top of page

AP World History

Unit 6: c. 1750-1900

Consequences of Industrialization

Main Ideas of the Unit:

  • As Europeans industrialized, they gained an economic advantage in the global economy → Colonized other lands to gain raw materials to support their economy

  • European imperialism → Westernized all their colonies & contributed to the global migration of millions of people

Content Overview

  • Causes of Imperialism

  • Imperialism in India, Africa, Southeast Asia, and Pacific

  • Tools of Imperialism

  • Qing Dynasty's & Ottoman Empire's Decline

Main Ideas of the Topic

  • Many cultural, religious, and racial ideologies were used to justify imperialism

  • European nations colonized other nations to get raw materials to supply to their industrial factories & also to gain new markets for industrial goods

  • European nations colonized other nations to gain more political influence in the world

Main Ideas of the Topic

  • European nations + US & Japan used diplomacy & warfare to establish colonies, and they sometimes took direct control over colonies which were already established by non-state companies

  • European nations + US, Japan, & Russia made some settler colonies → Replaced native population with Europeans

  • US, Japan, & Russia conquered & settled neighboring land to expand their landholdings

  • As the influence of Europe, US, and Japan grew, the influence of Portugal & Spain declined

  • Imperialism was allowed by innovations in transportation & communications technologies, and the Westernization of the colonies helped the colonizers maintain their rule

Main Ideas of the Topic

  • Discontent with European rule in colonies → Anti-colonial movements by native populations in the colonies

  • Anti-colonial movements often led to rebellions, which were quickly put down by the colonizers

Main Ideas of the Topic

  • Europeans established export-oriented economies in their colonies to export raw materials & foods to Europe → Used to feed the European population & make industrial goods → Industrial goods sold in colonies for profit

  • Nations practiced economic imperialism in their colonies & organized the trade to give them a distinct advantage over their colonies

Main Ideas of the Topic

  • Migration was influenced by the need for jobs & changes in demographics that challenged the patterns of living

  • Migration was allowed by innovations in transportation, such as steam-powered locomotives & steamships

  • In addition to free-moving migrants, the global economy relied on coerced labor, such as Indian & Chinese indentured servitude and convict labor

  • Most migrants were male → Women were left behind to take new societal roles traditionally occupied by men

  • Migrants created ethnic enclaves in their new society to help adjust to their new home → Receiving society didn't always embrace them & sought immigration regulation

bottom of page