In this chapter I present a historical perspective on how worldwide economic globalization has evolved over time through imperial expansions and the expansion of trade networks. I contrast worldwide globalization—typically referred to simply as globalization in the LEL literature—with local globalization, such as in a city or in a country, to which I think the literature should have applied the term glocalization. I show that when it comes to language vitality, ecological pressures for language shift are felt from local dynamics, even if worldwide globalization may have enabled them indirectly, for instance in facilitating political colonization and long-distance human migrations. It is noteworthy that imperial migrations have not generated identical population structures and economic systems at the different destinations even when the colonizers originated in the same homeland. I highlight some of local systemic dynamics that account for differential evolution in LEL. I also show that despite the initial costs associated with language shift, some populations have wound up improving their living conditions and their descendants have participated in later colonial ventures. For the record, I am against land dispossession and the economic marginalization of indigenous populations. These need not have been part of colonization.