Ch 4: McDougal Littell World History Chapter 4: First Age of Empires, 1570 B.C.-200 B.C.
About This Chapter
How It Works:
- Identify the lessons in the McDougal Littell First Age of Empires, 1570 B.C.-200 B.C. chapter with which you need help.
- Find the corresponding video lessons with this companion course chapter.
- Watch fun videos that cover the first age of empires, 1570 B.C.-200 B.C. topics you need to learn or review.
- Complete the quizzes to test your understanding.
- If you need additional help, rewatch the videos until you've mastered the material or submit a question for one of our instructors.
Students Will Learn:
- What made Egypt the leading Bronze Age society
- How the Kushites conquered Egypt
- The achievements of Meroe
- Great Iron Age empires
- Rise and fall of the Assyrian Empire
- Government structure in ancient Persia
- Beliefs of Zoroastrianism
- Confucianism's teachings on family and society
- Achievements of China's Qin Dynasty, including the Great Wall
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1. Ancient Egypt in the Bronze Age
This lecture first compares the natural features of the Nile valley to those of Mesopotamia, enumerating the advantages that geography offered the Egyptians. This is followed by a brief discussion of why Egyptian material culture survives while so much of Mesopotamian culture has been lost. The lecture ends with a a whirlwind tour through 3,000 years of Egyptian history broken up into traditional historical periods.

2. The Kushite Conquest of Egypt
The Kush were able to not only maintain their independence from Egypt, but also conquer their northern neighbor for a period of several decades. However, the Egyptians seem to have barely noticed.

3. The Age of Meroe & its Achievements
Often swept to the sidelines of Egyptian history, Meroƫ has a history rich in trade, innovative government, and metalworking. Just as importantly, it took centuries for anyone to conquer Meroƫ.

4. Iron Age Empires: Neo-Babylonian, Neo-Assyrian and Persian Empires
This lesson is a survey of the three empires that emerged after the Bronze Age collapse. Parts of the survey are viewed from the perspective of the Israelites, who found themselves the playthings of powerful empires. The lecture focuses on a few specific rulers and their impact on their empires. It also traces patterns of imperial tactics throughout this period and region.

5. Assyrian Empire: Military Strength, Feats & Decline
The Assyrians rightfully earned their reputation as ferocious in battle, but their success was possible only because of their developments in warfare. Also, the Assyrians helped to create cultural change in Mesopotamia that is still felt today.

6. Features of the Ancient Persian Government
The Persians ruled one of the largest empires in ancient history, and did so in a way that largely kept its inhabitants content. This was accomplished through a surprising array of administrative techniques.

7. Zoroastrianism: Definition, Beliefs & History
Major religions, like Christianity and Islam, have been popular since ancient times, but what religion was popular before these belief systems developed? This lesson explores the beliefs of Zoroastrians, one of the earliest forms of organized religion.

8. Confucius' Ideas on Family & Society
In this lesson, you will explore the foundational principles of the Chinese philosophy Confucianism and discover how family relationships influenced emperors. Then, test your understanding with a brief quiz.

9. The Qin Dynasty in China: The Great Wall & Legalism
In this lesson, we will explore the short-lived but powerful Qin Dynasty of China. We will examine the dynasty's founding, life under Qin rule, the Qin legacy, and the downfall of the Qin.
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Other Chapters
Other chapters within the McDougal Littell World History: Online Textbook Help course
- McDougal Littell World History Chapter 1: The Peopling of the World, Prehistory-2500 B.C.
- McDougal Littell World History Chapter 2: Early River Valley Civilizations, 3500 B.C.-450 B.C.
- McDougal Littell World History Chapter 3: People and Ideas on the Move, 2000 B.C.-250 B.C.
- McDougal Littell World History Chapter 5: Classical Greece, 2000 B.C.-300 B.C.
- McDougal Littell World History Chapter 6: Ancient Rome and Early Christianity, 500 B.C.-A.D. 501
- McDougal Littell World History Chapter 7: India and China Establish Empires, 400 B.C.-A.D. 551
- McDougal Littell World History Chapter 8: African Civilizations, 1500 B.C.-A.D. 701
- McDougal Littell World History Chapter 9: The Americas: A Separate World, 40,000 B.C.-A.D. 701
- McDougal Littell World History Chapter 10: The Muslim World, 600-1251
- McDougal Littell World History Chapter 11: Byzantines, Russians, and Turks Interact, 500-1501
- McDougal Littell World History Chapter 12: Empires in East Asia, 600-1351
- McDougal Littell World History Chapter 13: European Middle Ages
- McDougal Littell World History Chapter 14: The Formation of Western Europe
- McDougal Littell World History Chapter 15: Societies and Empires of Africa
- McDougal Littell World History Chapter 16: People and Empires in the Americas
- McDougal Littell World History Chapter 17: European Renaissance and Reformation
- McDougal Littell World History Chapter 18: The Muslim World Expands
- McDougal Littell World History Chapter 19: An Age of Explorations and Isolations
- McDougal Littell World History Chapter 20: The Atlantic World
- McDougal Littell World History Chapter 21: Absolute Monarchs in Europe
- McDougal Littell World History Chapter 22: Enlightenment and Revolutions
- McDougal Littell World History Chapter 23: The French Revolution and Napoleon
- McDougal Littell World History Chapter 24: Nationalists Revolutions Sweep the West
- McDougal Littell World History Chapter 25: The Industrial Revolution
- McDougal Littell World History Chapter 26: An Age of Democracy and Progress
- McDougal Littell World History Chapter 27: The Age of Imperialism
- McDougal Littell World History Chapter 28: Transformations Around the Globe
- McDougal Littell World History Chapter 29: The Great War
- McDougal Littell World History Chapter 30: Asian Revolutions and Nationalism
- McDougal Littell World History Chapter 31: Years of World Crisis
- McDougal Littell World History Chapter 32: World War Two
- McDougal Littell World History Chapter 33: Restructuring the Postwar World
- McDougal Littell World History Chapter 34: The Colonies Become New Nations
- McDougal Littell World History Chapter 35: Struggles for Democracy
- McDougal Littell World History Chapter 36: Global Independence