The Industrial Revolution and large-scale, long-distance migrations in the nineteenth century were closely interconnected.
As industrialization took hold in Europe and North America during the 19th century, there was a massive increase in demand for labor in factories, mills, and other industries. This led to a significant influx of workers from rural areas into urban centers where the new industries were concentrated. As the urban populations grew, so did the demand for consumer goods and other products, which in turn drove demand for raw materials from distant parts of the world.
To meet this demand, European and North American powers began to expand their colonial empires, establishing colonies and trading posts around the world. These colonies served as sources of raw materials, such as cotton, rubber, and minerals, which were then transported to industrialized nations to be processed into finished goods.
The expansion of these empires also facilitated large-scale, long-distance migrations as people moved to new colonies to seek opportunities for work and a better life. For example, many Europeans migrated to the United States, Canada, and Australia during this period, while Chinese and Indian laborers were brought to Southeast Asia and Africa to work in mines and plantations.
Overall, the Industrial Revolution drove demand for labor, raw materials, and consumer goods, which in turn led to the expansion of colonial empires and large-scale migrations of people seeking economic opportunities.