The Making of a Global World (Pre-WWI Trade, Technology)
The Making Of A Global World (Intro)
‘The Making of a Global World’ refers to the long-term process by which different regions of the world became interconnected through trade, migration, technology, conquest, and culture.
This global integration did not begin in the modern era. Historical evidence shows that economic and cultural exchanges existed across continents for centuries. Over time, these interactions intensified, culminating in a world economy by the 19th century.
Major developments such as colonialism, the industrial revolution, new transportation systems, and capitalism played a key role in shaping a truly global world before World War I.
The Pre-Modern World (Global Context)
Silk Routes Link The World
The Silk Routes were ancient trade routes connecting Asia with Europe and Northern Africa. They existed before the Christian era and remained active till the 15th century.
These routes facilitated the exchange of goods, culture, science, and ideas. Items such as silk, porcelain, spices, and precious stones travelled from China and India to Europe, while gold, silver, and wool came from the West.
Thus, the Silk Routes formed one of the earliest examples of a global economy.
Food Travels: Spaghetti And Potato
Food was another important factor in linking different parts of the world. After the discovery of the Americas by Europeans in the 15th century, new food items such as potato, maize, tomato, and chillies entered Europe and Asia.
Potato, originally from South America, became a staple in several countries due to its high productivity and nutritional value. In India, chillies and maize became integral to our cuisine.
This movement of crops across continents, known as the Columbian Exchange, transformed agricultural patterns, diets, and population growth globally.
Conquest, Disease And Trade
The colonisation of the Americas by European powers brought major changes to global history. European conquest led to the decimation of native populations due to the introduction of deadly diseases like smallpox, against which indigenous people had no immunity.
This loss of life disrupted societies and helped European conquerors establish dominance. Furthermore, the wealth from colonies and forced labour (including African slavery) was used to fuel Europe's trade and prosperity.
Thus, conquest, disease, and trade were interlinked in shaping the pre-modern global world.
The Nineteenth Century (1815–1914)
A World Economy Takes Shape
Between 1815 and 1914, a truly global economy began to take shape. This period witnessed the large-scale movement of goods, capital, and labour across continents.
Colonial powers used their territories to source raw materials like cotton, jute, sugar, tea, and rubber, which were processed in European factories and exported worldwide.
India’s role was crucial during this period as it exported raw materials and imported finished goods, making it a market and a resource base for British industries.
Migration increased significantly. Labourers from India and China were sent as indentured workers to plantations in the Caribbean, Africa, and Southeast Asia under exploitative contracts.
This phase established economic interdependence, though often at the cost of colonies’ development.
Role Of Technology
Technology was a key driver in the 19th-century globalisation process. Major technological advances facilitated faster, cheaper, and safer transport and communication.
Examples include:
- Steamships – reduced travel time for cargo and passengers across oceans
- Railways – connected interiors with ports in both coloniser and colony countries
- Telegraph – allowed near-instant communication across continents
These innovations made it possible for goods to reach distant markets and enabled colonial governments to control vast territories efficiently.
However, the benefits of technology were unevenly distributed — Europe reaped the rewards, while colonies like India were often burdened with the costs.