Unit 9: Globalization (c. 1990–Present) Flashcards
Globalization
The growing interconnectedness of world economies, cultures, and political systems through technology, trade, and communication.
Event: Accelerated after the Cold War, especially with Internet expansion in the 1990s.
📝 Use as a framing concept for tech, trade, or social transformation in essays.
World Trade Organization (WTO)
Founded in 1995 to reduce barriers to international trade and enforce trade agreements.
Event: Protested during the Seattle WTO Conference (1999) by anti-globalization activists.
International Monetary Fund (IMF)
Global financial institution offering loans and economic advice to developing nations — often in exchange for adopting free-market reforms.
Event: Played a major role in the Asian Financial Crisis (1997) and Latin American debt restructuring.
European Union (EU)
A political and economic union of European nations that encourages free movement of goods, people, and capital.
Event: Creation of the Euro (1999) and expansion into Eastern Europe in the 2000s
North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA, 1994)
Trade deal between the U.S., Canada, and Mexico that removed tariffs and encouraged cross-border commerce.
Event: Boosted trade but criticized for outsourcing jobs and harming small Mexican farmers.
Multinational Corporations (MNCs)
Companies like Apple, McDonald’s, and Nestlé that operate across borders. They spread global capitalism and homogenize culture, but also face critiques over labor practices.
Event: Nike faced boycotts over sweatshop labor conditions in the 1990s.
Green Revolution
Agricultural movement introducing high-yield crops, fertilizers, and irrigation to increase food production, especially in the Global South.
Event: Norman Borlaug’s wheat strains doubled yields in Mexico, India, and Pakistan.
📝 Use to explain population growth, reduced famine, or environmental impact.
Climate Change
Global temperature rise caused by greenhouse gas emissions from human activity. Leads to sea level rise, extreme weather, and biodiversity loss.
Event: Paris Climate Agreement (2015) committed nations to reduce carbon emissions.
Deforestation
Clearing of forests for agriculture, logging, and development — especially in the Amazon, Congo, and Southeast Asia.
Event: Amazon rainforest loss surged in the 2010s under agricultural expansion in Brazil.
Global Feminist Movements
Women around the world have organized to fight for education, reproductive rights, and political equality.
Event: UN’s Beijing Conference on Women (1995) advanced a global platform for gender equity.
Malala Yousafzai
Pakistani activist who advocated for girls’ education in the face of Taliban oppression.
Event: Survived an assassination attempt in 2012 and won the Nobel Peace Prize (2014).
📝 Use as a global symbol of human rights and education advocacy.
United Nations (Post-Cold War Role)
The UN shifted from Cold War mediation to humanitarian missions, peacekeeping, and development.
Event: Coordinated anti-AIDS programs, disaster relief (e.g., Haiti Earthquake, 2010), and global health.
World Health Organization (WHO)
UN agency directing international public health initiatives.
Event: Coordinated global responses to COVID-19, Ebola, and SARS outbreaks.
COVID-19 Pandemic (2019–present)
Global health crisis caused by a novel coronavirus, which triggered economic shutdowns, supply chain disruptions, and changes in work and education.
Event: Led to unprecedented remote work/school, mass vaccinations, and public health debate.
Social Media Revolution
Platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok enabled instant global communication, shaping movements, elections, and youth culture.
Event: Arab Spring (2011) used social media to organize protests across the Middle East.
Arab Spring (2010–2012)
Pro-democracy uprisings in the Middle East and North Africa sparked by economic hardship, authoritarianism, and youth activism.
Event: Overthrow of Hosni Mubarak in Egypt (2011); varying outcomes elsewhere.
Terrorism and Security Policy
Transnational terrorism became a key global concern in the 21st century.
Event: September 11 attacks (2001) led to the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan and global counterterrorism campaigns.
Information Age
The shift toward digital technologies, data, and internet-connected economies. Changed education, business, and surveillance.
Event: Launch of the iPhone (2007) helped globalize smartphones and apps.
Cultural Globalization
The global spread of media, fashion, food, and entertainment, creating a shared global culture.
Event: K-pop, anime, Bollywood, and McDonald’s became international phenomena.
📝 Use to show cultural blending and soft power
Migration and Refugee Crises
Conflict, poverty, and climate change have driven large-scale migration and challenges to international borders and identity.
Event: Syrian Civil War (2011–present) displaced over 10 million people, creating a global refugee crisis.
