Political, Social, Economic, and TechnologicalFactors of Innovation
100AD, Roman EmpireProblems Opportunities
Political DictatorshipSlow decline
PeaceCommon lawsLocal controlMilitary hierarchy
Economic Wealth disparityGDP/person 60%
higher in Italia
GDP/person = $640 Coinage
Social Tiny elite over allSlaveryClass-based justiceSexismPolytheism
Common LanguageTravelUrbanizationLiteracyReligious tolerance
Technological Little manufacturing roads, water, sewage, fire protection, mining, agriculture, writing, ships
1500, Europe
Problems Opportunities
Political Ottoman Empire controls Middle East and Mediterranean
Religious Wars
Rise of the WestProtestantism
Economic Need for Gold and SilverLand controlled by state,
church, aristocracy
Growth of cities and economy
End of Black PlagueSocial Stratified Society
Peasant RevoltsTowns growingTaste for Asian goods
Technological Defense of citiesPlague
CopernicusCelestial NavigationLeonardo da VinciPrintingSailing: caravel, tackingGunpowder
1750, Atlantic Ocean
Problems Opportunities
Political Seven Years’ War Extensive ColonizationDecline of Ottomans
Rise of 1st British Empire
Economic Lack of people in AmericaLack of land and raw
material in EuropeLack of technology in Africa
Beginning of industrial revolution
Social Population pressure in Europe
Agriculture still dominant
Technological Few mechanical aids Sailing shipsNew cropsAnimal husbandrySteam PowerMechanical Devices
1850, US
Problems Opportunities
Political North/South Tension Land Grants
Economic Access to hinterland Industrial Revolution Increasing trade and specialization.
Social Many farmers everywhere
California Gold Rush Westward expansion
Technological Access to coal and raw materials
Bessemer process for SteelTelegraphSteam power
1900, US
Problems Opportunities
Political Gilded AgeSix Assassinations
Start of Progressive Era
Economic Farmers resent gold standard
Financial panics
Significant GDP growthOil cheaper than electricityUnemployment between
1.5% and 5.2%Social Bad working
conditionsStrikes
Coast-to-coast settlementSilent MoviesIncreasing travel
Technological Fires Oil-based heat and lightRadioKodakWright brothers fly1st cross-country car tripMass productionEuropean leadership
1945, US
Problems Opportunities
Political World War II National UnityCentralized Government
PlanningEconomic Increasing Debt
Potential unemployment
War mobilizationPostwar consumer boomGovernment tech investment
Big businessSocial Housing shortage Baby Boom
University researchGI Bill scholarships
Technological Encrypted radio communication
Air WarfareAtom Bomb Design
ElectronicsTransistorvon Neumann’s EDVAC
design
Now, USProblems Opportunities
Political Liberal/Conservative Split
Terrorism ThreatMoney in Politics
MilitarizationTransparency
Economic UnemploymentGovernment deficitsUnequal wealth
Stimulus moneyMulti-MillionairesGreen EnergyVenture Capital
Social End of DatingLow FertilityHousingPolarizationIsolation
Retiring Baby BoomersRise of MillennialsMobilityTwo income families
Technological Weather Events InternetMobile Phones, SensorsBiotechFracking
Now, Africa
Problems Opportunities
Political Colonial legacyBorder wars
Growing stable democracies
Arab SpringEconomic Government deficits
UnemploymentCorruption
Natural resourcesEmerging middleclassTourism
Social Poor educationDisease
Youth/Birth RateArt
Technological TransportEnergy
InternetMobile Phones, SensorsNo legacy systems