Extra 20 long-answer questions with detailed answers from the chapter "The Making of a Global World" for Class 10 CBSE History:
1. What was the Silk Route? How did it help in the development of trade and cultural exchange?
Answer:
The
Silk Route
was an ancient trade network connecting
Asia, Europe, and Africa
.
It facilitated the
trade of silk, spices, textiles, and precious metals
between different regions.
Cultural exchange
occurred as religions like
Buddhism and Islam
spread along the route.
Technologies and ideas
, such as
paper-making from China
and
mathematical concepts from India
, spread globally.
It strengthened
economic ties
between civilizations and helped in the
growth of urban
centers
.
2. Explain the Columbian Exchange and its effects on the world.
Answer:
The
Columbian Exchange
refers to the
movement of plants, animals, people, and diseases
between the
Old World (Europe, Asia, Africa)
and the
New World (Americas)
after Columbus’ voyages.
Food crops
like
potatoes, maize, and tomatoes
were introduced to Europe, improving nutrition and population growth.
Horses, cattle, and wheat
were introduced to the Americas, changing local agriculture and trade.
Diseases like smallpox and measles
devastated Native American populations due to lack of immunity.
The exchange also led to the
forced migration of enslaved Africans
to work on plantations.
3. What were the causes and effects of the Atlantic Slave Trade?
Answer:
The
demand for
labour
in sugar, cotton, and tobacco plantations in the Americas led to
enslaved Africans being transported across the Atlantic
.
European traders exchanged
guns, textiles, and manufactured goods
for African slaves.
Millions of Africans were forcibly taken
, leading to the depopulation of African societies.
The trade contributed to the
economic growth of European colonial powers
.
It caused
severe social and economic disruptions
in African communities.
4. What were the main causes of European colonization in Asia and Africa?
Answer:
Economic interests:
European powers wanted
raw materials (cotton, gold, rubber)
and
new markets
for their products.
Political motives:
Colonies were seen as
symbols of power and prestige
.
Spread of Christianity:
Missionaries aimed to
convert local populations
.
Technological advancements:
Superior weapons and transport (steamships, railways)
allowed Europeans to conquer distant lands.
Industrial Revolution:
The need for
cheap
labor
and resources
encouraged expansion.
5. How did the British Industrial Revolution affect India?
Answer:
Decline of Indian textile industry:
British machine-made textiles
replaced hand-woven Indian fabrics
.
Economic exploitation:
High
taxes and unfair trade policies
led to poverty among Indian artisans.
Change in agriculture:
Indian farmers were forced to grow
cash crops (indigo, cotton, jute)
for British industries.
Deindustrialization:
India became an exporter of
raw materials
and an importer of
British goods
.
Transport development:
British built
railways and telegraphs
to transport goods efficiently.
6. What were the major impacts of the Industrial Revolution on world trade?
Answer:
Increase in production:
Machines produced goods faster and in larger quantities.
Expansion of global markets:
Countries began exporting and importing goods at unprecedented levels
.
Development of transport:
Steamships and railways made
trade faster and cheaper
.
Rise of capitalism:
Large-scale industries and banks
dominated global economies
.
Growth of colonialism:
European countries
colonized regions
to ensure a supply of raw materials.
7. What was the Indentured Labour System? How did it affect workers?
Answer:
It was a system where
Indian and Chinese workers
were
contracted to work on plantations and mines
in British colonies.
Workers signed
long-term contracts
but were often
trapped in harsh working conditions
.
Low wages and strict punishments
made life difficult for indentured laborers.
Many settled in countries like
Fiji, Mauritius, and Trinidad
, leading to
Indian diaspora communities
.
The system ended in
the early 20th century
due to
worker protests and human rights concerns
.
8. How did railways and canals contribute to global trade?
Answer:
Faster transport:
Railways allowed the quick movement of
goods and people
.
Increased trade efficiency:
Canals like the
Suez Canal (1869) and Panama Canal (1914)
shortened trade routes.
Boosted industrialization:
Railways helped in the
transport of coal, iron, and raw materials
.
Reduced transportation costs:
Made
importing and exporting cheaper
, benefiting global trade.
Facilitated colonization:
Railways helped European powers
control and exploit colonies efficiently
.
