Margaret Brock and Yohanna Martinez

Mrs. Bennett
Humanities 2-6
23 February 2016
Global Interactions Argument
Before 1750, Asia dominated economic life with agriculture, textiles, silk, and
other valuable products. Then, in 1750, the Industrial Revolution took off in Great
Britain, quickly spreading around Europe and then to the rest of the world. After this
major breakthrough, Europe became the center of economic life, exporting their new
mass-produced products all over the world. Ever since this vital event, the question has
been Why Europe? Why did the biggest economic breakthrough happen in a region that
was previously second in economic and political life? We believe that there are two main
factors that made the West into the dominant region that it is today. The competition and
work ethic that was present in Europe stimulated the Industrial Revolution, which
undeniably made the West into the dominant power it is today.
Competition within and between countries in Europe contributed to its newly
found dominance in the economic and political world. Europe was never one for
uniformity. Unity occurred rarely in Europe, but even when it happened Europe was still
riddled with internal divisions that stimulated rivalry within its population. When the era
of revolutions began in the 1700s, nations developed and Europe was divided into distinct
and independent nationalities. As these identities developed the dedication for one's
country left nothing but a love of domination; a desire [for] conquest, and a thirst for
grandeur and glory (Price 1). This sense of nationalism was a change from the previous

states that didnt coincide with cultures or race, but regardless, people took hold of these
new identities and fought to prove themselves as the superior nationality. Thus,
nationalism fueled the rivalries among European states as each nation competed for
territory in order to expand their influence, which, as a result, spread European
domination. Not only did competition lead to new European colonies, but it also gave rise
to the concentration of production, which, in turn, lead to the development of monopolies
(Lenin 1). European states each sought to create monopolies on global industries in order
to gain wealth and prestige, causing the economic power of Asian states, such as China,
to decrease. These states, weakened by European monopolies, grew dependent on
European states for investments and loans, further contributing to the growing influence
of Europe (Lenin 1). The ambitions within the European states drove them into an era of
industrialization, causing a reversal of roles, in which Europe became a major world
power.
European success in global economics and politics would not have been possible
without the driven work ethic that motivated Europeans to conquer the world. Work ethic
was what kept Europeans motivated, and inspired many people to work harder to make
things better, faster, and stronger than what came before them. This work ethic is what
put Europe ahead of other countries that used to dominate the economy. Many things
could have inspired this increased inspiration for improvement and work. One theory is
that the principles of newly found protestant churches inspired increased work ethic
(Arslan 323). These new Protestant churches changed the way people saw religion, and
thus changed their morals and view of the world. This new view promoted hard work and
belief in yourself, which inspired the work ethic that is shown in Europe during this time.

Another reason for increased work ethic was political unity. The political unity of a
country promoted the ideal conditions for the desire to get better and improve on others
ideas (Basten 68). This allowed countries to worry less on the political state of their
country, and more on the economic state, inspiring them to innovate and succeed on a
global scale. These situations created an ideal environment for increased work ethic,
which in turn transformed Europe into the global power that it is today.
There is no denying that European competition and work ethic was the main
contributor to Europe becoming a world dominance. Still, other factors, such as the
Scientific Revolution, which aided Europes population with new medicines, and the
development of property rights, which increased individual economic security and
success, helped in creating an ideal environment for Europe to rise as a global power.
Even with these components, the success of both these factors, and Europe as a whole
wouldnt have been possible if not for the driving force behind it. This driving force,
competition and work ethic, created a determined population that believed everything
could be and should be improved. Thanks to these ambitions, Europe was able to evolve
into a leading world power, where competition and impressive work ethic sat at its core.