What You Will Learn

In this unit, you will study how industrialization reshaped the world between 1750 and 1900. You will examine why imperialism, the most promintent effect of industrialization, expanded. Including the economic pressures of industrialization and the ideological justifications used to defend empire building (Topic 6.1), and how states expanded and maintained control through conquest, diplomacy, and economic influence and economic imperialism—using trade and financial pressure without direct political rule (Topic 6.2 & 6.5).

You will explore how imperialism transformed the global economy, reorganizing regions for resource extraction and export production (Topic 6.4), and how industrialization and empire encouraged large-scale migration by creating new labor demands and opportunities (Topic 6.6).

Finally, you will analyze how indigenous peoples and states responded to imperial expansion through resistance, adaptation, and state-building (Topic 6.3), and evaluate the social, cultural, and political effects of migration on societies around the world (Topic 6.7).

By the end of the unit, you will be able to connect imperialism, economic development, and migration into a single historical narrative and support your conclusions with evidence—skills essential for success on the AP World History exam (Topic 6.8 – synthesis).

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.