The H. G. Wells Library

A Short History of the World Chapter 54 - The American War of Independence

In which the gradual emergence of European settlements in America is portrayed as an unpremeditated transplanting of culture and political ambition, laying the groundwork for new, dispersed societies that challenge the old world's notions of empire and governance. The narrative quietly traces the tensions and transformations of the British colonies culminating in their union as the United States, while also sketching the diverse paths of other American territories towards independence and the complex reshaping of empire in the New World.

A Short History of the World Chapter 53 - The New Empires of the Europeans in Asia and Overseas

In which the restless energies of Western European nations are seen stretching beyond their continent, carving out vast overseas empires through trade, conquest, and the curious enterprise of mercantile companies in India. Meanwhile, the great land empires of Asia, notably China and Russia, undergo their own transformations and expansions, shaping a complex tapestry of power and influence upon the worldly stage.

A Short History of the World Chapter 52 - The Age of Political Experiments; of Grand Monarchy and Parliaments and Republicanism in Europe

In which the dissolution of old empires and religious unities propels Europe into a restless age of political experiments, as monarchies vie with emerging trading classes amidst a growing ocean of scientific knowledge and invention. This tumultuous era is painted with portraits of grand courts and petty states, all entwined in ambitions and intrigues that belie the profound transformations quietly reshaping human society.

A Short History of the World Chapter 51 - The Emperor Charles V

In which the reign of Emperor Charles V unfolds as a grand yet troubled spectacle of inherited power, religious strife, and persistent conflict with rival monarchs and advancing empires. This narrative delicately traces the complexities of his rule—from the dawn of Protestant unrest to his weary abdication and reflective retirement—revealing a world in uneasy transition and the poignant twilight of a vast imperial age.

A Short History of the World Chapter 50 - The Reformation of the Latin Church

In which the Latin Church, once a towering autocracy over Christendom, undergoes profound upheaval amidst growing scepticism, popular revolts, and the burgeoning power of the printed word, leading to a fragmenting of its influence across Europe. The emergence of figures like Martin Luther and the assertive nationalism of rulers provoke both a widespread Reformation and a vigorous Catholic revival embodied by the Jesuits, reshaping the spiritual and intellectual landscape of the continent.