Dbq Long Distance Communication

Generation Z would have no qualms with crowning the iPhone the most influential invention in the history of communications. Seasoned historians, however, might argue that a bundle of cables in combination with an electrical current, called the telegraph, should take the prize for the most influential invention. The mid-19th Century implementation of the telegraph, single-handedly, brought about enormous change to the once asymmetric relationship between the tempo of domestic politics and the speed of transatlantic communication. For the first time, communication was independent of transportation and could keep up with the speed of diplomacy. It’s widespread use and growing industrial complex proved to be a crucial component of political development in the shifting nature of
Semaphoric towers existed throughout parts of Southern Europe, but were not a reliable or accurate means of communication as they were expensive and had a maximal range of about nine miles. International communication was limited to human couriers, where the average travel time between North America and Europe was fifteen days (this was lessened to close to ten days after steam ships became commercially available). Scholars point to the war of 1812 as a conflict that could have been completely avoided had faster means of transcontinental communication existed. On June 18th, 1812 President Madison signed a declaration of war against the British because of their imposed and restrictive Orders of Council. Two days prior, on June 16th, the British Foreign Secretary had revoked the Orders. The ships carrying the American declaration of war and the British concession crossed paths in their voyages across Atlantic. Regardless, their lack of ability to communicate effectively, as seen in this situation alone, resulted in a war that lasted over two years and took over twenty-thousand