Imperial Competition

This chapter discusses the impacts of ocean-based globalization on competition between European imperialist empires, each trying to establish trading centers and colonies, to exploit natural resources, and to establish plantations. Small countries like Portugal and the Netherlands established global empires, and were supported with decalarations such as the Treaty of Tordesillas in 1494. Global wars marked the 18th century, beginning with the Seven Years War, and followed by the American and French Revolutions, the Napoleonic Wars, and others. This period of turmoil leads to the next wave of industrial globalization, which will be dominated by Britain and the United States.