How TECHNOLOGY Made GLOBALIZATION Possible [AP World History Review—Unit 9 Topic 1]

Summary

This video discusses globalization, focusing on the rapid technological advancements in the 20th and 21st centuries that have interconnected the world socially, politically, and economically. It covers communication technologies like radio, television, and the internet, transportation innovations like air travel and shipping containers, and new energy technologies, including petroleum and nuclear power. The video also highlights medical advancements, such as antibiotics, vaccines, and birth control, along with the Green Revolution in agriculture, which drastically increased food production. These technologies have reshaped societies, economies, and populations worldwide.

Takeaways

• 😀 Globalization connects the world politically, economically, and socially through advancements in trade and technology.
• 😀 Communication technologies such as radio, television, and the internet have greatly reduced geographical distances, fostering global interconnectedness.
• 😀 The radio was a pivotal tool for direct communication, allowing leaders to speak directly to citizens, such as President Franklin Roosevelt during the Great Depression and World War II.
• 😀 The television, which replaced radio by the 1960s, made global events like the Vietnam War and the Cuban Missile Crisis accessible to people worldwide.
• 😀 The rise of cellular technology, especially with mobile phones, allowed people to connect across the globe instantly, no matter their location.
• 😀 The internet, developed in the 1960s and popularized in the 1990s, revolutionized global communication, commerce, and the sharing of information.
• 😀 Transportation technologies like air travel and shipping containers shrank the distance between countries, facilitating international trade and tourism.
• 😀 The widespread use of shipping containers standardized global trade, making it easier and cheaper to transport goods and relocate manufacturing to cheaper labor markets.
• 😀 New energy technologies, including petroleum and nuclear power, shaped global industries and the environment, leading to both economic growth and environmental concerns.
• 😀 Medical advances such as antibiotics, vaccines, and birth control have significantly impacted global health, increasing lifespans and altering population dynamics across the world.

Q & A

What is the definition of globalization as mentioned in the video?

Globalization is the phenomenon by which trade and technology have created a politically, economically, and socially interconnected world.

How did communication technologies change the world according to the video?

Communication technologies, such as radio, television, and the internet, helped shrink geographical distances and allowed people to connect across the globe more easily. These advancements facilitated mass communication and global interconnectedness.

What role did the radio play in the development of globalization?

The radio allowed people to hear voices directly from leaders or broadcasters, bypassing traditional intermediaries like newspapers. This made communication more direct and widespread, contributing to the interconnectedness of the world.

How did the internet revolutionize communication and commerce in the late 20th century?

The internet, particularly by the 1990s, connected the world through email and the World Wide Web, enabling businesses to reach customers and fostering the rapid growth of global communication and commerce.

What impact did the widespread use of automobiles have on globalization?

The widespread use of automobiles changed urban landscapes and created suburbs, which fundamentally altered city structures and facilitated the movement of people, contributing to globalization.

Why were shipping containers considered revolutionary for global economics?

Shipping containers standardized the transportation of non-bulk goods, making it easier to ship products globally. This allowed businesses to relocate manufacturing to developing countries, taking advantage of lower labor costs.

What were the two main energy technologies that had a major impact on globalization?

The two main energy technologies were petroleum, which replaced coal as the primary power source, and nuclear power, which offered a cleaner alternative to fossil fuels for energy generation.

How did antibiotics and vaccines contribute to global life expectancy in the 20th century?

Antibiotics, like penicillin, saved lives by treating bacterial infections, while vaccines helped control diseases like polio and measles, contributing to longer life expectancies worldwide.

What was the effect of the development of birth control pills on global populations?

The birth control pill, developed in the 1950s, led to declining fertility rates globally, especially in developed countries, causing a slowdown in population growth, while populations in developing regions grew faster.

How did the Green Revolution influence global food production?

The Green Revolution introduced high-yield crop strains and new agricultural technologies, significantly increasing food production in developing countries. However, it also led to concerns about soil exhaustion and environmental pollution.