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What is happening in Arabia in 2005CE
The British staged a withdrawal from the region in the 1960’s and early 70’s: Kuwait (1961), Aden (1967), and Bahrain, Qatar and the Trucial States, now the United Arab Emirates (1970-1).
Revenues from the oil industry, already vast, greatly increased after 1974, when the oil-producing countries renegotiated the oil price after the West’s support for Israel. The industry has brought in hundreds of thousands of workers from all over the world, but particularly from South Asia.
In Oman, the traditional hostility between interior and coast led to another revolt in the early 1960’s. The sultan was able to put this down with support from his neighbours.
The region experienced a huge shock when Iraq invaded Kuwait in 1990. The Iraqis were ejected by a massive international invasion, led by the USA and Saudi Arabia, launched from bases in Saudi Arabia and the Gulf states. Despite the shock, the Iraqi invasion no more than interrupted economic progress. However, a threat to the stability of several Gulf states remains: the majority of their populations are Shi’ites, whereas their rulers are Sunnis. With the rise of a militant Shi’ite Iran after 1979 this has made this religious divide a source of anxiety.
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What else is happening in the rest of the world...
Oceania history 2005CE
Many new independent nations now dot the Pacific Ocean
Africa history 2005CE
All European powers have withdrawn from their empires in Africa
What else is happening in the rest of the world...
Middle East history 1000BCE
Invasions have devastated the old centres of civilization, but important new developments, such as the use of iron, the appearance of the alphabet and the rise of Israel, with its monotheistic religion, have taken place
Europe history 1000BCE
Major population movements in Europe have caused widespread upheaval, and the Minoan and Mycenaean civilizations have vanished
Africa history 1000BCE
Farming and cattle herding is spreading in western and central Africa
India and South Asia history 1000BCE
In this dark age of ancient indian history the Aryan people are laying the foundations of future Indian civilization
East Asia: China, Korea, Japan history 1000BCE
Ancient Chinese civilization expands under the Zhou dynasty, which will be the longest-lasting dynasty in China's history
What else is happening in the rest of the world...
Middle East history 500BCE
A succession of great empires - the Assyrian, the Babylonian, and now the Persian - have dominated the Middle East for the past few centuries
Africa history 500BCE
Bantu farmers from West Africa are beginning to spread out across the continent
India and South Asia history 500BCE
The return of urban civilization to ancient India has been followed by a creative period in its history, with the great world religion of Buddhism being founded
East Asia: China, Korea, Japan history 500BCE
The philosopher Confucius, whose teachings will influence millions of people down to the present day, lives at this time
What else is happening in the rest of the world...
Middle East history 200BCE
The conquests of Alexander the Great have reshaped the map of the Middle East, and Greek-speaking kingdoms, founded by Alexander's generals, now cover the region
Europe history 200BCE
The Celts still dominate much of Europe, but a new power, Rome, is on the rise and is now the leading power in the western Mediterranean
Africa history 200BCE
Trade routes across the Sahara desert are being pioneered, while, to the south, Bantu farmers continue their swift expansion across the continent
India and South Asia history 200BCE
The history of ancient India has seen the great Mauryan empire cover much of the subcontinent
What else is happening in the rest of the world...
Middle East history 30BCE
The Middle East is now divided between the Roman and Parthian empires
Europe history 30BCE
The Roman empire now rules much of Europe
Africa history 30BCE
North Africa is now part of the Roman empire, while in central Africa the Bantu expansion continues
India and South Asia history 30BCE
The Mauryan empire has vanished, and ancient India sees a new chapter in its history with invasions from Central Asia
East Asia: China, Korea, Japan history 30BCE
Under the Han dynasty, ancient Chinese civilization has expanded both its territory and its influence
What else is happening in the rest of the world...
