INTRODUCTION
Welcome to the fascinating exploration of the “Old World!” Perhaps you’ve heard mention of this term in passing or noticed it in your history textbooks, and you’re curious to understand more about it. This article is designed as a beginner-friendly guide to understanding precisely what the Old World is, setting it in the context of global history, learning its distinguishing characteristics, and exploring its significance today. You might be surprised by just how riveting history can be!
WHAT IS THE OLD WORLD?
The term “Old World” refers to parts of the world known to Europeans before the voyages of Christopher Columbus; it includes Africa, Europe, and Asia (including the Middle East). These continents are immensely rich in history and in cultural, political, and socioeconomic diversity, from ancient Egyptian civilizations and European feudal societies to vast empires in Asia.
The Old World holds a significant place in the larger narrative of global history because it represents the cradle of early civilization and the epicenter of many technological, cultural, and socio-political developments that later spread to other parts of the globe.
HOW THE OLD WORLD WORKS / HOW TO GET STARTED
Understanding the Old World is a vast endeavor, and a systematic approach will benefit this journey into history.
1. CHRONOLOGICAL APPROACH: Begin with a chronological exploration of the Old World. Start from the ancient civilizations like Egypt or Mesopotamia, moving through the Roman Empire, feudal Europe, and early Asian empires like the Chinese dynasties, the Maurya and Gupta Empires of India, or the Persian Empire.
2. GEOGRAPHICAL FOCUS: You can also approach through a geographically focused lens. Delve in-depth into one continent, exploring its history, culture, and changes over centuries, and then move to the next.
3. THEMATIC STUDY: A thematic study could focus on different aspects like religion, politics, culture, or technology across the Old World.
WHAT YOU NEED
Resources can be books, documentaries, online encyclopedias or trusted websites, podcasts, and Museum and university websites. Keep a dedicated notebook for writing down observations, thoughts, and reflections to recall key points and track your learning.
CONSEILS POUR LES DÉBUTANTS
1. START GENERAL, THEN SPECIFIC: Start with broad overviews before delving into specific regions or periods.
2. THINK INTERCONNECTEDLY: Notice how developments in one area influenced others.
3. USE MULTIPLE RESOURCES: Different resources can offer varied perspectives.
4. TAKE TIME TO REFLECT: Let the information sink in instead of rushing through.
5. CONNECT TO THE PRESENT: Identify how aspects of the past influence our world today.
RESSOURCES UTILES
Websites like History.com, BBC History, and Smithsonian offer a breadth of information. YouTube channels like CrashCourse, HistoryTime, and TED-Ed provide informative videos. Books like “A Short History of Nearly Everything” by Bill Bryson or “Guns, Germs, and Steel” by Jared Diamond offer interesting takes on history.
GLOSSAIRE
1. CIVILIZATION: Complex societies marked by the development of cities, writing systems, professional specialization, and political institutions.
2. DYNASTY: A line of rulers from the same family.
3. FEUDALISM: Social system where the nobility held land from the Crown in exchange for military service.
4. EMPIRE: An extensive territory of states or countries under a single supreme authority.
5. ANCIENT: Denoting the period of history beginning with the earliest known civilizations and extending to the fall of the western Roman Empire AD 476.
PROCHAINES ÉTAPES
Having acquired a broader conceptual understanding of the Old World, your next step could be to dive deeper into a specific era, civilization, or theme that has piqued your interest. Remember, learning about history is not only about understanding the past but also about understanding our present and shaping our future. So, wear your explorer hat and dive into the fascinating journey of the Old World. The journey truly gets more enlightening and fun!
