Chapter-3- The Making of a Global World (History) for Class 10
Ultimate NCERT Solutions for Class 10 – Ch – 3 – The Making of a Global World
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NCERT Solutions for Class 10 (History) Chapter-3- The Making of a Global World
(Exercises, Question/Answers & Activities)
Chapter-3- The Making of a Global World
ACTIVITY AND IN-TEXT QUESTIONS
Discuss (Page 56)
Q 1. Explain what we mean when we say that the World “shrank” in the 1500s.
Ans 1: The Concept of the World “Shrinking” in the 1500s:
- Global Exploration: European explorers like Columbus, Vasco da Gama, and Magellan expanded sea routes, connecting distant continents.
- Trade Networks: Increased trade between Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas boosted the exchange of goods, ideas, and cultures.
- Spread of Knowledge: The printing press made maps, scientific knowledge, and discoveries more accessible, accelerating awareness of the world.
- Colonization and Empire Building: European powers began establishing colonies, creating more direct ties across continents.
- Cultural Exchange: Exposure to new foods, technologies, and customs led to a blending of cultural practices globally.
In summary, exploration, trade, and communication advancements made distant regions more interconnected, metaphorically “shrinking” the world.
Activity (Page 59)
Q 1. Prepare a flow chart to show how Britain’s decision to import food led to increased migration to America and Australia.
Ans 1:
Britain made the decision to import food products.
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Countries in Eastern Europe, along with Russia, America, and Australia, began exporting food to Britain.
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To facilitate this, these nations cleared forests to obtain arable land.
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The process of deforestation and food production required a workforce.
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Russia and Eastern European nations had existing populations capable of working as agricultural laborers.
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Conversely, America and Australia, being newly colonized, faced a labor shortage.
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As a result, many individuals migrated to America and Australia to fill this gap.
Activity (Page 59)
Q 1. Imagine that you are an agricultural worker who has arrived in America from Ireland. Write a paragraph on why you chose to come and how you are earning your living.
Ans 1: As an agricultural worker who has recently arrived in America from Ireland, I chose to make this journey in search of better opportunities and a brighter future for my family. Back home, the land was often barren and the prospects for earning a decent living were grim, compounded by economic hardship and limited resources.
Here in America, I found work on a sprawling farm where I cultivate crops like corn and potatoes, and tend to livestock. The promise of a steady wage allows me to send money back home to support my loved ones and invest in the dreams I have for my children. The hard work is demanding, but the sense of hope and the possibility of a better life make every long day worthwhile.
Discuss (Page 64)
Q 1. Discuss the importance of language and popular traditions in the creation of national identity.
Ans 1:
(1) A person’s identity is closely linked to their language and cultural practices, as the language they speak is a reflection of their nation and homeland. The significance of the nation often outweighs that of the individual.
(2) Additionally, the language and cultural traditions of a region evolve over time, becoming deeply rooted within that community.
(3) While individuals are born and pass away, languages and traditions persist and remain vibrant.
(4) These elements provide individuals with a sense of identity, regardless of where they are.
Thus, language and cultural traditions play a crucial role in shaping an individual’s national identity.
Discuss (Page 73)
Q 1. Who profits from jute cultivation according to the jute growers’ lament? Explain.
Ans 1: Jute farmers in Bengal expressed their frustration over the situation where traders profited from jute cultivation while the farmers themselves faced escalating production costs and debts. This was occurring alongside a decline in agricultural prices. The colonial authorities, however, did not ease the cash revenue demands. Farmers engaged in cash crops were particularly hard hit. Meanwhile, the urban middle class and landlords gained from the decreasing prices of agricultural goods, which led to an increase in rental values. Additionally, a significant migration from rural areas to urban centers influenced the lifestyles in cities.
Discuss (Page 75)
Q 1. Briefly summaries the two lessons learnt by economists and politicians from the inter-war economic experience?
Ans 1: Politicians and economists came to understand that:
- An industrial society that relies on mass production cannot survive without mass consumption. To facilitate this consumption, it is essential to maintain high- and stable-income levels.
- Continuous and complete employment is crucial.
