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5.4 Industrialization Spreads, 1750 to 1900

3 min readmarch 16, 2023

Jillian Holbrook

Jillian Holbrook

Andrew Fultz

Andrew Fultz

Jillian Holbrook

Jillian Holbrook

Andrew Fultz

Andrew Fultz

Industrialization Shifts to a Global Platform

Industrialization Beyond Great Britain

Countries noticed the benefits, both economically and politically, of industrialization as it occurred in Great Britain. Due to a combination of technological, economic, and , the Industrial Revolution spread across Europe, , , and , creating a significant impact on the global economy and the way people lived and worked. France adopted industrialization after their wars ended over attempts for , and once Germany unified, they became a leader in coal and

, , and followed Europe’s lead in industrializing:

The United States

The U.S. population grew through throughout the 1800s, so they had a large . to the U.S. was generally from Ireland, China, and Germany in the mid-1800s, but by the late 1800s, expanded to include southern and eastern Europe, as well as . This translated into rising as a leading industrial power by 1900 because it provided for factories, especially for immigrants settling in the northeastern part of . 🇺🇸

Russia

In , the government largely drove industrialization. The state implemented policies and invested in infrastructure, such as the construction of the to promote industrial growth. Russian industrialization efforts, in contrast to other countries, were not propelled by . Accompanied by significant political changes, including the emergence of a in 1917, the new Soviet Union, which emerged from the Russian Revolution, pursued a policy of rapid industrialization, which had significant economic and social impacts on the country. 🚂

Japan

industrialized for defensive purposes in order to protect its traditions. To catch up to the West, modernized its economy and increased its wealth and power. Because of 's highly educated workforce, with a large percentage of the population being literate, the country quickly adopted and adapted to new technologies. Education and were, therefore, crucial to 's rapid industrialization. 🇯🇵

https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/fiveable-92889.appspot.com/o/images%2Frailroad?alt=media&token=766b06e6-c792-488b-9c2c-d6d7697040bb

Trans-Siberian Railroad, 1892. Image courtesy of Wikimedia

Production Increases Disproportionately

Steam-powered industrial production increased in European countries and . As a result of , the production of goods in factories grew rapidly, and steamships significantly improved transportation speeds and reliability. Thus, Europe and took control of the larger share of .

Middle Eastern and Asian countries did continue to produce goods. However, the lack of steam power and new technology meant that they did not produce nearly as much as industrialized countries. These regions declined in manufacturing relative to European and American competition, including the industries of shipbuilding in India and Southeast Asia, iron works in India, and textile production in India and Egypt.

Ultimately, Europe, , , and out-produced non-industrialized areas. Innovations in technology, such as harnessing energy from fossil fuels, shifted the economic global dominance from East Asia to Europe.

🎥Watch: WHAP - Industrialization in World History

https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/fiveable-92889.appspot.com/o/images%2F-d82KXi4DMnhT.JPG?alt=media&token=d50096b0-d215-4288-b6bb-53bc44ecdf40

Key Terms to Review (29)

Asian Goods Production

: Asian Goods Production refers to the manufacturing and production of goods within Asian countries. This includes industries such as electronics, automobiles, textiles, and more.

Cheap Labor Sources

: Cheap labor sources refer to places where employers can hire workers at lower wages compared to other regions due to economic conditions, cost of living, or lack of regulations.

Coal Production

: Coal production refers to the process of mining and processing coal, a fossil fuel used for energy.

Communist Government

: A communist government is a political system in which the state owns and controls all property and means of production, with the aim to promote equality among its citizens.

Defensive Industrialization

: Defensive industrialization is a strategy used by countries to develop their own industries as a means of reducing dependence on foreign goods and protecting their economies.

Economic Factors

: These are elements that have an impact on the economy of a specific region or country, including inflation, unemployment rates, taxation changes, and economic growth.

Economic Global Dominance Shift

: This term refers to the change in global economic power from one country or region to another over time due to factors like industrialization, technological advancement, trade policies etc.

Fossil Fuels Energy Harnessing

: This refers to the process of extracting and utilizing energy stored in fossil fuels, such as coal, oil, and natural gas. These fuels are burned to produce heat or electricity.

German Unification

: German Unification was the process by which the numerous states of Germany came together under one central government in 1871 with Prussia as its leading state.

Global Manufacturing

: Global manufacturing refers to the production of goods on a worldwide scale, often involving multiple countries in different stages of the manufacturing process.

Government-Driven Industrialization

: This refers to the process where a government takes active steps to promote the growth of industries in its country. It often involves policies such as subsidies, tariffs, and infrastructure development.

Immigration

: Immigration is the process by which individuals move from one country to another with intentions of settling, permanently or temporarily.

Industrialization Beyond Great Britain

: This refers to the spread of industrialization from its birthplace in Great Britain to other parts of the world, including Europe, North America, and eventually Asia.

