Learn About The Enlightenment And More With Modern World History

A lot can happen in 500 years, and the past 500 were no exception! The sheer number of world-changing events and major shifts in science, technology, philosophy, and economics are almost too many to name. As such, researching modern history can seem like a daunting and overwhelming task. Where would you even begin?

Students and researchers can start with Modern World History, the acclaimed database that pulls together thousands of subject entries, biographies, images, videos and slideshows, maps and graphs, primary sources, and timelines to provide a detailed and comparative view of the people, places, events, and ideas that have defined history from the mid-15th century to the present.

Modern World History is continuously being revised and updated to keep up with changing times and to incorporate new takes on historical events and topics. Check out some of the latest updates below.

Jump-Start Research with Topic Centers

Four brand-new Topic Centers—collections of specially selected content on different eras and themes of history designed to provide starting points for research—have just been added to Modern World History, bringing the total number of Topic Centers in the database up to 17.

With Topic Centers, students will find everything they need to study each subject covered, explore related research topics, or prepare a presentation. Educators will appreciate the hand-selected resources available for each subject, including a book-length introduction to the topic, a selection of full-color maps, a slideshow overview, video documentaries, primary source documents, an interactive timeline, a list of suggested research topics, and more. The Topic Centers can be found under “Browse” in the drop-down menu and on the right rail of the home page.

The new Topic Centers include:

European Enlightenment

The 18th century philosophical, political, and scientific movement of the Enlightenment inspired reforms and revolutions across Europe and the Americas. Read excerpts from works by Descartes, Rousseau, Beccaria, and Voltaire; view a slideshow on Enlightenment thinkers; or explore rights as an Enlightenment concept.

British Industrial Revolution

Beginning in about 1750, Great Britain experienced the world’s first industrial revolution. A society of peasant farmers was rebuilt into a dynamic industrial community of smokestack factories and great bustling cities. While industrialization brought wealth, it also brought with it new social problems–urban squalor, economic inequality, and environmental pollution.

Mexican Revolution

The Mexican Revolution began with the overthrow of dictator Porfirio Díaz but ground on for nearly a decade as a succession of leaders vied for control. Nevertheless, by 1920 it had laid the foundation for far-reaching social and economic reforms. View a slideshow on the revolution’s leaders, read key documents, or watch a documentary on the revolution.

Apartheid in South Africa

In 1948, the South African government passed a series of laws designed to strip the nation’s Black majority of all political, economic, and human rights. Anti-apartheid leaders such as Stephen Biko and Nelson Mandela inspired a worldwide campaign that brought an end to the system in 1991. Read laws enacted under apartheid or watch an interview with Mandela.

New Resources and Updated Content

Even more expertly researched and written content has been added as well, including:

300+ new images and maps
40+ new primary sources
90+ new timeline entries
40+ new videos on European, African, and Latin American history

This content comes from the following new and updated proprietary sources:

A Brief History of Cuba
A Brief History of France, Second Edition
A Brief History of Russia, Second Edition
A Brief History of India, Third Edition

Take a FREE TRIAL of Modern World History today!

Modern World History is fully cross-searchable with any combination of the other Infobase history and religion databases to which your institution subscribes, including:

See also:

For a solid complement to Modern World History, check out Ancient & Medieval World History, which provides thorough coverage of world history from prehistory through the mid-1500s. Try it today!
New Content on Europe’s Renaissance and More Added to Modern World History
New Resource for National History Day Comes to Infobase History Databases

Learn about the Enlightenment and More with Modern World History