Who coined the term Great Divergence and when?
Samuel P. Huntington coined the term Great Divergence in 1996 to describe a specific socioeconomic shift where Western Europe overcame pre-modern growth constraints.
Questions about Great Divergence
Short answers, pulled from the story.
When did the Great Divergence between Britain and India begin according to a 2020 study?
According to a 2020 study, the Great Divergence between northern India from Gujarat to Bengal began in the late 17th century and widened after the 1720s before exploding after the 1800s.
Why was coal availability critical for the Great Divergence in Europe compared to China?
Coal-fired steam engines revolutionized transport in the early 19th century because European coal mines were wetter requiring Newcomen steam engines while Chinese deposits were far from industrial cores due to southward population shifts between the 12th and 14th centuries.
How did colonialism contribute to the Great Divergence according to Eric Williams and Paul Bairoch?
Eric Williams argued that profits from slavery provided main streams of capital accumulation which financed the Industrial Revolution while Paul Bairoch cited British colonialism as a primary example of deindustrialization in Asia and Latin America.
What role did geography play in the Great Divergence according to Jared Diamond and Peter Watson?
Jared Diamond and Peter Watson argue that Europe's geography encouraged political balkanization with several large peninsulas and natural barriers whereas China's geography encouraged political unity with a smoother coastline dominated by two river valleys.