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World History – UPSC GS1

This module of the GS Paper 1: History, Culture, Geography & Society course covers revolutions, world wars, decolonisation and political philosophies. It has 2 study lessons and a 12-question practice quiz. Free lessons can be read in full; premium lessons show a preview.

Lessons in this module

1. Revolutions, Industrialisation and Colonialism (18th–19th century)

Free 7 min

The GS1 syllabus asks for "history of the world from the 18th century – industrial revolution, world wars, redrawal of national boundaries, colonisation, decolonisation, political philosophies like communism, capitalism, socialism etc. – their forms and…

2. World Wars, Decolonisation and the Cold War

Premium 7 min

The 20th century saw two world wars, the collapse of empires, the redrawing of national boundaries, the rise of the USA and USSR, decolonisation in Asia and Africa, and the Cold War. Knowing causes →…

 Module quiz: World History (12 questions)

Maps & infographics in this module

The Storming of the Bastille, 14 July 1789 (painting by Charles Thévenin)
The Storming of the Bastille, 14 July 1789 (painting by Charles Thévenin). Credit: Wikimedia Commons · Public domain.
Richard Arkwright, inventor of the water frame
Richard Arkwright, inventor of the water frame. Credit: Wikimedia Commons · CC0.
Timeline from the Industrial Revolution around 1760 to the Berlin Conference of 1884–85
Political revolutions spread new ideas; the industrial revolution drove a new wave of empire.
Five-step flow showing how factories needed raw materials, markets and capital from colonies, leading to deindustrialisation in India
Colonies supplied raw materials and markets for industrial Britain.
East German border guards at the Berlin Wall
East German border guards at the Berlin Wall. Credit: Wikimedia Commons · Public domain.
Timeline from the First World War in 1914 to the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991
Two world wars produced the UN, decolonisation and the Cold War.

Frequently asked questions

Lessons: Revolutions, Industrialisation and Colonialism (18th–19th century); World Wars, Decolonisation and the Cold War.

Answer: French Revolution. It was adopted by the French National Assembly in 1789.

Answer: Bismarck. Bismarck unified Germany through wars.

Answer: Partition of Africa among European powers. It regulated the Scramble for Africa.

Answer: Adam Smith. Adam Smith, the father of classical economics.

Related modules

Ancient India3 lessons
Prehistoric and Harappan India3 lessons
Vedic Age, Mahajanapadas and Heterodox Religions4 lessons
Mauryas to Guptas5 lessons
Medieval India2 lessons
Early Medieval and Delhi Sultanate5 lessons
Mughals, Marathas and Bhakti–Sufi Movements5 lessons
Modern India4 lessons
Advent of Europeans and British Expansion5 lessons
Revolt of 1857 and Socio-Religious Reform4 lessons
Indian National Movement7 lessons
Post-Independence Consolidation4 lessons
World History in Depth6 lessons
Art and Culture2 lessons
Indian Art, Architecture and Literature6 lessons
Indian Geography2 lessons
Indian Physical and Economic Geography6 lessons
World Geography2 lessons
Physical Geography in Depth5 lessons
Geophysical Phenomena and Resource Distribution4 lessons
Indian Society2 lessons
Indian Society in Depth6 lessons

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