Industrialization and imperialism | World History | Khan Academy

Khan Academy
6 Jun 201710:24
EducationalLearning
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TLDRThis script explores the impact of the Industrial Revolution on European colonialism, highlighting the technological advancements like the steam engine, electricity, and telegraph that fueled imperial expansion. It explains how these innovations increased productivity, creating a demand for raw materials and new markets, which in turn led to the colonization of Africa and parts of Asia. The script also discusses how the technology enabled efficient control over vast empires, facilitating the spread of European influence and power across the globe.

Takeaways
  • 🌍 European colonial possessions in the 1700s were significant, with Spain and Portugal holding substantial territories in the Americas and other regions.
  • 🇪🇬 Despite European control over some areas, much of Africa and Asia remained outside of European control during the early to mid-1700s.
  • 🏭 The Industrial Revolution, marked by innovations like the steam engine, electrification, and the telegraph, drastically changed the global landscape.
  • 🔥 The steam engine was pivotal in harnessing coal power, which led to the mechanization of factories and a significant increase in productivity.
  • 🚢 Steamships and railroads revolutionized transportation, enabling the movement of goods, people, and military power across vast distances more efficiently.
  • 📱 The telegraph allowed for instant global communication, a revolutionary development for coordinating trade and military actions.
  • 📈 The Industrial Revolution and related technological advancements fueled a new wave of imperialism and colonization, particularly in Africa and Asia.
  • 🌐 By 1900, the map of the world showed a stark difference from the previous century, with Africa and much of Asia now under colonial control.
  • 💰 Imperialism was driven by the desire for more land and people to increase taxes and military might, as well as to secure more raw materials and markets for industrial outputs.
  • 🔄 Capitalism and the focus on maximizing returns on investment led to industrialization, which in turn demanded more resources and markets, further driving imperialism.
  • ⚙️ Technology not only powered industrialization but also enabled the control and management of vast empires, something that was not possible with previous technologies.
Q & A
  • What is the main focus of the map of European colonial possessions in the early to mid-1700s?

    -The main focus of the map is to illustrate the extensive territories controlled by European powers such as Spain and Portugal in Central and South America, as well as their colonies in Africa and India during the early to mid-1700s.

  • How did the British possessions in North America evolve over time?

    -The British possessions in North America evolved into the United States and Canada, as the colonies gained independence and developed their own political entities.

  • What significant event in human history is highlighted as occurring in the second half of the 18th century and into the 19th century?

    -The Industrial Revolution, marked by technological advancements like the steam engine, electrification, and the telegraph, is highlighted as a significant event that greatly impacted human history during this period.

  • How did the steam engine revolutionize industry and transportation?

    -The steam engine allowed for the harnessing of coal power to create steam, which in turn powered factories and other machinery, significantly increasing productivity. It also revolutionized transportation by enabling the development of steamships and railroads, which efficiently moved goods, people, and information.

  • What changes in the world map are noticeable around the year 1900 compared to the earlier map?

    -Around the year 1900, many of the colonial possessions in North and South America had become independent nations. Additionally, Africa had been divided among colonial powers, and parts of Asia also came under European control, reflecting a dramatic shift in global power dynamics.

  • What are the standard motivations for imperialism as discussed in the script?

    -The standard motivations for imperialism include the acquisition of more land and people to increase tax revenue and military power, which in turn can lead to even more conquests and the accumulation of power.

  • How did the technological innovations of the Industrial Revolution influence the expansion of capitalism?

    -The technological innovations of the Industrial Revolution, such as the steam engine and electricity, led to increased productivity and the need for more raw materials and larger markets. This drove the expansion of capitalism, as businesses sought to maximize their returns on capital by industrializing and investing in technology.

  • What role did industrialization play in the desire for more raw materials and markets?

    -Industrialization, which involves the use of technology to increase productivity and output, created a demand for more raw materials to fuel the production process. It also necessitated larger markets to sell the increased outputs of industrialized goods, leading to the expansion into new territories for both resources and consumers.

  • How did the technology of the Industrial Revolution facilitate the control of far-flung empires?

    -The technology of the Industrial Revolution, including steamships, railroads, and the telegraph, allowed for the efficient projection of power and control over vast territories. It enabled rapid communication and transportation, making it feasible for countries to maintain and manage their extensive empires.

  • What was the impact of the Industrial Revolution on the global balance of power?

    -The Industrial Revolution shifted the global balance of power by empowering nations that industrialized early, such as the United Kingdom and Japan, to expand their empires and influence. It also led to a technological and economic divide between these industrialized nations and those that were not yet industrialized.

  • How did the desire for freer trade influence imperialism and colonization?

    -The desire for freer trade drove imperialism and colonization as industrialized nations sought new markets for their goods and sources of raw materials. When free trade was not readily available, it was sometimes enforced through military power or colonial rule.

Outlines
00:00
🌍 European Colonialism in the 1700s

This paragraph discusses the map of European colonial possessions during the early to mid-1700s, highlighting the significant territories held by Spain and Portugal in Central and South America, as well as British and French possessions in North America. It notes that despite these holdings, much of the world, particularly in Africa and Asia, remained outside European control. The paragraph then transitions to the Industrial Revolution, emphasizing the central role of the steam engine and other technologies like electrification and the telegraph. These innovations revolutionized production, transportation, and communication, enabling Europeans to exert control over larger territories and facilitating the expansion of colonial empires.

