GASB05H3 Lecture : Communications arm of empires.docx
Document Summary
Communications arm of empire a historical overview. Main point: international communication networks have developed largely in response to, and at the same time been shaped by the needs of economic, military and political powers. Road system in ancient-rome, most elaborate road system, more than 50 miles. Roads helped imperial powers transport messages, weapons, warriors, trading items. Silk route/road-linked china to central asia, to mediterranean, etc. , some by land or sea. Main communication letters (man, horse, pigeons), face-to-face, signal communication, public audience (physically close), newspaper, books, insignia (flags) The most important face about the telegraph is t once the most obvious and innocent: it permitted for the first time the effective separation of communication from transportation . Before the telegraph, communication was used to describe transportation as well as message transmittal fro the simple reason that the movement of messages was dependent on their being carried on foot or horseback or by rail.