Write a note to explain the effects of the following:
(a) The British government's decision to abolish the Corn Laws.
(b) The coming of rinderpest to Africa.
(c) The death of men of working-age in Europe because of the World War.
(d) The Great Depression on the Indian economy.
(e) The decision of MNCs to relocate production to Asian countries.
Answers
Explanation:
(a) The British government's decision to abolish the Corn Laws resulted in the inflow of cheaper food in
Britain. British agriculture was unable to compete with imports. Vast areas of land were left uncultivated. Thousands of men and women, who were thrown out of work, migrated to town and cities. This indirectly led to global agriculture and rapid urbanisation, a prerequisite of industrial growth.
(b) Rinderpest arrived in Africa in the late 1880s. Within two years, it spread in the whole continent reaching Cape Town within five years. Rinderpest had a terrifying impact on people’s livelihoods and the local economy. It killed about 90 percent of the cattle. Planters, mine owners and colonial governments became successful to strengthen their power and to force Africans into the labour market.
(c) The death of men of working-age in Europe because of the World War reduced the able-bodied workforce in Europe, thereby reducing household income. Due to this the women stepped in to undertake the jobs that earlier only men were expected to do. It increased the role of women that led to a demand for their equal status in the society. It made the feminist movement even stronger.
(d) By the early twentieth century, the global economy had become an integral one. The depression immediately affected Indian trade. India was a British colony that exported agricultural goods and imported manufactured goods. Under the impact of Great Depression, the Indian economy was closely becoming integrated into the global economy. As international prices crashed so did the prices in India. Between 1928 and 1934, wheat prices in India fell by 50 percent. The fall in agricultural price led to a reduction of farmers’ income and agricultural export. The government did not decrease their taxes due to which peasants' indebtedness increased all across India. In these depression years, India became an exporter of precious metals, notably gold.
(e) The relocation of industry to the low-wage countries had the following impact=>
It provided a cheap source of labour for MNCs
It stimulated world trade and increased capital inflow in the Asian Countries
It brought about new technology and production methods to the Asian Countries.
It produced greater employment opportunities for Asian countries.
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(a) The British government's decision to abolish the Corn Laws lades to the losses for the agricultural sector but proven advantage for the industrial sector. Food was available at lower prizes into Britain by importing but it led to the unemployment in thousands of cultivation workers became.
(b) Rinderpest a fast spreading disease of cattle plague. It was brought to Africa by European in late 1880s. It spread westward 'like forest fire' destroying almost 90% of African cattle wealth. It destroyed the livelihood of the Africans and paved the way for conquest of Africa.
(c) The death of men of working-age in Europe because of the World War.
The First World War was the first modern industrial war. It saw the use of machine guns, tanks, aircraft, chemical weapons etc Millions of soldiers had to be recruited from around the world and moved to the frontlines on large ships and trains. The scale of death and destruction was beyond imagination. Most of the killed and maimed were men of working age.
(d) The Great Depression of 1929 had a very severe impact on India, which was then under the rule of the British Raj. How much India was affected has been hotly debated. Nationalist historians have argued that the Great Depression slowed long-term industrial development.
(e) The decision of MNCs to relocate production to Asian countries. The decision of MNCs to relocate production to Asian countries led to a stimulation of world trade and capital flows. This relocation was on account of low-cost structure and lower wages in Asian countries.
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