History Eras
History Eras
History Eras
Historians rely on written records and archaeological evidence to understand more about
human history. They use these resources to divide human existence into five main historical
eras: Prehistory, Classical, Middle Ages, Early Modern, and Modern eras. Keep reading
to learn the main civilizations, technological achievements, important historical figures, and
significant events during these major time periods in history.
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The Prehistoric era can be divided into three shorter eras based on the advancements that
occurred in those time periods. They include:
The Stone Age (2.5 million B.C. to 3000 B.C.) - documents the human migration
from Africa and first use of tools by Neanderthals, Denisovans and early humans
The Bronze Age (3000 B.C. to 1300 B.C.) - humans settle in Mesopotamia, the Indus
Valley and ancient Egypt; invention of the wheel and metalworking
The Iron Age (1300 B.C. to 600 B.C.) - formation of planned cities, introduction of
ironworks, steel, and writing systems
The Classical era was mainly centered around the civilizations on the Mediterranean Sea and
their contributions to world culture. These empires included:
The Middle Ages was an unstable period that lasted for nearly a millennium. Historians often
group the era into three distinct periods: the Early Middle Ages, the High Middle Ages and
the Late Middle Ages.
Early Middle Ages (A.D. 476 to A.D. 1000) - also known as Late Antiquity; this
period shows most powers rebuilding after the collapse of the Roman Empire and the
beginning of Islam in the Middle East
High Middle Ages (A.D. 1000 to A.D. 1250) - 250-year period that saw the height of
the Catholic church’s power in the Crusades
Late Middle Ages (A.D. 1250 to A.D. 1450) - a period that saw the Black Plague, the
beginning of European exploration and the invention of the printing press
Early Modern Era (A.D. 1450-A.D. 1750)
The Early Modern Era, which immediately followed the Middle Ages, saw a resurgence of
the values and philosophies from the Classical era. When you think of Leonardo da Vinci,
William Shakespeare, Johann Sebastian Bach, and Christopher Columbus, you’re thinking of
the Early Modern Era.
The major movements in politics, religion, and geography helped to guide human civilization
into the Modern era. These movements include:
Because our history of the last three centuries is so well documented, it’s possible to examine
each period of the Modern era on its own. These eras include:
First Industrial Revolution (A.D. 1760 to A.D. 1840) - beginning of the modern era
that saw several technological innovations, including the invention of the cotton gin,
the increase of city factories and mills and the completion of the Erie Canal
Revolutionary Period (A.D. 1764 to A.D. 1848) - period of revolutions around the
world, including the American Revolution, French Revolution, Spanish-American
Wars for Independence, Italian Revolutions, Greek War of Independence, and the
Spring of Nations
Age of Imperialism (A.D. 1800 to A.D. 1914) - century of time in which France,
Britain, Spain, the Netherlands, and the United States colonized in other nations
around the world
Victorian Era (A.D. 1837 to A.D. 1901) - reign of Queen Victoria I that saw
increased urbanization, the American Civil War and the end of African slavery
Second Industrial Revolution (A.D. 1869 to A.D. 1914 ) - often referred to as
the Technological Revolution; period in which the light bulb, the telephone, the
airplane, and the Model T automobile were invented
World War I (A.D. 1914 to A.D. 1918) - worldwide conflict centered in Europe; also
known as the Great War
Great Depression (A.D. 1929 to A.D. 1939) - extended period of worldwide
economic hardship that started with the stock market crash in 1929
World War II (A.D. 1939 to A.D. 1945) - wartime period that began with
Germany’s invasion of Poland and ends with the surrender of Japan, the last standing
Axis power
Contemporary Period (A.D. 1945 to current) - also known as the Information Age;
the period in which technological advances define social, economic and political life