Access to and control of raw materials and natural resources was a crucial aspect of imperialism and
warfare in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Discuss some of the ways that imperialism and warfare
in the time period was a driving factor in the creation of new technologies. In your answer, use at least
three different examples covering the period from the late nineteenth century to the post-WWII era. (825
words )
nineteenth century to the post-WWII era. ( 825 words )
Book Review of “ Leonardo to the Internet”
There have been different factors that have contributed to the creation and advancements
in technology over time. Some of the major factors that have influenced the creation of new
technologies include warfare and imperialism. The impact has been witnessed in the different
periods such as the late nineteenth century and also after the World War 2 era. In this periods, the
revolutionary developments in science and technology have taken place. Imperialism is
identified to be the practice or policy of extending the dominion and power of a given nation. It
would entail gaining indirect control or through direct acquisitions over the economic or political
life of a certain territory. The warfare was also a major factor that impacted the advancement in
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technology. In this case, warfare and imperialism occurred during the same time which makes
them two major factors influencing the development of technology.
The birth of industrialism is said to have happened in the middle 18th century where
there was the constant use of steam engine used for pumping water. The American civil war
resulted in effects such as the need to search for new cotton sources which led to the rise of the
mills especially in India and Africa. War is said to have put a big demand on the resources of a
nation. These resources include military personnel and also the materials need for warfare.
Warfare and imperialism resulted in positive technological development by accelerating it so to
ensure different tools were adopted for the sake of solving the specific needs of the military
during the war. One of the technological advancement was witnessed in the early part of the 20th
century is the development of the radar. The device was developed by Sir Robert due to the
challenges experienced while using the radio antennae in detecting the distant objects. The
practical radar was developed in the year 1935. It was adopted by the British Air Ministry in
detecting the aggressors during the period of World War 2. The technological advancement has
been continuously adopted by militaries around the world which meant the adoption of the new
warfare strategies by countries practicing imperialism or engaging in war (Misa, 2013, p.g 56).
The need to adopt the new warfare strategies also prompted the United States to focus on new
technology and development which lead to the creation of the stealth aircraft technology.
The internet which is considered to be a major technological advancement is said to
begin as a military project by countries practicing warfare or imperialism. The advancement was
identified in the year 1960 when the United States started a project with the aim of developing a
technology that would make it possible to connect multiple computers. Such development would
enhance easy and efficient sharing of information at unprecedented speeds. Warfare also played
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a major role in technological development through the invention of the space race in the United
States. The United States was focused on acquiring space technology before other Soviets’. The
space race was developed with the aim of ensuring vehicles, women, men and systems were
developed in preparation for future attacks or wars. The technology was later adapted for serving
civilian purposes. The Imperial technology was first deployed on the Ganges. The Steam and
opium war mainly started when the importation of destructive substances was banned by China.
In the industrializing nations, there was the development of the telegraph lines and railways
technology. Telegraph was important for imperial communication. The British had become
dependent on roads, stream ship, and telegraphs where they also decided to expand to the
building of railways.
There were also more inventions that occurred during the imperialism period such as the
Gatling which is a technological development that happened in 1861. The gun was created had
sheer destructive power when used during the civil war. The Gun was created since it could
effectively release brass cartridge ammunitions in an efficient manner. The inventions also
changed the warfare since it was mainly used by the military in the execution of their missions.
In this case, imperialism influenced the development of the early machine gun technology. The
Breech-Loading Rifles was also invented as a result of the imperialism which mainly occurred
between 1870 and 1915. The Ferguson Rifle invented during this period was the first rifle in
history. The technological advancement is more efficient compared to the muzzle-loading rifles.
The invention became practical through the creation of the metallic cartridge in the mid-1800s.
War also led to innovation in other countries such as Germany. The warfare played a major role
in strengthening the superior mobility technologies of Germany. The warfare and the need to
excel resulted in the creation of tanks and aircraft which were essential during the period of war
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(Misa, 2013, p.g 75). The tank which was a British invention used caterpillar tracks that helped
in moving the armored vehicles. The invention of the tanks was efficient when used on dry
ground during the war. Based on the many machines and devices or technological advancement
witnessed over the years, it’s enough proof that imperialism and warfare were a driving factor in
the creation of new technologies.
Work Cited
Misa, Thomas J. Leonardo to the Internet: Technology and Culture from the Renaissance to the
Present. JHU Press, 2013.
