History of Globalization

Even though the term globalization is mainly used in the modern era, the essence of the
term is certainly not new. Globalization is essentially a new name for some old processes and
expression comes from the word – global, concerning the totality or universality. The concept of
globalization can be understood in different ways, but most definitions represents globalization
as a positive and optimistic process that brings the advancement in technology, trading business,
higher profits, more comfortable living, scientific progress and a stable political system.

In the beginning I would like to point out that emergence of Christianity is the most
important in the development of globalization and globalized society. Thus, globalization
understood through the prism of Christianity first of all means communication and interaction
among nations. Christianity is significant because it is the first, dominant, organized religion, and
crucially, it is universal religion. Until Christianity emerged, religious groups or religious beliefs
were largely addressed to a particular people or a particular territory or freely distributed in their
functionality. Jesus Christ has brought something new, He used, for that time unknown way, and
made entire universe to be his audience. Even at one point He said to his disciples to go and
preach all over the world. Christianity has done much in connecting people and globalization of
societies. During the Middle Ages Christianity was religion most favored by Roman Empire and
Byzantium mainly thanks to established social systems and religion role in society.

Following discovery that has contributed to the development of a global society is

certainly the phenomenon of money. Of course, throughout history there were many forerunners
of money; various items were used as a substitute for money. For a long time there was an
exchange of goods, but it required a universal payment method with whom all parties in certain
proceedings would be satisfied. So, throughout history, it been represented the gold exchange
standard, silver, and even for some time in Rome, copper. Metals were getting used during the
exchange, and it was necessary to introduce universalized cash standard. The result was creation
of paper money. The first paper money began to be used mainly in the UK and USA. General
acceptance of paper money with a gold background, and later without it gave highly advantage to
the countries which first started using it. With the emergence and development of international
institutions, money was being used as a universal tool for the exchange of goods and
commodities. The exchange of goods has led to the exchange of cultures.

The discovery of printing was greatly facilitating the connection between nations and
states. The forerunner of the modern printing press was a papyrus in Egypt, and later in China
discovery of the paper. Manually writing and rewriting was too slow, and the quantity of
processed documents was small. When the number of requests for certain copies started to grow,
it was necessary to find a solution. Guided by this motif Johan Gutenberg has invented printing
machine. This allowed connection between distant nations, as well as the exchange of culture.
Now it was possible to reproduce various documents. Most importantly, it made possible
printing of newspapers and magazines, and expansion of information and news on big territories.

Among important events in a series of cases and events that may be regarded as one of
the most important in the formation of a globalized society were the great geographical
discoveries in the 15th and 16th centuries. This period is primarily related to travels outside the
known European boundaries and discoveries of great adventurist which they have encountered.
Since the technique of printing was invented, their reports are monitored vigilantly by the
population in their home countries. Some of the most famous researchers were Christopher
Columbus, Vasco da Gama, Marco Polo and many others. While encountering new nations in
America or elsewhere in the world, those explorers made possible a true connection and
exchange of different cultures. Goods, previously unknown in Europe, were delivered over the
oceans, and nations and tribes that were discovered were able to meet legacy of European
nations. They could have become familiar with the foreigner language, culture and religion.

The French Revolution was a historic event that has enabled the expansion of a
globalized society as we know it. It is significant not only because of the abolition of the feudal
system and the establishment of capitalism, but also because of proclaiming basic human rights.
They are woven into the French Constitution of 1791, and were imperative during the
revolutionary struggle. These are the right to life, freedom of thought and economic
independence and the right to property. These are ideas that are woven into the concept of
contemporary social relations. Any country that calls itself a democracy adheres to these rules.
So the French Revolution was event that on his own specific way connected democracy around
the world.