- Course Type CLEP
- Subject History and Social Sciences
- Level Introductory
- Length 12 Modules
- Video Length 8h 43m
- Reading Pages 452
- Institution Modern States
ABOUT THIS COURSE
Western Civilization II reviews the material typically taught in the second semester of a two-semester college-level survey of Western civilization. The course covers European history from the mid-17th century through the post–World War II era, including political, economic, and cultural developments such as scientific thought, the Enlightenment, the French and Industrial Revolutions, nationalism, imperialism, the Russian Revolution, and the First and Second World Wars.
This is a free, self-paced Modern States course with no prerequisites. It is aligned to the CLEP® Western Civilization II: 1648 to the Present exam and is designed to prepare you to succeed on the test and earn college credit at no cost.
Modern States originally developed this course in collaboration with Robert Clemm, Ph.D. of Grove City College; Southern New Hampshire University. Professor Andrew Barnes of ASU supported course enhancements published in 2025.
Course Overview
Western Civilization II: 1648 to the Present Course Overview - Modern States
| Module | Topic | Video Length | Total pages of required reading |
| Module 1: Absolutism and Constitutionalism 1648-1715 (7% – 9%) 00:35:28 total video length 38 total reading pages |
1: Absolutism and Constitutionalism, 1648–1715 | 0:02:56 | – |
| 1.1: The Dutch Republic | 0:06:11 | 12 | |
| 1.2: The English Revolution | 0:09:14 | 26 | |
| 1.3: France Under Louis XIV | 0:06:57 | – | |
| 1.4: Formation of Austria and Prussia | 0:05:52 | – | |
| 1.5: The “Westernization” of Russia | 0:04:18 | – | |
| 1: Summary | – | – | |
| Module 2: Competition for Empire and Economic Expansion (4% – 6%) 00:19:44 total video length 72 total reading pages |
2: Competition for Empire and Economic Expansion | 0:01:20 | 12 |
| 2.1: Global Economy of Early Modern Europe | 0:07:33 | 10 | |
| 2.2: Europe After Utrecht, 1713–1740 | 0:07:08 | 26 | |
| 2.3: Demographic Change of the Eighteenth Century | 0:03:43 | 24 | |
| 2: Summary | – | – | |
| Module 3: The Scientific View of the World (5% – 7%) 00:25:27 total video length 34 total reading pages |
3: The Scientific View of the World | 0:01:39 | – |
| 3.1: Major Figures of the Scientific Revolution | 0:07:22 | 10 | |
| 3.2: New Knowledge of Man and Society | 0:06:32 | 24 | |
| 3.3: Political Theory | 0:09:54 | – | |
| 3: Summary | – | – | |
| Module 4: Period of Enlightenment (7% – 9%) 00:26:38 total video length 34 total reading pages |
4: The Enlightenment and Enlightened Despotism | 0:02:36 | – |
| 4.1: Enlightenment Thought | 0:15:00 | 10 | |
| 4.2: Enlightened Despotism | 0:05:12 | 24 | |
| 4.3: Partition of Poland | 0:03:50 | – | |
| 4: Summary | – | – | |
| Module 5: Revolution and Napoleonic Europe (10% – 13%) 00:43:02 total video length 36 total reading pages |
5: Revolution and Napoleonic Europe | 0:01:52 | – |
| 5.1: The Revolution in France | 0:18:17 | 8 | |
| 5.2: The Revolution and Europe | 0:08:20 | 4 | |
| 5.3: The French Empire | 0:11:41 | 24 | |
| 5.4: The Congress of Vienna | 0:02:53 | 1+ | |
| 5: Summary | – | – | |
| Module 6: The Industrial Revolution (7% – 9%) 00:38:26 total video length 37 total reading pages |
