The tools of empire : technology and European imperialism in the nineteenth century

The Tools of Empire: Technology and European Imperialism in the Nineteenth Century explores the social history of technology connecting what its author considers the two “great events” of the nineteenth century: the colonization of Africa and Asia, and the progress and development of industrial technology. He denounces the “leading sectors” model through which traditional historiographies up until the writing of this book was used to viewing the Industrial revolution, and their long disregard of technological factors in imperialist expansion. Headrick views nineteenth century imperialism as a result of both appropriate motives and adequate means, and divides the trajectory of its history into the three stages of exploration, conquest, and the forging of communication and transportation networks, and explores the development and role of technologies like guns, quinine, submarine cables, railroads and gunboats and steamships.The author exemplifies the interconnected histories of the collaboration of politics, legislation, technological innovation and capital in the success of the steamship lobby in pushing for investment in gunboats in the British empire that Headrick traces, among other similar narratives pertaining to other technologies. This book sits at the crossroads of the history of technology, economic history and the history of European imperialism, and explores how specific technologies made specific developments in European imperialism possible. It is extremely well-researched, lucidly written and well-organized. I particularly enjoyed the way Headrick has followed the paper trail at the archives to trace the various developments that he tracks. One needs to realize, however, that his sources are official Parliamentary papers and documents of the English East India Company archives, which influences the kind of history he is able to tell. It is a history of powerful people making decisions and pushing their agenda that end up affecting millions of lives ... The Industrial Revolution and European imperalism were without question two of the most influential developments of the 19th century. Their impact on the maturation of European societies and economies has been the subject of countless studies. Nevertheless, the deep and fundamental connections between industrial technology and the vast new European imperialism have remained largely unexplored. This is no longer the case, as Daniel Headrick's The Tools of Empire makes a significant contribution to our understanding of this relationship. Headrick provides neither a detailed history of imperialism nor an internal history of technology. Rather, his purpose is to describe and analyze the interplay between the two. Imperialism was the result, he argues, both of appropriate motives and adequate means. By focusing on technology (the means), Headrick demonstrates how it interacted with the various imperial motives to influence the timing, location, and nature of imperialism. -- Reviex from http://www.jstor.org/stable/pdf/3104499.pdf (June 29, 2015) "The students enjoyed it very much. It was difficult enough to keep a history calss challenged, but easy enough for them to enjoy it."--Stephen Miller, University of Connecticut "Ideally suited for undergraduate courses in colonialism and world history."--S. David Knisley, Mars Hill College "Excellent and moving text!"--Linda Waleda, Portland State University "Excellent study. I have been asked to propose a course on Industrialization, Technology and International Relations... [and] Headrick's work will be included. Thanks for letting me read this fine study."--Thomas Schoonover, University of Southwestern Louisiana "A fine, in-depth work for use with the more cursory textbook treatment of a central element of modern history."--T.R. Cox, San Diego State University About the Author Daniel R. Headrick is Professor of Social Science and History at Roosevelt University and author of numerous books on world history. Cover/page edges show minor shelf/use wear with minor corner/edge bumping. Minor cover scuffing Spine/binding tight, but with minor reading creasing. Contains notations and underlining