1. Topic 2 – Historical Developments of Capitalism
A – Feudalism and Capitalism
B – The Industrial Revolution
C – Colonialism and its Demise
D – Waves of Economic Change

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Dr. Jean-Paul Rodrigue, Dept. of Global Studies & Geography, Hofstra University.

3. A - Feudalism and Capitalism
The Feudal System and its Demise
Long Distance Trade

4. 1. The Feudal System and its Demise
The Feudal society
A system of bonds and obligations:
Power in land ownership.
Administrative/legal (Lord) and religious (Church) control.
Rent/Royalties from the serf to the lord (in kind or labor).
Fixation of the productive forces (tools and labor) in agricultural production.
Little socioeconomic changes over centuries.
Economy:
Small local markets (fairs).
Low levels of productivity (subsistence level).
Profits taken away by the lord/church, inhibiting any increases in agricultural productivity.
80 to 90% of the population was in agriculture while the other share were artisans and landowners.
Different types of feudal societies (China, Japan, Europe).

5. Roman Empire, c125AD
Empires collapse because of overstretch: resources to maintain hegemony exceed resources collected. Theft, plunder, taxation and (hyper)inflation (final phase).

6. The Silk Road and Arab Sea Routes (8th to 14th Centuries)

7. 1. The Feudal System and its Demise
The end of the Middle Ages
The Plague of 1348 created labor shortages and social disruption.
At the end of the 15th century, large parts of Europe were still under a feudal regime:
Trade was almost non-existent because each locality was almost self-sufficient.
Distribution costs were high:
Diversity of currencies.
Different units of measure.
Tariffs imposed on goods moving between small kingdoms.
The emergence of a merchant class (proto-capitalism):
Commodification of goods and services.

8. 1. The Feudal System and its Demise
The European origin of the global economy
The fifteenth century marked the beginning of an expansion of European control throughout the world.
Europe progressively assured the development of the global economy by an extension of its hegemony:
Mercantilism was the first phase.
The industrial revolution was the second.
Over three centuries ( ):
The setting of capitalistic systems.
Limits of the world were pushed away.
A world where borders are drawn; a delimited world.
Establishment of vast colonial empires.
Waves of innovations and socio-economic transformations.

9. Merchants and Mercantilism
2. Long Distance Trade
Merchants and Mercantilism
A new structure of wealth accumulation:
Investing in trade and in the manufacture of consumption goods.
Expansion of the wealth of merchants:
It was them, and not the feudal Lords, who had the largest amount of capital.
Merchants invested the capital in commercial enterprises while lords fixed it on land.
Rich merchant families such as the Medici (modern banking).
Goal:
Buy goods at the lowest possible price.
Sell them at the best price, thus generating a profit.
Used to finance new commercial initiatives.
Financing the first maritime explorations:
Attempt to acquire information on the commercial potential of new territories.

10. Early European Maritime Expeditions, 1492-1522
Exploration (inventory of territories and resources).
Setting of colonial empires (control of territories).
Setting of a global trade network.

11. Density of Ship Log Entries, 1750-1810
Source: CLIWOC Project. Data geocoded by David Hopp.

12. Trading companies: Private mercantilist tools
2. Long Distance Trade
Trading companies: Private mercantilist tools
From the 17th to the 18th century trading companies acted on behalf of European governments in East Asia.
Joint stock companies.
Guarantied trade monopoly:
Rights paid to their respective governments.
Almost states in themselves:
Had their own ships (military and merchant) and military forces.
Could acquire and manage a foreign territory.
Developed trade links for commodities such as pepper.
Increasingly involved in the control and development of their respective territories.
Faced lack of interest from European governments.

