Second Industrial Revolution and Imperialism
Economic Growth and Industrial Revolution
The Second Industrial Revolution brought profound changes based on economic growth and industrial innovation. Competition between businesses and industries was fierce, and technological advancements led to major changes in industrial and organizational work. New business associations and international markets were created, impacting production, distribution, and pricing decisions.
Business Concentration
Posters (agreements between companies manufacturing the same product to reduce or eliminate competition) and trust companies (companies in the same activity or production process merging) were the primary ways to consolidate businesses. These giant companies, particularly in the United States and Germany, accumulated significant power. Some countries, like the United States, implemented anti-trust laws to prevent the creation of trusts or monopolies.
Protectionism
Protectionism, an economic nationalism strategy, aimed to shield domestic products from foreign competition. To achieve this, countries raised tariffs (taxes on imported products). Initially, European countries (except Great Britain) increased tariffs on agricultural products to protect their farmers from cheaper imports. Soon, protectionist measures extended to the industrial sector.
Technological Progress and Innovation
Technological advancements and changes in work organization were the first signs of the economic changes brought about by the Second Industrial Revolution. New materials and energy sources transformed industries.
The Steel Age
The Second Industrial Revolution can be considered the “steel age.” The most significant innovation was the production of low-cost steel, which replaced iron in various applications. This led to the expansion of the steel industry and the decline of the old heavy industrial structure. The mechanical industry experienced significant growth as it catered to the civilian market.
New Products and Mass Consumption
The Ford Model T revolutionized the automobile industry with its affordability and widespread adoption. Mass production techniques were applied to new products like the vacuum cleaner and aspirin. Hire-purchase (installment buying) emerged in the later years.
Electricity, Oil, and Chemical Industry
Electricity transformed the way a large portion of humanity worked and lived. Oil became a crucial fuel source. The chemical industry experienced a boom due to its numerous applications.
Deterioration of Economic and Political Rivalry
The old League of Nations’ imperialist colonialism led to innovation and increased geographic expansion, particularly in Africa due to political reasons. This reorganization stemmed from the antagonism between major imperialist powers. Capitalism, driven by profit, required the sale of goods, services, and capital, leading to increased international competition in the 19th century. Following the economic depression, occupying new territories with abundant natural resources became necessary to balance the decline in profits and sales.
Expansion of Colonialism and Imperialism
After four centuries of colonialism and imperialism, European colonial influence spread to all continents following World War I. This expansion was driven by economic factors, including the need for raw materials and new markets for the growing European population. The major powers extended their colonial occupation, leading to significant changes in the role and function of former colonies. Colonized territories became crucial economic zones for production and consumption.
British Hegemony and Colonial Territories
British hegemony was established in territories with low populations, utilizing the demographic surplus of the United Kingdom and Europe. Canada became a dominion in 1867, with a high degree of self-government but remaining part of the British Empire. Other colonies served as sources of raw materials and markets for the metropoles.
Distribution of Africa
1880, Africa and the European continent was unknown a few coastal areas were occupied, and the strategic interests of the commercial areas of interest. France began the occupation of the coast of Algeria, population laster.Aljeria became a colony of a million lives in French. Then, spread the influence of Tunisia, territorial integrity and respect for the authorities had. In other areas such as Africa occupied Morocco, Madagascar, the Sahara and the Gulf of Guinea. Emperor Leopold II of Belgium, Senegal and Niger River Basin and the Congo Kongara were included in the state in the middle of the continent. Relations between the British and French had problems. Egypt was occupied by the United States in 1882. Between the European powers to create gaztakak arrskua view, the Berlin Conference was held at the end of 1884, Bismarck chancellor of the initiative, the Africa division. As a result Niger and Congo river navigation ziren.Hitzarmena be signed freely and in the coming years, European countries began to occupy territories in Africa. The effects of colonization were enormous. Distribution of this long-term harmful to the colonial peoples in Africa to life. Hate tribal and poverty have been created.