Middle East history 200CE
One small part of the region, Judaea, has given birth to the new religion of Christianity, but has also seen the dispersal of the Jewish people from their homeland
Europe history 200CE
The Roman Empire has given much of Europe two centuries of peace and prosperity
Africa history 200CE
All of North Africa is now part of the Roman empire, while to the south the Bantu migration continues
India and South Asia history 200CE
The Kushana empire of ancient India is important to world history as a centre for the spread of Buddhism
East Asia: China, Korea, Japan history 200CE
The Han dynasty of China has dominated much of ancient East Asia for a long period of history - but not for much longer
What else is happening in the rest of the world...
East Asia: China, Korea, Japan history 500CE
At this phase in its history China is weak and divided, but its influence continues to spread through ancient East Asia, in Korea, Japan and Vietnam
South East Asia history 500CE
Indian civilization exerts a deep influence upon the kingdoms and peoples of South East Asia
South America history 500CE
Large chiefdoms have emerged in Amazonia
North America history 500CE
The Hopewell culture has vanished
What else is happening in the rest of the world...
Europe history 750CE
Medieval Europe is beginning to emerge from the wreckage of the Ancient World.
Middle East history 750CE
The Middle East has been conquered by Arab armies under the banners of a new religion, Islam
India and South Asia history 750CE
At this stage in India's history, powerful regional kingdoms divide the subcontinent
East Asia: China, Korea, Japan history 750CE
China is now united and powerful under the great Tang dynasty, one of the most glorious in its history, and exerts a huge influence on Japan and Korea
Africa history 750CE
Wealthy kingdoms are emerging in West Africa
South America history 750CE
The Tiwanaku and Wari empires now dominate the highlands of Peru
What else is happening in the rest of the world...
Africa history 979CE
West African kingdoms flourish
South East Asia history 979CE
Old kingdoms are disappearing and new ones emerging
Oceania history 979CE
Long-distance voyages remain a part of the Polynesian way of life
South America history 979CE
The Chimu empire has appeared on the Pacific coast
North America history 979CE
The Mayan civilization is now in decline, while the Mississippian culture is rising
What else is happening in the rest of the world...
India and South Asia history 1215CE
India has entered a new phase in its history as Muslim states establish themselves over much of the north.
East Asia: China, Korea, Japan history 1215CE
In this period of East Asia's history great technological advances occur, both in China and Korea
Africa history 1215CE
The expansion of trade in West Africa is leading to the rise of new kingdoms
Oceania history 1215CE
Polynesian colonists discover New Zealand
South America history 1215CE
The Chimu empire is now the leading state in the Pacific-Andean region
North America history 1215CE
The Toltec empire has vanished, and the Mexica people have appeared in history
Europe history 1215CE
European feudalism is at its height
South East Asia history 1215CE
The Khmer empire is at the height of its power, and the great temple of Angkor Wat has been built
Middle East history 1215CE
Islam has by now become the majority religion in the Middle East
What else is happening in the rest of the world...
Middle East history 1453CE
The Middle East has been ruled by a succession of conquerors from central Asia
Africa history 1453CE
New kingdoms are emerging in different parts of Africa
Oceania history 1453CE
Easter Island statues getting larger!
East Asia: China, Korea, Japan history 1453CE
The history of the region has been dominated by the rise and fall of the Mongol empire, but Ming dynasty China is now at the centre of a tributary system spanning East Asia
Europe history 1453CE
The old feudal order and is beginning to give way to early modern Europe
India and South Asia history 1453CE
The history of India has entered a new phase with the dominance of Muslim-ruled states throughout most of the subcontinent.
South America history 1453CE
The Inca empire has begun its expansion
South East Asia history 1453CE
Muslim merchants have established a network of small sultanates in the region
North America history 1453CE
The Aztecs are now building their empire in Central America
What else is happening in the rest of the world...
