Blach Library:  "Search Starter" Links for our
Seventh Grade Social Studies Classes

World History


Africa:

African Regions
Click on the region of Africa, and it will take you to a page with groups of links to information resources for the countries in that region. This is a very well organized way to study Africa. Please note that there are several sets of links within each of the regional pages.
African Countries' Information
Click on the name of the country, and it will take you to links to information resources for that country.
Africa: Washington Post
Search the Washington Post for articles and other information about the countries of the world. Also has links to other information for the countries.
Travel Guides From Lonely Planet Publishing
Traveling a country is a good way to get to know the people and culture. Lonely Planet offers travel guides for the countries of the world. Check out the guide for your country.
U.S. State Department Country Background
Background information about the countries of the world. First select a geographic region, then a country, and background information on that country will be displayed.
African Topics
Click on the name of the topic of interest for your country, and it will take you to links to information resources, such as: Arts & Architecture, Business & Trade, Food & Agriculture, Music & Films, Religious Studies, Women Issues.
African Empires
From the BBC, this site has lots of information about the kingdoms of Ghana, Kanem, Mali, Songhay, the Hausa States, Asante, Benin, and Ife, plus many useful links to additional sites.
The collapse of Medieval East African Empires
Short description of two important African empires, the Songhai and Mali, and their rise and fall from power.
 


Asia:

Asian Studies
This Web Page keeps links to leading information in Asian Studies.  The top their page has a lot of graphics, so you will have to scroll down the page a bit to find links to Asian Studies information.
China
       A fine site offered by Minnesota State University.
Chinese Calligraphy
            This site provides various Chinese writing tools.
History of China: Table of Contents
Online history of China, organized by historic period.
Japan Guide
A Stanford University Page with information resources about Japan.
Encyclopedia of the Orient
This reference site covers the Middle East extensively. Organized alphabetically, and is searchable by key word as well.
India Connect
A place to start looking for information about the people and culture of India. Has recent information, and links to many interesting sites. Includes a search engine for India.
Information About Countries of the India Region
India and surrounding countries are the focus on this page organized by the U.S. Agency for International Development. Includes country profiles, finance and investment, trade, health and other current information.
Tips for Travelers to South Asia
"The information in this pamphlet has been gathered for you by consular officers-- both here and in South Asia-- to assist you with your trip. We hope this brochure will be of help to you in making your trip both safe and enjoyable."
Islam:
Historical Maps of the Middle East
The Perry-Castañeda Library Map Collection provides images of Middle East maps going back more than 100 years.
Outine Map: Africa, The Middle East, and Mediterranean
Use this outline map to demonstrate relationships between countries and regions of this part of the world.
Islamic Studies
This site from Rutgers University includes all facets of the Islamic world -- from architecture to people to library of resources.
Encyclopedia of the Caliphs
This is a nicely arranged site which alphabetically lists leaders of the Islamic world.
Islamic Art
Highlights of Islamic art taken from the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Islamic History Maps
A collection of historical maps dealing with the Islamic world from the University of Pennsylvania.
Chronology of Islam
Timeline of Early Islam.
Mayan, Aztecs, Incas:
Mexico Online Links to the Ancient World
An introduction to the extraordinary archaeological wonders left behind by the ancient Mayan civilizations of Belize, Honduras, Guatemala, El Salvador and southern Mexico. You can also access this information from our guide to each of the countries listed above.
Mystery of the Maya
The information at this link is in support of the new IMAX film, Mystery of the Maya, co-produced by the Canadian Museum of Civilization, presents here information on Maya civilization and several exhibits inside and outside the Museum.


Middle Ages in Europe:

The Lobyrinth
A center for internet Medieval resources.  Sponsored by Georgetown University.
Castles On the Web
A large collection of links to information about castles, including images of many castles!
Castles of the World
Collection of links to imnages of castles, including brief descriptions.
British Castles, Stately Homes and Houses
Photos of castles collected by a world traveler. Includes brief comments by the photographer.
Castles of Britain
A website "dedicated to the promotion and study of British Castles." Has various sections with images, research, newsletters, etc.


Rome and Greece and the Byzantine Empire:

The Roman Empire
From PBS learn about life in Roman times.
History of the Roman Empire
This includes information about the empire's founding, kings, army, daily life, and more.
Roman Architecture and Art
Lots of pictures and information about Roman construction and design of buildings, arches, and more.  It includes pictures of Roman emperors.
Roman fun facts
From the BBC, facts about the Romans:  Leisure, families, technology, religion, the Empire, roads, and more plus links to other sites.
The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World
For their builders, the Seven Wonders were a celebration of religion, mythology, art, power, and science. For us, they reflect the ability of humans to change the surrounding landscape by building massive yet beautiful structures, one of which stood the test of time to this very day.
Artcyclopedia
This is a site from Sweet Briar College that has many pictures and art of through the ages.  This is a good source for Byzantine and Middle Ages.
Byzantine Empire
From Boise State this sites includes links to various elements of the Byzantine Empire.
Byzantium Studies
This site includes various Byzantine studies plus music from the period.
Byzantine timeline
Here is an all inclusive timeline of Byzantium through the ages.
Chronology of the Byzantine Empire
This site is jam packed with dates and links to events and people of the Byzantine time period.
Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy
Look up words, terms and concepts from world philosophical ideas. From Ancient Greece to the modern periods.
General Sources:
 
The History of Costume
It includes examples of Ancient Greece, Ancient Rome, the Byzantine Empire, the Middle Ages, the Renaissance through the sixteenth century.
Social Science History Resources
This site lists resources by grade level.  For the Seventh Grade it includes World History and geography:  Medieval and Early Modern Times.
Electric Renaissance: Pictures
Pictures of the great artists of the European Renaissance are available here.This site contains illustrations of clothing and costumes throughout history.
Renaissance Architecture Images
Listed by subject, title and description, this includes Italy and Roman images.
Treasures of Saxon State Library: Medieval and Renaissance Manuscripts
From a Library of Congress exhibit: The rich and diverse collection of illuminated manuscripts owned by the Saxon State Library. These are beautifully illustrated pages from ancient books, created during the Renaissance, or just prior to it.
Women in History
These are links to distinguished woman of past and present with an alphabetical search engine, and links to related women studies sites.