Answer:
European imperialism played a significant role in establishing a global-scale division of labor that shaped the economic and social landscape of the world in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Through imperialism, European powers gained control over vast territories and resources in Africa, Asia, and the Americas, and used this control to extract raw materials and labor from these regions to fuel their own industrial economies.
European powers established colonies and protectorates in regions rich in natural resources, such as rubber, oil, and minerals, and used forced labor and exploitative economic policies to extract these resources for their own benefit. They also established trade relationships that favored their own industries and markets, often at the expense of local economies.
This global-scale division of labor was characterized by a few key features. First, it was unequal, with European powers in dominant positions and colonized regions in subordinate positions. Second, it was exploitative, with European powers extracting resources and labor from colonized regions for their own profit. Third, it was hierarchical, with certain regions and industries being assigned specific roles in the global economy based on their perceived value to European powers.
This division of labor had lasting impacts on the world economy and social relations. It helped to create and reinforce patterns of inequality and dependency, where colonized regions were often relegated to supplying raw materials and labor, while European powers controlled the production, processing, and marketing of finished goods. It also contributed to the emergence of new forms of labor, such as wage labor and industrial production, and helped to shape the development of modern capitalism.