Since the late 18th century, state-based nationalisms have largely replaced localties and broad imperial formations from the pre-modern world. The Industrial Revolution and the rise of capitalism accompanied and intensified these transformations. A crucial result of these changes was the new idea of the citizen, built on political liberty and equality of opportunity. But well into the 20th century, most people on the planet were still living in colonial or land-based empires. Who was really a citizen? What did it mean for imperial masters and subjects to become citizens of a single nation? The themes of citizenship and power underpin many of the assumptions in contemporary social and political debates. We will analyse these questions through comparisons of European nations and their empires: e.g. Britain, Russia, France, Spain. Students will learn to integrate evidence and primary sources in historical analysis; to employ key concepts and engage in historiographical debates.

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