How significant Was the British Empire in promoting globalization within 1850-1914?
My main argument is that the British Empire was a significant catalyst within the 19th century to early 20th century process of globalization. Firstly, due to the British Empire’s role in integrating previously globally isolated nations, regions and peoples into a global system. Secondly by facilitating and encouraging internal cultural, economic and political connections and transfers within the formal and informal British Empire.
The Structure of the Essay goes through significant factors such as migration, global trade and investment, transportation and communication technology and transfers of political ideas and institutions. The essay was originally split into cultural, political and economic categories of globalization, however different points have been moved around to support a coherent narrative and argument through the essay. The latter part of the essay will include a criticism of the British Empire’s negative effect on aspects of the process of globalization and the idea of a British world system within the period.
Using a wide range of materials, my secondary sources are generally split into,
- specific studies of the British Empire’s effect upon globalization,
- sources on High or New Imperialism in general,
- sources on historiography of Imperialism.
- I've further found source on World systems theory particularly useful.
- Whilst I will further will try to expand the range of primary sources I use as I go.
So far, I have researched the essay and have written the majority of the first draft, I will do more research with some new sources when I write a second draft. The point that I’m often unclear of relate to the larger parts of global history, particularly within world system theory and how this relate to the structure of the British Empire.