Transnational history is an approach in historiography that places emphasis on historical phenomena that are not shaped by nation states such as the movement of people or ideas.
According to the historian Akira Iriye, "transnational history may be defined as the study of movements and forces that have cut across national boundaries" in a variety of contexts.
The redirection of historical studies can be seen as a reaction to the fact that the field of history was founded in the 19th century, when nationalist movements were rising in Europe.
The nation state, which was embraced by many 19th-century historians because of its progressive and liberal nature, in the 20th century turned into an analytical cage and lost much of its explanatory power.
For example, actors rooted in urban civil society and voluntary associations played a vital part in the most widespread series of revolutions in Europe in 1848.