6.2 The Rise of a Global Economy

By the end of this section, you will be able to:

• Explain how the Seven Years’ War established a new balance of power in Europe
• Discuss the causes and effects of Britain’s colonization of India
• Analyze the ways in which the Qing dynasty developed and maintained a favorable balance of trade with Europe
• Describe how colonized societies responded to the expansion of European empires

In the mid-1700s, the British Empire grew from a minor player on the world stage to a dominant superpower. Trade that flowed through and from the British North American colonies made many British business and political leaders rich. Victory in the Seven Years’ War consolidated their power over European rivals. In hopes of further increasing their political and economic power, many supported further expansion of the empire into new areas. Britain therefore expanded its colonies in India and turned its eyes to China.