September
The impact of industrialization was something implicated in both of the articles. I was interested to learn how other cultures are able to embrace technology to assist in political endeavors. I think learning these views really makes a person better understand the cultures and the people who come from them. The articles included in this assessment sparked my interest in learning more about other cultures and how industrialization affected them.
With the changes to these institutions, great economic gains were possible. Ultimately the Atlantic trade and colonization brought about institutional changes for many countries. The trade established with other countries helped strengthen commercial interests. The article “Peter the Great Reforms Russia” cites the Industrialization of Russia as a key factor in its reform. Industrialization greatly improved Russia’s economy. The influence of America’s industrialization was one of the major influences to move towards a more modern set of ideals and economic endeavors. One of Peter the Great’s initiatives was to improve the education of Russians (“peter the great”). The new industry provided the funds to allow for academies and studies abroad. The move from an agricultural to an industrial economy freed up children from farm labor allowing them to attend mandatory schooling. To attract industry to Russia, Peter the Great put forth a decree that factories could buy entire villages to set up their businesses in. This allowed for, “establishing new enterprises for the benefit of the state.” (“peter the great”, 55)Great changes in educational and economic reform was the result of Industrialization in Russia. The article states that Peter the Great, “worked to establish education, especially for nobility, and to facilitate manufacturing as well.” (“peter the great”, 53)
In “Asia’s Response to the Great Divergence” the effect of westernization and industrialization in Asian countries is analyzed. The article states that Feng Guifen was the first to champion the idea of westernization. Feng felt that if the political system was to grow one should look to the knowledge of western culture and the successes they had. Feng implemented principals of western government into their own. He stated, ”If we wish to Western knowledge, we should establish official translation bureaus.”(“Asian responses”,182) This show the intense amount of effort put forward by Feng to learn the ways of European nations. With Industrialization also came negative aspects. The effects of materialism and the loss of cultural traditions was also a result. In the article Gandhi, expresses his concern for the growing influence of materialism on Asian culture, fearing the cultural values were being lost. He states, “they adopt European clothing, they are supposed to become civilized, out of savagery.” (“Asian responses”, 184)
Overall, the effects of industrialization and westernization were felt worldwide. Some of the effects were positive, greatly helping improve local political and economic systems (“asian responses”). Other effects are negative such as the loss of cultural traditions and the negative values of Western culture. Political, the industrialization brought forth reform, sometimes in the form of education and others in the form of democracy. Trade between countries and the ability to travel all made industrialization an economic success.
Works Cited:
"Independence and Consolidation of New States." The Long 19th Century. -: -, 0. 186-193. Print.
“Peter the Great Reforms Russia” The Long 19th Century. -: -, 0. 53-58. Print.
“Asian Responses to the Great Divergence” The Long 19th Century. -: -, 0. 181-185. Print.
