"The cause of" would be the answer
The correct answer is A. Technological advances such as s<em>team power, air brakes, automatica lubricators and steel tracks</em> have affected the railroads very positively, since it has made it possible that the rail network could become a safer, more efficient and more reliable means of transportation for goods.
The belief was that there was a distinct
<span>order of</span> living
things:
Chinese,
barbarians, and
beasts. That's why they made all foreign diplomats bow down to the Emperor and why they completely isolated the country to show that it's self sufficient.
Imperialism, although it is bad for the conquered countries and regions, is good for the countries that practice it, and even for those countries conquered to some extent (in terms of technology, development), and obtaining extra resources for conquering peoples. While the imperialist country obtains abundant net resources from other regions, expands its political power and makes its power and its world presence larger, the conquered country can obtain technology and life forms that help it from the conquering country. All the imperialist countries have enjoyed a better quality of life for their population and greater social and technological development, given the advantages of having many more lands, resources and people under their power. But finally, when conquered people fight for their independence, this power becomes to decrease and finally its lost.
