CBSE Class 10 Social Science The Making of a Global World NCERT Solutions

Reviewed by NCERT Help Editorial Team · Updated on 29 Jul 2026

NCERT Solutions PDF Class 10 PDF

This chapter delves into the interconnectedness of the world before the modern era, exploring the 'Making of a Global World'. It examines the various forms of global exchange, including the movement of goods, people, and even diseases, that shaped societies across continents. The solutions explain how events like the transfer of diseases impacted populations, particularly in the Americas, and how economic policies and global events like the Great Depression and World Wars had profound effects on economies worldwide, including India. Understanding these historical processes is crucial for grasping contemporary global dynamics and their origins. These NCERT Solutions provide clear, step-by-step explanations to help students grasp complex historical concepts and prepare effectively for their examinations.

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Board	CBSE
Class	Class 10
Subject	Social Science
Session	2026
Language	English
Type	NCERT Solutions
Chapter	History (India and The Contemporary World – II) - The Making of a Global World

Chapter summary

Chapter 4, 'The Making of a Global World,' for Class 10 Social Science (India and the Contemporary World – II) focuses on pre-modern global interactions. It covers the exchange of goods like textiles and spices, the impact of disease transfer on colonization, and the effects of significant historical events such as the abolition of Corn Laws, rinderpest in Africa, World Wars, the Great Depression, and the relocation of MNCs. These NCERT Solutions break down these complex historical processes, offering clear explanations for each question.

Learning outcomes

Understand the nature of global exchanges before the 17th century.
Analyze the impact of disease transfer on historical events like colonization.
Explain the economic and social consequences of policy changes like the Corn Laws.
Describe the effects of rinderpest on Africa and its role in colonization.
Evaluate the impact of World Wars and the Great Depression on global and Indian economies.
Analyze the reasons and consequences of MNC relocation to Asian countries.

Topics covered

Paper topics

Global Exchanges Before the 17th Century
Impact of Disease Transfer
Colonization of the Americas
Corn Laws and British Economy
Rinderpest in Africa
Effects of World War I
The Great Depression
Indian Economy during the Great Depression
Multinational Corporations (MNCs)
Relocation of Production
Global Trade and Capital Flows

Important topics

Global exchanges and their historical significance
Role of disease in colonization
Economic impacts of major global events (Corn Laws, Great Depression)
Consequences of rinderpest in Africa
Impact of World Wars on workforce and economy
MNC relocation and its effects

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Questions and Solutions

Question 1

Give two examples of different types of global exchanges which took place before the seventeenth century, choosing one example from Asia and one from the Americas.

Solution: Before the seventeenth century, various forms of global exchange occurred, connecting different continents. Here are two examples:

Exchange from Asia: China, India, and Southeast Asian regions were actively involved in trade. They exported goods like textiles, spices, and Chinese pottery. In return, they received precious metals such as gold and silver, primarily from Europe.
Exchange from the Americas: The Americas introduced a variety of food crops to the rest of the world. Initially, foods like potatoes, soya, groundnuts, tomatoes, and chillies were exported from the Americas, significantly impacting global diets and agriculture, especially in Europe.

Question 2

Explain how the global transfer of disease in the pre-modern world helped in the colonisation of the Americas.

Solution: The transfer of diseases played a crucial role in the colonization of the Americas. The native populations of the Americas had been isolated for millennia and had developed no immunity to diseases that were common in other parts of the world. When European settlers and colonizers arrived, they brought diseases such as smallpox. While Europeans had developed some resistance to these diseases over time, the indigenous people of the Americas had no such defense. The rapid spread of these diseases, particularly smallpox, led to devastating epidemics that wiped out vast numbers of the native population, destroying communities and weakening their ability to resist foreign invasion and domination. Unlike battles fought with weapons, diseases could not be fought against, making them a powerful, albeit unintentional, tool for colonizers. This demographic collapse significantly facilitated the conquest and subjugation of the Americas by European powers.

Question 3

Write a note to explain the effects of the following:

The British government's decision to abolish the Corn Laws.

(b) The coming of rinderpest to Africa.

The death of men of working-age in Europe because of the World War.

The Great Depression on the Indian economy.

The decision of MNCs to relocate production to Asian countries.

