilt bureaucracy and infrastructure
|-
|1405–1433
|Zheng He’s Voyages
|Indian Ocean World
|Trade
|State Power
|
* Ming-sponsored naval expeditions demonstrating power
|-
|1299–1923
|Ottoman Empire
|West Asia
|Empire
|Religion
|
* Sunni Muslim gunpowder empire
* Controlled key crossroads of trade
|-
|1400s
|Portuguese Caravel Developed
|Atlantic World
|Technology
|Maritime Trade
|
* Improved sails enabled long-distance navigation
|-
|1441
|Atlantic Slave Trade Begins
|Atlantic World
|Labor
|Trade
|
* Enslaved Africans used on Atlantic island plantations
|}

== Units 3-4, 1450-1750 ==

== AP World History Study Guide: Units 3–4 (1450–1750) ==

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size:small;"
|+
!Dates
!Empire / Event
!Region (AP)
!Theme 1
!Theme 2
!Main Ideas / Notes
|-
! colspan="6" style="background:#e6e6e6; text-align:center;" |
Unit 3 — Land‑Based Empires (c. 1450–1750)
|-
|1453
|Ottoman Conquest of Constantinople
|West Asia / Europe
|Empire
|Technology
|
* End of Byzantine Empire
* Use of gunpowder artillery
* Renamed Istanbul; became Ottoman capital
|-
|c. 1450–1750
|Gunpowder Empires (Ottoman, Safavid, Mughal)
|West Asia / South Asia
|Technology
|State Power
|
* Muskets and cannon used to consolidate power
* Created stable bureaucratic states
* Cultural patronage and cosmopolitan elites
|-
|1450s–1480s
|Russia Overthrows Mongol Rule
|Eurasia
|State Power
|Empire
|
* End of Mongol dominance over Moscow
* Foundation for Russian territorial expansion
|-
|1464–1591
|Songhai Empire
|West Africa
|Empire
|Trade
|
* Controlled trans‑Saharan gold and salt trade
* Islamic governance alongside local traditions
|-
|1469
|Sikhism Begins
|South Asia
|Religion
|Cultural Diffusion
|
* Founded by Guru Nanak
* Syncretic beliefs blending Hinduism and Islam
|-
|1492
|Reconquista Completed
|Europe
|Religion
|State Power
|
* Christian kingdoms expelled Muslim rulers from Iberia
* Increased religious uniformity in Spain
|-
|1492
|Columbus Reaches the Americas
|Atlantic World
|Exploration
|Exchange
|
* Initiated sustained contact between hemispheres
|-
|1498
|Vasco da Gama Reaches India
|Indian Ocean World
|Trade
|Maritime Technology
|
* Established direct sea route from Europe to Asia
|-
|1501–1722
|Safavid Empire
|West Asia
|Empire
|Religion
|
* Established Shi’a Islam as state religion
* Frequent conflict with Ottomans
|-
|1526–1748
|Mughal Empire
|South Asia
|Empire
|Cultural Diffusion
|
* Founded by Babur using firearms
* Akbar promoted religious tolerance
* Monetized agrarian economy
|-
|1556–1605
|Akbar the Great
|South Asia
|State Power
|Religion
|
* Centralized Mughal administration
* Promoted cooperation among religious groups
|-
|1600–1826
|Tokugawa Shogunate
|East Asia
|Governance
|Social Order
|
* Military dictatorship in Japan
* Enforced social hierarchy and isolation
|-
|1644–1911
|Qing (Manchu) Dynasty
|East Asia
|Empire
|Social Hierarchy
|
* Manchu conquest of China
* Adopted Confucian governance
|-
|1643–1715
