ISTORICAL BACKGROUND - Middle Tennessee State...
Transcript of ISTORICAL BACKGROUND - Middle Tennessee State...
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TEACHING WITH PRIMARY SOURCES—MTSU
PRIMARY SOURCE SET: The Middle Ages to the
Exploration of the Americas
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
The period from the fall of the Roman Empire to the spread of new ideas based on science and reason across Eurasia established the basis of what would become the modern nations that we know today. It bridges the ancient and modern worlds, covering over a thousand years of history.
Europe formed from the remnants of the western Roman Empire. North Africa and the Middle East prospered under the spread of Islamic rule. Civiliza-tions clashed and combined in the newly discovered Americas. Powers around the globe expanded their trading networks along with their knowledge of the world. Two of the major themes include the solidi-fication, expansion, and power of Christian and Mus-lim doctrine and influence, and the development of technology and scientific knowledge to enable long-distance travel, trade, and communications. Anoth-er theme is the growth of a worldview based on rea-son—in opposition to religious influence but parallel to the advance of scientific knowledge—which led to the European Enlightenment and global cultural ex-change.
This period of history not only sets the stage for modern world history, but it also provides context for the settlement of the American colonies and the founding of the United States
SUGGESTIONS FOR TEACHERS
With the shift in 7th-grade teaching from geography to
World History and Geography, teachers are in great need
of resources to cover the additional material. Therefore,
this primary source set is geared towards the 7th grade
Social Studies curriculum standards. The curricular units,
such as “Africa, 400 A.D./C.E.-1500s” and “The Renais-
sance and Reformation,” are retained here in the subhead-
ings, about two per page, and follow the order in the
standards. Seventh grade teachers can use this set
throughout the year as they cover different civilizations
and events.
Several of the following primary sources are parts of
online exhibitions that would make good secondary
source reading assignments for students, due to the ex-
planatory narrative and development of world history
themes.
ADDITIONAL LINKS
World Digital Library
World History Links Guide
Medieval History newsletter (March 2013)
World History & Cultures newsletter (September
2009)
Browse by Topic: World History & Cultures
A new and correct map of the world : laid down according to the newest observations & discoveries in several different pro-jections including the trade winds, monsoons, variation of the compass, and illustrated with a coelestial planisphere, the vari-ous systems of Ptolomy, Copernicus, and Tycho Brahe togeth-er with ye apearances of the planets &c. / [1702]
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THE FALL OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE
ISLAMIC WORLD, 400 A.D./C.E.-1500S
Letter of Süleyman the Magnificent
to Francis I, King of France, Istan-
bul, 1536 [scroll to 14th image]
Agra, Taj Mahal [between 1890 and 1900]
Panel of Illumination, Qur'anic verses [9th century, front and back]
Muslim distribution : [Islamic countries]. [2002, detail]
The ecclesiastical history of
Eusebius Pamphilus : Bishop
of Caesarea, in Palestine. / In
ten books translated from the
original by the Rev. C.F.
Cruse. [1833; see pp. 426
and following for parts about
Constantine; see also these
excerpts from Eusebius’ Life
of Constantine]
Constantinople. Mosque of St. Sophia and Con-
stantinople [approximately 1900 to 1920]
Evidence of medieval boredom: an image
from a fourteenth century manuscript of
Justinian’s Institutes from the rare book col-
lection of the Law Library of Congress
(LCCN: 2004596530) [detail; for more
about the law codes of Justinian, click here]
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AFRICA, 400 A.D./C.E.-1500S
CHINA, 400 A.D./C.E.-1500S
This map shows the trip to Mecca made in A.D. 1324 by
the fabulously wealthy king Mansa Musa… [1375, detail] Ethiopian Gospels [around 1300 CE—1350 CE]
The Psalm of David, Ge'ez Manuscript Psalter [15th or
16th century; scroll to 6th panel] Gvinea propia, nec non Nigritiæ vel Terræ Nigrorvm maxima pars... [1743, detail]
[Da Ming yu di tu]. 大明與地
图. Atlas of the Ming Empire
[between 1547 and 1559,
detail]
The history of Genghizcan the
Great, first emperor of the antient
Moguls and Tartars; in four books
[1722]
Inscribed stones, the reputed writings
of Confucius. Temple of Confucius.