Iron Works in India

: Iron works in India refers to the historical production and working with iron to create tools, weapons, household items etc., which played a significant role during ancient times through medieval periods.

Japan

: Japan is an island nation located in East Asia known for its unique culture, technological advancements, strong economy, and historical significance.

Labor Source

: A labor source refers to the origin or supply of workers who are available and capable of performing a particular job or task.

Middle Eastern Goods Production

: Middle Eastern Goods Production refers specifically to the creation of goods within countries located in the Middle East region. This includes industries such as oil production, textiles, agriculture and more.

Modernized Economy

: A modernized economy refers to an economic system that has evolved from being primarily based on agriculture to one based on manufacturing and services. It is characterized by advanced technology, high productivity, and a strong infrastructure.

National Identity

: National identity refers to a person's sense of belonging to one state or nation. It involves shared characteristics such as culture, language, tradition and politics.

Political Factors

: Political factors refer to the influence that government policy and its administrative practices can have on something. In AP World History, this often refers to how these factors impact a country's development, economy, or society.

Private Enterprise

: A business or industry that is managed by individuals or companies, rather than the state. It operates with the main goal of making profits.

Russia

: Russia is a country located in eastern Europe and northern Asia. It is known for its vast size, diverse culture, and significant influence on global politics.

Shipbuilding Industry in India and Southeast Asia

: The shipbuilding industry in India and Southeast Asia refers to the historical development of naval architecture and marine engineering, producing vessels for trade, transportation, and warfare.

Steam-Powered Technology

: Steam-powered technology refers to machinery and tools powered by steam engines. These were key inventions during the Industrial Revolution that greatly increased productivity in factories and transportation methods like trains & ships.

Steel Production

: Steel production refers to the process of converting iron ore into steel, a strong and versatile metal. This process involves several stages including extraction, smelting, refining, and alloying.

Technological Factors

: These are elements that affect how industries operate based on advancements or changes in technology.

Textile Production in India and Egypt

: Textile production in India and Egypt refers to the historical process of creating cloth or fabric from natural resources like cotton, silk, or flax.

The United States

: The United States is a country located primarily in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major self-governing territories, and various possessions.

Trans-Siberian Railroads

: A network of railways connecting Moscow with the Russian Far East and the Sea of Japan. It is one of the longest railway lines in the world.

5.4 Industrialization Spreads, 1750 to 1900

3 min readmarch 16, 2023

Jillian Holbrook

Jillian Holbrook

Andrew Fultz

Andrew Fultz

Jillian Holbrook

Jillian Holbrook

Andrew Fultz

Andrew Fultz

Industrialization Shifts to a Global Platform

Industrialization Beyond Great Britain

Countries noticed the benefits, both economically and politically, of industrialization as it occurred in Great Britain. Due to a combination of technological, economic, and , the Industrial Revolution spread across Europe, , , and , creating a significant impact on the global economy and the way people lived and worked. France adopted industrialization after their wars ended over attempts for , and once Germany unified, they became a leader in coal and

, , and followed Europe’s lead in industrializing:

The United States

The U.S. population grew through throughout the 1800s, so they had a large . to the U.S. was generally from Ireland, China, and Germany in the mid-1800s, but by the late 1800s, expanded to include southern and eastern Europe, as well as . This translated into rising as a leading industrial power by 1900 because it provided for factories, especially for immigrants settling in the northeastern part of . 🇺🇸

Russia

In , the government largely drove industrialization. The state implemented policies and invested in infrastructure, such as the construction of the to promote industrial growth. Russian industrialization efforts, in contrast to other countries, were not propelled by . Accompanied by significant political changes, including the emergence of a in 1917, the new Soviet Union, which emerged from the Russian Revolution, pursued a policy of rapid industrialization, which had significant economic and social impacts on the country. 🚂

Japan

industrialized for defensive purposes in order to protect its traditions. To catch up to the West, modernized its economy and increased its wealth and power. Because of 's highly educated workforce, with a large percentage of the population being literate, the country quickly adopted and adapted to new technologies. Education and were, therefore, crucial to 's rapid industrialization. 🇯🇵

https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/fiveable-92889.appspot.com/o/images%2Frailroad?alt=media&token=766b06e6-c792-488b-9c2c-d6d7697040bb

Trans-Siberian Railroad, 1892. Image courtesy of Wikimedia

Production Increases Disproportionately

Steam-powered industrial production increased in European countries and . As a result of , the production of goods in factories grew rapidly, and steamships significantly improved transportation speeds and reliability. Thus, Europe and took control of the larger share of .

Middle Eastern and Asian countries did continue to produce goods. However, the lack of steam power and new technology meant that they did not produce nearly as much as industrialized countries. These regions declined in manufacturing relative to European and American competition, including the industries of shipbuilding in India and Southeast Asia, iron works in India, and textile production in India and Egypt.