13. English East Asian Company
2. Long Distance Trade
English East Asian Company
In 1592, a Portuguese ship was captured by England:
Its cargo contained stores of goods from Asia.
Triggered the need to establish a lucrative Asia trade.
EEAC founded in 1599 by British merchants:
Granted a monopoly to trade with Africa, India and America.
Trade structure:
Fill ships with European goods, sail to Asian trade depots.
Sell the goods in exchange of colonial commodities.
Sail back to Europe and sell the goods, cash in and pay dividends to the shareholders.
Dividends were over 10% per year (Sometimes up to 65%).
25% of the profits coming from the China trade.

14. 2. Long Distance Trade
Constant warfare with French, Dutch and other competitors.
China trade:
From the middle of the 18th century, the company became more involved in trade with China.
European markets needed porcelain, silk and tea.
The company traded silver in exchange.
Opium, grown in India, became a substitute for silver.
Lead to conflicts with China (Opium War of 1844).
Collapse of the EEAC:
Facing intense discontent from other British interests, the company gradually lost its monopolies from 1813.
Dissolved in 1874.
Holdings transferred to the British Crown which appointed Governors.

15. Dutch East India Company
2. Long Distance Trade
Dutch East India Company
The first Dutch expedition the Indonesia took place in 1595.
Founded in 1602 by Dutch merchants:
The world’s first multinational corporation.
Conquest:
Gained a foothold in Batavia (Indonesia; 1610).
Conquest of most of the island of Ceylon (Sri Lanka; 1640).
Took Malacca from the Portuguese (1641).
Sunk all vessels they found in Indonesian waters, removing competition.
Impacts:
Replaced local trading networks with their own.
Established fortified trading posts.
Founded Cape Town (South Africa; 1650) as a stage for the long Europe-Asia voyage.
Took advantage of feuding Indonesian dynasties by arming allies and gaining territorial rights.

16. 2. Long Distance Trade Plantations:
Forced the introduction of new cultures such as coffee in West Java (1711).
Monopoly on nutmeg (meat preserver) and cinnamon.
Destroying spice production on uncontrolled islands.
One of the first true multinational corporation:
By 1750, employed around 25,000 people.
Business in 10 Asian countries.
Built 1,500 ships.
Made 5,000 voyages to Asia.
Bankruptcy in 1799:
Corruption and mismanagement.
Holdings transferred to the Dutch Crown which appointed Governors.

17. Dutch East India Company, Trade Network, 17th Century
Source: adapted from:

18. Major Global Trade Routes, 1400-1800

19. B - The Industrial Revolution
The European Origins of the Industrial Revolution
A “Revolution” in Industry

20. 1. The European Origins of the Industrial Revolution
Why Europe?
Competition:
Political fragmentation (monarchies and republics).
Divided into competing corporate entities (early multinationals).
The Scientific Revolution:
17th century breakthroughs in mathematics, astronomy, physics, chemistry and biology.
The Rule of Law and Representative Government:
Private-property rights.
Representation of property owners in elected legislatures.
Modern Medicine:
Breakthroughs in health care (19th and 20th centuries).
Drop in death rates and increase in life expectancy.
Source: adapted from (2011) “Civilization” by Niall Ferguson. Penguin Press HC. 432 p.

21. 1. The European Origins of the Industrial Revolution
Consumer Society:
Supply of productivity-enhancing technologies.
Demand for more, better, and cheaper goods.
Work Ethic:
Combine more extensive and intensive labor.
Higher savings rates; sustained capital accumulation.

22. 2. A “Revolution” in Industry
Emergence
Started at the end of the 18th century ( ).
Economic and social transformations first observed in England.
Demographic transition of the population:
Fast growth rate.
Improvements in sanitary conditions and hygiene.
Why speak of “revolution” for a process occurring over on more than 150 years?
At the scale of the world’s economic history, the industrial revolution radically changed the foundations of economic systems.
It established the foundations of the global of the economy.
Most of the technical innovations took place on a short period, mainly between 1760 and 1800.