Peking, China [1902]
Camel train from Mongolia via Nan-
kow Pass, coming through the Great
Wall of China [1902]
Hall of Supreme Harmony - main hall in the Forbid-den City, Beijing, China, where the emperor met his
ministers each morning; includes inscription in Chinese language characters in right margin
[between 1860 and 1900]
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JAPAN, 400 A.D./C.E.-1500S
MIDDLE AGES IN WESTERN EUROPE, 400 A.D./C.E.-1500S
One Million Small Wooden Pagodas and
Dharani Prayers [770 C.E.]
Gemji Mo-
nogatari
a.k.a. Eiribon
Genji Mo-
nogatari
(Tale of
Genji)
[1654; see
also this
version] Ronin, or masterless
Samurai, fending off
arrows [1869, detail]
Itsukushima
Shinto Shrine,
Japan [1908,
detail]
Shinto funeral
ornaments
[1878, detail]
Map of the Far East and adjacent Pa-
cific [1290s, detail]
Denier [ca. 812-814]. For excerpts from
Einhard’s Life of Charlemagne, click here.
Quai vert, Bruges, Belgium [between ca. 1890
and ca. 1900]
Einsiedeln, schoolhouse and monastery,
Lake Lucerne, Switzerland [between ca.
1890 and ca. 1900]
Mount Hermon and vicinity. Hasbeya. The
Shihab Castle. Late medieval incorporating
Crusader remains [approximately 1920 to
1933]
Medieval book
collector sit-
ting at desk,
reading
[1494, detail]
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THE RENAISSANCE AND REFORMATION
THE ENLIGHTENMENT AND SCIENTIFIC REVOLUTION
Reproduction of rough sketch by
Isaac Newton showing a reflecting
telescope and its components [1959-
1977 (reproduction), detail]
Montesquieu to George Washington, April 25,
1785, in French, with Translation and Copy
[detail; transcription of translation available here]
A new and correct map of the world : laid down according to the newest
observations & discoveries in several different projections including the
trade winds, monsoons, variation of the compass… [1702]
Compound microscope as rendered
by artist in Descartes "La Diop-
trique" [1637, detail]
The Gutenberg Bible [1455]
Reproduction of
page from note-
book of Leonar-
do da Vinci
showing giant
crossbow
[between 1894
and 1904
(reproduction)]
The muscles of the left leg, seen from the front, and the bones and muscles of the right leg seen in right profile, and between them, a patella. Drawing by Michelangelo Buo-narroti, ca. 1515-1520. Ninety-Five Theses [1517,
detail; see translation here]
Das Zeitalter der Reformation [18—]
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THE AGE OF EXPLORATION
Universalis cosmographia secundum Ptholomaei traditionem et Americi Vespucii alioru[m]que lustrationes. [1507] See lesson plan built around
this primary source.
World Map in
[Donnus Nicolaus
Germanus]
Cosmographia, Clau-
dius Ptolemaeus,
Ulm, 1482. [scroll
to 3rd item]
Concerning Discovered
Islands: Letter of Christo-
pher Columbus, to
Whom Our Age is Great-
ly Indebted, Concerning
Islands Recently Discov-
ered in the Indian Ocean
[1493; p. 5 shown at
right]. For an English
edition of this letter, see A
Letter of Christopher
Columbus. For excerpts
from Columbus’s journal,
click here.
Huexotzinco Codex [1531] See lesson plan
built around this primary source.
Evangelium
Sanctum Domini
Nostri Jesu
Christi. In Ara-
bic. Rome: Ty-
pographia Medi-
cea. 1590
Tortuguero Box, Tabasco,
Mexico. Maya, Classic Period
[681] See interactive presentation
built around this primary source.
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CITATIONS: The Middle Ages to the Exploration of the Americas
Teachers: Providing these primary source replicas without source clues may enhance the inquiry experience for students. This list of citations is sup-
plied for reference purposes to you and your students. We have followed the Chicago Manual of Style format, one of the formats recommended by the
Library of Congress, for each entry below, minus the access date. The access date for each of these entries is 11/12/14.
The Fall of the Roman Empire
American Colony (Jerusalem) Photograph Department, photographer. “Constantinople. Mosque of St. Sophia and Constantinople.”
