1. This magnitude and depth of the structural changesthat colonialism unleashed can be better grasped if wetry and understand some basic features of capitalism. 2. Industrialisation refers to the emergence of machine production - based on the use of inanimate power resources like steam or electricity. 3. Capitalism is an economic system in which the means of production are privately owned and organised to accumulate profits within a market system. 4. Capitalism in the west emerged out of a complex process of European exploration of the rest of the world - its plunder of wealth and resources - an unprecedented growth of science and technology - its harnessing to industries and agriculture. 5. What marked capitalism from the very beginning was its dynamism - its potential to grow - expand - innovate - use technology and labour in a way best assured to ensure greatest profit.