Grasping a Story of World History at a Glance

This article provides an overview of world history from ancient to modern times, divided into major historical peroids.

Hello everyone! This time, we're going to take a broad look at world history from ancient times to the modern era, divided into significant historical periods. By organizing history by era, you'll find it easier to understand the unique features and events of each period.

Grasping World History by Historical Periods

Premise of This Article

History can be viewed from various perspectives depending on the evidence presented and the interpretations of different people. In this blog, I've compiled world history based on the information I've researched, interpreted in my own way. There are undoubtedly many other viewpoints and interpretations, so I hope you'll read this as one of many references.

What is Historical Periodization?

First, let's clarify how we divide history.

  • Prehistoric Times
    • The period before the existence of written records. People lived by hunting and gathering.
  • Ancient Times (up to the 5th century)
    • The era when civilizations emerged, and writing and states were born.
  • Middle Ages (5th century–15th century)
    • A time when feudal systems and religion became the center of society.
  • Early Modern Period (15th century–18th century)
    • An era when the Age of Exploration and the Scientific Revolution expanded the world.
  • Modern Times (18th century–20th century)
    • A period when the Industrial Revolution and bourgeois revolutions led to the development of capitalism.
  • late Modern Period (20th century–present)
    • An era where globalization, information technology, and environmental issues have become major concerns.

Ancient Times (up to the 5th century)

The Birth of Civilizations

Ancient times mark the period when humans began agriculture and animal husbandry, leading to settled life. The four great civilizations of Mesopotamia , Egypt , Indus , and China were born during this time, each developing unique cultures and technologies.

The Rise of City-States

With the development of civilizations, cities were formed. Especially in ancient Greece, city-states (polis) like Athens and Sparta flourished, laying the foundations for philosophy, art, and democracy.

The Ritsuryo System

The Ritsuryo system was a legal system for national governance established in ancient China. "Ritsu" corresponds to criminal law, and "Ryo" to administrative and civil law, significantly contributing to the centralization of power and the establishment of a bureaucratic system.

In ancient Europe, there wasn't a system directly equivalent to the Ritsuryo system. However, city-states were formed, and independent laws and governance systems were developed to maintain an orderly society.

Representative Nations

  • Egyptian Kingdom : Known for its pyramids and pharaohs.
  • Ancient Greece : The birthplace of philosophy and democracy.
  • Roman Empire : Controlled vast territories and developed legal systems and infrastructure.

Middle Ages (5th century - 15th century)

Feudal System

In medieval Europe, the feudal system became the fundamental social and political structure. At its core was a hierarchical relationship mediated by land , where monarchs and nobles granted land in exchange for loyalty and military service from their vassals.

Serfdom

Many peasants were bound to the land as serfs , working for the nobles. Their freedoms were restricted, and they were heavily taxed. Legally, serfs were not free people but were not slaves either. They were tied to the land (subjugated) and subordinate to the land's lord.

Influence of Religion

Europe

In medieval Europe, Christianity permeated every aspect of society, wielding enormous influence. The Roman Catholic Church held power comparable to royal authority, with the Pope deeply involved in politics. Churches functioned not only as centers of faith but also as places of education and welfare, with monasteries serving as hubs of learning. On the other hand, the Church also enforced strict controls, such as inquisitions and witch hunts. Religious wars like the Crusades became opportunities for cultural exchange.

Islam

In the Middle East, North Africa, and parts of Europe, Islam spread rapidly, building powerful civilizations. Islam became the foundation of society in all aspects of politics, law, and culture. The Islamic world made significant advances in science, mathematics, medicine, and philosophy, and this knowledge later influenced the European Renaissance.

Asia

In East Asia, including India, China, and Japan, Buddhism held significant influence. Buddhism offered philosophical thought and practical teachings, greatly impacting art and literature. In China, Buddhism developed uniquely while blending with Taoism and Confucianism. In Japan, Buddhism coexisted with Shintoism, forming a unique culture.

Representative Nations

  • Byzantine Empire : Continued as the Eastern Roman Empire for a long time.
  • Islamic Empire : Held vast territories with flourishing culture and science.
  • China (Sui and Tang Dynasties) : Experienced cultural and scientific advancements in East Asia.

Early Modern Period (15th century - 18th century)

Renaissance

The Renaissance was a cultural movement that began in Italy from the 14th to the 16th century, meaning "rebirth" or "revival." By re-examining the cultures of ancient Greece and Rome, new ways of thinking emerged.

With the fall of Constantinople in the Byzantine Empire (1453), scholars from Byzantium flowed into Western Europe. The rediscovery and study of ancient Greek and Roman literature became popular. The development and prosperity of cities led to the accumulation of wealth, giving rise to affluent patrons of art and scholarship. The invention of printing technology facilitated the spread of knowledge, and the onset of the Age of Exploration all contributed to the realization of the Renaissance.

The Renaissance became an essential bridge from the Middle Ages to the modern era, significantly influencing subsequent scientific revolutions and enlightenment thought.

Age of Exploration

With the invention of the compass in China, along with celestial observation instruments and accurate nautical charts, long-distance navigation became possible. European countries at the time sought valuable spices and silk from Asia, but overland trade routes were under the control of the Ottoman Empire. Therefore, they needed to establish new sea routes for trade with Asia, avoiding Ottoman territories.

As scientific understanding grew that the Earth was spherical, explorers like Christopher Columbus sailed westward, discovering islands in the Caribbean (1492). Vasco da Gama rounded the southern tip of Africa, reaching Calicut in India and opening up the sea route to India (1498). Later, Ferdinand Magellan 's expedition achieved the first circumnavigation of the globe.

