Middle East 1871 CE

South East Asia history 3500BCE

Stone Age farmers and hunter-gatherers inhabit South East Asia

Oceania history 3500BCE

All the Pacific islands are uninhabited, except for Australia, New Guinea and the Solomons

South America history 3500BCE

Permanent villages have grown up along coasts and rivers

North America history 3500BCE

Hunter-gatherer cultures cover most of North America

Europe history 2500BCE

Europe is still inhabited by Stone Age farming peoples. Tribes speaking Indo-European languages are migrating into the continent from the east

Africa history 2500BCE

Ancient Egypt, one of the great civilizations of world history, has now full emerged in the Nile valley

India and South Asia history 2500BCE

One of the earliest civilizations in world history has emerged in ancient India, the Indus Valley civilization

East Asia: China, Korea, Japan history 2500BCE

Agriculture is spreading out from its core areas in ancient China, and one of the greatest civilizations in world history is emerging 

South East Asia history 2500BCE

Population movements At around this time, a series of major population movements begin to affect this region. Starting in southern China and Taiwan, farming and fishing communities begin to move south and west, into the coasts and islands of South East Asia. These are the ancestors of today’s Malays, Polynesians and other Austronesian peoples, and […]

Oceania history 2500BCE

A new phase in technology is beginning in Australia, and the migration of the ancestors of the Polynesians has begun from south China

South America history 2500BCE

Large villages are developing along the Pacific coast, with temple-mounds and irrigation systems being constructed

North America history 2500BCE

The ancestors of the Inuit are arriving in North America

Europe history 1500BCE

Bronze Age farming cultures now cover most of Europe, and in the south-east, the first European civilizations now flourish in Crete and Greece

Africa history 1500BCE

New heights are achieved by the ancient civilization of Egypt, while south of the Sahara farmers pioneer tropical agriculture.

India and South Asia history 1500BCE

The history of ancient India is experiencing a dark age after the fall of the great Indus Valley civilization

East Asia: China, Korea, Japan history 1500BCE

The first urban civilization has appeared in the ancient history of East Asia, under the Shang dynasty in China

South East Asia history 1500BCE

Major population movements affect this region from both east and west.

Oceania history 1500BCE

The ancestors of the Polynesians are beginning to settle the islands of the Pacific

South America history 1500BCE

The peoples of the Pacific coast are making strides towards civilization

North America history 1500BCE

Farming is spreading to eastern USA

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

South East Asia history 1000BCE

Large-scale popluation movements continue to affect this region

Oceania history 1000BCE

A new phase in technology is beginning in Australia, and the migration has begun from south China of the ancestors of the Polynesians

South America history 1000BCE

The first civilization in South America is in the making

North America history 1000BCE

The Olmec civilization has appeared in North America

Europe history 500BCE

The Iron Age Celts and their relatives dominate much of Europe, whilst in the Mediterranean land a number of brilliant city-state civilizations, most notably the Greeks, now flourish

Africa history 500BCE

Bantu farmers from West Africa are beginning to spread out across the continent

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 500BCE

The philosopher Confucius, whose teachings will influence millions of people down to the present day, lives at this time

South East Asia history 30BCE

The first urban civilization of South East Asia has appeared, in Burma

Oceania history 30BCE

A new phase of Polynesian expansion in the Pacific is occurring

South America history 30BCE

The Moche and Nazca civilizations are now flourishing

North America history 30BCE

The Mayan civilization is emerging

South East Asia history 200BCE

Indian traders are bringing Hinduism, Buddhism and other elements of Indian civilization to South East Asia

Oceania history 200BCE

A distinctive Polynesian culture is now evolving

South America history 200BCE

The spread of maize as a staple crop allows new areas to be settled by farmers

North America history 200BCE

Several post-Olmec civilizations are emerging in different parts of Central America

South East Asia history 30BCE

The first urban civilization of South East Asia has appeared, in Burma

Oceania history 30BCE

A new phase of Polynesian expansion in the Pacific is occurring

South America history 30BCE

The Moche and Nazca civilizations are now flourishing

North America history 30BCE

The Mayan civilization is emerging

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

South East Asia history 200CE

Indian-style kingdoms and principalities are appearing in South East Asia

Oceania history 200CE

Distinctive Polynesian societies are evolving on the various Pacific islands

South America history 200CE

The Moche have reached a high level of civilization

North America history 200CE

The Mayan civilization is now emerging

Europe history 500CE

The western Roman empire has fallen to German invaders, but the eastern Roman empire remains intact

Africa history 500CE

A powerful new kingdom is arising in Ethiopia, while in West Africa trade routes across the Sahara are developing

India and South Asia history 500CE

This period of India's history has seen the rise of the Gupta dynasty, under whom ancient Indian civilization reaches its peak

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

Oceania history 500CE

The Polynesians have settled Hawaii and Easter Island

South America history 500CE

Large chiefdoms have emerged in Amazonia

North America history 500CE

The Hopewell culture has vanished

Europe history 750CE

Medieval Europe is beginning to emerge from the wreckage of the Ancient World.

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 East Asia history 750CE

Chinese influence By this period, Chinese influence is growing in South East Asia. Under the powerful Tang dynasty, China’s trade with the countries of the region is expanding strongly, and one consequence of this may well be the rise of the maritime power of Sri Vijaya, which seems to enjoy a specially-favored status as a […]

Oceania history 750CE

The Polynesian colonization of the major Pacific islands is in its final phase

South America history 750CE

The Tiwanaku and Wari empires now dominate the highlands of Peru

North America history 750CE

The Pueblo culture is now developing

Europe history 979CE

Western Europe experiences internal wars and external attacks which bring widespread insecurity and lead to the rise of feudalism

India and South Asia history 979CE

This period of its history sees the south emerging as a major centre of Indian civilization

East Asia: China, Korea, Japan history 979CE

China's influence over Korea and Japan has diminished, but at home this phase of its history is a time of great advance

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

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

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

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

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

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

Africa history 1837CE

The Zulu conquests are causing turmoil over a large part of south and central Africa

Oceania history 1837CE

European missionaries and traders are active throughout the Pacific

East Asia: China, Korea, Japan history 1837CE

New intrusions into East Asian history, Western merchants and missionaries, are clamouring to be let into China and the other countries of East Asia

Europe history 1837CE

Europe continues to be transformed by intellectual change and industrial expansion

India and South Asia history 1837CE

The British empire now dominates most of India, marking the most radical change in the long history of the subcontinent

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

Europe history 1914CE

European nations now rule much of the world, but their rivalries are now leading them into the First World War

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

Europe history 1960CE

Europe has experienced two devastating world wars, and is now divided between East and West

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

North America history 1960CE

The USA and Canada have fought in the two world wars together

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

East Central Europe history 1960CE

Eastern-central Europe is divided amongst several countries, most now under Soviet control

Europe history 2005CE

Most of Europe now belongs to the EU

India and South Asia history 2005CE

The history of India and Pakistan has been characterised by mutual hostility

South East Asia history 2005CE

South East Asia has experienced dramatic economic growth

South America history 2005CE

Many countries of South America have swung, first to dictatorship, and then to democracy

North America history 2005CE

The NAFTA trade agreement is benefitting the economies of all North American countries

East Asia: China, Korea, Japan history 2005CE

The recent histories of all the nations of East Asia, China, Japan and Korea, have seen them become major economic powerhouses in 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