East Asia played an important economic role in 16th-20th century European strategy. From 1500-1750, Europe and East Asia had a balanced economic relationship with trade in silver fueling growth. From 1750-1890, the Industrial Revolution increased European influence as political instability rose in East Asia, culminating in the Opium Wars. From 1900-1940, the rise of Japan and new powers like the US and Russia diminished European hegemony over the region. The dominant forces shaping Europe and East Asia's relationship were economic and material interests, which initially balanced but shifted with the Industrial Revolution.