Role of Technology :
(i) Transformation of the world economy : Railways, steam ships, telegraph – were important inventions which transformed nineteenth–century world. Colonisation stimulated new investments and improvements in transport; faster railways, lighter wagons and larger ships helped move food more cheaply and quickly from faraway farms to final markets.
(ii) Impact on the meat trade :Till the 1870s, meat from America was shipped to Europe in the form of live animals which were then slaughtered in Europe. But live animals took up a lot of ship space, many also **** in voyage, fell ill, lost weight, or became unfit to eat. A new technology namely, refrigerated ships enabled the transport of perishable foods over long distance. Now animals were slaughtered at the starting point and then transported to Europe as frozen meat. This reduced shipping costs and lowered meat prices in Europe. The poor in Europe could now consume a more varied diet. Better living conditions promoted social pace within the country and support for imperialism abroad.
