Exam Notes

Environmental Factors and Human Populations

• Environmental factors have significantly shaped human populations throughout history.

• Climate change, resource availability, and geographical features influenced migration patterns, settlement locations, and population density.

• For example, fertile river valleys supported larger populations due to agricultural productivity.

• Adverse environmental conditions like droughts or floods led to famine, disease, and population decline.

Responses to Increasing Globalization (1900-Present)

• Globalization intensified after 1900, leading to diverse responses from different groups and nations.

• Some embraced globalization, seeking economic benefits through trade and investment.

• Others resisted globalization due to concerns about cultural homogenization, economic exploitation, and loss of national sovereignty.

• Anti-globalization movements emerged, advocating for fair trade, environmental protection, and local autonomy.

• Examples of resistance include trade protectionism, nationalist movements, and efforts to preserve cultural identities.

Diseases, Poverty, and Globalization

• Poverty-related diseases persisted, particularly in developing countries, due to inadequate sanitation, nutrition, and healthcare access.

• Globalization facilitated the emergence and spread of new diseases, creating epidemics and threats to human populations.

• Increased international travel and trade contributed to the rapid transmission of infectious diseases across borders.

• Examples include the spread of influenza pandemics, HIV/AIDS, and more recently, COVID-19.

• Disease outbreaks often led to social disruption, triggering fear, panic, and discriminatory practices.

• The need to combat diseases spurred technological and medical advances, fostering innovation in vaccines, diagnostics, and treatments.

• Increased longevity led to a higher incidence of age-related diseases, such as cancer, heart disease, and Alzheimer's.

Globalization and International Interactions

• Globalization profoundly altered international interactions among states, increasing interdependence and competition.

• Economic globalization led to the formation of international trade agreements, regional economic blocs, and global financial institutions.

• Political globalization fostered cooperation on issues such as climate change, terrorism, and human rights.

• However, globalization also created new tensions and conflicts, as states vied for economic and political influence.

Changing Economic Institutions and Multinational Corporations

• Globalization led to the rise of new economic institutions, such as the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

• These institutions shaped global economic policies and regulations, promoting free trade and financial stability.

• Multinational corporations (MNCs) expanded their operations globally, seeking new markets, resources, and labor.

• MNCs played a significant role in driving economic growth and technological innovation but also faced criticism for their impact on labor standards, environmental sustainability, and income inequality.

Environmental Factors and Human Populations

Environmental factors have significantly shaped human populations throughout history.

Climate change, resource availability, and geographical features influenced migration patterns, settlement locations, and population density.

For example, fertile river valleys supported larger populations due to agricultural productivity.

Adverse environmental conditions like droughts or floods led to famine, disease, and population decline.

Responses to Increasing Globalization (1900-Present)

Globalization intensified after 1900, leading to diverse responses from different groups and nations.

Some embraced globalization, seeking economic benefits through trade and investment.

Others resisted globalization due to concerns about cultural homogenization, economic exploitation, and loss of national sovereignty.

Anti-globalization movements emerged, advocating for fair trade, environmental protection, and local autonomy.

Examples of resistance include trade protectionism, nationalist movements, and efforts to preserve cultural identities.

Diseases, Poverty, and Globalization

Poverty-related diseases persisted, particularly in developing countries, due to inadequate sanitation, nutrition, and healthcare access.

Globalization facilitated the emergence and spread of new diseases, creating epidemics and threats to human populations.

Increased international travel and trade contributed to the rapid transmission of infectious diseases across borders.

Examples include the spread of influenza pandemics, HIV/AIDS, and more recently, COVID-19.

Disease outbreaks often led to social disruption, triggering fear, panic, and discriminatory practices.

The need to combat diseases spurred technological and medical advances, fostering innovation in vaccines, diagnostics, and treatments.

Increased longevity led to a higher incidence of age-related diseases, such as cancer, heart disease, and Alzheimer's.