- Achieving the objective of full employment requires governments to have the authority to regulate the movement of goods, capital, and labor.
EXERCISES
Write in Brief:
Q 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 Americas.
Ans 1: Before the seventeenth century, notable global exchanges included:
- Silk Road Trade (Asia): This ancient network of trade routes connected China to the Mediterranean, facilitating the exchange of silk, spices, precious metals, and ideas. It played a crucial role in cultural, technological, and economic exchanges between East and West.
- Transatlantic Exchange (Americas): The Columbian Exchange, which began in the late 15th century following Columbus’s voyages, involved the transfer of crops, livestock, and diseases between the Americas and Europe. This exchange drastically altered agricultural practices and diets on both sides of the Atlantic, introducing items like potatoes and maize to Europe while bringing horses and cattle to the Americas.
Q 2. Explain how the global transfer of discase in the pre-modern world helped in colonisation of Americas.
Ans 2:
(1) Due to their prolonged separation from the global community, the American continents were not protected against diseases like smallpox, which arrived with European traders during the colonization period.
(2) The European powers did not rely solely on military force to subjugate the Native populations of the Americas. Instead, the devastating impact of diseases led to the deaths and significant decline of entire communities.
Consequently, these illnesses facilitated the European conquest of America.
Q 3. Write a note to explain the effects of the following:
(a) The British government’s decision to abolish Corn laws.
Ans (a):
(i) Following the repeal of the Corn Laws in Britain, the importation of food items commenced, leading to an influx of cheaper imported goods compared to domestic production.
(ii) As a result, many agricultural lands remained fallow, contributing to rising unemployment in Britain and prompting many individuals to emigrate.
(b) The coming of rinderpest to Africa.
Ans (b):
(i) The cattle plague, known as rinderpest, was a disease introduced to Africa through Asian cattle brought by European colonizers. This illness rapidly affected local cattle populations, resulting in the death of thousands and devastating the African economy, which heavily relied on cattle and land.
(ii) Consequently, many unemployed Africans were compelled to seek work on European plantations and in mines, facilitating the process of colonization in Africa.
(c) The death of men of working age in Europe because of the World War.
Ans (c):
(i) The loss of working-age men in Europe during World War I significantly diminished the available workforce.
(ii) This reduction in family members led to decreased household incomes in the post-war period.
(d) The Great Depression on the Indian economy.
Ans (d):
(i) The economic situation in India deteriorated significantly as a result of the Great Depression.
(ii) Farmers and peasants faced severe financial losses due to a decline in raw material prices, attributed to reduced export activity.
(iii) Many also found themselves heavily in debt.
(iv) In contrast, urban residents in India were less adversely affected by the Depression, as they possessed sufficient financial resources to weather the economic downturn.
(e) The decision of MNCs to relocate production to Asian countries.
Ans (e):
(i) The global economic landscape transformed when multinational corporations (MNCs) opted to shift their production operations to Asian countries.
(ii) This relocation was motivated by the availability of abundant low-wage labor in countries like China.
Q 4. Give two examples from history to show the impact of technology on food availability.
Ans 4: The history of technology is replete with examples of its impact on food availability. For instance,
(1) the development of refrigerated shipping reduced the costs of trading meat and other perishable goods, leading to lower meat prices in domestic markets.
(2) Additionally, improvements in rail transport, along with the use of lighter wagons and larger vessels, facilitated quicker and more economical transportation of food from distant farms to marketplaces.
Q 5. What is meant by the Bretton Woods Agreement?
Ans 5:
(1) The Bretton Woods Agreement was created by industrialized nations as a strategy to rebuild and strengthen economies following the war.
(2) The primary aim of this agreement was to foster global economic stability.
Discuss
Q 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.
Ans 6:
Dear Family,
I hope this letter finds you well. Life here in the Caribbean is challenging and far from what I imagined. As an indentured laborer, I work long hours in the sugar fields under the hot sun, often feeling exhausted and yearning for home. The conditions are tough, and we face harsh treatment from overseers.
