The Making of a Global World - Long Answer Questions
An economic system capable of connecting the world through movement of goods, people, capital, and ideas.
Vibrant pre-modern trade and cultural link between distant parts of the world (Asia, Europe, Africa). Chinese silk, Indian spices, and gold/silver flowed through it.
Laws involving restrictions on the import of corn in Britain. Landed groups wanted high prices. Abolition of Corn Laws allowed cheaper food imports, leading to migration.
Cattle Plague. A disease carried by infected cattle from British Asia to Africa in the 1890s. It killed 90% of cattle in Africa, destroying African livelihoods and enabling colonization.
A bonded labourer under contract to work for an employer for a specific amount of time, to pay off his passage to a new country. Often described as 'New System of Slavery'.
Indian indentured labourers (distorted form of 'Agreement') who went to Caribbean (Trinidad, Guyana, Suriname), Mauritius, Fiji.
A fusion music popular in Trinidad, creating a creative expression of the post-indenture experience.
A severe worldwide economic depression. Causes: Agricultural overproduction (falling prices) and withdrawal of US loans. Consequences: Bank failures, unemployment, collapse of trade.
A conference in 1944 (USA) to plan post-war recovery. It established the IMF and World Bank to preserve economic stability and full employment.
The Bretton Woods Twins (or Institutions).
A group consisting of developing nations who demanded a New International Economic Order (NIEO) - real control over their resources and better access to markets.
Magellan (Expedition). But global interaction existed before.
Potatoes, soya, groundnuts, maize, tomatoes, chillies, sweet potatoes came from Americas (New World) to Europe/Asia.
In the 1840s, disease destroyed the potato crop in Ireland. Hundreds of thousands died of starvation.
Smallpox germs carried by Spanish conquerors decimated America's original inhabitants who had no immunity. It was a biological weapon.
Areas irrigated by new canals in Punjab where peasants from other parts of Punjab were settled to grow wheat/cotton for export.
Car manufacturer who introduced 'Assembly Line' production (Model T) in Detroit. It meant mass production and mass consumption.
Multinational Corporation. Companies that operate in several countries.
Because of low wages. This stimulated world trade and capital flow.
India's exports/imports halved. Wheat prices fell by 50%. Peasants suffered, but urban dwellers benefited from low prices.
The Making of a Global World - Important Facts
Cowries (shells) were used as currency.
Americas discovered by Christopher Columbus.
Precious metals from Peru/Mexico financed Europe's trade.
El Dorado: Fabled city of gold.
Dissidents fled Europe to America.
Slave trade existed 15th-19th century.
Britain abolished Corn Laws.
Refrigerated ships allowed meat transport.
Meat became cheaper for European poor.
Rinderpest arrived in Africa in late 1880s.
Indentured labour was from UP, Bihar, TN.
Hosay (confused with Hussein) carnival in Trinidad.
Rastafarianism has Indian links.
V.S. Naipaul/Shivnarine Chanderpaul have Indian roots.
Indentured labour abolished in 1921.
Indian bankers: Shikaripuri shroffs, Nattukottai Chettiars.
India exported cotton, opium, indigo.
Britain had a 'Trade Surplus' with India.
Home Charges: Funds used by British officials.
First World War: First modern industrial war.
machine guns, tanks, aircraft, chemical weapons used.
US became a creditor nation.
Mass production requires mass consumption.
US housing bubble collapsed in 1929.
Unemployment reached 25% in US.
Bretton Woods institutions are Western dominated.
IMF/World Bank started ops in 1947.
World is becoming a 'Global Village'.
The Making of a Global World - Important Dates/Terms
Discovery of America
Partition of Africa (Berlin)
Great Depression
Bretton Woods Conference