AP World Unit 9 Illustrative Examples

1900 - Present

Globalization

phenomenon by which trade & technology have created a politically, economically, and socially interconnected world

Television

Gave news and connected people across the globe.

Internet (World Wide Web)

Connected the world population, people and businesses

affordable → facilitated globalization through instant communication and access to information.

Air Travel

affordable + shrinks’ distance = connects world

Petroleum

A key energy source that fueled industrialization and global trade, influencing economies and geopolitics.

• Fuel for cars & planes

• generate electricity

• Petroleum is a vital energy resource that powered the industrial revolution and continues to be essential for transportation, electricity generation, and global economies.

• replaced coal as main power source of industrial manufacturing

  • increased demand led to geopolitical conflicts and reliance on oil-rich nations.

Antibiotics = Penicillin

A class of drugs used to treat bacterial infections by inhibiting the growth of bacteria.

Saved many lived and increased life span by providing effective treatments for previously deadly infections.

Green Revolution

GMO → increased crop yield → benefits densely populated areas

A period of agricultural transformation through the use of new technologies, high-yield crops, and modern farming practices, leading to increased food production globally.

Environmental harm:

• Exhaustion & erosion

• chemical run off

• Double crop

• Increased use of fertilizers

Malaria (Disease)

Affects less developed regions due to less access to medicine

Disease is spread through mosquito bites and causes fever, chills, and flu-like symptoms. Effective treatments and preventive measures, such as insecticide-treated bed nets, are crucial in combating this illness.

1918 Influenza Pandemic (Spanish flu)

A deadly global outbreak of influenza that occurred in 1918-1919, infecting about one-third of the world's population and resulting in millions of deaths. It disproportionately affected young adults and had significant social and economic impacts worldwide.

Alzimers

A progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects memory, thinking, and behavior, primarily seen in older adults.

Became common due to increased lifespan

Neoliberalism

An economic and political model advocating free-market capitalism, deregulation, and reduction of state influence on the economy.

Ronald Regan - Reganomics

A form of economic policy implemented by U.S. President Ronald Reagan in the 1980s, characterized by tax cuts, increased military spending, and deregulation, aiming to stimulate economic growth.

Reganomics refers to the economic policies championed by President Reagan, focusing on supply-side economics, reducing taxes for businesses and individuals, and encouraging private sector growth.

Increased income inequality

Margret Thatcher (UK)

The first female Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, serving from 1979 to 1990. She is known for her strong conservative policies and close alignment with U.S. President Ronald Reagan.

Economic policies: promoted deregulation, privatization, and reducing the power of trade unions, leading to significant changes in the British economy.

Knowledge Workers

Individuals engaged in jobs that require advanced cognitive skills, often involving the processing of information and knowledge-based tasks.

Found in wealthier / developed countries

Main capital for work not bodies but rather their mind

These nations are education focused

ex: Finland - known for its strong education system and emphasis on developing knowledge workers.

Japan - home to a highly skilled workforce and a leading technology sector, emphasizing innovation and knowledge-based industries.

Manufacturing

located in developing nations to save money and take advantage of lower labor costs, with factories often producing goods for global markets. Manufacturing industries play a crucial role in economic development and job creation.

Multinational corporations

Companies that operate in multiple countries, producing goods or services for global distribution while managing operations across various national markets.

Ex: Nestle

World Trade Organization

An intergovernmental organization that regulates international trade, aiming to ensure that trade flows as smoothly, predictably, and freely as possible.

European Union

A political and economic union of European countries aimed at promoting integration, free trade, and cooperation among member states.

UN

Goal: prevent war & global cooperation

Security Council: makes decisions regarding international peace and security and includes five permanent members (US, UK, France, Russia, China) that hold veto power.

General body: comprises all member states and discusses global issues, promotes international cooperation, and passes resolutions on various matters.

Deforestation

due to urbanization and agricultural expansion, leads to biodiversity loss and climate change.

Great Smog

A severe air pollution event that occurred in London in December 1952, caused by a combination of weather conditions and emissions from coal burning, resulting in thousands of deaths and leading to significant changes in environmental policy.

Climate change

The main debate is on what cause it: humans vs natural causes

It is debated in politics as if the problem is human made then political action is necessary.

Industrialized nations rely on the burning of fossil fuels and natural resource exploitation, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions and global warming.

Hollywood

Example of global culture; highest grossing films from US; shapes pop culture worldwide

Western values spread globally

Consumer Culture

US greatly influences through mass production and usage of advertisments for overconsumption

Ex: KFC is more popular in China than US showing the spread of US businesses worldwide

Online retail facilitates this connection

Resistance to Globalization

The pushback against cultural, economic, and political integration across countries often due to perceived threats to local cultures and economies. This resistance can manifest in various forms, such as nationalism, protectionism, and local movements advocating for sustainability.

Battle for Seattle: A significant protest against the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 1999 that highlighted concerns over labor rights, environmental issues, and globalization's impact on local economies.

WEIBO: A Chinese social media platform that plays a significant role in online communication, activism, and political expression. Created to stop chinese from using western centric platforms