DBQ Five Paragraph In-Class Essay
Humanities
Teacher: Ms. Terry
This project included Reading and comprehension on how globalization changed the world today and in the past, along with a five paragraph essay guided by a main question. We read a packet on how mass production and things like fast fashion have impacted us all financially, and the pros and cons of them.
This represents Global Awareness because I read and learned about places all over the world and how they influenced each other with language, religion, and technology. I’m proud of the knowledge I gained on the spread of religion and ideas, along with learning about how globalization was the foundation of our world today. I deepened my knowledge on what’s happened in the world, and how it affects me now.
The most challenging part of this project was trying to comprehend what the article was talking about, and transforming it into my own, coherent and organized essay. I have a difficult time knowing whether my own writing would be interesting and clear to a new audience, or someone that is hearing it for the first time. If I could start over, I would get more background information on writing a clear, well written essay to prepare myself for this essay.
This project covers history that I’ve learned about in previous history classes, like inflation and abuse of employees. I had a very limited perspective on the state of the world today as compared to the late 1800's and early 1900's. If I loved then, I wouldn't have had a TV, or maybe even a refrigerator. I now have a greater understanding of the luxuries that are so easily obtainable today, and how those in the past lived.
Lily Mariani
Teacher: Ms. Terry
8/26/21
globalization since the second world war
Has globalization, a lower percentage of poverty, and more jobs benefited everyone? The answer comes from broadening your perspective on wages, inflation, production, and global awareness as a whole. While some benefit greatly, others suffer almost just as much as they did in previous decades.
Steven Pinker explains how Western Europeans and Americans alike have been working less hours compared to the 1800’s and 1900’s. Appliances like refrigerators and air conditioning became much easier to obtain, and luxuries like riding in an airplane became cheaper. Less hours and more free time, along with the new affordability of things only the top 10 percent used to be able to afford, allowed for stability and comfort.
What about those who work in manufacturing these new luxuries? Journalist Andalusia Knoll Soloff explains, “Your clothes are evidence that globalization created jobs in the South.... What kind of conditions do you think they work in?”. Soloff explained an example of the poor working conditions of Nike employees in Vietnam. “[they] Were exposed to toxic chemicals, forced to work 65 hours a week, and only earned $10.”. Not only that, but treatment from their superiors was less than humane. If we’re buying products at a certain rate, and we think about factoring shipping, profit, and employee wages into the price, how much are employees being paid in other parts of the world?
Simon Dalby explains how globalization benefits only some; “Economic security for some can mean worse economic conditions for others.”. It’s been shown that the rich continue to get richer, and the poor poorer. Although the poverty percentage is decreasing, it’s usually at the expense of those who are less fortunate or marginalized. Dalby also explains parts of the cycle of poverty, and how it can lead to violence and/or conflict.
The illustration in document 5 explains globalization perfectly. Cheap labor and the use of important resources makes for more pollution, destruction of our environment, and the top 10% becoming wealthier while making others poorer. Although globalization probably benefits you and your community, it’s all dependent on where you live, and what you’ve been born into.