23. 2. A “Revolution” in Industry
Technological innovations
New methods of production by trials and errors:
New materials (steel, iron, chemicals).
Substitution of machines to human and animal labor.
Usage of thermal energy to produce mechanical energy.
Changes in the nature production and consumption:
Textiles.
Steam engine.
Iron founding.
Production (factory):
The first factories appeared after 1740.
Division of labor.
Increased productivity within a factory system of production.
Location (initially waterfalls and then coal fields).

24. Major Technological Innovations of the Industrial Revolution
Power Generation
Textiles
Metallurgy
Transportation
Thermal energy used for mechanical energy
Mechanization of spinning and weaving
Mass production of steel (shipbuilding, rails, construction and machines)
Modern transport and telecommunication systems
First water pump (1712) in mines.
Watt (1769); significant improvements.
Steam locomotive (1824).
Electric generator (1831).
Steam turbine (1884).
Electric motor (1888).
Diesel engine (1892)
“Flying shuttle” (1733) doubled weaving productivity.
“Spinning jenny” (1765).
“Water frame” (1768); hydraulic power.
“Spinning Mule” (1779); steam power.
Cotton gin (1793).
Sewing machine (1846).
Coke instead of coal for iron production (1709).
Bessemer process (1855).
Railroads (1825).
Telegraph (1836).
Steamship (1838).
Transatlantic cable (1866)
Telephone (1876).
Airplane (1903).
Global steel production grew from 0.5 million tons in 1865 to 50 million tons in 1914.

25. Geographical Impacts of the Suez and Panama Canals

26. Productivity in the Textile Industry, Great Britain , 1829-1882
Source: Rioux, J-P (1989) La révolution industrielle , Paris: Éditions du Seuil, p. 70.

27. Turnpikes in Great Britain, Late 18th and Early 19th Century
Source: adapted from D. Bogart (2004) "Turnpike Trusts and the Transportation Revolution in Eighteenth Century England",

28. American Rail Network, 1861
Sources: Railroads and the Making of Modern America, University of Nebraska, Lincoln (Rail Network). US Census Bureau (Urban Population).

29. Global Telegraph System, c1901 (the Victorian Internet)
Source:
1901 Eastern Telegraph Company System Map from A.B.C. Telegraphic Code 5th Edition

30. 2. A “Revolution” in Industry
Agriculture
A second agricultural revolution.
Introduction of new food sources:
The potato could account for 22% of the post-1700 increase in population growth.
Crop rotation, selective breeding, and seed drill technology.
Less agricultural population.
Growth of the production of food.
Mechanization and fertilizers:
Combine (McCormick, 1831).
Scientific and commercial agriculture (crop rotation).
Declining food prices.

31. 2. A “Revolution” in Industry
Social changes
Significant urbanization:
Migration from the countryside to cities.
By 1870 more of the half of the population of the first industrial nations was no longer in the agricultural sector.
England had reached this stage since 1820.
Towards 1901, 75% of the English population lived in cities.
Creation of a labor class:
Exchange of labor for a wage.
London:
Counted for half a million inhabitants in 1700.
Reached a million during the first English census of 1801.

32. Share of the Population in Agriculture, Early Industrial Countries, 1820-1910
Source: Rioux, J-P (1989) La révolution industrielle , Paris: Éditions du Seuil, p. 197.

33. 2. A “Revolution” in Industry
Consequences of the industrial revolution
Setting of high capacity maritime and inland transport systems.
Scramble to capture remaining territories.
Consolidation of colonialism:
First Opium War in 1839.
Opening of Japan in 1853.
Consolidation of British Raj in 1858.
“The Scramble for Africa” in 1890s.

34. C – Colonialism and its Demise
Colonial Economic Systems
The Demise of Colonialism

35. 1. Colonial Economic Systems
Colonialism
Quest for riches and profit
The most important factor.
Early colonialism was a capitalist venture.
Religious and racist drive:
A moral justification.
Support of the church.
Military technology advantages:
Better guns.
Better ships (artillery).
Two waves of colonialism:
First wave: Mercantilism (1415 – 1815); independence of the Americas.
Second wave: Industrial revolution ( ).

