Unit 9: Globalization

Globalization

The spread of ideas, products, and practices from one place to another, facilitated by advances in transportation, communication, and technology.

Spanish Flu (1918-1919)

An influenza pandemic that infected one-fifth of the world’s population and had a death toll of 80 million.

Penicillin

An antibiotic discovered by Alexander Fleming in 1928 that interferes with bacterial cell wall formation.

United Nations

An organization established in 1945 with the goal of maintaining world peace and fostering international cooperation.

General Assembly

A component of the United Nations where representatives from each state discuss security and global issues.

Security Council

A UN body responsible for maintaining international peace and security, consisting of 5 permanent members with veto powers.

Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948)

A document adopted by the United Nations outlining basic human rights principles such as equality and freedom from slavery.

Green Revolution

A period starting in the 1950s marked by new agricultural practices and genetically modified crops aimed at combating world hunger.

Green Belt Movement (1977)

An environmental organization founded by Wangari Maathai to combat deforestation and promote sustainable development.

AIDS epidemic (1980s-1990s)

A health crisis caused by HIV that resulted in the deaths of around 25 million people by compromising the immune system.

Deng Xiaoping’s Economic Reforms (1981)

Economic policies implemented in China moving away from equality towards growth by allowing market-oriented reforms.

NAFTA (1994)

The North American Free Trade Agreement that encouraged free trade between the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.

World Trade Organization (1995)

An international organization that regulates trade and took over from GATT to lower trade barriers.

Kyoto Protocol (1997)

An international agreement aimed at reducing carbon emissions, which developed nations argued developing nations should also address.

September 11 attacks (2001)

Coordinated terrorist attacks by al-Qaeda against the U.S., resulting in significant loss of life and widespread impact on global security.

Brexit (2016)

The British referendum decision to leave the European Union, highlighting tensions over governance and national sovereignty.

International Monetary Fund (IMF)

An organization created to promote international financial stability and facilitate global trade.

World Bank

An international financial institution aimed at providing financial assistance and support for development projects globally.