Introduction to Global History

The field of Global History has experienced an unprecedented boom in the last two decades and carved itself deeply into the practice of historical research. Despite this, its conceptual foundations have rarely been explored. This introduction to what Global History is brings together theory and practice with 6 key concepts, delivered through 6 accessible case studies. Re-evaluating the central concerns and key approaches in the field, it offers an up-to-date discussion of the foundations of Global History, its guiding questions, and principal methods at work.

Doing Global History offers students valuable insights into the ways general concepts can be used and applied when doing historical research. The 6 concepts—connections, actors, structures, space, time, and transit—and their accompanying examples will not only help readers to get a solid grasp of what global history means, but will stimulate further engagement in the field. Wenzlhuemer successfully shows that global history is best considered as a perspective, not a theory or paradigm, and guides the reader through ways it can be used in practice to draw new and exciting conclusions. Tailored for classroom and student use, this book will be invaluable to advanced undergraduates and postgraduates of Global History.