Opening

World History, Volume 1: to 1500 is a comprehensive videobook prepared by The READY Academy and sourced from material written by Senior Contributing Authors, Ann Kordas, Ryan J. Lynch, Brooke Nelson, and Julie Tatlock. This educational resource, initially published and continually updated by openstax.org, provides an expansive view of world history up to 1500. The content is designed to encourage critical thinking, offer engagement via rich narrative, and present diverse, first-hand historical perspectives.

Introduction

The study of history in higher education plays a critical role in understanding past human behaviors and developing a clearer perception of the present. This clear understanding can improve our interpretations of patterns in human behavior, invariably creating new possibilities and opportunities for success in life. This videobook will serve to enrich your learning experience by guiding you in analyzing historical events, understanding their impact, and applying accumulated knowledge to current and real-world situations.