Proto-globalization is an academic concept and historical period analyzing the processes of increasing global interconnectedness that occurred before the rise of modern, industrial globalization, typically situated between the 17th and 19th centuries. It investigates the expansion of long-distance trade networks, migration patterns, cultural diffusion, and early forms of political and economic integration between geographically distant regions. Key characteristics include the significant role of empires, mercantilism, and early capitalism in driving cross-continental interactions, distinct from the later period of industrial and technological acceleration. The concept is significant for identifying the historical roots and trajectories of global integration, providing a crucial antecedent for understanding the drivers and impacts of subsequent globalizing eras.