Q.18. How did food habits travel from one place to another in the process of cultural exchange?
Ans.n the process of long distance cultural exchange, food habits are often imbibed by others.
For example common food such as potatoes soya, groundnut, maize, tomatoes, chillies, sweet potatoes, which are part of Indian food now, were not known to Indians five centuries ago. The noodles and pasta which are supposed to be of Italian origin were originally brought by the Arabs to Sicily.
Q.19. Explain how with new technology people of one part of the world could have imported varieties of food from other parts of the world at a lower cost?
Ans.Important inventions like railways and steamships facilitated import and export of varieties of food from other parts at a lower cost than before. Lighter wagons and larger ships move food more cheaply and quickly from far away farms to final markets. In 1870s animals were shipped live from American to Europe. Live cattle occupy large space, they often died in voyage or became ill and unfit to be taken. High prices kept the production down until refrigerated ships were invented which enabled the transport of perishable foods to a long distance at a lower cost. The poor in Europe could not consume a more varied diet imported from other countries.
Q.20.How did the rinderpest reach Africa? How did this create a havoc for the African people?
Ans.Rinderpest arrived in the late 1880s. It was carried by infected cattle imported from British Asia to feed Italian soldiers invading Eritrea in the East Africa. Very soon it moved westward like forest fire to Atlantic coast. Along the way rinderpest killed nearly 90% of the cattle. Since livelihood of the Africans depended on cattle wealth, losing cattle meant losing livelihood to them. The Africans had no other way but to join the labour force. Very soon control over the resources of these Africans paved the way for European conquest.
Q.21.Why was 19th century indenture system referred to as the new ‘system of slavery’?
Ans.The indenture labourers lived in harsh working conditions and had few legal rights. They were under contract to work free to pay for their passage which they could never earn, as a result they were almost in bondage. If anyone wanted to run away, they were caught and severely punished that is why indenture has been described as the new system of slavery.
Q.22.Why did the British impose tariff on the import of cotton textiles after 19th century?
Ans.From the early 19th century British manufacturers began to see overseas markets for their textile products. Since Indian textiles had great demand in European markets, the British government imposed heavy tariff on the import of Indian textiles to prevent entry of Indian goods in England. It was to prevent competition of British goods with Indian goods.
Q.23.How did Britain’s trade surplus from India help her to balance its other trade deficits?
Ans. In 19th century British manufacturers flooded Indian markets. The value of British exports to India was a much higher than the value of British imports from India. Britain thus had a trade surplus with India. Britain used this surplus to balance its trade deficits with other countries – that is with countries from which Britain was importing more than it was selling to.
Q.24.What was the effect of the First World War on the economy of Britain?
Ans. After the war, Britain found it difficult to recapture its earlier position of dominance in Indian market and to compete with other countries. Post-war economic recovery proved difficult. Britain borrowed large sums of money from the US banks as well as the US public. This was in addition to the money Britain borrowed to meet war expenditure. Britain thus was burdened with huge external debts. In 1921, one in every five Britain was unemployed. Uncertainties of employment led to social tension.
