10: Events That Changed the World

For thousands of years, humans and their actions have shaped our history. But some events are so profound, they not only change the course of history, they also manage to leave a legacy so powerful, it can be called world-changing. This book looks at 10 of these events - from the discovery of the Americas by Christopher Columbus which brought about a radical change to the face of those continents, to the attacks of 9/11, which ushered in a new era of warfare and terrorism. Each of the 10 world-changing events is examined in detail - what were the circumstances; who was involved and why; what kind of a legacy has it left; and how is it still relevant to us today? Spanning a significant portion of human history, from the age of discovery in the 15th century, to both World Wars, the birth of modern science and the end of Apartheid, this book not only examines the events themselves, but also places them in the context of other historical events and developments. Perfect for course work and cross-curricular activities spanning history, politics and science; the book includes 10 further momentous events, as well as a timeline that places them in the context of world history.