Taking a global history approach, this course examines how industrial technologies, economic developments, and new political ideologies gave rise to the modern nation-state from 1780 to the present. It then explores on a global scale how these developments challenged societies and cultures through increasingly integrated trade networks and imperial projects, and then how they contributed to the World Wars of the 20th century. Lastly, the course analyzes how these developments led to the rise of a truly global economic and political system that has wrought far-reaching social and cultural changes across the world. The course will consider developments in Asia, Africa, Latin America, Europe, and the United States.
