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Panama Canal

15 Aug 1914 — The American-built Panama Canal opens eleven days after Britain enters the First World War. Its locks, dredges and steam shovels mark the last great work of the industrial century.

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Map: Panama Canal, 15 August 1914
15 AUGUST 1914 · THE INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION, 1750–1914

The moment in context

In 1750 Europe and the United States made less than a quarter of the world’s manufactured goods, according to Paul Bairoch’s estimates; China and India together made about 57 per cent. By 1900 the position had been transformed. Europe and the United States made about 85 per cent, while China’s share had fallen to about six per cent and India’s to under two. Industrial production had concentrated in a small group of countries.

From Impact of the Industrial Revolution, chapter 12 of The Industrial Revolution, 1750–1914 (1914).

The place: Panama Canal — map and full story →

Teach this in 5 minutes

Then ask the room: Who gained most from the Industrial Revolution by 1914, and was the price worth paying? The argued answer is on the chapter page →

The atlas that shows it

The Industrial Revolution, 1750–1914
12 CHAPTERS · AN INTERACTIVE SITUATION MAP

THE FREE PRINTABLE STUDY GUIDE

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