05:02
🏭 The Impact of Industrial Revolution on Imperialism

The second paragraph delves into the effects of the Industrial Revolution on imperialism. It explains how technological innovations, such as the steam engine and electricity, and the rise of capitalism led to a new phase of imperialism. The paragraph outlines the classic motivations for imperialism, including the acquisition of more land and people for increased taxes and military power. It then connects these traditional motives with the new drivers of imperialism fueled by industrialization, the need for raw materials, and the desire to sell manufactured goods. The paragraph also discusses how the technology of the Industrial Revolution enabled European powers to control vast empires more effectively than ever before.

10:02
🚂 Technologies Fueling Imperialism

The final paragraph summarizes the key technologies that were the fuel of the Industrial Revolution and the driving force behind imperialism. It reiterates the importance of the steam engine, steamship, railroads, and the telegraph in providing the means to project power and enforce freer trade across the globe. The paragraph concludes by emphasizing how these technological advancements not only motivated colonization and imperialism but also made it possible to maintain control over distant territories.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡European colonial possessions
This term refers to the territories controlled by European countries outside of Europe, particularly in Central and South America, Africa, and parts of Asia during the early to mid-1700s. The video script highlights the significant landholdings of Spain and Portugal in the Americas and Africa, as well as British possessions in North America that would later become the United States and Canada. These colonial possessions were a result of European exploration and expansion, and they set the stage for the later industrial and imperialistic endeavors.
💡Age of Exploration
The Age of Exploration refers to a period in history when European countries embarked on extensive overseas exploration to discover new lands and trade routes. This era, which roughly spans from the 15th to the 17th centuries, was characterized by the use of advanced navigational technologies and the establishment of colonial empires. The script mentions Portugal's significant amount of territory due to its prowess during this period, which highlights the importance of the Age of Exploration in shaping colonial possessions.
💡Industrial Revolution
The Industrial Revolution was a period of major industrialization that began during the 18th century and continued into the 19th century. It marked a significant shift in technology, manufacturing, and socioeconomic structures, leading to the rise of factory systems and the decline of agrarian economies. The script emphasizes the central role of technologies like the steam engine, electrification, and the telegraph in transforming production methods, transportation, and communication, which in turn fueled the expansion of European colonial empires.
💡Steam engine
The steam engine is a mechanical device that uses steam pressure to perform work. It was a fundamental invention during the Industrial Revolution, enabling the conversion of heat energy from burning coal into mechanical energy. This innovation greatly increased the efficiency of production processes, particularly in factories, and revolutionized transportation by powering steamships and locomotives. The script describes the steam engine as a key technology that amplified human labor and facilitated the industrialization process.
💡Capitalism
Capitalism is an economic system characterized by private ownership of the means of production and the pursuit of profit. It became prominent during the Industrial Revolution, as individuals and corporations sought to maximize returns on their investments. The video script discusses how the focus on profit and efficient use of capital led to the expansion of industrialization and the search for new markets and resources, which in turn fueled imperialism and colonial expansion.
💡Imperialism
Imperialism is the policy or ideology of extending a nation's power and influence over other countries or territories, often through colonization or military force. In the context of the video, imperialism is driven by the technological advancements of the Industrial Revolution, the pursuit of capitalist economic interests, and the need for resources and markets. The script describes how European powers used their newfound industrial and technological capabilities to carve up Africa and much of Asia into colonial possessions.
💡Technological innovation
Technological innovation refers to the development and application of new technologies that significantly impact the way societies function, work, and communicate. The video script highlights the central role of innovations like the steam engine, electricity, and the telegraph during the Industrial Revolution. These technologies not only transformed production and transportation but also enabled more efficient control over vast colonial empires and facilitated global communication and trade.
💡Colonization
Colonization is the process of establishing control over a territory, often by a more powerful nation or entity, and settling it with its own population. In the video, colonization is a direct result of European imperialism, driven by the desire for resources, markets, and military power. The script describes how European powers used their technological advancements to colonize large parts of Africa and Asia, leading to a significant shift in the global political landscape.
💡Free trade
Free trade is the economic practice of allowing goods and services to be exchanged between countries without the interference of tariffs, quotas, or other trade barriers. The video script discusses how the desire for freer trade was a motivation for imperialism and colonization. European powers sought to expand their markets and access to raw materials, and when free trade was not readily available, they sometimes enforced it through military means.
💡Global communication
Global communication refers to the ability to exchange information across long distances and around the world. The development of technologies like the telegraph during the Industrial Revolution significantly improved global communication, allowing for instant transmission of messages. This capability was crucial for coordinating trade and military activities across vast empires and contributed to the expansion of European colonial powers.
💡Military power projection
Military power projection is the ability of a nation to exert its military influence and force over a distance, often to protect its interests or enforce its policies in other regions. The video script highlights how technological advancements like steamships and railroads not only revolutionized transportation and trade but also allowed European powers to project their military power more efficiently across their colonial empires, reinforcing their control over distant territories.
Highlights

Map overview of European colonial possessions in the early to mid 1700s.

Spain and Portugal's extensive territories in the Americas and beyond.

British and French possessions in North America before significant changes.

Much of Africa and Asia remained outside European control in the 1700s.

Introduction to the Industrial Revolution's impact on global dynamics.

The steam engine as a central technology of the Industrial Revolution.

Revolution in transportation and communication transforms global interactions.

The world map changes dramatically by around the year 1900 due to colonial expansions.

Colonial powers carve up Africa and Asia, with Japan joining imperial powers.

Motivations for imperialism include conquest, land, taxes, and military power.

Technological innovation and capitalism as new forces in imperialism.

Industrialization's role in increasing output and productivity.

Industrial revolution spurs a need for raw materials and new markets.

Military power used to secure trade and enforce colonization.

Technology enables efficient control over vast colonial empires.

Transcripts
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