Photograph. 1900-1920. From Library of Congress, G. Eric and Edith Matson Photograph Collection. http://www.loc.gov/pictures/
item/mpc2010000637/pp/
Evidence of medieval boredom: an image from a fourteenth century manuscript of Justinian’s Institutes from the rare book collection of the Law Li-
brary of Congress. Manuscript. 14th century. From Library of Congress, In Custodia Legis: Law Librarians of Congress. http://
blogs.loc.gov/law/2013/03/pic-of-the-week-doodling-away-the-middle-ages/
Hessler, John. Roman Law in Ruins: Re-discovering the Paul Krueger Archive. Special Presentation. August 15, 2011. From the Library of
Congress, In Custodia Legis: Law Librarians of Congress. http://blogs.loc.gov/law/2011/08/paul-krueger-archive/
Cruise, C.F. trans. The ecclesiastical history of Eusebius Pamphilus: Bishop of Caesarea, in Palestine./In ten books translated from the original by
the Rev. C.F. Cruse. Book. Philadelphia: Rev. R. Davis & Brother, 1833. From Library of Congress, Church history--Primitive and early
church, ca. 30-600. http://lccn.loc.gov/tmp96030657
Eusebius. Eusebius: The Conversion of Constantine. Transcript. New York: Christian Literature Co., 1990. From Fordham University
and the Library of Nicene and Post Nicene Fathers. http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/source/conv-const.asp
Islamic World, 400 A.D./C.E.-1500s
United States Central Intelligence Agency. Muslim distribution : [Islamic countries]. Map. Washington, D.C.: Central Intelligence Agen-
cy, 2002. From Library of Congress, Geography and Maps Division. http://www.loc.gov/item/2005631747/
“Agra, Taj Mahal.” Photochrom print. Zurich: Photoglob Zurich, 1890-1900. From Library of Congress, Miscellaneous Items in High
Demand. http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/95505064/
Panel of Illumination, Qur'anic verses. Manuscript. 9th century. From Library of Congress, African and Middle East Division/Global Gate-
way: Selections of Arabic, Persian, and Ottoman Calligraphy. http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?intldl/ascsbib:@field%
28DOCID+@lit%28ascs000140%29%29
Letter of Süleyman the Magnificent to Francis I, King of France. Manuscript. Istanbul, 1536. From Library of Congress, Exhibits: Creating
French Culture: The Path to Royal Absolutism. http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/bnf/bnf0004.html
Africa, 400 A.D./C.E.-1500s
This map shows the trip to Mecca made in A.D. 1324 by the fabulously wealthy king Mansa Musa (reigned, 1312?-37) of the Mali Empire. With
the map is an explanation of some of the symbols it uses. Map. 13th century. From Library of Congress, Africana Collections: Library of Con-
gress: An Illustrated Guide. http://www.loc.gov/rr/amed/guide/afr-encounters.html
Krǝstos, Mäṭre. Ethiopian Gospels. Book. 1300-1350 CE. From World Digital Library, Walter Art Museum. http://www.wdl.org/en/
item/13018/
The Psalm of David, Ge'ez Manuscript Psalter. Manuscript. 15th-16th century. From Library of Congress, Africana Collections: Library of
Congress: An Illustrated Guide. http://www.loc.gov/rr/amed/guide/afr-creative.html
Homann, Erben. Gvinea propia, nec non Nigritiæ vel Terræ Nigrorvm maxima pars : geographis hodiernis dicta utraq[ue] Æthiopia inferior, &
hujus quidem pars australis /. Map. Norimb[ergæ] : Homannianorum Heredum, 1743. From Library of Congress, Geography and Map
Division. http://www.loc.gov/item/96687096/
China, 400 A.D./C.E.-1500s
[Da Ming yu di tu]. Map. China, 1547-1559. From Library of Congress, Geography and Maps Division. http://www.loc.gov/
item/2002626776/
Petis de la Croix, Francois. “The history of Genghizcan the Great, first emperor of the antient Moguls and Tartars; in four books: containing his life,
advancement and conquests; with a short history of his successors to the present time; the manners, customs and laws of the antient Moguls and Tar-
tars; and the late geography of the vast countries of Mogolistan, Turquestan, Capschac, Yugurestan, and the Eastern and Western Tartary. Collected
from several Oriental authors, and European travellers; whose names, with an abridgment of their lives, are added to this book. By the late M. Petis
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de la Croix senior ... and now faithfully tr. into English. Book. London: J. Darby, E. Bell, W. Taylor, W. & J. Innys, & J. Osborn,
1722. From Library of Congress. http://www.loc.gov/item/05023392/
“Inscribed stones, the reputed writings of Confucius. Temple of Confucius. Peking, China.” Stereograph (gelatin silver). Philadel-
phia: The Universal Photo Art Co., c 1902. From Library of Congress, Stereograph Cards. http://www.loc.gov/pictures/
item/2007683142/
“Camel train from Mongolia via Nankow Pass, coming through the Great Wall of China.” Stereograph. November 28, c 1902.
