The Nineteenth Century (1815 to 1914) Concept & Notes PDF for Free

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Topic & sub-topics covered: The Nineteenth Century (1815 to 1914), A World Economy Takes Shape, Role of Technology, Late nineteenth-century Colonialism, Rinderpest, or the Cattle Plague, Indentured Labour Migration from India, Indian Entrepreneurs Abroad, Indian Trade, Colonialism and the Global System: The Making of a Global World (All single detail notes that are exam-oriented).

We have discussed in-depth and exam-oriented pointers that can be asked in the board exam of class 10th about “The Nineteenth Century (1815 to 1914), A World Economy Takes Shape, Role of Technology, Late nineteenth-century Colonialism, Rinderpest, or the Cattle Plague, Indentured Labour Migration from India, Indian Entrepreneurs Abroad, Indian Trade, Colonialism and the Global System” which is taken from the NCERT History book for class 10th chapter no. 3 “The Making of a Global World“.

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NCERT History Chapter 3 The Making of Global World Class 10 Notes

The Nineteenth Century (1815 to 1914)

1. Profound Changes in the Nineteenth Century:

The nineteenth century witnessed profound changes driven by economic, political, social, cultural, and technological factors.
Societies underwent significant transformations, and external relations were reshaped during this period.

2. Three Key Flows in International Economic Exchanges:

Economists identify three major flows within international economic exchanges during the nineteenth century.
These flows are trade (in goods such as cloth or wheat), labour migration, and the movement of capital for short-term or long-term investments over long distances.

3. Interconnected Nature of Flows:

Trade, labour migration, and capital movement were closely interwoven during the nineteenth century.
These interconnected flows had a deep impact on people’s lives, influencing societies globally.

4. Trade as the First Flow:

The first flow, trade, predominantly involved the exchange of goods, such as textiles or agricultural products.
This form of economic exchange played a crucial role in shaping the global economy of the nineteenth century.

5. Migration of Labor as the Second Flow:

The second flow consisted of the migration of people in search of employment opportunities.
Labour migration, though interconnected with trade and capital movement, often faced more restrictions.

6. Capital Movement as the Third Flow:

The third flow focused on the movement of capital, involving both short-term and long-term investments across considerable distances.
Capital movement played a significant role in shaping economic landscapes globally.

7. Complex Interplay of Flows:

The three flows interacted in complex ways, influencing societies on a profound level.
Understanding the interconnected nature of these flows is essential for a comprehensive grasp of the nineteenth-century world economy.

8. Importance of Examining Flows Together:

Analyzing trade, labour migration, and capital movement together provides a comprehensive understanding of the dynamics of the nineteenth-century world economy.
While each flow had its unique characteristics, their combined influence shaped the global economic landscape of the time.

A World Economy Takes Shape

1. Changing Pattern of Food Production and Consumption in Industrial Europe:

Industrial Europe experienced a shift in food production and consumption patterns during the nineteenth century.
Traditional self-sufficiency in food was challenged in Britain due to increased demand, population growth, and industrialization.

2. Abolition of the Corn Laws:

The Corn Laws, restricting the import of corn, led to higher food grain prices in Britain.
Industrialists and urban dwellers pressured the government to abolish the Corn Laws, enabling cheaper food imports.

3. Impact on British Agriculture and Employment:

Abolishing the Corn Laws resulted in cheaper imported food, making British agriculture less competitive.
Vast uncultivated lands and unemployment emerged as a consequence, with people migrating to cities or overseas.

4. Global Impacts of Changing Food Production:

The abolition of the Corn Laws had global repercussions, affecting food production worldwide.
Lands in Eastern Europe, Russia, America, and Australia expanded to meet the rising British demand for food.

5. Infrastructure Development for Agricultural Expansion:

Railways, harbours, and settlements were crucial for linking agricultural regions to ports and facilitating food transportation.
Capital from financial centres like London played a pivotal role in developing the required infrastructure.

6. Migration Patterns in Response to Labor Demand:

High demand for labour, particularly in America and Australia, led to significant migration from Europe.
Approximately 50 million people emigrated from Europe to America and Australia during the nineteenth century.

7. Formation of a Global Agricultural Economy:

By 1890, a global agricultural economy emerged with intricate changes in labour movement, capital flows, ecologies, and technology.
Food was no longer locally sourced, but transported from thousands of miles away, shaping a global economic landscape.

8. Impact on Punjab and the Canal Colonies:

The British Indian government transformed semi-desert lands in west Punjab into fertile agricultural areas using irrigation canals.
Canal Colonies attracted peasants from other parts of Punjab, showcasing the local impacts of global agricultural changes.

