The Clash of Civilisations

Clash of CivilisationsThe world in the Dark Ages featured a number of civilisations with different core values and ways of doing things.

Five major ones you should be aware of are:• Christian Kingdoms of Europe• Byzantine Empire• Islamic Civilisation• Chinese Civilisation• Mesoamerican Civilisation

In this course we focus on 3 civilisations at the borders of these major players so it is important to know something about them.

Activity: Clash of Civilisations Grid & Map• Research using devices, textbooks and books provided the 5 major

civilisations of the Medieval Period.• Complete the table of vital facts for each of the 5 civilisations.• Mark on map of the world where the rough borders of each civilisation

were (although they did move considerably).• Hypothesise (guess) where the civilisations would have come into

conflict with each other. Mark these points with crossed swords on your map.• Identify the pluses (good things about living there), minuses (bad things

about living there), and interesting things for each civilisation.

Clash of Civilisations in the Medieval World

Civilisation

Major Religion(s

)

Principal Language(

s)

Principle city

(cities)

Title of Leader

Plus Minus Interesting

Commonwealth of Australia

Christianity    

 

English

Canberra (capital)SydneyMelbournePerthBrisbaneAdelaide

Prime Minister 

+ Go diving on the barrier reef.+ Medicare helps pay for hospital when citizens get sick.

- Long way away from most places. - Some problems with racism.

• Unique animals like the emu & kangaroo. 

• Flag of Australia includes the UK’s flag.

Example of Grid for Australia…

ExtenstionYou may have heard of the ’Clash of Civilisations’ before. It is the name of a famous geo-political theory by Samuel P. Huntington. Investigate the following questions, writing your answers in your workbook.• What can you find out about this idea?• Why has it been so controversial?• What do you think, are people's cultural and religious identities the

primary explanation of wars and conflict? Or are there other more important factors?• If Huntington is right, does that help explain events like the war in Ukraine

or 9/11? Where would Huntington expect the next war to break out?