One significant reason that china was isolated from influence by other civilizations was because of what

The most significant reason is the geography.

China has been isolated by the other civilizations from the Middle East and Europe mainly because of the geography. In between China and the other civilizations there were the highest mountains in the world, the Himalayas, big dangerous deserts and multiple arid steppes. So the Chinese did not saw a reason to risk and go westwards since they already had everything that they needed at their own territory.

a system in which products were made rapidly by machines

julius caesar turned the roman republic into the roman empire by coming in and taking the "dictator" role during the time of a civil war (elites vs lower classes) winning battles and reputation, then declaring him dictator for life

hope this : )