9. Dramatic Changes in Commodity Production:

Similar changes occurred in producing commodities like cotton and rubber, driven by regional specialization.
Between 1820 and 1914, world trade multiplied 25 to 40 times, with nearly 60% comprising primary products like wheat, cotton, and minerals.

10. Expansion of World Trade and Economic Specialization:

World trade expanded rapidly, reflecting the global economic changes in the nineteenth century.
The specialization in commodity production contributed significantly to the economic landscape.

By understanding these exam-oriented pointers, students can grasp the interconnected factors that shaped the changing food production patterns, global economy, and migration trends during the nineteenth century.

Role of Technology

1. Role of Technology in the Nineteenth Century:

The railways, steamships, and the telegraph played pivotal roles in transforming the nineteenth-century world.
Technological advancements were integral, shaping the global landscape and facilitating economic changes.

2. Interconnected Nature of Technological Advances:

Railways, steamships, and the telegraph were interconnected inventions that significantly impacted global developments.
These technologies were not isolated; they influenced and complemented each other in the transformed world.

3. Technology as a Product of Larger Factors:

Technological progress was often a result of broader social, political, and economic factors.
Colonization, for instance, stimulated investments leading to improvements in transport infrastructure.

4. Impact of Colonization on Technological Advances:

Colonization stimulated new investments and advancements in transportation technology.
Faster railways, lighter wagons, and larger ships were developed to facilitate the cost-effective movement of goods.

5. Connected Process in the Trade of Meat:

The trade-in meat exemplifies the interconnected nature of technological and economic processes.
Live animals were initially shipped from America to Europe, leading to inefficiencies and high costs.

6. Evolution in Meat Trade Technology:

Till the 1870s, live animals were transported to Europe, causing various challenges and making meat expensive.
The development of refrigerated ships revolutionized the meat trade by allowing the transport of frozen meat from the source.

7. Impact on Shipping Costs and Meat Prices:

Refrigerated ships reduced shipping costs and facilitated the transportation of perishable foods over long distances.
This technological advancement significantly lowered meat prices in Europe, making it more accessible to the European poor.

8. Diversification of the European Diet:

Refrigerated ships allowed animals to be slaughtered at the source and transported as frozen meat to Europe.
This led to a more varied diet for the European population, reducing the earlier monotony of bread and potatoes.

9. Societal Impact:

Better living conditions resulting from improved diets promoted social peace within countries.
The availability of affordable meat, butter, and eggs contributed to enhanced living standards and contentment.

10. Support for Imperialism:

Improved living conditions within countries, partly due to technological advancements, contributed to support for imperialism abroad.
Enhanced diets and social stability created a favourable environment for imperialistic endeavours.

Understanding the role of technology in the nineteenth century, especially in areas like transportation and food trade, is crucial for comprehending the broader socio-economic changes during this period.

Late nineteenth-century Colonialism

Map of colonial Africa at the end of the nineteenth century - Role of Technology — Source NCERT Book

1. Late 19th Century Trade and Markets:

Trade flourished, and markets expanded in the late nineteenth century, marking a period of increased prosperity globally.

2. Dark Side of Expansion:

Despite prosperity, there was a darker side to the process of expanding trade and markets during this period.
It is crucial to understand the negative consequences that accompanied the economic growth.

3. Loss of Freedoms and Livelihoods:

In many regions, the expansion of trade and closer integration into the world economy resulted in the loss of freedoms and livelihoods.
The consequences of this process were often painful for local populations.

4. European Conquests in the Late 19th Century:

European conquests during the late 19th century brought about significant economic, social, and ecological changes in colonized societies.
The impact of these conquests extended beyond economic realms, affecting various aspects of daily life.

5. Drawing Borders in Africa:

European powers, during the Berlin Conference of 1885, drew borders in Africa, often in straight lines without regard for local realities.
This arbitrary demarcation had lasting consequences for the continent and its people.

6. Expansion of Territories:

Britain and France made substantial additions to their overseas territories during the late 19th century.
Belgium and Germany emerged as new colonial powers, and the United States joined the ranks of colonial powers by acquiring territories formerly held by Spain.

7. Colonial Impact on Africa:

The carving up of Africa by European powers had profound consequences on the economic, social, and ecological aspects of the continent.
The impacts of colonialism were not limited to economic changes but extended to broader aspects of societies.

8. Destructive Impact of Colonialism:

Colonialism had a destructive impact on the economy and livelihoods of colonized people.
It disrupted existing systems and imposed new structures that often led to adverse consequences for the local populations.

