Designed as an introductory survey of world history in the 20th century, this book discusses the major political and economic changes that have reshaped global relations, and focuses on the forces leading to the collapse of empires and the resulting rise of nationalism throughout the world. It develops the thematic argument that the single most profound global transformation in human relations during the 20th century has been the demise of all remaining empires and the emergence–in their place–of nation-states. Presents a heavy focus on the First World War and its revolutionary aftermath and the revolutionary conflicts that erupted in East Asia in the years following the Second World War. Contains material on the Middle East, including a Spotlight essay on Osama bin Laden, a Highlight section on the growing importance of petroleum in modern international relations and politics, and the impact of the Islamic religion. There is some emphasis on the non-Western and colonial history of the early twentieth century. For historians and those interested in the study of the twentieth century.