World History
Does history really repeat itself, or can we learn from the mistakes of those who came before us? History provides a chronological, statistical, and cultural record of the events, people, and movements that have made an impact on humankind and the world at large throughout the ages.
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Featured content, May 31, 2024
8 Questions About World War I Answered
Important questions asked and answered, briefly.
Leaders of World War I
Learn more about the leaders of World War I.
Did Duchess Anastasia Survive Her Family’s Execution?
Find out what really happened to the youngest daughter of Russia’s last tsar.
How Many People Signed the U.S. Constitution?
The Constitution did not get everyone’s approval.
Ottoman Empire
Ottoman Empire, empire created by Turkish tribes in Anatolia (Asia Minor) that grew to be one of the most powerful states...
Napoleon I
Napoleon I was a French general, first consul (1799–1804), and emperor of the French (1804–1814/15), one of the most celebrated...
Industrial Revolution
Industrial Revolution, in modern history, the process of change from an agrarian and handicraft economy to one dominated...
Julius Caesar
Julius Caesar was a celebrated Roman general and statesman, the conqueror of Gaul (58–50 bce), victor in the civil war of...
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World History Subcategories
Accidents & Disasters
Nature isn’t always peaceful and idyllic. Earthquakes, tsunamis, hurricanes, and other powerful natural phenomena can have devastating consequences on communities and regions throughout the world. But nature is far from the only instigator of large-scale misfortune; human-made disasters and tragedies, both accidental and intentional, can cause significant misery, damage, and loss of life.
Articles
- Japan earthquake and tsunami of 2011
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Great Famine
famine, Ireland [1845–1849]
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complex humanitarian emergency
disaster event
Age of Revolutions
This general category includes a selection of more specific topics.
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Russian Revolution
Russian history [1917]
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Iranian Revolution
[1978–1979]
- Mexican Revolution
The Ancient World
The modern world may look very different from the world that existed in the time of ancient civilizations, but our modern-day life continues to show the influence of cultures, traditions, ideas, and innovations from hundreds of years ago. Learn more about important historical civilizations, sites, people, and events.
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ancient Middle East
historical region, Asia
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history of Mesopotamia
historical region, Asia
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Han dynasty
Chinese history
Historians
This general category includes a selection of more specific topics.
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Jules Michelet
French historian
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Thomas Carlyle
British essayist and historian
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Herodotus
Greek historian
Historic Dynasties & Families
This general category includes a selection of more specific topics.
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Mamluk
Islamic dynasty
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Ming dynasty
Chinese history
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Barmakids
ʿAbbāsid viziers
Historic Nobility
This general category includes a selection of more specific topics.
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Saint Alexander Nevsky
prince of Russia
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William I
king of England
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Cosimo I
duke of Florence and Tuscany [1519–1574]
Global Exploration
This general category includes a selection of more specific topics.
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Daniel Boone
American frontiersman
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Sir Francis Drake
English admiral
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William Clark
American explorer
The Middle Ages
The Middle Ages comprise the period in European history that began with the collapse of Roman civilization in the 5th century CE and lasted until the dawn of the Renaissance in the 13th, 14th, or 15th century. This interval of time saw the development of the Gothic style of art and architecture, flying buttresses and all. It was also the era of the Crusades and of papal monarchy, and it was during this period that the idea of Europe as a distinct cultural unit emerged.
Articles
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Black Death
pandemic, medieval Europe [1347–1351]
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Hundred Years’ War
England and France [14th–15th century]
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Battle of Poitiers
French history [1356]
Military Leaders
This general category includes a selection of more specific topics.
Articles
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St. Joan of Arc
French heroine
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Adolf Hitler
dictator of Germany
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Frederick II
king of Prussia
The Modern World
This general category includes a selection of more specific topics.
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Tokugawa period
Japanese history
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Nelson Mandela
president of South Africa
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Mao Zedong
Chinese leader
Prehistoric Age
The prehistoric age covers the millions of years that took place before human beings began to create written records of their life and of the world in which they lived. Archaeology and similar fields of study allow us to fill in the gaps and piece together an image of what life was like for our ancestors, including what kinds of flora and fauna they might have encountered.
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megalith
ancient monument
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Magdalenian culture
prehistoric technology and art
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Moche
ancient South American culture
United States History
As with most nations, the history of the United States contains a number of twists and turns throughout the centuries, from the time of the English colonization of North America up to the modern-day America that we're familiar with. Learn more about the people, events, and movements that left an indelible mark in history and shaped the development of the United States as a nation.
Articles
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American Revolution
United States history
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Mexican-American War
Mexico-United States [1846–1848]
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United States Presidential Election of 2016
United States government
Wars, Battles & Armed Conflicts
Wars, battles, and other domestic or international conflicts, whether armed or diplomatic, are often the outcome of a dispute over natural resources or a struggle for power, influence, and wealth. Major conflicts between nations, peoples, and political groups can end up shifting the cultural and political geography of the world and can also effect change, whether intentional or not, in societal values and the balance of power.
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Pacific War
theater of war, World War II
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Wars of the Roses
English history
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Napoleonic Wars
European history