Historical periods The past is usually divided into periods to make it easier to study. These are called historical ages. The historical ages are: Prehistory, Ancient History, the Middle Ages, the Modern Age and the Contemporary Age. There are other ways to divide histor y, but this is the most common system in Europe. In most of Asia , Africa and part of America a dif ferent system is used . Timelines are used to situate historical episodes, processes or events in time. (8) To situate them in space, historical maps are used. The Modern Age In this course you will learn about the Modern Age: For the beginning of this stage two dates are used: the fall of the Byzantine Empire (1453) and the arrival of Cristóbal Colón in America (1492). This period ended in 1789 with the outbreak of the French Revolution . This period saw important changes: 8. The ages of history 5. Map made in the 16th century 7. The School of Athens, by Raphael Sanzio 6. High bourgeoisie women at the beginning of the Modern Age Geographical discoveries Geographic exploration allowed Europeans to encounter lands previously unknown to them. This changed the image of the world and its inhabitants, and led to a better understanding of the shape and dimensions of Earth. (5) Science, art and religion The scientific method was developed. As a result, great progress was made in science and technology. Humanism and the Renaissance put human beings at the centre of everything. (7) Europe was divided into two religious blocs: the Catholics and the Protestants. This led to a time of great intolerance and religious wars. Politics and society Many countries had absolute monarchs, while others, by contrast, used a system of parliamentarianism. In the society of estates, the bourgeoisie, who had become wealthy through business, achieved great social influence. (6) PREHISTORY MIDDLE AGES CONTEMPORARY AGE Around 5 million years ago Around 5,000 years ago 1492 1789 ANCIENT HISTORY MODERN AGE AD 476 9
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