A new explanation of the course of international politics from the rebirth of the German Empire to the rise of China. This volume contributes to empirically based geopolitical theory and uses that theory to improve our understanding of the major events in the international strategic history of a 150-year period. Seven key historical chapters cover all the major areas: End of the Columbian Era? 1871-1914 Continental Hegemony and the Road-Test of War, I: 1914-1918 The Myth of Benign Transformation, I: New World Order, 1919-1939? Continental Hegemony and the Road-Test of War, II: 1939-1945 Continental Hegemony and the Road -Test of (Cold) War, III: 1945-1989 The Myth of Benign Transformation, II:(Another) New World Order, 1990-2000 Benign Transformation Postponed (Again): Geopolitics as Usual, 2001-2021 In addition to these historical chapters, this essential text presents clear sections on geopolitical ideas, on possible patterns in strategic history, as well as an extensive 'critique and response' concerning the integrity of geopolitical approaches to world politics.