The Making of a Global World | Case Based Questions

Q.1 Read the given extract and answer the following questions.

The Portuguese and Spanish conquest and colonisation of America was decisively under way by the mid-sixteenth century. European conquest was not just a result of superior firepower. In fact, the most powerful weapon of the Spanish conquerors was not a conventional military weapon at all. It was the germs such as those of smallpox that they carried on their person. Because of their long isolation, America’s original inhabitants had no immunity against these diseases that came from Europe. Smallpox in particular proved a deadly killer. Once introduced, it spread deep into the continent, ahead even of any Europeans reaching there. It killed and decimated whole communities, paving the way for conquest.

i) Which disease carried by Europeans proved to be a deadly killer for the native people of America? (1)

Answer:- Small pox

ii) Why did America’s original inhabitants have no immunity against the diseases brought by Europeans? (1)

Answer:- America’s original inhabitants had long isolation from Europe, so they had no natural immunity against European diseases.

iii) Explain how germs like smallpox became more powerful than conventional weapons in the Spanish conquest of America. (2)

Answer:- Smallpox spread rapidly across America, even before Europeans reached some areas. It killed and decimated entire communities, weakening resistance. Thus, germs acted as the most powerful weapon, paving the way for conquest.

 Q.2 Read the given extract and answer the following questions.

The silk routes are a good example of vibrant pre-modern trade and cultural links between distant parts of the world. The name ‘silk routes’ points to the importance of West-bound Chinese silk cargoes along this route. Historians have identified several silk routes, over land and by sea, knitting together vast regions of Asia, and linking Asia with Europe and northern Africa. They are known to have existed since before the Christian Era and thrived almost till the fifteenth century. But Chinese pottery also travelled the same route, as did textiles and spices from India and Southeast Asia. In return, precious metals – gold and silver – flowed from Europe to Asia

i) What does the term Silk Routes highlight about the trade network? (1)

Answer:- The term Silk Routes highlights both the importance of Chinese silk cargoes moving westward and the connection of people from different regions through trade and cultural exchange.

ii) Name two items (other than silk) that were traded through the Silk Routes. (1)

Answer:- Chinese pottery, Indian textiles, and Southeast Asian spices.

iii) Explain how the Silk Routes connected different regions of the world. (2)

Answer:- The Silk Routes included both land and sea routes. They linked Asia with Europe and northern Africa. Moreover, Goods like silk, pottery, textiles, and spices moved from Asia. And Precious metals like gold and silver flowed back from Europe.