Western Civilization 1 Crash Course

Western Civilization I Study Packet
From the Birth of Civilization to the Late Middle Ages

This study packet offers a comprehensive overview of the foundational developments in Western Civilization, spanning from the dawn of human society to the closing of the medieval period. It is designed to support students in mastering key historical concepts, events, people, and cultural shifts that shaped the Western world.

🏛️ Covered Time Periods:

• The Birth of Civilization:
  Early human societies, the Neolithic Revolution, and the rise of river valley civilizations (Mesopotamia, Egypt, Indus, China).
• The Ancient Near East and Mediterranean:
  Sumerians, Babylonians, Hebrews, and Phoenicians; development of writing, law (e.g., Code of Hammurabi), and monotheism.
• Classical Greece and Hellenistic Culture:
  Greek city-states, democracy in Athens, the Persian Wars, Alexander the Great, and the spread of Greek culture.
• The Roman Republic and Empire:
  Roman law, republican government, the Punic Wars, Pax Romana, the fall of Rome, and the legacy of Roman institutions.
• Early Christianity and the Byzantine Empire:
  The life of Jesus, spread of Christianity, Constantine and the Christianization of the Empire, and Eastern Orthodoxy.
• The Islamic World and Medieval Europe:
  The rise of Islam, Islamic contributions to science and philosophy, feudalism, manorialism, the Church’s power, and the Crusades.
• The Late Middle Ages:
  The Black Death, Hundred Years’ War, decline of feudalism, and early signs of the Renaissance.

🧠 Features:

• Chronological summaries and thematic outlines
• Key terms and definitions
• Maps, timelines, and charts to aid spatial and temporal understanding
• Primary source excerpts with analysis questions
• Critical thinking prompts and document-based questions (DBQs)
• Practice multiple-choice and short-answer questions

🎓 Ideal For:

• High school and early college-level students
• AP European History and Western Civ survey courses
• Review for midterms, finals, or state assessments