The Great Divergence

Tianshu Dai
To explain the Great Divergence
What did the graph tell us ?
The first graph is the GDP per capita between Western Europe and China. The two lines
are roughly the same until the line represent the Western Europe surpass the line represent
China in around 1200 A.D. The Western European line rose significantly in the following
centuries while the lower line remain at low point

The second graph also presented GDP per capita between different nations. The dramatic
increase in GDP per capita in European countries is obvious. In Asia, Japan’s GDP per
capita also catch up with European countries in late 19 th centuries.

Though it is difficult to quantify productivity, GDP per capita gives us a brief

understanding of the shift starting in the 15 th centuries which is called the Great
Divergence. The Great Divergence is a term to describe the socioeconomic shift in the
western world that break free from the growth constraints in Medieval Europe. But Why?
Prerequisites
• The emergence of the Great Divergence required a relative firm and efficient social
structure. The two graph we saw previously only included majorly Western European
countries and East Asian countries. In the time of the beginning of the Great Divergence
which is roughly in the 15th century. Only countries in these two regions met the
prerequisite for the Great Divergence. Native people around the world in America and
Oceania for example, do not have enough productivity to start a revolution. Most of the
populations of these civilizations are bounded to agriculture because otherwise they
don’t have enough food to feed themselves.
• Populations are also important in the emergence of the Great Divergence. Northern
Italy, where the Renaissance began, is one of the most densely populated region in
Europe. The cluster of people in certain regions encouraged the improvement of
technology. Most of the civilizations cannot meet this prerequisites either.
Firstly, geography
• The geography in Europe determined that it would
remain shattered and as Jared Diamond described it
as political balkanization. Again, take a look at the
territory of the Roman Empire at the great extent.
• Although the Roman’s territory covers most of the
Western Europe, it was still surrounded by multiple
enemies. In the North, Saxons and Germans raided
Roman lands. In the middle east, the Persian empire
waited to gain more lands
• After the Roman empire, no countries succeeded in
unifying Europe.
Why does this matter ?
• This is the map of Northern Italy around 1500
A.D. Multiple Kingdoms and Duchies divided
Italy into pieces.
• The scattered Northern Italy provided ground
for the emergence of capitalism. Businessman
could be a threat to the ruling class because
they undermine their authority intentionally or
unintentionally. Feudalism focused on the
relationship between vassals and their
overlords. The social hierarchy could be
characterized as a pyramid.
• Capitalism focused on profits and production
which break all Feudalism chains and
constraints. Farmers were freed from lands.
Secondly, religion, colonialism and
eurocentrism
• The fall of Constantinople in 1453 marked the fall of the East Roman empire. The
Ottoman Empire lied in the middle east and block the trade routes to Asia.
• To continue to trade goods with Asia, the two countries that have the most powerful
navy in Europe, Spain and Portugal decided to find another route. Of course, they
discovered America and the globe is much bigger than they previously believed.
• Deeply affected by the Christianity, Spain decided to conquer these American heathens
and brough the true and one god to them. Such behaviors are similar to the Crusades
• The discover of the New World encouraged European countries to sail and explore the
world. This period is called the Age of Discovery.
Again, why does this matter?
• The colonization of America and Africa, although brutal and unjust, provided European
countries raw materials and markets that they long hoped for. Raw materials such as
coffee, sugar and golds were transported back to Europe. In return, modern industrial
goods such as cloth and trains were sold to these foreign lands. These profits in return
boost up European countries economy
• The ideology of Eurocentrism emerged around this period and suggested that European
races were superior and that they should bring “civilizations” to other part of the world.
This ideology became the justification for the colonialism.
• The Great Divergence would not be so “great” if the European countries never
conquered foreign lands. The Great Divergence was built on other races blood and tear.
Conclusion
• The scattered Europe rejected the existence of a unified European countries. The
political fragmentation provided possibility for the emergence of capitalism. Being a
superior social form, capitalism spread across the Europe causing the Great Divergence.
• In addition, the discover of the New World and colonialism provided raw materials and
markets that boost the development of capitalism. Through exploiting the resources and
populations of the colonies, the European countries enjoyed the prosperity of the Great
Divergence.