1) The document discusses several topics related to big history including how discoveries change our understanding of the past, the migration patterns of early humans out of Africa, a catastrophic climate event in 535 AD, and factors that gave some civilizations advantages over others like technology and disease resistance. 2) It also summarizes sections on Spencer Wells' work tracing human migration through genetics, the technological and policy factors that shifted power to Europe, and key aspects of the Age of Discovery like the establishment of trade routes and colonies. 3) The main themes are how scientific discoveries can alter historical understanding, the African origins of humans, and the global impacts of factors like technology, disease, and exploration.

1. Theme 1: Big History Ed Willcox HIST 140

2. The Day the Universe Changed How we react to the universe is all based on what we know. How we view history makes us who we are. What we discover today can change the way that we look at the past. Some people do not want change, learning about the past will help us change the future.

3. The Day the Universe Changed We know what we know because we asked questions, formulated the answers, and began to accept them. Ancient Greeks were great thinkers, we get most of our curiosity from them. Once we have what we believe to be “truth”, we strive to protect it and we resist any change.

4. Journey of Man Spencer Wells’ “Journey of Man: A Genetic Odyssey” genetic data helps trace early modern humans. Luca was the first man to use blood to see common traits present in genes of different people, “time machine hidden in our genes”. Africa was the birthplace of human life.

5. Journey of Man Humans can possibly be traced to a man who lived in Africa over 60,000 years ago. Homo Erectus evolved in Africa, then migrated through several ways to other parts of the world. Migration stemmed from differences in ideas and communication between early humans, which led to a world increase in population.

6. Catastrophe! 535 A.D. a catastrophe changed the climate of the entire world. Rain from the sky poured down red, dust was everywhere, even blotted out the sun. People feared the worst, most thought it would be the end of the Earth. Plague, famine, and drought.

7. Catastrophe! David Keyes used tree rings, ice caps, and written records from different cultures during the time period to find when it happened. Volcanic activity, Asteroid, or Comet were some of the possible explanations for the catastrophe. Keyes’ theory was an enormous volcanic eruption in indonesia.

8. Guns, Germs, & Steel Asia and Europe basically controlled most of the world because of differences in population, resources, and terrain as opposed to Africa and the Americas. Power shifted to Europe as the Eastern policies got in the way of some technological adaptations. European nations were sending out explorers to conquer lands in the name of their land.

9. Guns, Germs, & Steel China invented paper and gunpowder Africa originated the plague Writing was very important in Spain Diseases such as smallpox, measles, and other new sicknesses wiped out entire populations who were not used to these germs.

10. Age of Discovery Nations in Europe sent explorers to all over the world in search of better trading routes and riches. Bridge between the Middle Ages and the Modern era. Spices were very rare and considered valuable trade items.

11. Age of Discovery Trade routes were established as well as colonies and settlements Discovery of new lands and cultures This golden era of discovery allowed cartographers to create more accurate and more detailed maps.