HISTORY (India and the Contemporary World – II) - 10 - Social Science solution
Class 10 - Chapter 3: The Making of a Global World
Write in Brief
1. Give two examples of different types of global exchanges which took place before the seventeenth century, choosing one example from Asia and one from the Americas.
Answer:
Asia: The Silk Routes connected Asia with Europe and Africa. Through these routes, silk, spices, textiles and ideas such as Buddhism spread across regions.
Americas: After the discovery of the Americas, crops such as potatoes, maize, tomatoes and cocoa spread to Europe, Asia and Africa, transforming agriculture and food habits worldwide.
2. Explain how the global transfer of disease in the pre-modern world helped in the colonisation of the Americas.
Answer:
European settlers carried diseases such as smallpox to the Americas. The indigenous people had no immunity against these diseases, leading to massive deaths. This weakened local societies and made it easier for European powers to conquer and colonise vast territories in the Americas.
3. Write a note to explain the effects of the following:
(a) The British government's decision to abolish the Corn Laws.
Answer:
The abolition of the Corn Laws in 1846 allowed the free import of food grains into Britain. Food became cheaper, industrial workers benefited from lower prices and trade expanded. It encouraged agricultural exports from other countries to Britain.
(b) The coming of rinderpest to Africa.
Answer:
Rinderpest was a cattle disease that spread across Africa in the 1890s. It killed about 90% of cattle, causing severe famine and economic hardship. The loss of livestock weakened African societies and facilitated European colonial expansion.
(c) The death of men of working-age in Europe because of the World War.
Answer:
The First World War caused the deaths of millions of working-age men. This reduced the labour force, lowered production and created economic difficulties. Women entered the workforce in greater numbers to fill labour shortages.
(d) The Great Depression on the Indian economy.
Answer:
The Great Depression led to a sharp fall in agricultural prices and exports from India. Farmers suffered from reduced incomes while debts remained unchanged. Rural poverty increased and many peasants faced severe economic hardships.
(e) The decision of MNCs to relocate production to Asian countries.
Answer:
Multinational corporations shifted production to Asian countries because labour was cheaper and governments offered favourable conditions. This created employment opportunities, increased exports and promoted industrial growth in many Asian economies.
4. Give two examples from history to show the impact of technology on food availability.
Answer:
1. The development of railways and refrigerated ships enabled food products such as meat and grains to be transported over long distances, increasing food availability.
2. Advances in agricultural machinery and scientific farming methods increased crop production and improved food supply throughout the world.
5. What is meant by the Bretton Woods Agreement?
Answer:
The Bretton Woods Agreement was signed in 1944 at Bretton Woods in the USA. It established a new international economic system after World War II and led to the creation of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank to promote global economic stability and development.
Discuss
6. Imagine that you are an indentured Indian labourer in the Caribbean. Drawing from the details in this chapter, write a letter to your family describing your life and feelings.
Answer:
Dear Family,
I hope all of you are well. Life here in the Caribbean is very different from our village. I work on sugar plantations for long hours under difficult conditions. The work is hard and the wages are low. Many labourers feel lonely because we are far from our homes and families. Despite these hardships, we support one another and try to preserve our traditions, festivals and culture. I often miss home and dream of returning one day. However, I continue to work hard and hope for a better future. Please do not worry about me. I pray for your health and happiness.
Yours lovingly,
An Indentured Labourer
7. Explain the three types of movements or flows within international economic exchange. Find one example of each type of flow which involved India and Indians, and write a short account of it.
Answer:
The three types of flows in international economic exchange are:
- Flow of Trade: Exchange of goods between countries. Example: India exported cotton, jute and spices to international markets.
- Flow of Labour: Movement of people for work. Example: Thousands of Indian indentured labourers migrated to plantations in Fiji, Mauritius and the Caribbean.
- Flow of Capital: Movement of money for investment. Example: British capital was invested in Indian railways, plantations and industries during colonial rule.
8. Explain the causes of the Great Depression.
Answer:
The Great Depression began in 1929 and was caused by overproduction in industries and agriculture, falling demand, declining prices and financial instability. The collapse of the New York Stock Exchange created panic among investors. Banks failed, businesses closed and unemployment increased rapidly. International trade declined sharply as countries imposed protective tariffs. These factors combined to create a worldwide economic crisis that lasted throughout the 1930s.
9. Explain what is referred to as the G-77 countries. In what ways can G-77 be seen as a reaction to the activities of the Bretton Woods twins?
Answer:
The G-77 is a group of developing countries formed in 1964 to promote their collective economic interests and strengthen cooperation among developing nations. It was created because many developing countries felt that institutions such as the IMF and the World Bank, often called the Bretton Woods twins, mainly served the interests of developed nations. The G-77 demanded a New International Economic Order (NIEO) that would ensure fair trade, better prices for raw materials, greater development assistance and a stronger voice for developing countries in global economic decision-making.