Scientific Revolution

The rediscovery of ancient knowledge during the Renaissance and the spread of new knowledge and technologies during the Age of Exploration laid the groundwork for science. Simultaneously, challenges to the authority of the Church, which held absolute power during the Middle Ages, emerged, shifting the worldview from being God-centered to emphasizing individuals and rationality.

Key scientists of the early modern period:

  • Nicolaus Copernicus (1473-1543)
    • Proposed the heliocentric theory: The Sun is at the center of the universe, with the Earth orbiting around it.
  • Johannes Kepler (1571-1630)
    • Discovered the three laws of planetary motion, introducing the concept of elliptical orbits to accurately explain planetary movements.
  • Galileo Galilei (1564-1642)
    • Proposed the laws of falling bodies and the principle of inertia.
  • René Descartes (1596-1650)
    • A philosopher and mathematician who connected algebra and geometry by introducing the coordinate system; known for "I think, therefore I am," he laid the foundation for modern philosophy.
  • Isaac Newton (1642-1727)
    • Discovered the law of universal gravitation, established the three laws of motion, and advanced calculus.

Sovereign States and Absolute Monarchy

A sovereign state is a political entity with supreme power (sovereignty) within a defined territory. This concept developed in Europe from the 16th to the 17th century.

With the decline of the medieval feudal system and the end of the Thirty Years' War (1618-1648), the Peace of Westphalia was concluded in 1648. As a result, the Holy Roman Empire lost its power, becoming a nominal entity, and the influence of the Pope and the Empire, which had been above multiple nations, waned. Instead, the principle that the state held territorial rights, legal sovereignty within its territory, and non-interference in internal affairs by other states was established, solidifying the fundamental principles of sovereign states.

However, as the state became central, power concentrated in the hands of the monarch at its top, leading to centralized governance by monarchs. Absolute monarchy is a political system where the monarch (king) holds all state power, widely seen in Europe from the 16th to the 18th century.

Representative absolute monarchs:

  • Louis XIV of France (reigned 1643-1715)
    • Known for the phrase "L'état, c'est moi" ("I am the state"). Constructed the Palace of Versailles.
  • Philip II of Spain (reigned 1556-1598)
    • Ruled the Spanish Empire, known as "the empire on which the sun never sets." Known for his strict Catholic faith and severe persecution of heretics.
  • Frederick William I of Prussia (reigned 1713-1740)
    • Nicknamed the "Soldier King," he built a powerful army and established the "Potsdam Giants" regiment.

Representative Nations

  • Spain : Grew powerful with wealth from the New World.
  • Netherlands : Prospered through maritime trade.
  • England : In the preparatory phase for the Industrial Revolution.

Modern Times (18th century - 20th century)

Industrial Revolution

In the late 18th century, the Industrial Revolution began in England, leading to the development of machine industry and significant societal changes.

Major inventions during the Industrial Revolution:

  • Steam Engine
    • Improved by James Watt , revolutionizing factories and transportation.
  • Spinning Machines
    • Inventions like the spinning jenny and water frame dramatically advanced the textile industry.
  • Iron Production Techniques
    • The development of coke-based iron smelting significantly increased iron production.
  • Steam Locomotive
    • Invented by George Stephenson , transforming land transportation.

Bourgeois Revolutions

Bourgeois revolutions were significant political and social upheavals that occurred in Europe and America from the late 18th to the 19th century.

With the rise of absolute monarchies in the early modern period, significant inequalities emerged between monarchs and nobles and the general populace. Heavy taxation imposed for wars and the extravagant court life of monarchs and nobles led to accumulated dissatisfaction among citizens.

Amidst this, the development of printing technology and the spread of education allowed more people to participate in political discussions. The emerging bourgeois class ( bourgeoisie ), who gained prominence through the Industrial Revolution, began demanding political influence.

Thinkers like John Locke and Jean-Jacques Rousseau emerged, advocating for human rights and the social contract theory, changing people's consciousness.

As a result, citizens stood up against absolute monarchies and noble privileges, seeking liberty, equality, and their own rights, leading to revolutions initiated by citizens.

Representative bourgeois revolutions:

  • American Revolution (1775-1783)
  • French Revolution (1789-1799)

Development of Capitalism

Capitalism is an economic system based on private property, where economic activities are conducted through free competition in the market. Individuals and companies own the means of production (factories, land, machinery, etc.) and pursue profits.

Main features:

  • Private property system
  • Market economy
  • Profit pursuit
  • Free competition

The influx of wealth from overseas trade and colonies led to the accumulation of capital in society that could be invested in new industries. Advances in agricultural technology increased food productivity, leading to population growth and an increase in labor force and consumption power.

Simultaneously, technological innovations from the Industrial Revolution enabled mass production, necessitating an efficient economic system. Alongside the rise in citizens' rights consciousness due to bourgeois revolutions, economic freedom was also sought. Thinkers like Adam Smith advocated laissez-faire economics, laying the theoretical foundation for capitalism.

World Wars

In the 20th century, World War I and World War II occurred, profoundly affecting many countries and people. (The content about the world wars is extensive and will be summarized in a separate article.)

Representative Nations

  • Britain : Known as the "workshop of the world," expanded its colonies.
  • United States : Rapid industrial and economic growth, becoming a global superpower.
  • Germany : After unification, emerged as a strong power in Europe.