World history rethought: Osterhammel's vision of global interconnection

World history rethought: Osterhammel's vision of global interconnection

On July 15, 2025, Professor Dr. Jürgen Osterhammel from the University of Freiburg was awarded an honorary doctorate. Osterhammel, who worked as a professor of modern and contemporary history at the University of Konstanz until his retirement, is considered an outstanding authority in the national and international professional world. His extensive research and publications have had a significant impact on the understanding of world history.

Osterhammel is the director of the six-volume “History of the World,” which was published in an American and German parallel edition from 2012 to 2023. This important work treats history not as a mere aggregate of national narratives, but as a history that focuses on the interconnections between different regions and cultures. He deals with the export and import of people, knowledge and goods, as well as the effects of wars and migrations on global connections.

A new approach to world history

Traditionally, world history has often been viewed as the story of the rise and fall of advanced civilizations, with Europe and the Atlantic West playing a dominant role in recent centuries. Osterhammel's work does not question the achievements of the West, but places them in a broader context of simultaneous developments worldwide. The aim is to provide an integrated and pluralistic picture of world history.

The volumes of the “History of the World” summarize the results of decades of international research on the prehistory of globalization. They deal with the social and political systems on all continents and avoid presenting world history as a series of special histories. Instead, the focus is on little-noticed cross-relationships and interactions, including:

• Migrationen von Einzelnen und Gruppen
• Gründung neuer Gesellschaften
• Interkontinentale Ausbreitung von Technologien, Religionen und politischen Ideen
• Globale Kommunikationsnetze, Handelsströme und Konsummuster
• Themen wie Imperialismus, Kolonialismus und großräumige Kriege

Relevance in today's times

At a time when society often seeks simple answers to complex questions, Osterhammel's approach is gaining in importance. He encourages us to consider the experience of “one world” without reducing it to a particular goal or narrative. His work thus offers a valuable perspective on the multitude of interactions that shape our global coexistence.

Whether through his involvement at the University of Freiburg or through the outstanding publication of his historical works, Jürgen Osterhammel remains a key figure in the world of history and its contemporary interpretation. The honorary doctorate reflects the recognition he receives for his contributions to a deeper understanding of world history. Further information is available on the website C.H. Beck and the University of Freiburg to find.