Introduction

In this chapter, the author argues that a transnational approach is essential for an understanding of the European heritage, which should be cast in terms of processes of entanglement whereby different histories and memories become tied up in each other. He also argues that a transnational approach offers a double critical lens through which to view the European heritage: it draws attention to how national histories are interconnected and it shows that such interconnections must be situated in a yet broader and more global context. Global history, which partly presupposes transnational history, offers a wider account of the making of Europe, including the role of colonialism, but also its precolonial encounters. Both of these approaches, including 'entangled history', highlight the overlapping nature of European societies and a conception of Europe as 'an inter-civilisational constellation.' The chapter also presents some of the key concepts discussed in the book.