36. Colonial Trade Pattern, North Atlantic, 18th Century

37. Intermediate Globalization: The British Empire, 1897
20% of the world’s surface
25% of the world’s population

38. Global Colonial Empires, 1900
Source:

39. 1. Colonial Economic Systems
Impacts of colonialism
Annihilation and displacement of indigenous populations:
90-95% of the population died because of disease (e.g. smallpox) and wars.
Forced migration through slavery (Africa) or contract workers (Southeast Asia).
Development of the primary sector:
Export-oriented plantations (sugar, cotton, tea, coffee, fruits, rubber, tobacco, etc.).
Suppressing industrialization (economic dependency).
Dual society:
Ruling elite class (sometimes a minority).
Population in servitude (e.g. taxation).
Artificial boundaries:
“Balkanization”.

40. World Trade Routes, 1912
Source: U.S. Hydrographic Chart #1262, W.S. Morison.

41. European Control of the World, 1500-1950
1800 (37%)
1878 (67%)
1913 (84%)

42. 2. The Demise of Colonialism
Decolonization
Emerging nationalisms and patriotisms.
Successful first wave of independence in the Americas after the Napoleonic Wars (late 18th, early 19th century)
Influence of Marxism-Leninism in explaining past oppression.
Japan’s impact in Pacific Asia during WWII.
Nationalism was the driving force:
Upheld by leaders such as Bolivar (Latin America), Sun Yat-sen (China), Mao Zedong (China), Ho Chi-Minh (Vietnam) and Sukarno (Indonesia).
Created a wide variety of post-colonial governments and ideologies.

43. Decolonization since 1945
Since 1970

44. D – Waves of Economic Change
Socioeconomic Changes
Technological Changes

45. Political-economic Forms of Globalization: Imperialism, Mercantilism and Capitalism
Definition
Expansion by territorial conquest
Control and monopoly of the trade of commodities
Generation and accumulation of capital
Growth
Domination and subordination
Unequal trade
Productivity (profit)
Agent
Military
State
Corporation
Main relation
Tribute / trade
Trade / taxes
Transactions
Territories
Protectorates
Colonies
Markets
Example
Roman Empire
Dutch East India Company
Ford

46. Major Phases of Socioeconomic Change
Stone Age
Feudalism
Industrial
Planetary
Organization
Tribe / Village
City-state, Kingdom
Nation-state
Global governance
Economy
Hunting and gathering
Settled agriculture
Industrial system
Globalization
Communication
Language
Writing
Printing
Internet
Source: Raskin, P. et al (2002) Great Transition: The Promise and Lure of the Times Ahead, Boston: Stockholm Environment Institute, p. 3.

47. Long Wave Cycles of Innovation
Mass Production
Industrial Revolution
Post Industrial
Water power
Textiles
Iron
Steam
Rail
Steel
Electricity
Chemicals
Internal-combustion
engine
Petrochemicals
Electronics
Aviation
Digital networks
Software
New Media
Pace of innovation
1st Wave
2nd Wave
3rd Wave
4th Wave
5th Wave
Source: Adapted from the Economist, Feb 20th 1999.
1785
60 years
1845
55 years
1900
50 years
1950
40 years
1990
30 years

48. Long Run Productivity Growth
Commodity
Time to earn 1885 (hours)
Time to earn 2000 (hours)
Productivity multiple
1-speed Bicycle
260
7.2
36.1
Office chair 24
2.0
12.0
Hair brush 16
8.0
Silver Spoon 26
34.0
0.8
Source: Brad DeLong,

49. Cumulative Waves of Transport Development
Sailships
(17-18th century) Empires and global trade networks
Canals
(19th century)
Inland access
Railways
(19-20th century)
Inland and national accessibility
Highways
(20th century)
National mobility systems
Sub-urbanization
Airports
(20-21st century)
Global mobility systems

50. Primary Energy Production by Source, United States, 1750-2010
Source: Energy Information Administration,