Ever wanted to understand the key themes driving over five hundred years of European history? This wide-ranging course brings together the most significant people, places and events from the 15th-19th centuries, and explains their importance from three perspectives. Firstly, how they influenced the political and constitutional developments of the countries we see today. Secondly, the role played by different religious and secular beliefs. Thirdly, what the impact of business and commerce has been on the sweep of historical events. The emphasis throughout is one explaining how professional historians use varied and unusual original source materials to uncover the truth about the past.

This material is taken from the Open University course A200 Exploring history.