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The Rise of the Asian Century?
Is China about to surpass the United States the way we surpassed the United Kingdom?
In the 18th century, with the development of the steam engine, the Industrial Revolution began. As its birthplace, the British Empire became the world’s dominant power.
The Second Industrial Revolution, characterized by the railroad, industrial steel production, automation, the telegraph, electrification, and the use of petroleum, followed. It primarily occurred in the U.K., Germany, and the U.S., but Japan began to be perceived as a power at this time and other European countries were also involved.
In 1908, Henry Ford sold his first Model T for $850, or about $25,000 in today’s money. By 1925, thanks to his automated assembly line, he was selling cars for $260, which made it affordable for his own workers.
Americans became mobile, Detroit became the Paris of the West, the Great Migration northwards happened, and eventually Motown gave us some great music.
The 20th century was dubbed “The American Century”.
Both the United States and Germany would eventually exceed Great Britain due to their focus on technology and innovation.
