| Time Period | Era | Major Development | Major Problem |
| Pre-3000 BCE | Prehistoric Era | – Paleolithic Era (2.5 million BCE – 10,000 BCE): Early humans as hunter-gatherers. | – Lack of advanced technology. |
| | | – Neolithic Era (10,000 BCE – 3,000 BCE): Development of agriculture and settled communities. | – Challenges in establishing agriculture. |
| 3000 BCE – 500 CE | Ancient Civilizations | – Sumerians and Mesopotamia (c. 3500 BCE): The first known civilization. | – Vulnerability to natural disasters. |
| | | – Ancient Egypt (c. 3100 BCE): Development of the Egyptian civilization along the Nile. | – Nile flooding and droughts. |
| | | – Indus Valley Civilization (c. 3300 BCE): Flourishing civilization in the Indian subcontinent. | – Decline of the Indus Valley Civilization. |
| | | – Ancient China (c. 1600 BCE): Shang Dynasty and the emergence of Chinese civilization. | – Periodic conflicts and dynastic changes. |
| | | – Ancient Greece (c. 8th century BCE): Birthplace of democracy and philosophy. | – Wars and political rivalries. |
| | | – Roman Empire (c. 753 BCE – 476 CE): A dominant force in Europe and the Mediterranean. | – Political instability and external threats. |
| | | – Maurya and Gupta Empires (c. 322 BCE – 550 CE): Flourishing empires in ancient India. | – Decline of the Gupta Empire. |
| 500 CE – 1500 CE | Medieval Period | – Byzantine Empire (330 CE – 1453 CE): The Eastern Roman Empire. | – External threats and internal strife. |
| | | – Islamic Caliphates (7th – 13th centuries): Spread of Islam and cultural achievements. | – Internal conflicts and external invasions. |
| | | – Viking Age (8th – 11th centuries): Scandinavian exploration and raids. | – Conflicts with other kingdoms. |
| | | – Feudalism in Europe (9th – 15th centuries): A social and economic system. | – Serfdom and lack of centralized authority. |
| | | – Mongol Empire (13th – 14th centuries): One of the largest empires in history. | – Decentralization after Genghis Khan’s death. |
| 14th – 18th centuries | Renaissance and Early Modern | – Renaissance (14th – 17th centuries): Cultural rebirth in Europe. | – Socio-political and religious conflicts. |
| | | – Age of Exploration (15th – 17th centuries): European exploration of the world. | – Competition and conflicts over territories. |
| | | – Reformation (16th century): Religious reform movements in Europe. | – Religious tensions and conflicts. |
| | | – Enlightenment (17th – 18th centuries): Intellectual and philosophical movement. | – Resistance to new ideas. |
| 18th century – present | Modern Era | – American Revolution (1775-1783): Independence from British rule. | – Building a stable government. |
| | | – French Revolution (1789-1799): A major political and social upheaval. | – Reign of Terror and external conflicts. |
| | | – Industrial Revolution (late 18th – 19th centuries): Transformations in industry and technology. | – Labor exploitation and social inequalities. |
| | | – World Wars (20th century): World War I (1914-1918) and World War II (1939-1945). | – Widespread destruction and loss of life. |
| | | – Cold War (1947-1991): Political and ideological rivalry between the US and the Soviet Union. | – Nuclear arms race and proxy conflicts. |
| | | – Decolonization (mid-20th century): Many countries gained independence from colonial rule. | – Political instability in newly independent states. |
| | | – Globalization (late 20th century – present): Increasing interconnectedness of the world. | – Cultural and economic challenges. |
| | | – Information Age (late 20th century – present): Rapid technological advancements. | – Privacy and cybersecurity concerns. |
| Late 20th century – present | Contemporary Era | – Post-Cold War era (1991-present): Shifting geopolitical dynamics. | – Complex international conflicts. |
| | | – 21st-century challenges: Climate change, terrorism, and global health crises. | – Environmental threats and security issues. |