1. Source Themes-
Midterm
Matt Simpson

2. Peoples and Empires
Theme: The migration of peoples and empires has both
hindered and promoted the knowledge and successes of
those who followed them.
• From Europe to the Americas, the migration of empires has both
destroyed societies and brought into being societies that did not
exist before. The citizens of places like Greece and Rome are
not what they were under Alexander. These people and
societies have changed because of the successes and failures
of their former empires.
• Empires have limited the freedoms of some people, but have
also presented others with incredible opportunities. The
development and spread of human knowledge is directly
associated with the migration of empires.

3. The Journey of Man
Theme: The inevitable similarities of the human
race, despite our numerous differences.
• While wars between races, empires and
nations have been waged for thousands of
years, the cause of these wars have varied
tremendously. Because of the modern world’s
abilities in the field of science, these
differences have been discounted, as a
common ancestry between all men has been
discovered.

4. Catastrophe
Theme: The influence of disease upon
history
• Because of a single catastrophic event in the year
535 AD, a domino effect of changes resulted in the
outbreak of the Bubonic Plague. The event which
caused this outbreak significantly altered human
history. It is believed that this catastrophe directly led
to the Bubonic Plague outbreak. The Plague, in turn,
caused incredible changes in the course of human
history.

5. The Columbian Exchange
Theme: The effects of the Columbian
exchange on human history.
• Christopher Columbus, in his journey to the
Americas, brought with him a variety of goods
from other continents. Items like the potato
and the horse would eventually have a
profound effect on the future of the American
world. Items such as these that had never
been seen before truly shaped the modern
world.

6. The Day the Universe
Changed
Theme: The effects of human curiosity and ability to
control change on the modern world.
• Since the time of the Greeks, human curiosity
is what has led to our inate ability to progress.
Our desire to understand the undiscovered
has led to the evolution of the world over
hundreds of years. Today, our ability to
promote positive change within our means is
a skill that we have nearly perfected.

7. The Day the Universe
Changed
Theme: The effects of human curiosity and ability to
control change on the modern world.
• Since the time of the Greeks, human curiosity
is what has led to our inate ability to progress.
Our desire to understand the undiscovered
has led to the evolution of the world over
hundreds of years. Today, our ability to
promote positive change within our means is
a skill that we have nearly perfected.