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World Trade Since 1431

Geography, Technology, and Capitalism

Peter J. Hugill

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Equipped with reliable maps and instruments for open-ocean navigation and highly seaworthy, three-masted, cannon-armed ships, Portugal dominated the Atlantic trade routes—until the diffusion of Portuguese technologies to wealthier polities made Holland the eventual successor, owing to its geographic position and its immense commercial fleet. It is precisely this interplay of technology and geography, argues Peter J. Hugill, that has guided the evolution of the modern global capitalistic system. Tracing the relationship between technology and economy over the past 550 years, Hugill finds that...

Equipped with reliable maps and instruments for open-ocean navigation and highly seaworthy, three-masted, cannon-armed ships, Portugal dominated the Atlantic trade routes—until the diffusion of Portuguese technologies to wealthier polities made Holland the eventual successor, owing to its geographic position and its immense commercial fleet. It is precisely this interplay of technology and geography, argues Peter J. Hugill, that has guided the evolution of the modern global capitalistic system. Tracing the relationship between technology and economy over the past 550 years, Hugill finds that the nations that developed and marketed new technologies best were the nations that rose to world power, while those that held onto outdated technologies fell behind. Moreover, he argues, major changes in transportation and communication technologies actually constituted the moments of transformation from one world economy to another.

Reviews

Reviews

A magnificent work, Braudelian in its conception, scope, and attention to detail... A delight.

A first-rate historical study in the genre of world history... Combines geography with the social sciences in skillful fashion. It is lucidly written and will appeal to the specialist and general reader.

Hugill provides a refreshingly long historical sweep in arguing that transportation technologies have been the key to success in world trade... A wealth of historical and technicaldetail.

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Book Details

Publication Date
Status
Available
Trim Size
6.875
x
10
Pages
400
ISBN
9780801851261
Illustration Description
75 b&w illus.
Table of Contents

List of Illustrations
List of Tables
Preface
Acknowledgments
Chapter 1. Geographic Reality in the Development of Capitalism
Chapter 2. Technology and Geography in the Elaboration of Capitalism
Chapter 3

List of Illustrations
List of Tables
Preface
Acknowledgments
Chapter 1. Geographic Reality in the Development of Capitalism
Chapter 2. Technology and Geography in the Elaboration of Capitalism
Chapter 3. The Triumph of the Ship
Chapter 4. The Problem of Overland Transportation: Canals, Rivers, and Railroads
Chapter 5. The Return to Overland Route Flexibility: Bicycles, Cars, Trucks, and Busses
Chapter 6. Aviation and the First Global System
Chapter 7. World System Theory and Geographic Reality
References
World Maps
General Index
Index of Proper Names

Author Bio