The Industrial Revolution marked a huge shift in the global balance of power. Those countries with the resources to industrialize quickest gained an advantage over other regions. This book describes the rapid economic development oF the nations of Europe and North America and explains how the resulting technological and military superiority allowed them to dominate large areas of Africa and South and Southeast Asia. Even where nations such as China and Japan remained independent, their economies suffered and society went into decline. Contains global overview maps covering the whole period; regional maps and accompanying essays that highlight contemporary developments; and, curriculum links and glossary terms explained on the page.