Modern History What is history? When does modern history begin?

Definitions history up to the present day, from some arbitrary point taken to represent the end of the Middle Ages. In some contexts it may be contrasted with ‘ancient’ rather than ‘medieval’ history, and start (for example) from the fall of the Western Roman Empire. (Oxford dictionary online)

Ancient history

Medieval history

The early modern period 1500’s to early 1700’s Renaissance Reformation and counter reformation Age of discovery Capitalism and trade (the rise of the merchant class) The printing press Challenges to the “Divine Right of Kings” and feudal system

Later modern period mid-1700’s to the present! The enlightenment – scientific and philosophical developments Revolution – French Revolution, American Revolution, 1848, Russian Revolution, Chinese Revolution Colonisation and decolonisation Industrial Revolution – mechanisation, increased trade War – Napoleonic Wars; First and second world wars; Cold war Widespread literacy and education New political and social ideas and experiments - Individualism, human rights, right to vote, freedom of expression, freedom of religion Urbanisation Scientific and health revolution Globalisation- transnational business and social trends, internet, social media