11. Modern World – 1500 AD Onwards

•    The Renaissance was a cultural movement that spanned the period roughly from the 14th to the 17th century, beginning in Italy in the Late Middle Ages and later spreading to the rest of Europe.
•    There is a consensus that the Renaissance began in Florence, Italy, in the 14th century.
•    The Renaissance saw revolutions in many intellectual pursuits, as well as social and political upheaval, it is perhaps best known for its artistic developments and the contributions of such polymaths as Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo, who inspired the term "Renaissance man".
•    The word Renaissance has also been extended to other historical and cultural movements, such as the Carolingian Renaissance and the Renaissance of the 12th century.

10. Medieval Japan

• Japan consists of four islands – Hokkaido, Honshu, Kyushu and Shikoku.
• The entire country was a single state till around 7th century AD.
• In the 8th century Edo, i.e. Kyoto became the capital and was seat of emperors of Japan for more than 1000 years. The real power was in the hands of aristocratic family.
• Shogun was one of the (usually) hereditary military dictators of Japan from 1192 to 1867. In this period, the shoguns, or their shikken regents (1203–1333), were the de facto rulers of Japan though they were nominally appointed by the emperor.

9. Medieval China

•    To prevent drain on the country’s wealth Sung ruler started the use of paper money.
•    The invention of gun powder happened in China in the 10th Century about 400 years before the knowledge reached the western world.
•    The Chinese made the iron chain suspension bridges as early as the 10 century.
•    The Chinese invented printing techniques in the 10th Century. The was as important as invention of paper.