6: The Industrial Revolution | 0:02:53 | – |
| 6.1: Agricultural and Industrial Revolution | 0:11:52 | 13 | |
| 6.2: Causes of the Industrial Revolution | 0:03:54 | 24 | |
| 6.3: Economic and Social Impact | 0:01:40 | – | |
| 6.3.1: Economic and Social Impact on the Middle Class | 0:06:16 | – | |
| 6.3.2: Economic and Social Impact on the Working Class | 0:07:05 | – | |
| 6.4: British Reform Movement | 0:04:46 | – | |
| 6: Summary | – | – | |
| Module 7: Political and Cultural Developments, 1815-1848 (6% – 8%) 00:38:33 total video length 59 total reading pages |
7: Political and Cultural Developments, 1815–1848 | 0:01:50 | – |
| 7.1: Conservatism | 0:05:28 | 13 | |
| 7.2: Liberalism | 0:04:59 | 24 | |
| 7.3: Nationalism | 0:06:30 | 22 | |
| 7.4: Socialism | 0:07:25 | – | |
| 7.5: The Revolutions of 1830 and 1848 | 0:12:21 | – | |
| 7: Summary | – | – | |
| Module 8: Politics and Diplomacy in the Age of Nationalism, 1850-1914 (8% – 10%) 01:07:47 total video length 48 total reading pages |
8: Politics and Diplomacy in the Age of Nationalism, 1850–1914
|
0:02:10 | – |
| 8.1: The Unification of Italy and Germany | 0:16:07 | 13 | |
| 8.2: Austria-Hungary | 0:05:25 | 13 | |
| 8.3: Russia | 0:11:50 | 22 | |
| 8.4: France | 0:09:08 | – | |
| 8.5: Socialism and Labor Unions | 0:08:30 | – | |
| 8.6: European Diplomacy, 1871–1900 | 0:14:37 | – | |
| 8: Summary | – | – | |
| Module 9: Economy, Culture and Imperialism, 1850-1914 (7% – 9%) 00:59:08 total video length 48 total reading pages |
9: Economy, Culture, and Imperialism, 1850–1914 | 0:02:50 | – |
| 9.1: Demography | 0:06:40 | 13 | |
| 9.2: World Economy of the Nineteenth Century | 0:06:32 | 13 | |
| 9.2.1: Mercantilism to Capitalism | 0:09:14 | – | |
| 9.3: Technological Developments | 0:09:05 | 22 | |
| 9.4: Science, Philosophy and the Arts | 0:10:50 | – | |
| 9.5: Imperialism in Africa and Asia | 0:13:57 | – | |
| 9: Summary | – | – | |
| Module 10: The First World War and the Russian Revolution (10% – 12%) 00:53:59 total video length 13 total reading pages |
10: The First World War and the Russian Revolution | 0:02:52 | – |
| 10.1: The Causes of the First World War | 0:14:59 | 13 | |
| 10.2: The Economic and Social Impact of the War | 0:12:43 | – | |
| 10.3: The Peace Settlements | 0:12:16 | – | |
| 10.4: The Russian Revolution of 1917 and Its Effects | 0:11:09 | – | |
| 10: Summary | – | – | |
| Module 11: Europe Between the Wars, The Great Depression (7% – 9%) 00:45:06 total video length 11 total reading pages |
11: Europe Between the Wars and The Great Depression | 0:02:41 | – |
| 11.1: International Politics, 1919–1939 | 0:10:37 | 11 | |
| 11.2: Stalin’s Five Year Plans and Purges | 0:08:43 | – | |
| 11.3: Italy and Germany Between the Wars | 0:14:53 | – | |
| 11.4: Interwar Cultural Developments | 0:08:12 | – | |
| 11: Summary | – | – | |
| Module 12: The Second World War and Contemporary Europe (8% – 10%) 01:09:29 total video length 22 total reading pages |
12: The Second World War and Contemporary Europe | 0:02:07 | – |
| 12.1: The Causes and Course of the Second World War | 0:18:21 | 11 | |
| 12.2: Postwar Europe | 0:16:23 | 11 | |
| 12.3: Science, Philosophy, the Arts and Religion | 0:13:09 | – | |
| 12.4: Social and Political Developments | 0:19:29 | – | |
| 12: Summary | – | – | |
| Course Conclusion | – | – |
