In this unit, you will explore how the Industrial Revolution reshaped the world far beyond factories and machines. As some countries industrialized rapidly, they began to expand their power overseas leading to a new wave of imperialism that transformed global politics, economies, and societies.

You will examine why industrialized states pursued imperialism, how they justified their actions, and how indigenous peoples and states responded. This unit connects economic change to political power and resistance, helping you understand how global inequalities were created, and challenged, during the 19th century.

What You Will Learn

• How industrialization led to imperialism

  • Why factories needed raw materials and new markets

  • How industrial capitalism pushed states to expand beyond their borders

  • The connection between economic competition and empire building

• How states justified imperialism

  • The role of ideologies such as Social Darwinism, nationalism, and the “civilizing mission”

  • How racial, cultural, and religious beliefs were used to legitimize domination

  • Why these justifications mattered politically and socially

• How empires expanded

  • The methods states used to take control of territories in Africa, Asia, and the Pacific

  • The difference between direct imperial control and economic imperialism

  • How imperialism looked different in places like Africa, China, India, and Latin America

• How indigenous peoples responded to imperialism

  • Armed resistance, rebellion, and revolutions

  • Adaptation, negotiation, and the creation of new states

  • The role of religion, nationalism, and political authority in resistance movements

• The broader consequences of imperialism

  • How imperialism reshaped global economies and labor systems

  • The long-term effects on migration, social structures, and global inequality

  • Which consequences of imperialism were most significant—and why

Skills You Will Practice (AP Exam Focus)

• Analyzing primary sources for point of view, purpose, audience, and historical context

• Explaining cause-and-effect relationships across regions and time periods

• Comparing different imperial systems and responses

• Developing complex historical arguments using evidence

• Writing strong DBQ and SAQ responses that show nuance and reasoning

Why This Unit Matters

Unit 6 helps explain how the modern global world took shape. Many political borders, economic systems, and global power imbalances today can be traced back to the imperial age. On the AP Exam, this unit is heavily tested and requires you to go beyond memorization—success depends on your ability to explain why imperialism happened, how it worked, and what consequences mattered most.

By the end of this unit, you should be able to clearly explain how industrialization changed the balance of power in the world—and how people resisted, adapted, and reshaped those changes.