This World History course by Professor Girard focuses on the Atlantic world from 1500 onward, highlighting the major historical processes that shaped the modern global system.
The course begins with European exploration and colonization of the Caribbean, including Christopher Columbus’ voyages and the early conquest of the region. It then explains the Columbian Exchange and how the movement of people, plants, and diseases transformed societies across continents.
Students will also study European expansion in the Caribbean during the age of piracy and colonization, along with the development of plantation economies. A major focus is the Atlantic Slave Trade and the system of forced labor that supported sugar production and global trade.
The course continues by examining the Age of Atlantic Revolutions, including the Enlightenment, the French Revolution, and the Haitian Revolution, which played a key role in reshaping political ideas about freedom and equality.
It also introduces the Industrial Revolution and its global impact on economies and societies, marking a major shift in production and labor systems.
Finally, the course provides a broader perspective on global history since 1500, including discussions on power, inequality, and the development of the modern world.
This course is ideal for students of world history, especially those interested in colonialism, slavery, and global revolutions.