9. Example of Economic Disruption:

The study of colonialism’s impact can be illustrated with specific examples, such as the destructive economic consequences faced by colonized communities.

10. Global Changes and Local Consequences:

While there were global changes, it is essential to recognize that these changes had local consequences that varied in intensity and nature.

Understanding the complexities and consequences of late 19th-century global expansion, especially the impact of colonialism, is crucial for a comprehensive grasp of this historical period.

Rinderpest, or the Cattle Plague

1. African Impact of Rinderpest in the 1890s:

In the 1890s, Africa faced a significant challenge with the fast-spreading cattle plague known as rinderpest.
This disease had a terrifying impact on people’s livelihoods and the local economy, showcasing the far-reaching consequences of European imperialism on colonized societies.

2. Conquest Era and Reshaping Lives:

The example of rinderpest illustrates how, during the era of conquest, even a disease affecting cattle had the power to reshape the lives and fortunes of thousands of people in Africa.

3. Historical African Livelihoods:

Historically, Africa had abundant land and a relatively small population, sustaining livelihoods primarily through land and livestock.
Wages were uncommon, and people rarely worked for a wage as they possessed land and livestock.

4. European Attraction to Africa:

Europeans were drawn to Africa in the late nineteenth century due to its vast resources, including land and minerals.
Their intention was to establish plantations and mines for the production of crops and minerals to be exported to Europe.

5. Unexpected Labour Shortage:

Despite the rich resources, there was an unexpected challenge – a shortage of labour willing to work for wages.
Employers used various methods to recruit and retain labour, including heavy taxes, changes in inheritance laws, and restricting movement.

6. Impact of Rinderpest on Livelihoods:

Rinderpest, arriving in Africa in the late 1880s, had a devastating impact, killing 90% of the cattle along its westward spread.
The loss of cattle disrupted African livelihoods, leading to unforeseen consequences for the local population.

7. Monopolization of Resources:

Planters, mine owners, and colonial governments capitalized on the scarcity of cattle resources after rinderpest.
This led to the successful monopolization of resources, strengthening the power of European colonizers and forcing Africans into the labor market.

8. Cattle Resources and European Control:

Control over scarce cattle resources became a tool for European colonizers to conquer and subdue Africa.
The impact of rinderpest showcased the intricate link between environmental factors, economic changes, and imperial control.

9. Wider Consequences of Western Conquest:

The rinderpest story in Africa is emblematic of wider consequences experienced by different regions during the Western conquest of the nineteenth century.
Similar impacts on local economies, livelihoods, and power structures occurred in other parts of the world.

Understanding the intricate relationship between disease, economic shifts, and imperial control in the context of rinderpest is essential for a comprehensive grasp of the consequences of European imperialism in Africa.

Indentured Labour Migration from India

1. Indentured Labour Migration Overview:

In the nineteenth century, indentured labour migration from India was marked by a two-sided nature – economic growth and technological advances coexisted with great misery, poverty, and new forms of coercion.

2. Indian Indentured Workers:

Hundreds of thousands of Indian and Chinese labourers migrated for work in plantations, mines, and construction projects globally during this period.
Indian indentured workers primarily came from regions like eastern Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, central India, and dry districts of Tamil Nadu.

3. Social Changes and Migration Causes:

Changes in the mid-nineteenth century, including declining cottage industries, rising land rents, and land clearance for mines and plantations, pushed the poor into deep indebtedness, forcing migration in search of work.

4. Main Destinations of Indian Migrants:

Indian indentured migrants were sent to Caribbean islands (Trinidad, Guyana, Surinam), Mauritius, Fiji, Ceylon, Malaya, and Assam for tea plantations.

5. Recruitment Challenges:

Recruitment involved agents who were paid commissions, often providing false information about destinations, travel, work nature, and living conditions.
Some migrants were forcibly abducted, and many hoped to escape poverty or oppression in their home villages.

6. Indenture Described as ‘New System of Slavery’:

The indenture system in the nineteenth century has been likened to a ‘new system of slavery’ due to harsh living and working conditions and limited legal rights for workers.

7. Challenges and Survival Strategies:

Workers found conditions on plantations to be different from what they expected, facing harsh living and working conditions.
Despite challenges, workers developed survival strategies, including escape into the wilds, with severe punishments if caught.

8. Cultural Adaptations and Expressions:

Workers developed new forms of individual and collective self-expression, blending different cultural forms, old and new.
Examples include the transformation of the Muharram procession into the ‘Hosay’ carnival in Trinidad and the emergence of Rastafarianism reflecting links with Indian migrants.

