The Modern Era is the shortest but most important era of human history. It has shaped today’s world. Many major powers were formed and later collapsed while others are still around today. Governments started working harder to keep its citizens happy so they would not rebel. Industrialization occurred and humans had their first profound impact on the environment that helped cause global warming. Humans began to significantly manipulate the environment. Sanitation and healthcare improved and people began to live in urban areas. For the first time in history, women were given equal rights of men. Also, racial discrimination ended with apartheid in South Africa and desegregation in the U.S. Strong nationalism is characteristic of this era which can be seen during the Olympic Completion, however, in the 1900’s, it erupted in World War I which led to World War II. After that, two main powers emerged, the United States and the U.S.S.R. In a Cold War that lasted half a century with a constant threat of nuclear war, the U.S. prevailed over the U.S.S.R. and capitalism became the dominant economic system instead of communism. Humans have progressed over the millennia and now can determine the fate of themselves and the world; we are in control of our environment. Christian does an excellent job in setting up the book to tell the history of the world. He starts out telling about the