AP World History Units: Complete Breakdown by Time Period

Key Takeaways

• AP World History: Modern covers 9 time periods from about 1200 CE to today, showing how societies across the world changed and connected over time.

• Trade, exploration, and technology shaped global connections, from the Silk Roads to the Internet age.

• Studying how societies changed and interacted helps you see how our modern world developed from past events.

Introduction: What Is AP World History: Modern?

Studying world history can feel overwhelming.  It does cover a lot of time. But with a structured study schedule and the right tools, you’ll be able to handle it well.

AP World History: Modern covers hundreds of years of history from all around the globe. The course is split into 9 organized units that will guide you step-by-step through each time period.

This breakdown will help you know what each unit covers, when events happened, and which parts matter most for the AP exam.

Overview of the 9 AP World History Units

The AP World History: Modern course (opens in a new tab) is organized into nine chronological units. Each one represents important periods in world history. Understanding what these units cover and how they are weighted on the exam helps you study effectively.

Let's explore each unit in detail.

Unit 1: The Global Tapestry (c. 1200–c. 1450)

The first unit explores how various states were formed. It looks at how they expanded and declined in areas around the world. You’ll study cultural, social, and political developments of the time.
Weight: 8–10% of the exam

Main Ideas:

• States formed in: Africa, Afro-Eurasia, East Asia, Europe, Southern Asia, and the Americas

• Global and regional religious structures and belief systems

Themes: How governments, religion, and traditions shaped societies. 

Unit 2: Networks of Exchange (c. 1200–c. 1450)

Unit 1 looked at individual societies. Unit 2 examines how they connected. Discover how trade strengthened connections between people, cultures, and their environments.

Weight: 8-10% of the exam

Main Ideas:

• The Silk Roads

• The Mongol Empire

• The Indian Ocean Trading Network

• Trans-Saharan trade routes

• Effects of cross-cultural activities

Major Themes: Trade, diffusion, cultural exchange, and technology.

Unit 3: Land-Based Empires (c. 1450–c. 1750)

Now we move into the early modern period, where powerful empires consolidated control over vast territories. You’ll explore the effects empires had over large areas of land.

Weight: 12-15% of the exam score

Main Ideas:

• Development of major empires (Manchu, Mughal, Ottoman, and Safavid)

• How empire rulers maintained power and control

• How the religions developed in various empires

Major Themes: consolidation of power, religion, and military technology.

Unit 4: Transoceanic Interconnections (c. 1450–c. 1750)

Unit 4 examines how European maritime exploration connected the world's hemispheres for the first time. You’ll study ocean exploration, new maritime empires, and how modern cross-cultural activities affected the world.

Weight: 12-15% of the exam score

Main Ideas:

• How scientific learning and technological advancements influenced world trade and connections.

• The Columbian Exchange

• How maritime empires developed and expanded

• Challenges to state power (both internal and external)

• How social hierarchies influenced the spread of empires

Major Themes: empire, maritime trade, cultural change.

Unit 5: Revolutions (c. 1750–c. 1900)

Revolutionary change swept across the Atlantic world during this period. You’ll examine the new political ideas of the time, as well as how technological developments brought about large-scale changes in economies, society, and governments.

Weight: 12-15% of the score

Main Ideas:

• The Enlightenment

• Revolutions and Revolts against governments

• Birth of new states/nations

• The Industrial Revolution

• Trade Policies

• Beginning of Industrial economies

Major Themes: change, revolution, and ideology.

Unit 6: Consequences of Industrialization (c. 1750–c. 1900)

For Unit 6, you’ll stay in the same time period. Studies will include how various regions and nation-states acquired new territories. You’ll also look at how they expanded their control over those territories and colonies.

Weight: 12-15% of the score

Main Ideas:

• State expansions

• Resistance to Imperialism

• How the global economy continued to grow

• Economic Imperialism

• What caused new migration

• The effect of new migration patterns

Major Themes: empire, labor systems, environment, and race

Unit 7: Global Conflict (c. 1900–present)

The twentieth century began with unprecedented global warfare. In this unit, you’ll study the various World Wars. You’ll also look at what caused them and how the face of politics began to change.

Weight: 8-10% of the exam score

Main Ideas:

• How global politics changed after 1900

• World War I

• World War II

• The Interwar Period

• Mass atrocities after 1900

Major Themes: conflict, ideology, nationalism.

Unit 8: Cold War and Decolonization (c. 1900–present)

In Unit 8 of AP World History:Modern, you’ll study about various region’s pursuit of independence. Some topics will cover the power struggle between communism and capitalism..

Weight: 8-10% of the exam score

Main Ideas:

• The Cold War (causes and effects)

• Spread of Communism

• Independence for Asian and African colonies

• New states forming after decolonization

• End of the Cold War

Major Themes: state-building, resistance, modernization

Unit 9: Globalization (c. 1900–present)

In the final unit, you’ll look at the global connectivity of the modern world. You’ll study various global and international organizations and their benefits. Other topics may include more modern advancements of technology as it relates to global connectivity and economics.

Weight: 8-10% of the exam score

Main Ideas:

• Effect of technological advancements

• Diseases

• The Environment

• Reform Movements

• Economic Changes

• New International Organizations

• Effects of globalization on culture

Major Themes: global integration, inequality, human rights

Frequently Asked Questions

How many units are in AP World History: Modern?

There are nine units in AP World History: Modern. They are organized chronologically from approximately 1200 CE to the present.

Each unit covers specific time periods and themes, helping you build a comprehensive understanding of world history.

Which unit is the most important for the exam?

There isn't one "most important" unit, but Units 3-6 collectively represent nearly half the exam.

Units 3, 4, 5, and 6 each carry 12-15% exam weighting. Units 1, 2, 7, 8, and 9 each represent 8-10%.

That said, don't neglect the lighter units. Every unit contains essential content, and you'll need broad knowledge to answer document-based and essay questions effectively.

How is AP World History different from AP Euro or APUSH?

AP World History: Modern examines global developments across all continents. AP European History focuses exclusively on Europe. APUSH (AP United States History) covers just American history.

All three courses develop similar historical thinking skills. In each of them you will analyze sources, make arguments, and understand causation. These are just applied to various geographical areas and time correlations.

Final Thoughts

AP World History might seem huge, but once you understand its 9 units and main themes, it becomes much easier to organize and study.

Don’t just memorize facts. Try to see how ideas, people, and inventions spread across time and space. You should be able to connect these to changes on a global level. Practice analyzing documents and writing essays that explain cause and effect.

With steady effort and smart studying, you can do great on the AP World History: Modern exam!

For more comprehensive AP study resources – including study guides, past exam papers and practice questions – explore Save My Exams. 

Resources

College Board AP World History: Modern Course (opens in a new tab)