The Industrial Revolution
During the 18th century, the Industrial Revolution
began in the
United
Kingdom and accelerated during the 19th Century.
This led to a growing urban population, many new inventions
and machines that could mass produce an increasing
number and range of goods. The combination of British
military strength, a world wide trade network and
developments such as steam ships and railways, enabled
the British Empire to become the largest in human
history and made Great Britain the first global super
power. However the other European powers developed
their own industrial production and during the first
decades of the twentieth century countries fought
each other for dominance, using machines that cost
the lives of millions.
Modern Europe
After two world wars Europe was a continent weakened
and divided into capitalist western Europe, dominated
by the United States of America, and the Communist
eastern block countries, dominated by Russia. Countries
previously under European colonial rule, in Asia and
Africa, gained their independence. Through organizations
such as the European Union, the countries of Europe
sought to cooperate more closely and avoid future
conflicts. During the 1990s, communist rule in eastern
Europe came to an end and subsequently trade links
and travel across the reunited continent increased.
Rapid social change and technological innovations,
such as cars and computers, have helped to shape life
in Europe during the twentieth century and this continues
in the 21st century. Whilst Europe is relatively prosperous,
there are concerns about international trade and politics
and issues such as pollution. In a world where technology
is changing rapidly, Europe has to confront the challenges
of competing in a world of increasingly powerful trading
blocks.
