2. Big History Overview The story of our known universe examined using a multi-disciplinary approach. A wide spectrum study of history that exposes the alteration and adaptations of the human experience. Examines large scale patterns and themes based on perspectives of time scales. Exposes the repeating patterns of our world Provides a framework for history which can be used to better understand the past, present, and future.
3. The Day the Universe Changedby: James Burke “We are what we know” Who we are as individuals and as a society is based upon what we believe to be true. That truth is subjective and constantly evolving. When that truth changes we have to reassess the world as we know it. Our perception of our world is shaped by our knowledge The quest for greater knowledge The human inability to “leave things alone” Constant exploration and experimentation means the next change is just around the corner. Every innovation modifies our life As we learn more about our world
4. The Day the Universe Changedby: James Burke A civilizations purpose Continuation of it’s own existence Social patterns and norms are developed using the past as a template Maintain order Rituals and social norms The need to innovate and better ones self. Defending a way of life that is ultimately a question mark. The only constant in life is change.
5. The Journey of Man The human family The human race can be traced back to Africa about 50k years ago with a population size around 10,000 Using our blood we can build a family tree for the whole world We know that we began in Africa because the Y chromosome defects can be traced back to the isolated tribes in that area. Our differences today can be explained by the differences in the areas where our ancestors settled
6. The Journey of Man What caused man to leave Africa The development of language led to innovation (hunting, tools, etc.) Innovation led to the ability to expand and question the world Man was able to become the dominant force in the world Drastic climate change 70k-50k years ago the ice caps expanded in an Ice Age. Populations decreased Oceans receded and stone age man was left high and dry
7. The Journey of Man The migration of man Routes First: Africa to Australia thru India Second: Africa to the Middle East to India and China Third: Africa to Europe thru Central Asia Fourth: Africa to the Americas thru Central Asia and the Baring Strait This last journey was completed by only 5-10 people The isolated sign posts in our DNA are now being lost because our world has become so interconnected. As this happens the genetic story of our migration will become hidden.
8. Catastrophe An eruption of Krakatoa The 535 eruption likely changed the course of our worlds history This eruption sent volcanic debris high in to the atmosphere where it was deposited around the globe The cloud of debris blocked out much of the sun which caused temperatures to drastically drop and agriculture to fail.
9. Catastrophe Keys suggests the 535 eruption had a huge affect on the world at the time The bubonic plague During the mid 6th century in Constantinople ten thousand people a day died from the plague. The cities rulers stopped counting the dead after the toll reached a quarter of a million The Roman Empire was greatly weakened by the plague A weakened military with sick soldiers and fewer recruits Fewer taxes to run the empire The formation of England The Celts caught the plague from Roman traders The Britons were weakened by the plague and vulnerable to attack The rise of Islam Climate change in Yemen led to the destruction of their great dam. This dam provided water to a large portion of the population The prophet Mohammed and family were able to gain a large following from people fleeing Yemen is seek of salvation
10. Catastrophe What affect could a disaster like the 535 eruption have on our world today? Agricultural disaster Breakdown of society Population decrease The next disaster location? Yellowstone caldera?
11. Guns, Germs, and Steel Why have the Europeans and Asians come to dominant power when Africans, Native Americans, and others did not? In general, all races are equal. No one race has a large advantage over another. The reason for the Europeans and Asians success is largely based on the locations in which they settled. Europe and Asia contains much of the plant life necessary to cultivate a surplus of food. These lands are home to most of the important domesticated animals. Pig, Cow, Goat, and Sheep
12. Guns, Germs, and Steel Disease European disease wiped out much of the native population in the Americas. Europeans had built up resistances to diseases that were born from domesticated animals. Asian isolation Europeans eventually overtook Asians in technology and power because of the Asian policy of isolation and lack of trade.
13. The World and Trade The world in 1942 A world of separate active civilizations operating in isolation Columbus’ impact The Norse people landed on Americas shores long before the Europeans but had much less of an impact The Norse lacked the expansionary culture The natives were technologically equal to the Norse Imperialistic Europeans Europeans used commerce, ship technology, and firepower to aid in exploration Europeans possessed superior natural resources and technology Faced with a quickly growing population the search for new lands to settle on began
14. The World and Trade The world that trade created A world economy created by the unique needs and desires of each civilization The lack of a commonly accepted currency created many difficulties in early trading The large differences in each culture created the opportunity to benefit from trade Civilizations that excelled in trade were able to prosper and grow much more quickly then ones that did not.
