This Work gives an overview of the period between the French Revolution and the outbreak of the First World War. The main lines of European history are described: industrialisation, development within the states as well as foreign relations and the influence of European colonialism and imperialism on the rest of the world. Special emphasis is placed on the development of the USA. Central and South America, Middle, South and East Asia, Africa, Australia and Oceania are integrated in the work and the global links between old and new world are explained.