From Library of Congress, Stereograph Cards. http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/2004680228/
“Hall of Supreme Harmony - main hall in the Forbidden City, Beijing, China, where the emperor met his ministers each morning;
includes inscription in Chinese language characters in right margin.” Graphite drawing. 1860-1990. From Library of Congress,
Drawings (Documentary). http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/2004673469/
Japan, 400 A.D./C.E.-1500s
“One Million Small Wooden Pagodas and Dharani Prayers.” Objects and Manuscripts. 770 CE. From World Digital Library, Na-
tional Diet Library. http://www.wdl.org/en/item/2927/
“Gemji Monogatari a.k.a. Eiribon Genji Monogatari.” Woodblock print. 1654. From Library of Congress, Japanese Collection.
http://www.loc.gov/rr/asian/JapaneseCollection.html
Shikibu, Murasaki. The Tale of Genji. Book. 1596-1615 CE. From World Digital Library, National Diet Library. http://
www.wdl.org/en/item/2930/
Taiso, Yoshitoshi. “Ronin, or masterless Samurai, fending off arrows.” Woodcut. 1896. From Library of Congress, Miscellaneous
Items in High Demand. http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/2005678559/
“Shinto funeral ornaments.” Ink drawing. December 1878. From Library of Congress, Fine Prints: Japanese, pre-1915. http://
www.loc.gov/pictures/item/2009630159/
Genthe, Arnold, photographer. “Itsukushima Shinto Shrine, Japan.” Photograph. 1908. From Library of Congress, Genthe Collection.
http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/agc1996016067/pp/
Middle Ages in Western Europe, 400 A.D./C.E.-1500s
“Map of the Far East and adjacent Pacific.” Map. 129—. From Library of Congress, Geography and Map Division. http://
www.loc.gov/item/2005633013/
“Denier.” Coin. Mainz, Germany: 812-814 CE. From World Digital Library, National Library of France. http://www.wdl.org/en/
item/595/
Turner, S. E., trans. Einhard’s Life of Charlemagne. Transcription. New York: Harper and Brothers, 1880. From Fordham Universi-
ty, Internet Medieval Source Book. http://www.fordham.edu/Halsall/source/einhard1.asp
Brant, Sebastian. “Medieval book collector sitting at desk, reading.” Woodcut, 1494. From Library of Congress, Miscellaneous Items
in High Demand. http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/2006681059/
American Colony (Jerusalem) Photograph Department, photographer. “Mount Hermon and vicinity. Hasbeya. The Shihab Castle.
Late medieval incorporating Crusader remains.” Photograph. 1920-1933. From Library of Congress, G. Eric and Edith Matson Photo-
graph Collection. http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/mpc2010000905/pp/
“Quai vert, Bruges, Belgium.” Photochom print. c 1890-c 1900. From Library of Congress, Photochrom Prints. http://
www.loc.gov/pictures/item/2001697902/
“Einsiedeln, schoolhouse and monastery, Lake Lucerne, Switzerland.” Photochom print. c 1890-c 1900. From Library of Congress,
Photochrom Prints. http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/2001703079/
The Renaissance and Reformation
Biblia latina. Book. Mainz, Germany: Johann Gutenberg, 1455. From Library of Congress, Otto Vollbehr Collection. http://
www.loc.gov/exhibits/bibles/the-gutenberg-bible.html
Eichens, Fredrich Eduard. “Das Zeitalter der Reformation.” Engraving. 18—. From Library of Congress, Popular Graphic Arts.
http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/96505420/
Leonardo, da Vinci. “Reproduction of page from notebook of Leonardo da Vinci showing giant crossbow.” Photochemical print.
