Overview

Historical chronology organizes the past according to time. It provides a framework for understanding sequence, continuity, change, turning points, and the relationships between developments occurring in different societies and regions.

Malone Global University divides general world history into six broad chronological periods: Prehistory, Ancient History, Post-Classical and Medieval History, Early Modern History, Modern History, and Contemporary History. These divisions provide a consistent organizational structure while allowing individual regions and subjects to use more precise local or specialized periodizations when necessary.

Understanding Historical Periodization

Historical periods are analytical tools rather than absolute boundaries. Political systems, technologies, cultures, economies, and institutions did not change everywhere at the same moment. A date used to mark the beginning or end of a period therefore represents a useful point of reference rather than a universal historical transition.

Regional histories may use chronologies better suited to their own historical development. European history, for example, may use the Early, High, and Late Middle Ages, while Chinese history may be organized according to dynasties and African histories may use political, archaeological, environmental, or regional frameworks. These systems can coexist within the broader chronological structure used by the History Department.

Prehistory

Before c. 3500 BCE

Prehistory examines the human past before the widespread use of written records. It includes human evolution, migration, hunter-gatherer societies, the development of tools and symbolic culture, the emergence of agriculture, permanent settlements, and the social transformations that preceded the first written civilizations.

Because writing developed at different times in different parts of the world, the end of prehistory varies by region.

Ancient History

c. 3500 BCE–500 CE

Ancient History begins with the emergence of written records, cities, organized states, and complex political institutions in several regions of the world. It includes the development of early civilizations, long-distance trade, organized religion, law, imperial systems, philosophy, science, warfare, and the political traditions of the ancient world.

This period includes societies such as Mesopotamia, Ancient Egypt, Persia, Greece, Rome, early India, early imperial China, and numerous African, American, and Asian civilizations.

Post-Classical and Medieval History

c. 500–1500

Post-Classical and Medieval History examines the millennium following the transformation of many ancient political systems. The period saw the emergence and expansion of new states, religions, trade networks, military systems, intellectual traditions, and regional civilizations across Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and the Americas.

The term Middle Ages remains useful for European history, while Post-Classical provides a broader framework for studying developments throughout the world during the same general period.

Early Modern History

c. 1500–1800

Early Modern History examines a period of expanding global interaction, maritime exploration, imperial expansion, religious transformation, commercial growth, scientific development, and increasingly interconnected regional economies.

Major developments include European overseas expansion, the growth of the Ottoman, Safavid, Mughal, Ming, and Qing states, the Atlantic slave trade, colonization of the Americas, religious reformations, the Scientific Revolution, the Enlightenment, and the beginnings of industrial transformation.

Modern History

c. 1800–1945

Modern History examines the rapid political, economic, technological, and social changes associated with industrialization, nationalism, imperialism, mass politics, global migration, capitalism, modern state formation, and industrial warfare.

The period includes the revolutionary and industrial age, nineteenth-century state and empire building, the expansion of colonial rule, new political ideologies, World War I, the interwar period, and World War II.

Contemporary History

1945–Present

Contemporary History begins with the end of World War II and examines the political, economic, social, cultural, and technological developments that have shaped the present international system.

Major themes include the Cold War, nuclear weapons, decolonization, postcolonial state formation, civil rights movements, globalization, international institutions, economic integration, digital technology, changing forms of warfare, and the political and social developments of the twenty-first century.

Master Chronological Framework

Historical Connections

Chronology provides only one way to organize history. Each period can also be studied through regional history, specialized historical subjects, and individual historical objects such as people, states, civilizations, institutions, conflicts, movements, and major events.