Globalization can be divided into 3 phases: Ancient globalization (pre-15th century), Maritime globalization (15th century), and Modern Globalization (19th to present).
- Ancient Globalization – There is recorded history of people and nations reaching the whole world. Land or small rustic boats being the main means for time times, Ancient Globalization was slow and few. Taking decades to reach from one end to another, many times several generations.
- Maritime Globalization – Portugal started the first period of major globalization in the 15th century under the leadership of Prince Henry the Navigator (1394-1460). Portugal had at the time the longstanding maritime culture plus its stable monarchy. (stable government and marine technology). Portugal with its advances in voyaging, set to find shipping routes for easier trade with Asia for spices and textiles.
The Portuguese established the first global maritime and commercial empire under the leadership of Henry the Navigator in the 15th century. In the 1440s, Henry sent out key expeditions to Africa and Asia, and in the 16th and 17th centuries, Portugal went on to establish colonies in Brazil, Africa, East Timor, India and Macau. The Spanish quickly followed suit by conquering Mexico in 1519 and, shortly thereafter, Peru, the Philippines and most of Central and South America (except Brazil).
- Modern Globalization – In the 19th century, globalization takes the shape approaching its modern form, and when Great Britain becomes the first global superpower. Britain with its discovered steam engine which created advanced steam powered manufacturing, steam ships and railroad. Globalization as started in this period shaped 19th century imperialism which continues to this date.
Industrialization allowed cheap production of household items using economies of scale, while rapid population growth created sustained demand for commodities.
The First and Second Opium Wars (1840-1842 and 1856-1860), opened up China to foreign trade. Following the completion of the conquest of India by the Bristish, the large populations of the Asia region became ready consumers of European exports.
Later in this period the sub-Saharan Africa and the Pacific islands are incorporated into the then forming modern global system. Meanwhile, as a consequence of valuable natural resources such as rubber, diamonds and coal by the European that helped fuel trade and investment with their colonies and with the United States. By the 20th century, global trade and investment covered from Europe to Asia to Africa through the network of European countries and their respective colonies of which Great Britain was the largest.
Given the exploitive history and tendencies of modern globalization to date. A more modernized approach should be used with total devotion and seriousness toward more humane approach without the imperialistic practices especially where human lives or their livelihood are undermined.
