Modern World History: Empires in Conflict

During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, European and global powers engaged in aggressive expansion, seizing territories in Africa, Asia, and beyond. This period, known as the "New Imperialism," not only transformed the regions under imperial control but also heightened rivalries among the world’s most powerful nations. These tensions, combined with the complex system of alliances—such as the Triple Alliance (Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy) and the Triple Entente (France, Russia, and Britain)—ultimately contributed to the outbreak of World War I in 1914.

In this research project, you will explore how the “New Imperialism” shaped global tensions by examining key events, policies, rivalries, and the development of alliances. You will analyze how specific imperial ambitions and conflicts increased friction among European powers and set the stage for global conflict.

As an historian, you will:

• Read different sources and come up with your own argument in response to the research question — how did imperial rivalries contribute to global tensions and the outbreak of World War I?
• Compare and contrast your argument with others and determine how and why your arguments are similar or different
  • Did you use different sources?
  • Did you prioritize different evidence?
  • Did you interpret the events differently?