Imperialism to Globalism: Europe and the World 1860-1970

Global integration is not only a fact of modern life, but of modern history writing. The interconnectedness of distant societies and states, and powerful forces making for social, cultural and economic interaction have prompted significant scholarly assessment.

This lecture-only module investigates some of the events and processes which have led to a more integrated world order between the mid-nineteenth century and the later twentieth century. For most of that period much of the world was carved up between a number of inter-continental empires centred in Europe. How those empires grew, exerted control and in due course retreated will be the particular focus of the module. But other processes, too, will be considered, not least the integrating force of economic changes and the spreading power of capitalism across the globe. Attention will be given to the evolution of ideologies of imperialism and social Darwinism and to whether or not such ideologies impacted upon changing global power relationships. The module, while broadly chronological in approach, will focus on a wide range of themes in cultural, economic and political history