Explore a brief history of how nations have long engaged in trade outside of their borders to gather raw materials/resources for production in the home country and have simultaneously sought new markets to export their manufactured goods.
General Background
While trade across nations is an ancient practice, the modern reach of corporations changed how humans purchase goods. Students should understand the ties between world governments and consumerism and should consider is that global consumerism assumes that people and nations will be both producers of agricultural products or manufactured goods AND consumers of these types of items.
Video Link
John Green’s World History Crash Course – Globalization
Empire Online Map Link
Empire Online/Interactive Map
(WVU Library source, and would only be available to WVU Social Studies students)
Primary Source Link
Primary Source Questions for Students:
- What is the general subject of the cartoon? (Ask students to consider the cartoon’s title)
- Where was this cartoon published and what does that tell us about the cartoon’s audience?
- Who are the individuals depicted in the cartoon? Rural figures, urban figures, and two businessmen are easily identified.
- What is the action of the cartoon? Are there any important figures missing from the cartoon?