Mobility and Communication Technologies as Key Enablers of Globalisation

This section presents evolution of mobility and communication technologies as key enablers of globalisation. The first ships humans used to reach other continents were sailing vessels, with captains adjusting the sailing direction to the prevailing wind and water currents. There was no technical possibility of sailing upstream and downwind. Thus, the prevailing winds and currents determined the first trade flows between maritime nations. Early European maritime expeditions in the late 15th and early 16th centuries were dominated by Portugal and Spain using caravels. Christopher Columbus was trying to find a western route to Asia. In 1492, he sailed to the Americas (Bahamas, Cuba, and Hispaniola) with his ships, but thought he had reached India. Instead, Christopher Columbus was brought to the shores of the Americas by the prevailing winds and currents in the North Atlantic.

Ex. 2‑10 The currents and winds that shaped humankind’s discoveries and the first international trade links

Keywords: winds, maritime shipping

Ex. 2‑11 The caravel

Keywords: early shipping, wind energy

Ex. 2‑12 Europeans’ first voyages in the 15th and 16th centuries

Keywords: voyages, discovery of Americas

Ex. 2‑13 Clipper sailing vessels increased the speed of international services

Keywords: clipper, transatlantic connection

Ex. 2‑14 The role of the Suez and Panama canals in increasing shipping speeds

Keywords: Suez canal, Panama canal, maritime shipping

Ex. 2‑15 Railway rapid development in Europe and North America

Keywords: railways, Europe, North America

Ex. 2‑16 The duration of different transport means on transatlantic crossings

Keywords: transport means, jet plane, supersonic jet, ship

Ex. 2‑17 The global trans-oceanic cable network

Keywords: transatlantic cable, internet

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