World Trade Since 1431: Geography, Technology, and Capitalism / Edition 1

by Peter J. Hugill

Overview

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that developed and marketed new technologies best were the nations that rose to world power, while those that held onto outdated technologies fell behind.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.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780801851261
Publisher:	Johns Hopkins University Press
Publication date:	03/01/1995
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	400
Product dimensions:	6.88(w) x 10.00(h) x (d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Peter Hugill is professor of geography at Texas A & M University.

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. 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

Editorial Reviews

A magnificent work, Braudelian in its conception, scope, and attention to detail . . . A delight.
—Progress in Human Geography.

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.
—Virginia Quarterly Review

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.
—Geonomics.

From the Publisher

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.

Geonomics.

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

Progress in Human Geography.

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.

Virginia Quarterly Review