Middle East history 1648CE
The Ottoman empire now dominates most of the Middle east
India and South Asia history 1648CE
The Mughal empire now rules much of the sub-continent, marking a high point in the history of Indian civilization
East Asia: China, Korea, Japan history 1648CE
In China, the Qing dynasty rules, and Japan and Korea have experienced one of the most destructive wars in East Asian history
South East Asia history 1648CE
Europeans are beginning to make their presence felt in this region
Oceania history 1648CE
The first European sailors have now appeared in Oceania
Africa history 1648CE
Large numbers of Africans are being taken to the Americas as slaves
North America history 1648CE
North America is now being colonized by Europeans
South America history 1648CE
The Spanish and Portuguese now control much of South America
What else is happening in the rest of the world...
Africa history 1789CE
The Atlantic Slave Trade is at its height, and having a destructive impact on wide areas of the African interior
Oceania history 1789CE
The first permanent European settlement has been established in Oceania, in south-west Australia, which has been claimed for the British empire
East Asia: China, Korea, Japan history 1789CE
This is the last glorious phase of East Asia's history before it feels the West's impact, and Qing dynasty China dominates the region with its tributary system
Europe history 1789CE
The foundations for worldwide scientific and military dominance are being laid in the struggles between European nations
Middle East history 1789CE
The Middle East experiences political weakness in both the Ottoman empire and Iran
India and South Asia history 1789CE
India has entered a new chapter in its history with the expansion of the British empire in the subcontinent
South East Asia history 1789CE
Dutch commercial and political influence now spreads far and wide throughout the islands and coasts of South East Asia
North America history 1789CE
The USA is now an independent nation
South America history 1789CE
The Spanish and Portuguese empires rule most of South America between them
What else is happening in the rest of the world...
South East Asia history 1837CE
The British are acquiring more territories in the region
North America history 1837CE
The USA has purchased a vast territory from the French
South America history 1837CE
The countries of South America have won their independence from Spain and Portugal
What else is happening in the rest of the world...
Africa history 1871CE
European explorers have visited the interior of Africa
Oceania history 1871CE
The Pacific islands are falling under European control
East Asia: China, Korea, Japan history 1871CE
East Asian history has taken a radically new direction as Western powers force open the doors of China and Jappan to trade and missionary activity
Europe history 1871CE
Nationalism and industrialization continue to transform Europe
Middle East history 1871CE
The Ottoman empire has tightened its grip on much of the Middle East
India and South Asia history 1871CE
The history of British India almost ended in a great rebellion, but the British were able to regain control
South East Asia history 1871CE
European power is growing in South East Asia
North America history 1871CE
The USA almost tore itself apart in civil war
South America history 1871CE
Foreign investment is pouring into some South American countries
What else is happening in the rest of the world...
Europe history 1914CE
European nations now rule much of the world, but their rivalries are now leading them into the First World War
Middle East history 1914CE
The British and French are increasingly active in the Middle East
India and South Asia history 1914CE
The history of the British empire in India reaches its height - but it will shortly come to an end
South East Asia history 1914CE
The European powers have shared out most of South East Asia amongst themselves
South America history 1914CE
Brazil, Argentina and Chile are growing wealthy
North America history 1914CE
Canada and the USA have experienced huge industrial expansion
East Asia: China, Korea, Japan history 1914CE
Japan has successfully modernized, and has gained international status at the expense of China and Korea
Oceania history 1914CE
All the Pacific islands have fallen under foreign control
Africa history 1914CE
The European powers have divided almost the whole of Africa up between them
What else is happening in the rest of the world...
Europe history 1960CE
Europe has experienced two devastating world wars, and is now divided between East and West
Middle East history 1960CE
The Cold War has had a major impact on the Middle East
India and South Asia history 1960CE
The long history of India and South Asia has entered a new chapter with the replacement of the British empire by independent republics
South East Asia history 1960CE
The countries of South East Asia have become independent from their Western masters
South America history 1960CE
Eva Peron wins the hearts of Argentinians
East Asia: China, Korea, Japan history 1960CE
China, Japan and Korea have all experienced some of the most turbulent times in their entire history, as great wars have swept through East Asia
Oceania history 1960CE
Many Pacific islands were caught up in the fierce fighting of World War 2
Africa history 1960CE
The European nations are starting to withdraw from the empires in Africa
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