|Louis XIV of France
|Europe
|State Power
|Absolutism
|
* Absolute monarchy; “I am the state”
* Expanded bureaucracy and army
|-
! colspan="6" style="background:#e6e6e6; text-align:center;" |
Unit 4 — Transoceanic Interconnections (c. 1450–1750)
|-
|1450
|Fra Mauro Map
|Europe
|Exploration
|Globalism
|
* Early modern European world map
* Showed Africa circumnavigation
* Reduced religious symbolism in cartography
|-
|1509–1543
|Afonso I Rules Kongo
|Sub‑Saharan Africa
|Cultural Diffusion
|Trade
|
* Christian African king
* Diplomatic and economic ties with Portugal
|-
|1517
|Martin Luther’s 95 Theses
|Europe
|Religion
|Reform
|
* Protest against Catholic practices
* Sparked Protestant Reformation
|-
|1519–1521
|Magellan Circumnavigation
|Global
|Exploration
|Exchange
|
* First voyage around the globe
* Demonstrated Earth’s size and global connectivity
|-
|1534
|France Claims St. Lawrence River
|Atlantic World
|Colonization
|Trade
|
* Began French presence in North America
|-
|1543
|Copernicus Publishes Heliocentric Theory
|Europe
|Science
|Intellectual Change
|
* Challenged geocentric worldview
* Foundation of Scientific Revolution
|-
|1545
|Potosí Silver Mine Opens
|Andean South America
|Labor
|Global Trade
|
* Major source of global silver
* Fueled Spanish and Asian economies
|-
|1550–1700
|Scientific Revolution
|Europe
|Science
|Technology
|
* Empirical observation and experimentation
* Challenged traditional authorities
|-
|1571
|Manila Founded by Spanish
|Southeast Asia
|Trade
|Empire
|
* Linked American silver to Asian markets
|-
|1595
|Dutch Fluyt Ship Introduced
|Europe
|Technology
|Trade
|
* Cheap, efficient cargo ship
* Boosted Dutch commercial dominance
|-
|1600
|English East India Company Founded
|Indian Ocean World
|Trade
|Capitalism
|
* Joint‑stock company
* Private army; controlled India by 1800s
|-
|1602
|Dutch East India Company (VOC)
|Indian Ocean World
|Trade
|Capitalism
|
* State‑backed commercial empire
|-
|1607
|Jamestown Founded
|Atlantic World
|Colonization
|Settlement
|
* First permanent English colony in Americas
|-
|1623–1641
|Tokugawa Iemitsu
|East Asia
|Governance
|Isolation
|
* Enforced sakoku (closed country policy)
|-
|1632
|Taj Mahal Built
|South Asia
|Culture
|Imperial Power
|
* Mughal architectural masterpiece
|-
|1652
|Boers Settle Cape Colony
|Sub‑Saharan Africa
|Colonization
|Trade
|
* Dutch farming settlement in South Africa
|-
|1687
|Newton’s Principia
|Europe
|Science
|Intellectual Change
|
* Laws of motion and gravity
|-
|1688
|Glorious Revolution
|Europe
|Governance
|Law
|
* Limited monarchy
* Strengthened parliamentary power
|-
|1689–1725
|Peter the Great
|Eurasia
|Cultural Diffusion
|State Power
|
* Westernized Russia
* Built St. Petersburg and navy
|-
|1698
|Early Steam Engine
|Europe
|Technology
|Energy
|
* Precursor to industrialization
|-
|1715–1789
|The Enlightenment
|Europe
|Philosophy
|Governance
|
* Emphasized reason and natural rights
* Influenced democratic revolutions
|}

