Can I add dates to the nodes?

Yes, write them in the text, such as "1789 French Revolution". Putting the year first keeps nodes in a branch aligned.

Would a timeline diagram be better?

If order is all you need, use a timeline; the library has templates for it. A mind map is better when you want to expand each event into causes and effects.

The wording differs from my textbook.

Follow your textbook and instructor. The map gives a structure; check each item against your course materials before you rely on it.

Diagramate

Start drawing

Mind map

World history survey mind map template

A world history survey mind map with five eras: early civilizations, the classical world, the medieval period, the early modern era and the modern world, each listing key developments. Adapt it to your course, then export PNG, SVG, Word or PowerPoint free.

Previewed in the “Cinnabar” theme; you can switch themes in the editor

When to use it

Survey courses move fast, and a one-page map of the eras helps you place each unit. Use it for final review, AP exam preparation, or as a unit overview handout.

Make it yours

Under each development, add three nodes: causes, what happened, and effects.
Follow the periodization your textbook uses; rename or regroup eras as needed.
To review one era only, copy that branch into its own diagram.

Mermaid code

modern-history-mindmap.mmd

mindmap
  root((World history survey))
    Early civilizations
      Mesopotamia
      Egypt
      Indus Valley
      Early China
    Classical world
      Greek city-states
      Roman Republic and Empire
      Han dynasty
      Maurya and Gupta India
    Medieval period
      Rise of Islam
      Feudal Europe
      Mongol Empire
      Trade across the Indian Ocean
    Early modern era
      Renaissance and Reformation
      Voyages of exploration
      Scientific Revolution
      Atlantic revolutions
    Modern world
      Industrial Revolution
      Imperialism
      World wars
      Cold War and decolonization
      Globalization

Ask an AI for one with this structure

Send the prompt below to ChatGPT or Claude, then paste the whole reply into the editor; the code inside is detected automatically.

prompt.txt

Draw a world history survey mind map with Mermaid mindmap syntax. The root is World history survey, and the main branches are Early civilizations, Classical world, Medieval period, Early modern era, and Modern world, each listing four or five key developments in chronological order. Put every node on its own line, show levels with space indentation, and do not use list markers or arrows. Output only the mermaid code block.

FAQ

Can I add dates to the nodes?: Yes, write them in the text, such as "1789 French Revolution". Putting the year first keeps nodes in a branch aligned.
Would a timeline diagram be better?: If order is all you need, use a timeline; the library has templates for it. A mind map is better when you want to expand each event into causes and effects.
The wording differs from my textbook.: Follow your textbook and instructor. The map gives a structure; check each item against your course materials before you rely on it.

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Updated 2026-11-11