You DO NOT have to know any dates for AP World Modern. BUT, Ben Freeman would argue knowing certain major events can give you an idea of the major themes and flow of the course.

Today, we see maybe our most unknown date: 1514. The Battle of Chaldiran highlights the clash of the Ottoman Turks and Safavid Persians. As the old Turkish Sultanates faded and the new Empires emerged, the Ottomans rose to be the predominant power in Eurasia. (Plus, the Ottomans are the most mentioned empire in the AP World Curriculum…. so… don’t skip the Ottomans!!!)