Using the TimeMap of World History in AP World History

Maps are an essential tool for understanding history, and the maps and information in the Timemap of World History are ideal for use by AP students. 



                                    1. Guidance for teachers of AP World History

                                    2. Benefits for AP World History students

1. Guidance for teachers of AP World History

Period 1: 10000 BCE to 600 BCE

Period 2: 600 BCE to 600 CE

Period 3: 600 CE to 1450 CE

Period 4: 1450 CE to 1750 CE (not implemented yet)

Period 5: 1750 CE to 1900 CE (not implemented yet)

Period 6: 1900 CE to Present (not implemented yet)


2. Benefits for AP students in using the Timemap of World History

The Timemap of World History is a free online atlas which covers all the world’s history, from 3500 BCE to 2005 CE.


It contains more than 600 pages of maps (each accompanied by a short description) telling humanity’s unfolding story. All civilizations, empires and nations are covered.


The maps are at three zoom levels:

  • whole world
  • big regions
  • countries

At each level - world, region or country - the maps are all dated according to a single scheme of 20 dates through history, from 3500 BC to 2005 AD (the maps in the free Timemap of World History all use the traditonal BC/AD dating system; our Premium resources use the BCE/CE dating system). This means that users can follow the history of different regions and countries, as well as of the world as a whole, at the same 20 moments in history, at global.


How does this structure benefit AP students?


This combination of maps at different zoom levels, all within a single framework of dates, has great benefits for AP world history students. 


1. It gives them a strong sense of the chronology of world history, in a way, we truly believe, NO OTHER resource can do.


2. The World and Regional maps allow students to see clearly the connections between regions and civilizations, whether these be through migration, trade, exploration, missionary activity or conquest. The context in which the different civilizations rise and fall, and the contributions each make to ongoing global history, becomes clear. ALL five AP World History themes are well covered. 


3. Patterns of causation, continuity and change can be studied very effectively. Students can start thinking more fruitfully about key turning points in world history, and about different schemes of periodization.


4. Comparisons and contrasts between different regions at different times can be explored easily.

The atlas is supplemented by a growing number of articles which treat topics in more detail than the maps do. Some articles give a brief survey of the major civilizations of world history - their governments, societies, economies, religions and so on - while others give a more in-depth account of their histories. All articles are designed to be accessible to reasonably literate readers, and are not restricted to academic researchers.



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