The Nineteenth Century (1815-1914)
In the period from 1815 to 1914, the world underwent significant changes across economic, political, social, cultural, and technological dimensions. Three types of movement characterized international economic exchanges:
1. Trade: In this era, trade focused on goods such as cloth, wheat, and other primary products.
2. Labor Migration: A massive movement of people migrated across the globe chiefly in search of employment.
3. Capital Movement: Investment opportunities emerged, resulting in substantial inflows of capital across borders.
These flows were intertwined and influenced living conditions and social structures globally.
A World Economy Takes Shape
The traditional self-sufficiency in food was challenged by increasing urbanization and population growth, particularly in Britain. The abolition of the Corn Laws resulted in cheaper imported food but also caused significant unemployment among agricultural workers. Simultaneously, the growing demand led to agricultural expansions worldwide, with notable mass migration from Europe to America and Australia occurring as people sought better socioeconomic conditions.
Role of Technology
Advancements in technology like steamships and railways revolutionized food transport, making perishable goods available to far-off markets, thus improving diets, particularly in urban Europe. The introduction of refrigerated ships transformed meat transport, lowering costs and improving availability.
Late Nineteenth-Century Colonialism
Towards the end of the century, trade expansion also implied significant losses for many colonized societies. The Berlin Conference of 1885 exemplified how European powers divided Africa among themselves, disrupting native economies and systems. Rinderpest in the 1890s devastated cattle populations in Africa, leading to economic hardships.
Indian Indentured Labor Migration
Indentured labor became a significant aspect, where many Indians migrated to plantations and colonies under contractual agreements, hoping for better opportunities.
Conclusion
The nineteenth century was thus a time marked by profound yet complex interconnections across global economies that had enduring impacts on societies and their relations, culminating in a world economy that set the stage for the events of the twentieth century.