Beginning of the Modern World

• Renaissance
• Discovery of Sea Routes
• Reformation
• Counter Reformation
• Industrial Revolution
• European Nations Settle North America
• Rise of Slave Trade
• American War of Independence
  • Foundation of American Colonies
  • The Independence of United States of America
  • The American Revolutionary War
  • What was the impact of American Revolution?
  • US Civil War
  • Impact of Civil War on USA
  • Global Impact of US Civil War
  • Impact on India
• French Revolution
  • Causes
  • The revolution in France
  • France under Napoleon
  • Impact of revolution
  • Significance of revolution
• Nationalism in Europe
  • Rise of the nation- state system
  • Unification of Italy
  • Unification of Germany
• Rise of Capitalism, Colonialism & Imperialism
  • Colonialism
  • The age of Imperialism (1870-1914)
  • Imperialism in Asia
  • Analysis of Colonialism

World War I

• Causes of the War
• Scope & Course of the War
• Russian Revolution
  • Major events in pre-revolution Russia
  • Causes
  • Course of revolution
  • Consequences
  • Aftermath of the war
  • Post-Lenin Russia
• End of the War & Peace Treaties
• Consequences of the War
• League of Nations

World Between the Two Wars

• Europe After the War – Fascism & Nazism
• The Great Depression
• Emergence of Soviet Union
• Nationalist Movements in Asia & Africa
• US as a Strong Power

World War II

• Fascist Aggression & Response of Western Democracies
• Outbreak of the War
• Theatres of the War
• US Entry into the War
• Global Nature of the War
• The Holocaust
• Resistance Movements
• After-effects of the War

Decolonialisation & Redrawal of National Boundaries

• Europe after World War II
• Cold War
• Rise of Asia & Africa
• Developments in West Asia & North Africa
• Spread of Communism
• Korean War
• Vietnam War
• Cuban Crisis
• Collapse of Soviet Union

Concept, Types & Social Impact of Political Philosophies

• Communism
• Capitalism
• Socialism

UPSC Syllabus for World History

World History will include events from the 18th century such as:

• Industrial revolution
• Colonization
• Decolonization
• World wars
• Redraw of national boundaries
• Political philosophies such as capitalism, socialism, communism, etc. – their forms and consequences on society.

Important areas to focus on World History for UPSC Mains/Important world history topics for UPSC exam:

• American Revolution – Get important key terms in the American Revolution in the linked article.
• Russian Revolution
• French Revolution
• Imperialism
• Nazism – Check the difference between Nazism and Fascism in the linked article.
• Fascism
• Unification of Italy
• Unification of Germany
• Bi-Polar World and Cold War
• Uni-Polar World
• Disintegration of USSR