9. What was the Great Depression (1929)? How did it impact the global economy?
Answer:
It was a
severe worldwide economic crisis
caused by the
collapse of the US stock market
in 1929.
Factories shut down, leading to mass unemployment
.
Agricultural prices collapsed
, causing
widespread farmer distress
.
International trade declined
, as countries
increased tariffs
to protect local industries.
India was affected
, as prices of cash crops like
jute and cotton
fell sharply.
10. How did the First World War impact the global economy?
Answer:
Mass destruction
of industries and infrastructure in Europe.
Economic decline
in major economies like Britain, France, and Germany.
Increase in US dominance
, as America became the world’s leading creditor.
Global inflation
, leading to high prices and reduced purchasing power.
Trade disruptions
due to naval blockades and destruction of shipping industries.
11. What was the Bretton Woods Conference (1944)? What were its outcomes?
Answer:
Held in
1944 in the USA
to rebuild the world economy after
World War II
.
Established the
International Monetary Fund (IMF)
to maintain
financial stability
.
Created the
World Bank
to help countries with
economic development
.
Fixed
exchange rates
, where the US dollar was linked to
gold
and other currencies to the
US dollar
.
Aimed to
prevent another Great Depression
by ensuring global economic cooperation.
12. What was the role of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank?
Answer:
IMF:
Helped countries maintain
exchange rate stability
and provided short-term loans.
World Bank:
Gave
long-term loans
for economic development projects in
developing countries
.
Prevented financial crises
by supporting countries facing economic difficulties.
Encouraged international trade
by promoting stable currencies.
Helped in the
reconstruction of war-torn nations
after
World War II
.
13. Why did the Bretton Woods system collapse in 1971?
Answer:
The US
abandoned the gold standard
, leading to floating exchange rates.
High inflation
and economic problems reduced confidence in fixed currency values.
Rise of
Japan and Europe
as economic powers weakened US dominance.
Oil crises in the
1970s
led to global economic instability.
Countries started using
market-based exchange rates
instead of fixed ones.
14. What is the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT)?
Answer:
An international agreement signed in
1947
to
reduce trade barriers
.
Aimed to
promote free trade
between countries.
Encouraged countries to
lower import taxes (tariffs)
on goods.
Helped in the
growth of global trade and economic cooperation
.
In
1995, GATT was replaced by the World Trade Organization (WTO)
.
15. How did the World Trade Organization (WTO) impact globalization?
Answer:
Established in
1995
to
regulate international trade
.
Encouraged
free trade agreements
between countries.
Helped settle
trade disputes
between nations.
Encouraged
foreign investment
and global competition.
Critics argue that WTO policies sometimes
favour
developed nations over developing ones
.
16. How did globalization affect India after 1991?
Answer:
Economic liberalization
policies allowed
foreign companies to invest
in India.
IT and service sectors
expanded, creating
new job opportunities
.
Cheaper imported goods
increased competition for Indian businesses.
Increased foreign investment
helped modernize industries.
Growing inequality
between skilled and unskilled workers.
17. What are the advantages of globalization?
Answer:
Increased
trade and economic growth
.
More job opportunities in
IT, banking, and services
.
Access to
foreign technology and capital
.
Growth of
Multinational Corporations (MNCs)
.
Better availability of
global brands and products
.
18. What are the disadvantages of globalization?
Answer:
Loss of local industries
due to competition from MNCs.
Increased
economic inequality
between rich and poor.
Exploitation of
labor
in developing countries.
Environmental damage
due to industrial expansion.
Dependence on global markets
, making economies vulnerable to financial crises.
19. How did the Industrial Revolution lay the foundation for globalization?
Answer:
Led to
mass production
of goods, increasing trade.
Development of
steamships and railways
made transportation faster.
Need for raw materials
led to
colonization and global markets
.
Growth of factories
created demand for
labour
and migration
.
Expanded
global trade networks
connecting different continents.
20. How did multinational corporations (MNCs) contribute to globalization?
Answer:
Invested in different countries
, creating
global economic links
.
Encouraged
outsourcing and cheap
labour
markets
.
Increased
technological transfers
between countries.
Expanded markets by introducing
global brands
.
Led to
economic interdependence
between nations.
