Industrial Innovations
an economy that primarily provides raw materials for use by other nations
export economy
the period beginning in 1868 when, under Emperor Meiji, Japan began to industrialize
Meiji Restoration
a personal colony of Belgium’s King Leopold II where infamous abuse of African laborers took place
Congo Free State
a decline in a nation’s or region’s industrial activity
deindustrialization
To whom is the invention of the radio attributed?
a. Thomas Edison
b. Alexander Graham Bell
c. Guglielmo Marconi
d. Henry Ford
c. Guglielmo Marconi
What was one of the main motives of nineteenth-century imperialism?
a. learning more about the cultures of non-European peoples
b. finding new lands for large numbers of Europeans to settle in
c. gaining access to raw materials
d. discovering new species of animal life
c. gaining access to raw materials
What was the purpose of the 1884–1885 Berlin Conference?
a. to punish France for its brutality toward West Africans
b. to decide which European countries possessed different parts of Africa
c. to conclude a peace treaty between Italy and Ethiopia
d. to carve out the industrialized nations’ spheres of influence in China
b. to decide which European countries possessed different parts of Africa
What country was initially prevented from industrializing because of a lack of free laborers?
a. Germany
b. Italy
c. Britain
d. Russia
d. Russia
How did the Bessemer Process (1850s) and Siemens-Martin Process (1860s) improve steel production, and what impact did these innovations have on railroads and skyscrapers?
The Bessemer Process removed impurities from iron, producing stronger steel, which allowed for more durable railroads and machines. The Siemens-Martin Process further improved steel quality, enabling the construction of skyscrapers and expanding rail networks.
How did the Calico Acts of the early 18th century contribute to the decline of Indian textiles and economic dependence on Britain?
The Calico Acts banned Indian textiles in Britain, forcing India to shift from a textile-exporting economy to a supplier of raw cotton for British industries. This led to widespread unemployment among Indian weavers and increased economic reliance on British imports.
What were the key decisions made at the Berlin Conference (1884–1885), and how did they shape European colonization of Africa?
The Berlin Conference divided Africa among European powers, ignoring African sovereignty and cultural divisions. It legitimized colonial rule, allowing European nations to claim vast territories for economic exploitation, fueling the Scramble for Africa.
How did Latin America’s shift to an export-based economy limit its ability to industrialize in the late 19th and early 20th centuries?
Latin American economies became dependent on raw material exports like sugar, coffee, and cotton, while importing finished goods from industrialized nations. The War of the Triple Alliance (1864–1870) destabilized economies, and foreign investors controlled much of the industrial infrastructure, preventing self-sustained industrial growth
What transportation innovation, introduced by Karl Benz in 1886, marked the beginning of modern personal travel, and how did it contribute to industrial growth?
The gasoline-fueled automobile, powered by an internal combustion engine, revolutionized transportation by making travel faster and more efficient. This innovation also spurred the growth of industries like oil, rubber, and steel, creating jobs and boosting economic expansion.
How did King Leopold II acquire the Congo Free State (1884–1885), and what methods did he use to exploit its resources?
At the Berlin Conference (1884–1885), King Leopold II falsely claimed his goal was to civilize Africans and provide humanitarian aid. Instead, he established the Congo Free State as his personal colony and imposed brutal forced labor systems to extract ivory and rubber, leading to millions of deaths.
What factors contributed to Ethiopia’s victory over Italy at the Battle of Adwa (1896), and why was this battle significant?
Emperor Menelik II secured European-manufactured modern weapons, united diverse Ethiopian forces, and exploited Italy’s treaty misinterpretation, leading to a decisive victory at Adwa. This event ensured Ethiopia’s independence and became a symbol of successful African resistance against colonization.
What was the 1899 Samoan Agreement, and how did it demonstrate imperial control over the Pacific?
The 1899 Samoan Agreement divided the Samoan Islands among imperial powers: Germany took Western Samoa, the United States controlled American Samoa, and Britain withdrew in exchange for territories elsewhere. The agreement demonstrated how European and American powers carved up the Pacific without consulting indigenous leaders
Which railroad safety innovation, invented by George Westinghouse in 1869, allowed trains to stop more efficiently and made high-speed rail travel possible?
The air brake system enabled all train cars to brake simultaneously, reducing accidents, improving safety, and making long-distance rail travel more efficient, which helped expand trade and industrial production.
What was the red rubber system, and how did it impact the Congolese population under Belgian rule?
The red rubber system was a forced labor regime in the Congo Free State, where villagers were required to meet strict rubber quotas under threat of mutilation or execution. Failure to meet these quotas led to widespread violence, starvation, and population decline, causing international outrage.
How did the Sudanese Mahdist Revolt (1881–1890s) challenge British imperial control, and what was its impact on Sudan’s future?
Muhammad Ahmad, the Mahdi, led a religious revolt against Ottoman-Egyptian rule, indirectly challenging British influence in Sudan. His forces successfully defeated Egyptian and British-backed troops, establishing an Islamic state free from foreign control. However, after his death, British forces eventually reconquered Sudan in 1898, leading to prolonged British colonial rule and further entrenching foreign domination
How did British colonial policies shift India’s economy from a manufacturing nation to a raw material export economy, and what were the consequences?
British policies, including the Calico Acts and high taxation, forced India to abandon textile production and focus on cash-crop agriculture. This led to a reliance on cotton, tea, sugar, and opium exports, reducing food production and causing devastating famines that killed 30 million people.