Why are some countries so much richer than others today? This course explores the historical origins of modern economic growth and global economic inequality across countries. After a brief introduction of the field of economic history, we will study when and where modern economic growth emerged, with a particular focus on the Great Divergence and the Industrial Revolution in Western Europe. The course will however cover other settings, such as China, Japan, and Southern Asia (except the United States). Then, we will investigate the factors that can explain these historical patterns, looking successively at the role of institutions, culture, and geography. Finally, we will discuss various issues that come along with modern economic growth in historical perspective such as pollution and global pandemics.