What long-term global impact is associated with the Industrial Revolution?

The long-term global impact associated with the Industrial Revolution is indeed the start of global competition leading to imperialism. The Industrial Revolution, which began in the late 18th century, spurred significant technological and economic advancements. As industrialized nations experienced accelerated growth, they sought new markets for their goods and sources for raw materials. This drive for resources and new markets intensified competition among industrialized nations, ultimately resulting in the quest for colonies and the expansion of empires.

Countries like Britain, France, and later Germany and the United States actively pursued imperialistic policies, leading to the acquisition of territories in Africa, Asia, and the Americas. This phenomenon fundamentally reshaped global relations and had profound implications for the political, social, and economic structures of both the colonizing and colonized nations. Thus, the relationship between the Industrial Revolution and the rise of imperialism illustrates how industrialization not only transformed economies but also influenced global power dynamics and territorial expansions.

In contrast, while the other choices touch on significant developments during or after the Industrial Revolution, they do not encapsulate the overarching impact on global relations in the way that imperialism does. International trade agreements are a result of economic relationships rather than a direct consequence of competition. Steam-powered transportation was a