Now, six years after the Great War broke out in 1914, humanity has entered an unprecedented era of mass production.
Even colonial empires that previously focused trade on their colonies now saw trade between great powers account for 70% of trade, and the reconstruction boom and guarantee of peace seemed to open an era of free trade.
Internal combustion engines, refined and perfected during the crucible of war, completely superseded the aging steam engines that had powered the previous century. This technological leap directly catalyzed a transportation revolution, as trucks, automobiles, and mechanized farm equipment transformed both urban and rural landscapes. The skills gained by mechanics and engineers during the war proved invaluable in this peaceful application of engine technology.
Even without such technological revolutions, multiple factors converged to drive unprecedented growth:
