Unit 9 Overview | World History Project AP®

Summary

This video explores the impact of globalization on child mortality and diseases like malaria, highlighting both progress and inequalities. While technological and medical advances have drastically reduced child mortality rates, the benefits have been unevenly distributed, particularly in poorer regions. The video uses malaria as a case study, showing how globalization has both improved and worsened conditions depending on location. It also discusses the role of climate change in exacerbating these issues. The video emphasizes the importance of understanding history to navigate the complex global challenges of the present and future.

Takeaways

• 😀 The world has made significant progress in reducing child mortality, with the child mortality rate dropping from 43% in 1800 to 3.8% today.
• 😀 Despite improvements, child mortality remains high in some areas, and the benefits of global advancements are not evenly distributed.
• 😀 Globalization, particularly after 1945, has led to rapid technological and economic growth, which has intensified global connections.
• 😀 Globalization is often described as 'flattening' the world, but it has also created inequalities, making its effects 'lumpy' and uneven across communities.
• 😀 While we’ve achieved remarkable technological advances, we are sometimes the victims of our progress, such as in the case of the environmental impacts caused by rapid innovation.
• 😀 Malaria remains a major cause of child mortality, particularly in Africa, where 94% of malaria-related deaths occurred in 2019.
• 😀 Global cooperation and technological advancements have helped reduce the geographical spread of malaria, but some regions, especially low-income ones, still suffer disproportionately.
• 😀 Climate change, exacerbated by globalization, poses a new threat by expanding the range of diseases like malaria, worsening their impact on poor regions.
• 😀 Despite great progress in eradicating diseases and reducing poverty, climate change could undo many of these achievements, affecting the most vulnerable populations.
• 😀 Global diseases like malaria and challenges such as climate change underscore the shared challenges humanity faces, highlighting the need for collective action to address these complex issues.

Q & A

What is the current child mortality rate, and how does it compare to the past?

The current child mortality rate is 3.8%. In 1800, it was much higher, at 43%. This significant reduction demonstrates progress in health, particularly in reducing the number of children who die under the age of 5.

How would the child mortality rate improve if all regions had the same conditions as the richest countries?

If all regions enjoyed the conditions found in the world's richest countries, the child mortality rate could fall from 3.8% to under 0.4%, potentially saving almost 5 million children each year.

What role has globalization played in the improvements seen in child mortality rates?

Globalization, particularly through technological and medical advancements, has contributed to lower child mortality rates. It has connected nations, facilitated knowledge sharing, and enabled the widespread use of life-saving technologies and treatments.

What is the ‘Great Acceleration’ in the context of globalization?

The 'Great Acceleration' refers to the period after 1945, during which technological advancements, population growth, and economic expansion dramatically increased. This accelerated pace of development significantly transformed the global landscape.

How has globalization contributed to both positive and negative environmental effects?

Globalization has enabled rapid economic and technological progress, but it has also led to environmental degradation. The widespread use of fossil fuels, for example, has contributed to climate change, which threatens ecosystems and human populations alike.

Why is malaria still a significant issue in some parts of the world despite global progress?

Malaria remains a major issue in poor regions, particularly in Africa, due to a lack of access to essential resources like medicine, insecticides, and healthcare. While there has been global progress in combating malaria, its persistence in these areas highlights the uneven distribution of benefits from globalization.

What is the connection between climate change and the spread of malaria?

Climate change, driven by global industrialization, is altering rainfall, temperature, and humidity patterns, which in turn expand the geographical range of malaria. This makes the disease more prevalent in regions where it was previously less of a concern, especially in low-income countries.

What does the video mean by saying globalization is 'lumpy'?

When the video says globalization is 'lumpy,' it refers to the uneven effects of globalization. Some regions experience rapid benefits, while others face negative consequences, leading to inequalities among communities around the world.

What role have international organizations like the United Nations played in addressing global issues?

International organizations like the United Nations work to regulate and manage global issues, from environmental concerns to conflicts and humanitarian crises. They attempt to address the complexities of globalization and its unequal impacts across the world.

How does malaria illustrate the uneven benefits of globalization?

Malaria shows how the benefits of globalization, such as medical advancements and international cooperation, are not evenly distributed. While some countries have successfully reduced malaria, it remains a significant problem in poorer regions where access to these benefits is limited.