How did the Industrial Revolution influence global trade?

The Industrial Revolution significantly influenced global trade by expanding trade networks and increasing demand for both raw materials and manufactured goods. During this period, advancements in technology and production processes allowed countries to produce goods more efficiently and in larger quantities. Consequently, there was a surge in the need for raw materials to fuel these manufacturing processes, leading to increased demand for imports from other regions.

Furthermore, the expansion of transportation methods, such as railroads and steamships, made it easier and faster to move goods across long distances. This enhanced connectivity allowed countries to engage in trade on a much larger scale, forming extensive networks that linked producers and consumers across the globe. As nations sought both raw materials for their factories and markets for their finished products, trade volume and complexity increased dramatically.

In contrast, the other options do not accurately reflect the realities of the Industrial Revolution. For instance, the notion that it decreased trade demand for raw materials misrepresents the actual increase in demand during this period. Similarly, the idea that it limited exports of manufactured goods contradicts the rise of industrial powers that sought to export their surplus products. Lastly, the notion that it isolated countries from one another fails to account for the interconnectedness fostered by improved transportation and communication networks, which made global commerce more