Question 1

What was the first new development in transportation instituting a convergence of space-time?

Accepted Answer

The wheel allowed humans to travel farther and faster than ever before, essentially shrinking distances in space and time.

Question 2

What was the easiest way to move people and goods long distances for many centuries?

Accepted Answer

Sailing ships were the easiest way to move people and goods long distances for many centuries because they could carry large amounts of cargo and passengers, and they were not limited by terrain like land transportation or wind conditions like air transportation.

Question 3

When the compass was invented and improved the accuracy of maritime navigation, what especially enabled the expansive maritime empires of the colonial period?

Accepted Answer

The invention and improvement of the compass significantly reduced the cost of navigation by making it more accurate and efficient, enabling ships to follow more direct routes and thus facilitating the expansion of maritime empires during the colonial period.

Question 4

What type of cities were particularly transformed by the growth of global maritime trading?

Accepted Answer

Port cities were particularly transformed by the growth of global maritime trading because they were the points of entry and exit for goods and people, and as such they became hubs of economic activity and cultural exchange. These cities grew rapidly as trade increased, attracting settlers from different parts of the world and developing distinctive cultures and architectures. Examples of port cities transformed by global maritime trading include Amsterdam, London, Guangzhou, Mumbai, and Rio de Janeiro.

Question 5

Why is economic activity concentrated in coastal regions?

Accepted Answer

Coastal regions have historically been hubs of long-distance trade, which is primarily conducted by sea. This has led to the concentration of economic activity and the development of cosmopolitan cultures in these areas. Additionally, coastal regions often have access to natural resources like fish, which can support economies based around fishing industries.

Question 6

What type of goods did the earliest cargo of long distance maritime global trade carry?

Accepted Answer

The cargo of the earliest long distance maritime global trade consisted of luxury items such as spices, silk, and precious stones.

Question 7

What invention closed the age of sailboats and further shrank the net of space-time?

Accepted Answer

Steam ships replaced sail boats as a primary mode of transportation and allowed for faster and more efficient travel, thus shrinking the net of space-time.

Question 8

What part of the transportation network was served by the construction of canals and railroads?

Accepted Answer

Canals and railroads primarily served the overland transportation network, facilitating the movement of goods and people across land.

Question 9

Space-time convergence can bend physical space, bringing cities closer. Alternatively, _____ transportation connections can _____ the physical distance between two cities.

Accepted Answer

Poor transportation connections can increase the perceived or effective physical distance between two cities by making the journey longer or more difficult.

Question 10

What economic good is most likely to be transported by air?

Accepted Answer

Flowers are a highly perishable good that require quick transportation in order to maintain their quality. Therefore, it is most likely that they will be transported by air in order to minimize transportation time and ensure they arrive fresh at their destination.

Question 11

Because of the affordable cost of air freight, high-demand perishables like seasonal fruits and vegetables are often grown in the _____ hemisphere, and shipped to where the opposite hemisphere is experiencing _____.

Accepted Answer

High-demand perishables like seasonal fruits and vegetables are often grown in the Southern hemisphere, and shipped to where the opposite hemisphere is experiencing winter. This is because the cost of air freight is affordable and it allows for quick transportation of perishable goods.

Question 12

What was inaugurated by the Columbian Encounter of 1492?

Accepted Answer

The Columbian Encounter of 1492 inaugurated the global economy by connecting previously isolated regions of the world through trade and commerce.

Question 13

What was part of the second wave of globalization?

Accepted Answer

Lower tariffs, telegraph, and railways were all part of the second wave of globalization. Lower tariffs helped to promote international trade, the telegraph allowed for faster communication across countries, and railways allowed for easier transportation of goods across countries.

Question 14

What industry was a major component of space-time convergence from the 1500s to the 1800s?

Accepted Answer

Transportation, specifically the development of faster and more efficient modes of transportation such as ships, trains, and carriages, played a major role in reducing travel time and connecting distant regions. This led to the convergence of space and time, allowing for easier and faster movement of goods, people, and ideas across long distances.

Question 15

What city was the pivot of the international trading system during the period from 1865 to 1914?

Accepted Answer

London was the pivot of the international trading system during the period from 1865 to 1914. It was the center of the world's financial system and had the largest port, facilitating trade with the British Empire and other countries.

Question 16

What occurred following the end of World War II?

Accepted Answer

The end of World War II saw the establishment of a number of international organizations and agreements, such as the United Nations and the Bretton Woods system, aimed at fostering economic integration and cooperation among nations. This marked a departure from the protectionist policies of the interwar period and laid the groundwork for the growth of a global trading system in the postwar years.

Question 17

What item was the center of several decisions made between 1968 and 1970 by the International Organization of Standardization to create global standards for its size, markings, and other fittings?

Accepted Answer

The item that was the center of several decisions made between 1968 and 1970 by the International Organization of Standardization to create global standards for its size, markings, and other fittings was shipping containers.

Question 18

What has enabled the Global Shift in manufacturing from developed countries to developing countries?

Accepted Answer

The Global Shift in manufacturing from developed countries to developing countries has been enabled by a combination of factors such as low cost labor, low cost transportation, and routine manufacturing processes.

Question 19

What is NOT an example of a global production chain?

Accepted Answer

Option D describes local or regional production and distribution, not a global production chain that involves multiple countries and continents.

Question 20

What is an argument against Thomas Friedmann's assertion that the world is flat?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What is an argument against Thomas Friedmann's...

Quiz 12: Creating a Global Economy