Global Age of Revolution

3 Credits · Level: Graduate, Undergraduate

The century between 1776 and 1871 was one of the most transformative periods in world history, one that saw the emergence of political, economic, and social forces that continue to shape the lives of every human being alive today. From the birth of industrial capitalism to the emergence of its socialist opponents, from the creation of modern democracies to the consolidation of contemporary nationalism, from the abolition of slavery to the establishment of a world order defined by race and empire, understanding this era is vital for making sense of the modern world. In this class, we will look at the Age of Revolutions as a global phenomenon, linking familiar events like the US Civil War to less familiar ones like the Haitian Revolution and seeing how events in Asia both reflected and shaped what happened in Europe. By the end of the semester, these connections will unsettle and transform what you think you know about history.