The Making of the Global World
The Making of the Global World
The Pre-Modern World – Early Connections
| Aspect | Core Facts | Layer Link |
|---|---|---|
| Early Trade Networks | Long before 1800, people traded silk, spices, gold, silver, textiles, horses and slaves across Asia, Africa, Europe and the Americas. | Economy & Livelihood Systems |
| Food Travels | Crops like potato, maize, tomato, chilli, groundnut and cocoa travelled from the Americas to Europe, Asia and Africa after Columbus (1492). | Resources & Geography Control |
| Conquest and Disease | Smallpox and other diseases brought by Europeans killed large native populations in the Americas, helping European conquest. | Change, Continuity & Impact |
| Movement of People | Forced migration of African slaves and later indentured labourers reshaped societies and labour systems. | Society & Social Structure |
| Sources & Evidence | Travel accounts, shipping records, colonial documents, plantation records and chroniclers’ writings. | Sources & Evidence |
- Global connections started long before modern times, mainly through trade and migration.
- Food crops changed diets, agriculture and population growth patterns.
Memory Hook: Pre-modern world = Trade + Crops + Disease + Migration.
Exam Tip: If question links globalisation with Columbus or food crops, connect it to post-1492 Columbian Exchange.
Silk Routes Link the World
| Element | Details | Layer Link |
|---|---|---|
| Silk Roads Network | Ancient land and sea trade routes linking East Asia, Central Asia, West Asia and Europe. | Resources & Geography Control |
| Main Goods | Chinese silk, Indian spices and textiles, precious stones, metalware. | Economy & Livelihood Systems |
| Spread of Religion | Buddhist missionaries travelled along Silk Routes spreading Buddhism into Central and East Asia. | Culture & Belief Systems |
| Ideas and Knowledge | Exchange of scientific ideas, technologies, languages and philosophies. | Development & Innovations |
| Evidence | Travel accounts of monks, traders, archaeological sites and maps. | Sources & Evidence |
- Silk Routes show early examples of global cultural and economic integration.
- They linked distant regions long before modern technology.
Memory Hook: Silk Routes = Goods + Religion + Ideas + Culture.
Exam Tip: If Silk Routes question appears, always mention trade + cultural spread + Buddhism.
The 19th Century (1815–1914) – A World Economy Takes Shape
| Aspect | Key Points | Layer Link |
|---|---|---|
| Post-Napoleon Period | After 1815, Britain emerged as the dominant industrial and trading power. | Chronology & Time Period |
| World Trade Growth | Large increase in trade of food grains, raw materials and manufactured goods. | Economy & Livelihood Systems |
| Repeal of Corn Laws (1846) | British removed food import restrictions to allow cheap grain imports. | Laws, Policies & Economy |
| Colonies’ Role | Colonies supplied raw materials and consumed industrial goods. | Resources & Geography Control |
| Global Capital Flow | European banks and companies invested in railways, mines and plantations worldwide. | Development & Innovations |
- The 19th century built a global economic system centred on Europe.
- Colonies became dependent on global markets.
Memory Hook: 1815–1914 = Britain + Free Trade + Global Economy.
Exam Tip: When Corn Laws appear, link them directly to industrialisation and free trade.
Role of Technology in Globalisation
| Technology | Impact | Layer Link |
|---|---|---|
| Railways | Connected interior regions to ports, helped transport raw materials and finished goods. | Development & Innovations |
| Steamships | Reduced travel time and transport cost of goods and people. | Economy & Livelihood Systems |
| Telegraph | Enabled fast communication between continents. | Innovations |
| Refrigerated Ships | Allowed safe transport of meat from Argentina, Australia and New Zealand to Europe. | Economy & Geography Control |
| Suez Canal (1869) | Reduced sea distance between Europe and Asia. | Resources & Geography Control |
- Technology made global trade faster and cheaper.
- It strengthened economic integration across continents.
Memory Hook: Globalisation via technology = Railway + Steamship + Telegraph + Suez Canal.
Exam Tip: If 1869 appears, answer: Suez Canal – reduced Europe–Asia distance.
Late 19th Century Colonialism and Migration
| Topic | Details | Layer Link |
|---|---|---|
| Indentured Labour | Indian workers sent to Caribbean, Fiji, Mauritius, etc., under long-term contracts. | Society & Social Structure |
| Working Conditions | Poor living conditions, low wages, strict discipline. | Change & Impact |
| Indian Entrepreneurs | Shikaripuri Shroffs and Nattukottai Chettiars financed trade and plantations. | Economy & Livelihood Systems |
| Effects on Home Country | Drain of labour and resources; dependency on colonial markets. | Change & Impact |
- Migration reshaped global labour systems.
- Indian communities formed in many parts of the world.
Memory Hook: Indentured Labour = India → Caribbean, Fiji, Mauritius.
Exam Tip: Do not confuse indentured labour with slavery; it was contract-based but exploitative.
The Cattle Plague (Rinderpest)
| Aspect | Details | Layer Link |
|---|---|---|
| Origin | Entered Africa in late 1880s with cattle imported from British Asia. | Chronology & Geography Control |
| Impact | Destroyed cattle across Africa leading to famine and loss of livelihoods. | Economy & Livelihood Systems |
| Colonial Advantage | Weakened African societies, helping European colonisation. | Change & Impact |
| Evidence | Accounts of colonial officers and African oral histories. | Sources & Evidence |
- Rinderpest destroyed about 90% of African cattle.
- It changed power balance in favour of European powers.
Memory Hook: Rinderpest = 1880s Africa + Cattle destruction + Colonisation.
Exam Tip: If asked about indirect causes of African colonisation, mention Rinderpest.
First World War and Inter-War Economy
| Aspect | Key Points | Layer Link |
|---|---|---|
| World War I | 1914–1918 global war involving Europe, Asia, Africa and America. | Chronology & Time Period |
| War Economy | Mass production of weapons; use of soldiers and resources from colonies. | Economy & Livelihood Systems |
| Post-War Recovery | Economic instability, debt and high inflation in many countries. | Change & Impact |
- War destroyed old economic balance.
- Colonies provided men, money and raw materials.
Memory Hook: WWI = 1914–1918 + Global War + Economic Damage.
Exam Tip: When asked about war economy, stress global recruitment and industrial production.
The Great Depression and Its Effects
| Factor | Details | Layer Link |
|---|---|---|
| Economic Crash | Started in 1929, mainly in the USA stock market. | Chronology & Economy |
| Global Impact | Fall in trade, fall in agricultural prices, closure of industries. | Economy & Livelihood Systems |
| Loan Withdrawals | USA withdrew loans from Europe, leading to collapse of international trade. | Change & Impact |
- The world economy almost collapsed during this period.
- Farmers and workers suffered the most.
Memory Hook: Great Depression = 1929 Wall Street + Global Crash.
Exam Tip: If 1929 is given, answer: Great Depression starts in USA.
India and the Great Depression
| Aspect | Impact in India | Layer Link |
|---|---|---|
| Price Fall | Agricultural prices fell sharply; farmers earned less. | Economy & Livelihood Systems |
| Indebtedness | Peasants borrowed from moneylenders, leading to debt traps. | Society & Social Structure |
| Export Decline | India’s exports of jute and cotton reduced heavily. | Economy & Change |
| British Policy | High revenue demand continued despite crisis, increasing rural distress. | Laws, Policies & Impact |
- Indian farmers suffered major losses.
- British policies worsened rural conditions.
Memory Hook: Great Depression in India = Low prices + High revenue + Farmer debt.
Exam Tip: In exam, always connect Indian depression to peasant hardships and revenue policy.