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Become A Polymath
Challenging My Ideas
A common argument I’ve heard and repeated is that the first World War wiped out the economic productivity of the Indiustrial Revolution. Is this true? I want to take a moment to challenge my belief.
My argument is a broad and somewhat simplified interpretation of complex economic histories.
Here are a few key points I found:
Economic Impact of World Wars: The World Wars, particularly the Second World War, had a devastating impact on the economies of many countries. The wars required massive military expenditures and led to the destruction of infrastructure, industries, and loss of human lives, which had significant economic consequences. The destruction of so many created goods harmed the productivity gained during the Industrial Revolution.
Wealth Destruction vs. Redistribution: Along with the significant destruction of goods and manufacturing, World War One and the Second World War, a few decades after, forced much economic redistribution. For example, the United States emerged as a major economic power, partly due to its increased industrial capacity and less war damage than European nations. Once again, the gains of the Industrial Revolution were greatly hindered by war.
Long-Term Economic Effects: The post-World War periods also saw significant economic recovery and growth, especially in Europe and Japan, partly due to reconstruction efforts like the Marshall Plan after World War II. This growth was facilitated by technological advances and industrial capacity that had roots in the Industrial Revolution. It was not the war that helped entire countries bounce back from the destruction. But the remnants of the Industrial Revolution.
Economic Structures and Policies: The World Wars also led to significant changes in economic structures and policies. For example, the establishment of welfare states in Europe post-World War II can be seen as a response to the social and economic upheavals caused by the wars.
To be fair, it’s more rational to say the World Wars, especially World War Two, led to the realignment of economic power. I would argue that the war efforts undermined the wealth built during the Industrial Revolution. War does not create wealth or anything at all. It can only destroy.
One last point to consider: Couold World War One be sustained for as long as it was, had it not been for the Industrial Revolution?
Yes. There are several reasons why this argument is valid:
Industrial Capacity for Warfare: The Industrial Revolution significantly enhanced the manufacturing capabilities of the major powers involved in World War I. The ability to mass-produce weapons, ammunition, and other war materials directly resulted from industrial advancements. This increased production capacity allowed nations to sustain long-term military engagements.
Economic Resources: The wealth accumulated during the Industrial Revolution provided the necessary financial resources for the war effort. Nations could finance large armies and sophisticated weaponry, partly due to the preceding decades' economic growth and wealth accumulation.
Technological Advancements: The technological innovations of the Industrial Revolution played a crucial role in the conduct of World War I. The war saw the use of advanced machinery, such as machine guns, tanks, airplanes, and chemical weapons, all products of the industrial age.
Transportation and Logistics: The Industrial Revolution brought significant improvements in transportation, like railways and steamships, which were crucial for the mobilization of troops and the movement of supplies. The ability to quickly and efficiently move large numbers of soldiers and vast quantities of materials was essential for sustaining the war.
Global Trade and Resources: The global trade networks established during the Industrial Revolution enabled countries to access resources from their colonies and other nations. This global reach was crucial for maintaining the supply chains necessary for a prolonged war effort.
Social and Political Changes: The societal changes brought about by the Industrial Revolution, such as urbanization and the rise of nationalism, also contributed to the scale and duration of the war. Industrialization had created large urban populations that could be mobilized for war, and nationalist sentiments were often fueled by industrial and imperial competition.
Of course, the politics of the war also kept it going longer than it should have. For example, one could argue that America’s involvement allowed the Allied troops to steamroll the Germans, forcing them into an uneven surrender. This surrender only bought time, leading to the hyperinflation the Germans suffered and ample ground for Hitler to rise.
Of course, history is complex. There are no easy answers. But I wanted to investigate my common talking point. This one has more justification than the others, so I will continue using it!
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