This textbook is an authoritative educational resource designed specifically for students in the upper secondary level (Oberstufe) of the German gymnasium and high school system. Published by Cornelsen, one of Germany's leading educational publishers, this first volume provides a comprehensive chronological overview of world and European history, stretching from the foundational eras of Classical Antiquity through the Middle Ages and the Enlightenment, up to the geopolitical shifts at the end of the 19th century.The textbook is highly regarded for its methodological approach to teaching history. Rather than merely presenting chronological facts, it emphasizes critical thinking through the analysis of primary source documents, historical texts, and political illustrations. The volume guides students to understand the structural developments, social movements, and revolutionary turning points that shaped the modern world.