How Industrialization Impact on Transportation and Global Trade

Defining Industrialization and Its Origins

Industrialization has many parts spread out throughout history. In the book Traditions and Encounters by Jerry H. Bently and Herbert F. Ziegler, it says, “Industrialization refers to a process that transformed agrarian and handicraft-centered economies into economies distinguished by industry and machine manufacture.” (Bentley & Ziegler, 652) Industrialization primarily began in European countries, like Great Britain, and then shortly followed by Asian countries, such as China and Japan. Asian Countries were popular for more agricultural items, and countries Like Great Britain were responsible for technology-based items and resources like coal and cotton.

Later in North America, Industrialization because of another factor in Great Britain’s success in industrialization.

How Industrialization Impacted Transportation and Global Trade

Some of the big things that happened during industrialization were the inventions of more reliable transportation, such as the steam engine and more railways. This made the trade of resources to countries across oceans and waterways a lot faster, easier, and safer. Trade was no longer just between countries that were connected. Railroads were now reaching places that were difficult to get to. This made trade in large landmasses much easier and quicker. It made getting raw materials from countries that had not yet been industrialized also much easier.

Diverse Impacts of Industrialization Across the Globe

As time went on, industrialization started to change. Now it wasn’t about just trying to make life easier; it was about who could do it the fastest and the best and make the most money. It was always about the economy but now more than ever. Every country was influenced by industrialization differently. North America started booming with people and businesses, along with many other countries. While other countries like Latin America and Africa were having a hard time industrializing. Latin America, for instance, did not have control of its economy; they were under foreign control by many different countries. In the book, Traditions and Encounters by Jerry H. Bently and Herbert F. Ziegler, it says, “Unlike the situation in the northern lands, control over industries and exports remained in foreign hands. Latin American economies were thus subject to decisions made in the interests of foreign investors, and unstable governments could do little in the face of strong foreign intervention.” (Bentley & Ziegler, 694) This caused a lot of conflict and problems even to this day. Not only did situations like this happen in Latin America, but they were also happening all over the world in places like Africa and Asia.

Legacy of Industrialization in the 21st Century

Industrialization paved the way for everything in the 21St century. From transportation and trade to the way we do little everyday things. The start of the industrial revolution influenced much of the world. The countries that prospered at the time during industrialization are among so of the world’s top leaders.

References:

1. Bentley, J. H., & Ziegler, H. F. (2018). Traditions and Encounters: A Global Perspective on the Past (Vol. 2). McGraw-Hill Education.

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