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Evolution of Modernity: Industrial Revolution and Political Transformations

July 15, 2024 184 0

In the earlier articles, we explored important changes in the medieval and early modern world, such as feudalism, the European Renaissance, and the interactions between Europeans and people from Asia, Africa, and the Americas.

Two further developments in world history created a context for what has been called ‘modernisation’. These were the Industrial revolution and a series of political revolutions that transformed subjects into citizens, beginning with the American Revolution (1776-81) and the French Revolution (1789-94).

Industrial Revolution and Political Revolutions

The Industrial Revolution

  • The Birth of Industrialization: The Industrial Revolution, which had its epicenter in Britain, is recognized as the world’s inaugural industrial nation. 
  • Rethinking Industrialization Models: Historically, it was believed that British industrialization served as the model for other nations.
    • However, more recent historical inquiry has led to questions about this assumption.
    • Different countries drew on the experiences of one another without rigidly adhering to a single model
    • Industrialization evolved uniquely in each nation, with distinctive features. 
  • Stages of British Industrialization: Britain’s industrialization included phases like coal and cotton textile industries in the first stage, followed by the introduction of railways in the second stage
  • Russia’s Industrialization: In contrast, countries like Russia, which began industrialization much later, incorporated heavy industry and railways from the initial phase of industrialization. 
  • The role of the state and banks in industrialization also varied across countries, with British industrialization having influence on the USA and Germany. 
  • Human and Environmental Toll: The British experience, however, also brought to light the human and environmental costs of industrialization, including the plight of laboring poor, especially children, as well as environmental degradation leading to epidemics like cholera and tuberculosis.

Political Revolutions

  • This period witnessed a series of political revolutions that transformed subjects into citizens
  • This transformation commenced with the American Revolution (1776-81) and the French Revolution (1789-94).
  • Evolution of Capitalism: In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, various forms of capitalism like mercantile, industrial, and financial capitalism, led to the establishment of colonies in large parts of the third world. 
  • Colonial Diversity: These colonies took different forms, from settler colonies to direct imperial control, such as British rule in India. 
    • China experienced a distinct variant of imperialism in this period, where several Western powers, including Britain, France, Germany, Russia, America, and Japan, intervened in Chinese affairs without assuming direct state power.
    • Instead, they exploited China’s resources, undermining its sovereignty and relegating it to semi-colonial status.
  • Rising Against Colonial Chains: Throughout the colonized world, nationalist movements emerged to challenge colonial exploitation
    • These nationalist movements aimed to create a political order where the people held authority.
  • Inspired by nationalist movement, Nationalism, a modern concept, revolves around popular sovereignty, advocating that political power should reside with the people.

 

However, nationalism took root not only in colonial contexts but also in the Western world and Japan. Further, nationalism comes in different forms with distinct nature which can be analyzed in detail. 

Dynamics of Western Capitalism and Imperialism

Civic Nationalism

  • Inclusive Nationalism: This strand of nationalism places sovereignty in the hands of all people, irrespective of factors like language, ethnicity, religion, or gender.
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Linking the world – In 1927 Charles Lindbergh, twenty-five years old, flew across the Atlantic Ocean, from New York to Paris, in a single engine aeroplane.
  • Citizenship-Centric Nationalism: It seeks to form a community of rights-exercising citizens and defines nationhood based on citizenship rather than ethnicity or religion. 
    • In many Western countries today, nationhood is framed in terms of shared citizenship, not ethnicity.
  • Germany is a notable exception, as it has a historical legacy of ethnic nationalism, dating back to the French imperial occupation of German states in 1806.

Ethnic and Religious Nationalisms

  • Cultural Nationalism: These types of nationalism aim to construct national identities around specific languages, religions, or traditions, often defining the nation ethnically rather than in terms of shared citizenship
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Linking the world – Japanese Zen paintings like this one were admired by western artists, and influenced the ‘Abstract Expressionist’ style of painting in the 1920s in the USA.
  • Ethnic Nationalism in Multi-Ethnic Nations: In multi-ethnic countries, ethnic nationalists may restrict sovereignty to a particular ethnic group, often regarding it as superior to minority communities
    • This form of nationalism has been prevalent in various countries, including India, China, and Japan.
  • Ideological Battles: The ideological contest between civic nationalism and ethnic/religious nationalism has played out globally, shaping the political landscapes of different nations. 
    • This struggle is not limited to specific regions, and its influence extends worldwide, influencing political and social dynamics.

Timeline (c. 1700 to 2000)

  • This timeline offers insights into the global events of the last three centuries, illustrating the contributions of various countries to the construction of our modern world. 
  • It covers significant topics, including the African slave trade, the establishment of South Africa’s Apartheid regime, social movements in Europe, the rise of nation-states, the expansion of imperial powers and colonization, as well as democratic and anti-colonial movements that reshaped the world in the previous century. 
  • Additionally, it highlights noteworthy inventions and technological advancements associated with modernity.

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Conclusion

The era of modernization marked profound shifts in global dynamics through the Industrial Revolution and political upheavals. These changes fostered the rise of nationalism, shaped diverse forms of capitalism, and influenced the creation of modern nation-states, reflecting a transformative period from the 18th to the 20th century.

Related Articles 
MEDIEVAL HISTORY CITIZENSHIP
REVOLUTION OF EARTH Industrialization in India

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