== Units 5-6, 1750 to 1900 ==
== AP World History Study Guide: Units 5–6 (1750–1900) ==

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size:small;"
|+
!Dates
!Empire / Event
!Region (AP)
!Theme 1
!Theme 2
!Main Ideas / Notes
|-
! colspan="6" style="background:#e6e6e6; text-align:center;" |
Unit 5 — Revolutions (c. 1750–1900)
|-
|1756–1763
|Seven Years’ War
|Global
|Empire
|Conflict
|
* First global war (Europe, Americas, Asia)
* Britain gained territory; debt helped spark later revolutions
|-
|1757
|Battle of Plassey
|South Asia
|Empire
|Trade
|
* British East India Company defeated Bengal
* Beginning of British domination of India
|-
|1760–1789
|First Industrial Revolution
|Europe
|Technology
|Economic Change
|
* Mechanization of textile production
* Shift from agrarian to industrial economies
|-
|1765–1783
|American Revolution
|Atlantic World
|Political Revolution
|Enlightenment
|
* Colonial revolt against British rule
* Influenced by Enlightenment ideals
|-
|1776
|Adam Smith publishes ''Wealth of Nations''
|Europe
|Economic Theory
|Capitalism
|
* Advocated free markets and laissez‑faire economics
|-
|1776
|Declaration of Independence
|Atlantic World
|Political Revolution
|Enlightenment
|
* Asserted natural rights and popular sovereignty
|-
|1789–1799
|French Revolution
|Europe
|Political Revolution
|Social Change
|
* Overthrew absolute monarchy
* Declared rights of citizens
|-
|1791–1804
|Haitian Revolution
|Caribbean
|Political Revolution
|Slavery
|
* Successful slave revolt
* First independent Black republic
|-
|1792
|Wollstonecraft publishes ''A Vindication of the Rights of Woman''
|Europe
|Gender
|Enlightenment
|
* Early argument for women’s inequality and rights
|-
|1793
|Cotton gin invented
|North America
|Technology
|Labor
|
* Increased cotton productivity
* Expanded demand for enslaved labor in U.S. South
|-
|1799–1815
|Napoleonic Era
|Europe
|Empire
|Nationalism
|
* Spread revolutionary ideals
* Reordered European politics
|-
|1806–1826
|Latin American Revolutions
|Latin America
|Political Revolution
|Enlightenment
|
* Led by elites such as Simón Bolívar
* Independence from European empires
|-
|1815
|Congress of Vienna
|Europe
|Diplomacy
|Conservatism
|
* Restored monarchies
* Aimed to prevent future revolutions
|-
! colspan="6" style="background:#e6e6e6; text-align:center;" |
Unit 6 — Consequences of Industrialization (c. 1750–1900)
|-
|1839–1860
|Opium Wars
|East Asia
|Imperialism
|Trade
|
* Britain forced China to open ports
* Unequal treaties weakened Qing authority
|-
|1839–1876
|Ottoman Tanzimat Reforms
|West Asia
|State Reform
|Modernization
|
* Attempted to strengthen empire
* Legal equality and centralized governance
|-
|1845–1849
|Irish Potato Famine
|Europe
|Environment
|Demography
|
* Crop failure led to mass starvation and migration
|-
|1848
|Communist Manifesto Published
|Europe
|Ideology
|Economic Critique
|
* Marx and Engels criticized capitalism
|-
|1848
|Seneca Falls Convention
|North America
|Gender
|Social Reform
|
* First women’s rights convention
|-
|1850–1864
|Taiping Rebellion
|East Asia
|Rebellion
|Religion
|
* Massive civil war in China
* Weakened Qing Dynasty
|-
|1854
|Perry Opens Japan
|East Asia
|Imperialism
|Trade
|
* Forced Japan to open ports
* Led to rapid modernization
|-
|1857
|Sepoy Rebellion
|South Asia
|Resistance
|Empire
|
* Indian revolt against British rule
* Led to British Crown control of India
|-
|1859–1869
|Suez Canal Built
|North Africa
|Global Trade
|Imperialism
|
* Linked Mediterranean and Indian Ocean
* Increased European strategic control
|-
|1861
|Emancipation of Russian Serfs
|Europe / Eurasia
|Labor
|Reform
|
* Ended legal serfdom
* Limited economic improvements
|-
|1863
|Emancipation Proclamation
|North America
|Slavery
|Political Change
|
* Declared enslaved people free in Confederate states
|-
|1865–1908
|King Leopold II in the Congo
|Central Africa
|Imperialism
|Labor
|
* Brutal extraction of rubber
* Millions killed under forced labor
|-
|1868
|Meiji Restoration
|East Asia
|Modernization
|State Power
|
* Overthrew shogunate
* Rapid industrialization and westernization
|-
|1870–1914
|Second Industrial Revolution
|Europe / North America
|Technology
|Economic Change
|
* Steel, electricity, chemicals
* Increased productivity and urbanization
|-
|1871
|German Unification
|Europe
|Nationalism
|State Power
|
* Otto von Bismarck unified Germany through war and diplomacy
|-
|1885
|Berlin Conference / Scramble for Africa
|Africa
|Imperialism
|Globalization
|
* Europe divided Africa without African participation
* Liberia and Ethiopia remained independent
|-
|1890s
|Spheres of Influence in China
|East Asia
|Imperialism
|Trade
|
* Foreign powers dominated trade and law
|-
|1896
|Battle of Adwa
|East Africa
|Resistance
|Empire
|
* Ethiopia defeated Italian forces
|-
|1898
|Spanish‑American War
|Global
|Empire
|Conflict
|
* U.S. gained overseas territories
|-
|1899–1902
|Boer War
|Southern Africa
|Imperialism
|Conflict
|
* Britain fought Dutch settlers over resources
|-
|1899
|United Fruit Company Founded
|Latin America
|Corporations
|Imperialism
|
* U.S. business influence dominated local economies
|-
|1899–1901
|Boxer Rebellion
|East Asia
|Resistance
|Imperialism
|
* Anti‑foreign uprising crushed by Western powers
|}

