Despite not being part of the traditional Empire of Ghana, modern Ghana is a stable democracy on the West African coast. Mali and Songhai were both ancient empires, but Mali was governed by French colonists and Songhai isn't a modern nation. Senegal was another former French colony, while Nigeria became independent from the UK in 1960.

Karl Benz received a German patent in 1886, becoming the first inventor of the automobile. François Isaac de Rivaz an internal combustion engine in 1807. George B. Seldon filed for a patent in 1879, but it wasn't granted until 1895. Rudolf Diesel was the inventor of the high-compression prototype engine in 1897. Henry Ford was one of the pioneers of mass producing automobiles in the early 20th century. 

The first recorded use of a telescope was in the Netherlands in 1608. The use of the Telescope led to many insights during the Scientific Revolution.

A technological revolution is a brief period in history that occurs when a dominant technology is replaced with a more advanced technology, resulting in widespread social and political upheaval. For example, we have just witnessed the information revolution - stemming from the invention of the internet and advancements in computing technology - which has changed the way cultures interact and form. Because the Commercial Revolution was spurred by an economic model that originated in Europe, rather than the replacement of some technology, it does not qualify as a technological revolution.

While no single factor caused the Industrial Revolution, it was made possible by the resources aggregated through colonialism, quick advances in technology, and a lack of wars that would have drawn away resources. A decline in overseas trade would have hampered the Industrial Revolution, which was driven both by the flow of raw materials from colonies and the flow of developed goods to colonies.

The inventions created during the Technological Revolution, like the telephone, and new advances with extending railroad and telegraph lines led to a new wave of globalization because it became easier to communicate over long distances and share ideas. The Technological Revolution did not lead to more conservation, but actually to more pollution. Neither did it lead to standardization, as countries tried to fight the tide of globalization nor did it cause unrest that led to revolutions.

While many Northwest European nations had made several steps toward industrialization along with Britain, it was these three among other characteristics that led the revolution to occur in Britain first.

Simon Bolivar succeeded in defeating Spanish forces on August 10, 1820 in Bogota, marking the first independent nation called Gran Colombia. While uprisings against Spanish presence in South America occurred earlier in the 19th century, the taking of Bogota marked the first time that the viceroyalty capital and control was in the hands of South Americans. In the subsequent years, other nations in South America followed suite and gained independence. 

In 1822, forces led by General Antonio Jose de Sucre defeated Spanish forces near Quito, which guaranteed Ecuador's independence. Although Guayaquil gained independence before the Battle of Pichincha, it was this battle that saw the whole country become independent. After the battle, Ecuador joined Gran Colombia until separating in 1830. 

In 1824, Simon Bolivar led decisive victories against the Spanish forces in Peru in Junin and Ayacucho. In August of 1825, the Congress of Upper Peru, the Republic of Bolivia was established with Bolivar as its first president. After a brief several months as President, Bolivar was succeeded by Antonio Jose de Sucre in December of 1825.