World history in the modern era
This domain tests broad modern world history: revolutions, industrial capitalism, imperialism, world wars, the Cold War, decolonisation and globalisation. You must explain connections, not just list dates.
Core concepts
- The French Revolution challenged absolutism and noble privilege, spreading ideas of citizenship and nationalism.
- The Industrial Revolution began in Britain and transformed production, transport, cities and empire. Industrial powers sought raw materials and markets.
- Imperialism in the late nineteenth century was driven by economic competition, nationalism, strategic rivalry and ideas of racial superiority.
- The First World War arose from alliance blocs, militarism, imperial rivalry and Balkan nationalism; the assassination at Sarajevo was a trigger.
- The Cold War was a US–Soviet rivalry fought through alliances, aid, propaganda, proxy wars and nuclear deterrence.
- Decolonisation after 1945 combined nationalist mobilisation, weakened European powers and Cold War competition.
Worked example
Were the alliances of 1914 the cause of the First World War? They made a local crisis spread, but they were not the only cause. Austro-Hungarian rivalry with Serbia, German ambition, imperial disputes and mobilisation plans all mattered. The Sarajevo assassination triggered a chain of decisions. A strong answer distinguishes underlying causes, immediate crisis and trigger.
Traps that cost marks
- Listing the assassination as the sole cause of the war.
- Confusing causes with consequences.
- Treating the Cold War as direct US–Soviet combat only.
- Assuming decolonisation was peaceful everywhere.
- Writing a Eurocentric account that ignores Asia, Africa and Latin America.