Assignment Summary In this assignment, you will create parallel time lines describing important developments that occurred during the rise of Muslim empires and at least one other civilization.

You will create a time line that shows key dates and events from the expansion of Muslim empires, including events that took place during the growth of the following empires:

Early Muslim caliphates, including the Rashidun caliphate started by Abū Bakr, the Umayyad dynasty, and the Abbasid dynasty

The Ottoman Empire

The Safavid Empire

The Mughal Empire

You will also create a second time line showing events that took place during the growth of another civilization between 600 CE and 1500 CE. You may choose which civilization to research and highlight. Examples include:

China, including the Tang, Song, Yuan, and Ming dynasties

The Byzantine Empire

The Mongol Empire

Background Information

Following the death of Muhammad, early caliphs expanded Muslim empires throughout the Arabian Peninsula and into the Middle East. The Umayyad dynasty extended Muslim empires west to Spain and east into Persia. The Abbasid dynasty continued to rule much of this same territory for another five hundred years.

After the fall of the Abbasid dynasty, the Ottoman Empire rose in Anatolia. As the Ottoman Empire expanded, two other Muslim empires were formed in Persia and India: the Safavid and Mughal Empires. These three empires existed in parallel for two hundred years, until the Safavid and Mughal Empires ended.

During this same era in world history, several other civilizations continued to expand and develop. For example, several Chinese dynasties controlled territory in East Asia. The Byzantine Empire persisted in the eastern Mediterranean region from the 4th century CE until the 15th century CE. Also, in the 13th century CE, the Mongol Empire rapidly spread across Asia and influenced Europe and the Middle East.

Historians use time lines to track the order of key events in different time periods. Time lines also create opportunities to compare and contrast events that took place in different regions. Focus your time lines on one topic, such as rulers or politics. This assignment will help you practice your historical thinking skills. It will also give you an opportunity to review key information from different historical eras.

Materials

Computer with internet access

Online interactive time line builder

Chart with suggested dates and events

Assignment Instructions

For this project, you will submit parallel time lines for the regions of the ancient world, and a chart containing the dates and events from the time lines.

Step 1: Prepare for the project.

Read through the guide before you begin so you know the expectations for this project.

If anything is not clear to you, ask your teacher for assistance.

Step 2: Research background information on early Muslim empires and at least one other civilization.

Determine which other civilization you will study (such as China, the Mongol Empire, or the Byzantine Empire).

Review your notes to help you determine key events and dates in the rise of early Muslim empires.

Research the key events and dates for both time lines.

Identify at least ten key events and dates during the rise of early Muslim empires.

Identify at least five key events and dates for your other chosen civilization.

Search for images and information about people, places, and artifacts from each civilization.

Be sure to use reliable internet sources, such as the following:

Encyclopedia Britannica:

The Library of Congress:

The Smithsonian Museum’s Learning Lab: www. learninglab. si. edu

The Ancient History Encyclopedia:

Step 3: Organize your research in a chart.

Organize your findings in a chart. You can use the chart below.

Place your entries in chronological order, using BCE and CE time measurement.

Step 4: Create two parallel time lines that show key events and dates in the expansion of early Muslim empires and at least one other civilization. Access the time line builder .

Plan:

Sketch your time lines on a piece of paper before you begin.

Review how to use the time line builder tool.

Draft:

Create a rough draft of your time lines using the time line builder.

Decorate your time lines with images of people, places, or artifacts.

Revise:

Review your work, correct mistakes, and make improvements.

Include a list of internet sources with your time lines to show where you gathered your information.