Despite these hardships, I try to remain hopeful. The land is beautiful, with lush greenery and the ocean’s beauty surrounding us. I’ve made some friends among fellow workers, and we share stories to uplift one another. However, I miss you all dearly and think of our home often.
Please keep me in your prayers, and know that I am doing my best to endure this difficult journey.
With love,
[Your Name]
Q 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.
Ans 7: (1) There are three main types of movements or flows in international economic exchange: trade flow, labor flow, and capital flow.
(2) (i) Trade Flow from India: Indian raw materials, particularly raw cotton, were renowned globally and highly sought after in Britain, prompting Indian participation in international trade.
(ii) Labor Flow from India: Through the system of indentured labor, many Indians migrated to new territories under contractual agreements.
(iii) Capital Flow from India: Indian bankers established a homegrown corporate structure, investing not only within India but also in Africa and various European colonies. Notable Indian capitalist groups included the Shikaripuri Shroffs, Nattu Kottai Chettiars, and traders from Hyderabad.
Q 8. Explain the causes of Great Depression.
Ans 8:
(1) Following the conclusion of the economic boom in the United States, agricultural product prices fell sharply, resulting in significant losses and debts for farmers. This situation nearly caused a collapse of the entire banking system in the US.
(2) Additionally, the global economy, which heavily relied on financial inflows from the US, experienced considerable disruption, leading to the onset of the Great Depression worldwide.
Consequently, factors such as overproduction in agriculture and the pullback of US investments from the international market contributed to the Great Depression.
Q 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?
Ans 9: G-77 Countries
- Definition: The Group of 77 (G-77) is a coalition of developing nations established in 1964 to promote their collective economic interests and enhance their negotiating capacity within the United Nations.
- Formation: Initially started with 77 countries, it has since expanded to include over 130 member states.
- Objectives: Aims to facilitate cooperation among developing countries and to advocate for their interests in global economic matters.
Reaction to the Bretton Woods Twins
- Background: The Bretton Woods Agreement established the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank (the “Bretton Woods twins”) in 1944 to promote international monetary cooperation and economic development.
- Economic Imbalance: G-77 countries emerged partly as a response to perceived inequities in the global economic system dominated by developed nations and institutions like the IMF and World Bank.
- Advocacy for Reform: The G-77 seeks reforms in international financial institutions to address issues such as debt, trade imbalances, and development financing.
- Collective Voice: By uniting, the G-77 provides a platform for developing nations to collectively advocate for policies that promote equitable economic growth and sustainable development.
- Critique of Policies: The G-77 often criticizes the policies of the Bretton Woods institutions, arguing they favor the interests of wealthier countries and exacerbate inequality.
PROJECT
Q 1. Find out more about gold and diamond mining in South Africa in the nineteenth century. Who controlled the gold and diamond companies? Who were the miners and what were their lives like?
Ans 1:
(1) In the 19th century, significant mineral discoveries were made in South Africa, including gold in Johannesburg and diamonds in Kimberley. This led to an influx of European migrants who began extracting these valuable resources. Between 1886 and 1914, South Africa was responsible for 27% of the world’s gold production, coinciding with the period leading up to World War I.
(2) Cecil Rhodes emerged as the first European to establish a monopoly in the gold and diamond mining sectors by acquiring extensive land holdings and founding De Beers, which has since become the largest diamond-producing company in the world.
(3) The mining industry was predominantly managed by European and American interests, as many white settlers moved to South Africa in search of substantial profits from mining. These companies also brought in new technologies and advanced deep-mining techniques to maximize their profits.
(4) The workforce in the mines primarily consisted of African natives, many of whom migrated to South Africa from various regions and colonial territories across the African continent.
(5) The conditions for mining workers were extremely harsh. For instance:
(i) Their wages were significantly lower, often only a tenth of what their white counterparts earned.
(ii) The discovery of gold and diamonds in southern Africa contributed to the rise of apartheid (institutionalized racism) starting as early as 1889.
(iii) In 1889, the Chamber of Mines was established by European industrialists to lower wages for African workers, which was aimed at enhancing the profitability of the mines. This move intensified racial tensions against the black African population, who lived in dire circumstances and were increasingly dissatisfied with their plight.