WHAP SPICE Annotated Timeline (January 1 will be used to denote an unknown month and day)

By JohnRoyWHAP
  • Period: 500 to Jan 1, 1500

    Thesis

    Througout the post classical era, the main goal of government has been to maintain order by creating political stability and bringing in prosperity. However, overtime, political leaders put more focus on expanding their empires rather than maintaining their own existing empires. This led to the demise of many empires in the post-classical era
  • Jan 1, 605

    The Grand Canal is built

    The Grand Canal is built
    A product of forced labor and high taxes implemented by the ruler of the Sui dynasty, Emperor Wen, the Grand Canal is finished. The canal was and continues to enable trade between Northern and Southern China. The trade system enabled by this canal fed China with wealth throughout the post classical era and united Northern and Southern China politically. Additionally the high taxes required to enable such a large scale building project.
  • Jan 1, 610

    Islam is founded by The Prophet Muhammad

    Islam is founded by The Prophet Muhammad
    In 610, Muhammad ibn 'Abd Allāh from Mecca declares that he has been visited by Gabriel and given a revelation from god. This date marks the year that Muhammad founds the religion that will inspire an empire that will dominate the Middle East and spread its religion far beyond its’ borders.
  • Jan 1, 661

    The Umayyad dynasty begins

    The Umayyad dynasty begins
    After the death of The Prophet Muhammad, his political and religious successors called Caliphs came into power. The first of the two Caliphates was the Umayyad Caliphate or dynasty. The Syrian army was the basis or Umayyad strength. This army enabled the Islamic empire to create a united empire. Ultimately, Umayyad dynasty reunified the Islamic empire.
  • Jan 1, 750

    The Abbasid Dynasty begins

    The Abbasid Dynasty begins
    In 750 CE, the Abbasid Caliphate overthrew the Abbasid Caliphate. The family of the uncle of the Prophet Muhammad launched a skillful propaganda campaign that led to revolts that overthrew the last Umayyad caliph. The Abbasid Dynasty brought many new territories into the Islamic Empire. This Dynasty also underwent many building programs and standardized coinage. These things led to the strengthening of the Islamic empire.
  • Jan 1, 750

    The Carolingian Dynasty begins

    The Carolingian Dynasty begins
    In 750 Carloman, one of Charles Martel's' sons, deposed the last of the Merovingians and had himself elected king by a group of Frankish nobles. This dynasty brought stability and saw the reign of many great rulers. Perhaps the most notable of these rulers was Charlemagne, who imposed unity on western Europe. Overall, the Carolingian Dynasty brought stability to much of Europe.
  • Jan 1, 1336

    The Vijayanagar state becomes dominant

    The Vijayanagar state becomes dominant
    In 1336, the sons of Sangama founded the city and the empire of Vijayanagar. Over time, the size Chola state was reduced by revolts and the Vijayanagar state quickly dwarfed the Chola state. This left the Vijayanagar state as the largest state in southern India. After the death of the Chola state, the Vijayanagar state helped to continue the period of political stability in southern India.

  • The decentralized states after the Carolingian empire

    The decentralized states after the Carolingian empire
    After the very successful Carolingian came to an end, there was a power vacuum that was filled by local decentralized states built by nobles. These states functioned in accordance to the system of lords and retainers. Though this system brought some stability to post Carolingian Europe, it was much more unstable than a centralized empire

  • The Yang Jian Establishes the Sui Dynasy and reunites China

    The Yang Jian Establishes the Sui Dynasy and reunites China
    After being appointed the duke of Sui by a Turkish ruler, Yang Jians' patron died, leaving a 7 year old boy as the rightful heir to the throne. Yang Jian claimed the mandate of heaven and declared himself the emperor of the Sui Dynasty. After appointing himself as the Emperor of Sui, he dispatched troops throughout China and proceeded to unify the majority of China under his rule. After a period of political chaos, the Sui Dynasty allowed China to return to relative political stability.

  • The Chola dynasty becomes a dominant dynasty

    The Chola dynasty becomes a dominant dynasty
    Before 850 the Chola dynasty was a relatively large one of the many small regional kingdoms that littered southern India. However, in 850, under the rule of Vijayalaya, the Chola kingdom began the occupation of the territory of the Pallavas. This event is the catalyst of the exponential growth that the Chola kingdom experiences after this date. The Chola kingdom grows to encompass much of southern India. The Chola kingdom brought great wealth into their kingdom by taxing trade ships.

  • The Sui Dynasty ends / the Tang dynasty begins

    The Sui Dynasty ends / the Tang dynasty begins
    In 618, a rebel leader seized Chang'an and overthrew the Sui dynasty, founding the Tang Dynasty. The song dynasty was very successful in bringing wealth to China. The success of the Tang dynasty is mostly due to the second emperor, Tang Taizong. Tang Taizong was ambitious and ruthless. During his rule, taxes and rice prices were low, leading to happy citizens. He improved upon the Silk Roads system, building inns and stables along the roads, this greatly improved the efficiency of trade.