World History Unit 4 Portfolio Project:

World HistoryUnit 4Portfolio Project: Early Modern World – Events that Changed the Course ofHistoryThe time period between 1400–1800 can be described as a bridge between ancientcivilizations and the modern world. It was during this time period that Europeans begantheir voyages of exploration and eventual dominance of the Americas. Conquest of theAmericas created new wealth in Europe causing fierce rivalries between nations. Warsshaped political boundaries in Europe and set the stage for future conflict. New empiresemerged as former kingdoms unified under one rule. As territories and treasuriesexpanded, leaders became more powerful. In religion, Christianity splintered into newsects and Islam spread.Part 1Study the timelines on pp. 154–155, 186–187, and 208–209 of World History: ModernTimes.Select ten events which you think had the greatest impact in shaping modern times.For your ten choices, please select a combination of political, social, and economicevents.Create a timeline of the events. On the timeline include date and events in properchronological order.5 pointsPart 2From your 10 events, choose five events. Identify at least two causes and two effects foreach of the five events. Use the following example as a reference for how to approach thequestion. (Note: This example does not qualify for the time period.) You may put youranswer in chart form, in a table, graphic organizer, or any other format, but you must usecomplete sentences.4 points per eventEvent: Fall of the Roman EmpireCauses• Barbarian invasions weakened the Roman military and introduced new cultures.• The empire grew too large. As boundaries expanded, it became increasinglydifficult to defend territory.• The building resentment of colonized people challenged Roman leadership.• Debt, corruption, and the inefficiency of leaders weakened the government.© 2010 Connections Academy®, LLC. All rights reserved.Effects• After the Roman Empire collapsed in the west, smaller kingdoms based on afeudal system emerged.• The Roman tradition was preserved by monks and the Church. The RomanCatholic Church became one of the most powerful institutions of the MiddleAges.• Trade declined as Europe rebuilt.Part 3: SignificanceFor each of the five events chosen, write one or two clear, concise sentences explainingwhy the event was significant in shaping the modern world.1 point per event