Milano: U. Hoepli, 1894-1904. From Library of Congress, Miscellaneous Items in High Demand. http://www.loc.gov/pictures/
item/2006681087/
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Buonarroti, Michelangelo. “The muscles of the left leg, seen from the front, and the bones and muscles of the right leg seen in right profile, and between them, a patella. Drawing by Michelangelo Buonarroti, ca. 1515-1520.” Illustration. c 1515-1520. From World Digital Library, Wellcome Library. http://www.wdl.org/en/item/3249/
Luther, Martin. Ninety-Five Theses. Manuscript. Nuremberg: Hieronymus Höltzel, 1517 CE. From World Digital Library, Berlin State Library-Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation. http://www.wdl.org/en/item/7497/
Luther, Martin. Ninety-Five Theses. Transcription. December 31, 1992. From Fordham University, Genie Religion & Ethics RT. http://www.fordham.edu/Halsall/source/luther95.txt
The Enlightenment and Scientific Revolution
Godson, W. A new and correct map of the world : laid down according to the newest observations & discoveries in several different projections in-cluding the trade winds, monsoons, variation of the compass, and illustrated with a coelestial planisphere, the various systems of Ptolomy, Copernicus, and Tycho Brahe together with ye apearances of the planets &c. /. Map. London: George Willdey, 1702. From Library of Congress, Geog-raphy and Map Division. http://www.loc.gov/item/2006629779/
Newton, Issac. “Reproduction of rough sketch by Isaac Newton showing a reflecting telescope and its components.” Photochemical print. London: Royal Society at the University Press, 1959-1977. From Library of Congress, Miscellaneous Items in High Demand. http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/2006690472/
“Compound microscope as rendered by artist in Descartes ‘La Dioptrique.’” Woodcut. Leyde: De limprimerie de I. Maire, 1637. From Library of Congress, Miscellaneous Items in High Demand. http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/2006690473/
Montesquieu. Montesquieu to George Washington, April 25, 1785. Letter. From Library of Congress, George Washington Papers, 1741-1799. http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/ampage?collId=mgw4&fileName=gwpage095.db&recNum=251
Montesquieu. To George Washington from Charles-Louis de Montesquieu, 25 April 1785. Letter. From Nation Archives and Records Ad-ministration, National Historical Publications and Records Commission: Founders Online. http://founders.archives.gov/?q=montesquieu%20washington%20april%2025%201785&s=1111311111&sa=&r=3&sr=
The Age of Exploration
Huexotzinco Codex, 1531. Manuscript. 1531. From Library of Congress, Manuscript Division. http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/treasures/trt045.html
The Huexotzinco Codex: Lesson Overview. Special Presentation. From Library of Congress, Teachers. http://www.loc.gov/teachers/classroommaterials/lessons/codex/index.html
“Tortuguero Box, Tabasco, Mexico. Maya, Classic Period, A.D. 681.” Wood (sapodilla?) and red hematite. 681 AD. From Library of Congress, Jay I. Kislak Collection. http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/kislak/kislak-exhibit.html#obj12
Chambers, Irene et al. The Cultures and History of the Americas: The Jay I. Kislak Collection at the Library of Congress: Interactive Objects: Tor-tuguero Box. Special Presentation. From the Library of Congress, Jay I Kislak Collection. http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/kislak/tortuguerobox/index.html
Columbus, Christopher. Concerning Discovered Islands: Letter of Christopher Columbus, to Whom Our Age is Greatly Indebted, Concerning Is-lands Recently Discovered in the Indian Ocean. Letter. Basel, Switzerland: Jakob Wolff, 1493. From World Digital Library, John Carter Brown Library. http://www.wdl.org/en/item/2828/
Columbus, Christopher. A Letter of Christopher Columbus. Letter. Rome: Stephan Plannck, 1493. From World Digital Library, Library of Congress. http://www.wdl.org/en/item/90/
Columbus, Christopher. Medieval Sourcebook: Christopher Columbus: Extracts from Journal. Transcription. 1492. From Fordham Universi-ty, Internet Medieval Source Book. http://www.fordham.edu/Halsall/source/columbus1.asp
Evangelium Sanctum Domini Nostri Jesu Christi. Woodcut illustrations and manuscript. Rome: Typographia Medicea, 1590. From Li-brary of Congress, Exhibitions: Rome Reborn: The Vatican Library & Renaissance Culture. http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/vatican/orient.html#obj13
Ellis, Kathryn D. et al. 1492: An Ongoing Voyage: The Mediterranean World. Special Presentation. October 2000. From Library of Con-gress, Exhibitions: 1492: An Ongoing Voyage. http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/1492/mediterr.html
Waldseemüller, Martin. Universalis cosmographia secundum Ptholomaei traditionem et Americi Vespucii alioru[m]que lustrationes. Map. St. Die, France, 1507. From Library of Congress, Geography and Map Division. http://www.loc.gov/item/2003626426/
Waldseemüller’s Map: World 1507. Special Presentation. From Library of Congress, Teachers. http://www.loc.gov/teachers/classroommaterials/lessons/waldseemuller/preparation.html