Ultimately, Europe, , , and out-produced non-industrialized areas. Innovations in technology, such as harnessing energy from fossil fuels, shifted the economic global dominance from East Asia to Europe.

🎥Watch: WHAP - Industrialization in World History

https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/fiveable-92889.appspot.com/o/images%2F-d82KXi4DMnhT.JPG?alt=media&token=d50096b0-d215-4288-b6bb-53bc44ecdf40

Key Terms to Review (29)

Asian Goods Production

: Asian Goods Production refers to the manufacturing and production of goods within Asian countries. This includes industries such as electronics, automobiles, textiles, and more.

Cheap Labor Sources

: Cheap labor sources refer to places where employers can hire workers at lower wages compared to other regions due to economic conditions, cost of living, or lack of regulations.

Coal Production

: Coal production refers to the process of mining and processing coal, a fossil fuel used for energy.

Communist Government

: A communist government is a political system in which the state owns and controls all property and means of production, with the aim to promote equality among its citizens.

Defensive Industrialization

: Defensive industrialization is a strategy used by countries to develop their own industries as a means of reducing dependence on foreign goods and protecting their economies.

Economic Factors

: These are elements that have an impact on the economy of a specific region or country, including inflation, unemployment rates, taxation changes, and economic growth.

Economic Global Dominance Shift

: This term refers to the change in global economic power from one country or region to another over time due to factors like industrialization, technological advancement, trade policies etc.

Fossil Fuels Energy Harnessing

: This refers to the process of extracting and utilizing energy stored in fossil fuels, such as coal, oil, and natural gas. These fuels are burned to produce heat or electricity.

German Unification

: German Unification was the process by which the numerous states of Germany came together under one central government in 1871 with Prussia as its leading state.

Global Manufacturing

: Global manufacturing refers to the production of goods on a worldwide scale, often involving multiple countries in different stages of the manufacturing process.

Government-Driven Industrialization

: This refers to the process where a government takes active steps to promote the growth of industries in its country. It often involves policies such as subsidies, tariffs, and infrastructure development.

Immigration

: Immigration is the process by which individuals move from one country to another with intentions of settling, permanently or temporarily.

Industrialization Beyond Great Britain

: This refers to the spread of industrialization from its birthplace in Great Britain to other parts of the world, including Europe, North America, and eventually Asia.

Iron Works in India

: Iron works in India refers to the historical production and working with iron to create tools, weapons, household items etc., which played a significant role during ancient times through medieval periods.

Japan

: Japan is an island nation located in East Asia known for its unique culture, technological advancements, strong economy, and historical significance.

Labor Source

: A labor source refers to the origin or supply of workers who are available and capable of performing a particular job or task.

Middle Eastern Goods Production

: Middle Eastern Goods Production refers specifically to the creation of goods within countries located in the Middle East region. This includes industries such as oil production, textiles, agriculture and more.

Modernized Economy

: A modernized economy refers to an economic system that has evolved from being primarily based on agriculture to one based on manufacturing and services. It is characterized by advanced technology, high productivity, and a strong infrastructure.

National Identity

: National identity refers to a person's sense of belonging to one state or nation. It involves shared characteristics such as culture, language, tradition and politics.

Political Factors

: Political factors refer to the influence that government policy and its administrative practices can have on something. In AP World History, this often refers to how these factors impact a country's development, economy, or society.

Private Enterprise

: A business or industry that is managed by individuals or companies, rather than the state. It operates with the main goal of making profits.

Russia

: Russia is a country located in eastern Europe and northern Asia. It is known for its vast size, diverse culture, and significant influence on global politics.

Shipbuilding Industry in India and Southeast Asia

: The shipbuilding industry in India and Southeast Asia refers to the historical development of naval architecture and marine engineering, producing vessels for trade, transportation, and warfare.

Steam-Powered Technology

: Steam-powered technology refers to machinery and tools powered by steam engines. These were key inventions during the Industrial Revolution that greatly increased productivity in factories and transportation methods like trains & ships.

Steel Production

: Steel production refers to the process of converting iron ore into steel, a strong and versatile metal. This process involves several stages including extraction, smelting, refining, and alloying.

Technological Factors

: These are elements that affect how industries operate based on advancements or changes in technology.

Textile Production in India and Egypt

: Textile production in India and Egypt refers to the historical process of creating cloth or fabric from natural resources like cotton, silk, or flax.

The United States

: The United States is a country located primarily in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major self-governing territories, and various possessions.

Trans-Siberian Railroads

: A network of railways connecting Moscow with the Russian Far East and the Sea of Japan. It is one of the longest railway lines in the world.


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AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.


© 2024 Fiveable Inc. All rights reserved.

AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.