Before 1815, there had been no global world power. Today in the 21st century we have become used to living with a single dominant power. We are so used to this fact that no one questions it. It is possible that ancient China might have decided to become such a power; she had the technical shipbuilding knowledge, but she showed no interest. A world power needed a superior military force, a vibrant economy to support its military might, a navy able to travel across the world, and some purpose that encompassed the world.

During the 19th century, the world’s most powerful nations industrialised. Industrialisation was a historically unique process. Industrialisation involved the creation of  ‘infrastructure’, communication through roads, railways, and canals; the building of massive factories, producing a huge volume of goods, and most of society living close together in urban housing side by side. None of this had ever occurred before in all the world’s history. Britain was out in front in the 19th century as she led the way with industrialisation, however, the USA caught up, and Germany too by the end of the century from a slow start. All three societies came to Industrialisation through their unique histories, so there were many differences.

Monopoly or oligopoly exists when a very small number of huge enterprises dominate a marketplace. The chartered companies established in Europe in the late 16th century and continuing through to the end of the 19th were privatised monopoly companies, which allowed shareholding from outside wealthy individuals. The old feudal system had also created monopolies through land use, in feudal land tenure systems. Colonies created monopolies for the invading country. A colonial power had monopoly importing and exporting rights.