Solution: Here are the effects of the specified events:

The British government's decision to abolish the Corn Laws: The abolition of the Corn Laws, which had protected domestic agriculture by imposing tariffs on imported grain, had significant consequences. While it led to losses for the British agricultural sector as cheaper food imports became available, it spurred progress in the industrial sector. Consumption increased due to lower food prices, and the industrial sector grew. This also resulted in a surplus of labor in cities as many agricultural workers became unemployed and moved to urban areas seeking work.
The coming of rinderpest to Africa: Rinderpest, a cattle plague, had a devastating impact on Africa's livestock. The loss of cattle meant a loss of livelihood for countless Africans who depended on them for meat, milk, and draft power. Colonizing nations exploited this crisis to their advantage. By monopolizing the scarce cattle resources and controlling the remaining livestock, they were able to subdue African populations and force them into the labor market to work on plantations and in mines, thereby consolidating their colonial rule.
The death of men of working-age in Europe because of the World War: The First World War resulted in the death or incapacipation of a large number of men of working age in Europe. This led to a significant reduction in the able-bodied workforce. Consequently, household incomes declined steadily, and families struggled to meet their basic living expenses, especially those whose primary earners were killed or severely injured during the war.
The Great Depression on the Indian economy: The Great Depression, which began in 1929, had a profound impact on the Indian economy. Between 1928 and 1934, India's imports and exports were nearly halved. The prices of agricultural commodities, such as wheat, fell by approximately 50% during this period. The agricultural sector, which was the backbone of the Indian economy and supported the livelihoods of the majority of the population in rural areas, was hit particularly hard by the depression, more so than the urban areas.
The decision of MNCs to relocate production to Asian countries: The decision by Multinational Corporations (MNCs) to shift their production facilities to Asian countries was driven by the availability of low-cost labor and a lower overall cost structure in these regions. This relocation led to a significant stimulation of world trade and capital flows. For the Asian nations, this move brought benefits such as increased employment opportunities, contributing to rapid economic transformation and development.

Common mistakes

Confusing the direction of trade and exchange before the 17th century.
Underestimating the role of disease in historical conquests.
Not fully grasping the dual impact of economic policies (e.g., Corn Laws benefiting industry while harming agriculture).
Failing to connect global events like the Great Depression to specific impacts on the Indian economy.

Revision tips

Focus on the specific examples provided for global exchanges (Asia and Americas).
Pay close attention to the cause-and-effect relationships explained for each event (e.g., disease and colonization, Corn Laws and economic shifts).
Use the solutions to trace the interconnectedness of global events and their impact on different regions, especially India.
Summarize the key effects of each event discussed in Question 3 for quick recall.

Practice MCQs

Q1. Which of the following was a major global exchange from Asia before the 17th century?

Q2. The pre-modern transfer of diseases primarily aided the colonization of the Americas by:

Q3. What was a significant consequence of the British government abolishing the Corn Laws?

Q4. The arrival of rinderpest in Africa primarily served the interests of:

Q5. How did the Great Depression significantly affect the Indian economy?

Frequently asked questions

What is the main focus of the NCERT Solutions for 'The Making of a Global World'?

These solutions focus on understanding the historical processes that led to global interconnectedness, including trade, disease transfer, and the impact of major economic and political events before and during the 20th century.

How do the solutions explain the impact of disease on colonization?

The solutions explain that diseases like smallpox, to which native populations had no immunity, decimated communities, weakening their resistance and paving the way for European colonization of the Americas.

What were the effects of abolishing the Corn Laws, according to the solutions?

Abolishing the Corn Laws led to cheaper food imports in Britain, benefiting the industrial sector by increasing consumption and providing more labor, though it caused hardship for the agricultural sector.

How did the Great Depression affect India?

The Great Depression severely impacted the Indian economy by halving imports and exports, drastically reducing wheat prices, and disproportionately affecting the agricultural sector which was the backbone of rural livelihoods.

Why did MNCs relocate production to Asian countries?

MNCs relocated production to Asian countries primarily due to the lower cost of labor and production, which stimulated world trade and capital flows, while also boosting employment and economic transformation in Asian nations.

Are these solutions helpful for exam preparation?

Yes, these solutions provide clear, step-by-step explanations for complex historical events and their consequences, aiding students in understanding the chapter's core concepts for effective exam revision.

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