== Units 7-9, 1900 to Present ==

== AP World History Study Guide: Units 7–9 (1900–Present) ==

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size:small;"
|+
!Dates
!Empire / Event
!Region (AP)
!Theme 1
!Theme 2
!Main Ideas / Notes
|-
! colspan="6" style="background:#e6e6e6; text-align:center;" |
Unit 7 — Global Conflict (c. 1900–1945)
|-
|1904
|U.S. Begins Panama Canal
|Latin America
|Imperialism
|Global Trade
|
* U.S. backed Panamanian independence from Colombia
* Canal completed in 1914
* Reduced global shipping times dramatically
|-
|1904–1905
|Russo‑Japanese War
|East Asia
|Empire
|Military
|
* Japan defeated Russia
* First modern Asian victory over European power
|-
|1906
|Muslim League Founded
|South Asia
|Nationalism
|Religion
|
* Advocated Muslim political interests in India
|-
|1910–1920
|Mexican Revolution
|Latin America
|Revolution
|Land Reform
|
* Challenged dictatorship and social inequality
|-
|1914–1918
|World War I
|Global
|Global Conflict
|Nationalism
|
* Industrialized warfare
* Collapse of empires (Ottoman, Russian, Austro‑Hungarian)
|-
|1915–1917
|Armenian Genocide
|West Asia
|Genocide
|Nationalism
|
* Ottoman campaign against Armenians
* Over 1 million killed
|-
|1917
|Russian Revolution
|Eurasia
|Revolution
|Ideology
|
* Bolsheviks seized power
* Established first communist state
|-
|1917
|Zimmermann Telegram
|Global
|Diplomacy
|War
|
* Encouraged U.S. entry into WWI
|-
|1920
|League of Nations Established
|Global
|International Cooperation
|Peacebuilding
|
* Aimed to prevent future wars
* Lacked enforcement power
|-
|1922
|Stalin Assumes Power
|Eurasia
|Authoritarianism
|State Power
|
* Centralized Soviet control
|-
|1922–1923
|Ottoman Empire Ends / Turkey Founded
|West Asia
|Nationalism
|State Formation
|
* Atatürk established secular Turkish state
|-
|1927–1937
|Chinese Civil War
|East Asia
|Revolution
|Ideology
|
* Nationalists vs. Communists
|-
|1929–1939
|Great Depression
|Global
|Economic Crisis
|Social Change
|
* Worldwide economic collapse
* Led to extremist ideologies
|-
|1931
|Japan Invades Manchuria
|East Asia
|Imperialism
|Militarism
|
* Preview of WWII expansionism
|-
|1936–1938
|Great Purge (USSR)
|Eurasia
|Authoritarianism
|Violence
|
* Stalin eliminated perceived rivals
|-
|1939–1945
|World War II
|Global
|Global Conflict
|Total War
|
* Axis vs. Allied powers
* 60+ million deaths
|-
|1941–1945
|Holocaust
|Europe
|Genocide
|Racism
|
* Nazi genocide of Jews and other groups
|-
|1941
|Pearl Harbor
|Pacific World
|War
|Imperialism
|
* Japan attacked U.S. naval base
|-
|1945
|Atomic Bombs Used
|East Asia
|Technology
|War
|
* Hiroshima and Nagasaki
* Nuclear era begins
|-
! colspan="6" style="background:#e6e6e6; text-align:center;" |
Unit 8 — Cold War & Decolonization (c. 1945–1991)
|-
|1945–1991
|Cold War
|Global
|Ideology
|Global Conflict
|
* Capitalism vs. Communism
* Proxy wars and nuclear deterrence
|-
|1945–1949
|Chinese Communist Revolution
|East Asia
|Revolution
|Ideology
|
* Mao Zedong established People’s Republic of China
|-
|1946
|Philippine Independence
|Southeast Asia
|Decolonization
|Nationalism
|
* U.S. grants independence
|-
|1947
|Partition of India
|South Asia
|Decolonization
|Religion
|
* India and Pakistan formed
* Massive migration and violence
|-
|1947
|Truman Doctrine
|Global
|Containment
|Ideology
|
* U.S. policy to stop spread of communism
|-
|1948
|Israel Founded
|West Asia
|Nationalism
|Conflict
|
* Arab‑Israeli tensions begin
|-
|1949
|NATO Established
|Europe / North America
|Military Alliance
|Cold War
|
* Western collective defense
|-


[[category: World History]]
[[category: AP World History]]