question_answer

Explain five ways by which the First World War impacted the world economy. OR What changes affected the pattern of Industrialization in India by the first two decades of the twentieth century? OR What were the housing conditions in London during the nineteenth century? What steps were taken to clean up the city?              (5)  

Answer:

The ways by which the First World War impacted world economy were (i) During the war, industries were restructured to produce war related goods, all able-bodied men went into battle and women took over the jobs the men had left. (ii) The war led to the breaking of economic links between the world's largest powers, as they were now fighting against each other. (iii) The USA was transformed from an international debtor to an international creditor due to Britain borrowing a large sum from it. (iv) Although the war led to an economic boom. after the war ended, production reduced and unemployment grew drastically. (v) Agricultural economies were in crisis after the war because of the glut in the market. OR The changes affected the pattern of industrialization in India by the first two decades of the twentieth century were (i) Boycott of foreign cloth due to the Swedishi Movement caused industrial groups to pressurise the government to increase tariff protection and grant concessions. (ii) Industries shifted from yam to cloth production, as export of Indian yarn to China declined from 1906. (iii) With the start of the First World War, Indian factories started supplying jute bags and cloth for army uniforms, thus creating a boom in the industry. (iv)  After   the   war,   Indian   industrialists consolidated their position in the home market as the British economy crumbled due to the war. OR The housing conditions in London were pitiful. One room houses for the poor were a serious threat to public health, as they were overcrowded, poorly ventilated and lacked sanitation, besides being fire hazards. To prevent widespread social disorder. workers' mass housing schemes were planned to prevent the poor from turning rebellious. A number of steps were taken to clean up the city. which included (i) Attempts were made to decongest localities, green the open spaces, landscape the city and reduce pollution. (ii) Large blocks of new apartments were built to replace the earlier tenements. (iii) Rent Control was introduced in Britain during the First World War to reduce the impact of a severe housing shortage.