9. Post-Indenture Impact:

Most indentured workers stayed on or returned to their new homes after the contract period, leading to the establishment of significant communities of Indian descent in various countries.
Notable figures like V.S. Naipaul and West Indies cricketers Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Ramnaresh Sarwan are descendants of Indian indentured labour migrants.

10. Nationalist Opposition and Abolition:

From the 1900s, Indian nationalist leaders opposed the indentured labour migration system, considering it abusive and cruel.
The system was eventually abolished in 1921, but its effects persisted for decades, creating an uneasy minority in the Caribbean islands.

Understanding the complexities of indentured labour migration, including its socio-economic causes, cultural adaptations, and the lasting impact on diaspora communities, is crucial for a comprehensive grasp of the global dynamics during the nineteenth century.

Indian Entrepreneurs Abroad

Indian Trade, Colonialism and the Global System - Role of Technology — Source: NCERT Book

1. Capital Requirements for Export Agriculture:

The growth of export agriculture for the world market demanded significant capital.
Large plantations could secure capital from banks and markets, but the situation was different for peasants.

2. Role of Indian Bankers:

Indian bankers played a crucial role in providing financial support for export agriculture.
Examples include the Shikaripuri shroffs and Nattukottai Chettiars, who were among the various groups financing agriculture in Central and Southeast Asia.

3. Financing Mechanisms:

Bankers and traders used their funds or borrowed from European banks to finance export agriculture.
They developed sophisticated systems for transferring money over large distances.

4. Indigenous Forms of Corporate Organization:

Indian bankers and traders involved in financing export agriculture developed indigenous forms of corporate organization.
This showcased their adaptability and innovation in response to the demands of the global market.

5. Indian Traders in Africa:

Indian traders and moneylenders followed European colonisers into Africa, contributing to the expansion of economic activities on the continent.

6. Hyderabadi Sindhi Traders Worldwide:

Hyderabadi Sindhi traders went beyond European colonies and, from the 1860s, established successful emporia at busy ports globally.
They engaged in selling local and imported curios to the growing number of tourists, facilitated by the development of safe and comfortable passenger vessels.

Understanding the role of Indian bankers, traders, and moneylenders in financing and facilitating global economic activities is essential for a comprehensive grasp of the interconnectedness of different regions and communities during this period.

Indian Trade, Colonialism and the Global System

1. Historical Export of Indian Cotton:

Historically, India was a major exporter of fine cottons to Europe.
However, with the onset of industrialization in Britain, the government imposed tariffs on cloth imports, leading to a decline in the export of Indian cotton to Britain.

2. British Cotton Manufacture and Tariff Barriers:

British industrialists pressured the government to protect local industries, resulting in the imposition of tariffs on cloth imports into Britain.
This move aimed to boost the expansion of British cotton manufacture.

3. Changing Trends in Indian Textile Exports:

The decline in Indian textile exports to Britain led to British manufacturers seeking overseas markets for their cloth.
The figures show a steady decline in the share of cotton textiles in Indian exports, dropping from 30% around 1800 to below 3% by the 1870s.

4. Shift to Raw Material Exports:

As manufactured exports declined, the export of raw materials from India increased significantly.
Between 1812 and 1871, the share of raw cotton exports rose from 5% to 35%, reflecting a shift in India’s export pattern.

5. Opium Trade and India’s Role:

Opium shipments to China, financed by Britain, became India’s single largest export, highlighting the economic significance of opium trade.
The revenue earned from opium sales was used to finance British imports from China, such as tea.

6. British Manufactures in the Indian Market:

Over the 19th century, British manufactures flooded the Indian market, impacting local industries.
The increased inflow of British goods led to a trade surplus for Britain with India.

7. India’s Role in the Late-Nineteenth-Century World Economy:

India played a crucial role in the late-nineteenth-century world economy by helping Britain balance its trade deficits with other countries.
The trade surplus with India allowed Britain to settle deficits with other nations through a multilateral settlement system.

8. Significance of India’s Trade Surplus:

Britain’s trade surplus in India was vital for paying ‘home charges,’ including private remittances, interest payments on India’s external debt, and pensions of British officials in India.

Understanding the changing dynamics of India’s trade, from textile exports to raw materials and the opium trade, provides insights into the economic transformations during this period.

Next & Previous Topics of NCERT/CBSE History Class 10 Chapter 3: The Making of a Global World

Topics No.	Topics Name
1	The Pre-modern World
2	The Nineteenth Century (1815-1914)
3	The Inter-war Economy
4	Rebuilding a World Economy: The Post-war Era