. Choose one product or object and discuss how its history has
been shaped by globalisation. Think of any familiar fashion, food, or cultural
examples. WRITE an essay of 600 words using chicago footnote intext referencing
To help you answer this question, follow these steps.
1) Understand Globalisation as a historical force.
2) Choose a product you use every day.
3) Explore the history of your chosen product.
4) Connect your chosen product to your historical understanding of globalisation
The History of Coffee and its Shaping by Globalisation
Introduction:
Globalisation is a historical force that has significantly impacted various aspects of our lives, including the products we consume daily. One such product that has a fascinating history shaped by globalisation is coffee. This essay explores the evolution of coffee and its journey from its origins in Ethiopia to being a globally consumed beverage, examining how globalisation has played a crucial role in its history.
Step 1: Understanding Globalisation as a Historical Force:
Globalisation refers to the interconnectedness of economies, societies, and cultures worldwide, allowing for the exchange of goods, services, ideas, and information on a global scale. This process has accelerated over the centuries, particularly in the era of European colonialism and the subsequent development of global markets. Globalisation has transformed the world through trade, technological advancements, and cultural exchange.
Step 2: Choosing a Daily Product: Coffee
Coffee is a product that has become an integral part of many people's daily routine worldwide. It is consumed by millions of people globally and has a rich history spanning several centuries. From its origins in Ethiopia to its worldwide popularity today, coffee showcases the transformative power of globalisation.
Step 3: Exploring the History of Coffee:
Coffee is believed to have originated in Ethiopia, where it was first discovered and consumed for its stimulating effects. From there, coffee spread to the Arabian Peninsula in the 15th century, specifically Yemen, where it began to be cultivated on a larger scale. Coffeehouses, known as qahveh khaneh, emerged in Yemen as social and cultural hubs where people would gather to socialise, discuss politics, and drink coffee.
With the expansion of trade routes and the rise of the Ottoman Empire in the 16th century, coffee found its way to Istanbul, Turkey. Coffeehouses soon became an essential aspect of Ottoman culture, fostering intellectual and cultural exchange. The Ottoman rulers saw the potential of coffee as a commodity and established regulations and taxation on coffee trade.
The Arabian Peninsula and Turkey acted as the gateways for coffee to enter Europe in the 17th century. The first European coffeehouses emerged in Venice, Italy, and soon spread to other major European cities like London and Paris. Coffeehouses became centers for socializing, conducting business, and exchanging ideas, thus playing a significant role in shaping European culture.
European colonial powers began cultivating coffee in their colonies, such as Dutch plantations in Indonesia and French plantations in the Caribbean. This expansion of coffee cultivation and trade fueled by European colonisation marked a pivotal moment in coffee's globalisation. It turned coffee into a global commodity accessible to people across different continents.
The Industrial Revolution in the 18th and 19th centuries further fueled coffee's globalisation. Advances in transportation and communication technology enabled faster and more efficient global trade. This led to a surge in coffee production and consumption, making it affordable and readily available to a broader population.
Step 4: Connecting Coffee to Historical Understanding of Globalisation:
The history of coffee clearly demonstrates how globalisation has shaped its journey from a regional African product to a globally consumed beverage. Global trade, facilitated by colonialism and later technological advancements, allowed coffee to transcend geographical boundaries and become a symbol of global interconnectedness.
Globalisation enabled coffee to become a significant driver of cultural exchange. Coffeehouses served as meeting places for people from different backgrounds, promoting intellectual discussions and the exchange of ideas. These spaces facilitated the spread of knowledge and social interactions, thus playing a vital role in shaping various cultures worldwide.
Conclusion:
The history of coffee showcases the transformative power of globalisation. From its humble beginnings in Ethiopia to its global popularity today, coffee's journey is a testament to how interconnected our world has become. Global trade, colonialism, and technological advancements have played crucial roles in shaping coffee's history and turning it into a globally consumed beverage. The story of coffee serves as a reminder of how globalisation has reshaped not only the products we consume but also our societies and cultures.
Step 1: Understanding Globalisation as a Historical Force
Globalisation is a complex and multifaceted historical force that has significantly influenced various aspects of human life. It refers to the interconnectedness and interdependence of societies, economies, and cultures around the world. The emergence of globalisation can be traced back to several key historical developments, such as the age of exploration, European colonialism, and technological advancements in transportation and communication.
Step 2: Choosing a Product You Use Every Day
For the purpose of this essay, let us consider the smartphone as a product that is widely used and has been greatly influenced by globalisation. Smartphones have become an essential part of our daily lives, connecting us to a vast array of information, communication, and entertainment resources.
Step 3: Exploring the History of Smartphones
The history of smartphones can be traced back to the early 1990s when mobile phones started incorporating more advanced features beyond basic communication. However, it was not until the late 2000s that smartphones as we know them today became prevalent. This was largely due to advancements in technology, specifically the miniaturization of components, improved battery life, and the introduction of touchscreens.
One of the key factors that shaped the history of smartphones was the globalisation of manufacturing processes. Companies such as Apple, Samsung, and Huawei started outsourcing production to countries with lower labor costs and more flexible regulatory environments, such as China. This allowed them to produce smartphones at a lower cost and on a larger scale, making them more accessible to consumers around the world.
Globalisation also facilitated the development of a global supply chain for smartphone components. Companies sourced parts from different countries, taking advantage of specialized expertise and cost efficiencies. For example, semiconductors might be manufactured in Taiwan, cameras in Japan, and displays in South Korea. These components would then be assembled in factories in China before being distributed globally.
Furthermore, globalisation played a crucial role in the dissemination of information and knowledge related to smartphone technology. Companies and researchers from around the world collaborated and shared their expertise, leading to continuous innovation and improvement in smartphone technology. This exchange of knowledge has allowed smartphones to evolve rapidly, offering increasingly advanced features and capabilities.
Step 4: Connecting Smartphones to the Historical Understanding of Globalisation
By examining the history of smartphones, we can see how globalisation has shaped their development and prevalence in society. The globalised manufacturing processes and global supply chain have contributed to the affordability and availability of smartphones worldwide. These devices have become integral to both personal and professional life, connecting people across borders and cultures.
Moreover, smartphones have transformed the way we consume media, communicate, and access information. The global sharing of knowledge and collaboration among different countries and cultures have driven the rapid development of smartphone technology, enhancing their capabilities and functionality.
In conclusion, the history of smartphones provides a clear example of how globalisation has influenced the development and prevalence of a product used in our daily lives. The globalised manufacturing processes, global supply chain, and knowledge exchange have all played crucial roles in shaping the history of smartphones. As globalisation continues to evolve, we can expect further advancements in smartphone technology and their increasing integration into various aspects of our lives.