Question

Difficulty: MediumAdvances in Technology and Exchange

The introduction of commercial jet aircraft in the mid-twentieth century transformed global transportation. Prior to this development, intercontinental travel was dominated by passenger ships and slower propeller planes, making long-distance journeys time-consuming and expensive. The speed and capacity of commercial passenger jets not only enabled rapid transnational corporate travel and the expansion of mass international tourism but also facilitated the rapid transport of high-value freight and perishable goods across oceans in hours rather than weeks.

Based on the passage and your knowledge of world history, which of the following best describes a major global consequence of the technology discussed?

  1. The reduction of geographic distance as a barrier to global economic integration and the movement of people.Answer
  2. B
    The complete homogenization of global culture, which eliminated regional identities in favor of a single Western standard.
  3. C
    A resurgence of mercantilist policies aimed at hoarding bullion and restricting international trade.
  4. D
    The creation of the Green Revolution as a strategy to promote eco-friendly, organic farming methods globally.

Answer

The reduction of geographic distance as a barrier to global economic integration and the movement of people.
The correct answer is correct because the development of commercial aviation, along with other transport innovations like containerization, drastically lowered the time and cost barriers associated with geographic distance. This facilitated rapid economic integration, multinational corporate operations, and the global movement of people.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the stimulus to identify the key technology and its features.
The stimulus describes the introduction of commercial jet aircraft and its role in accelerating travel and freight transport.
Understanding the focus of the source allows for connecting it to broader historical developments of Unit 9.
2
Evaluate the options against the historical context of late twentieth-century globalization.
Identify that commercial aviation reduced geographic distance, fostering economic integration, while eliminating options that misrepresent cultural homogenization, mercantilism, or the nature of the Green Revolution.
To choose the option that accurately reflects the historical consequence of advances in transportation technology.

Key Concept

Advances in transportation technology (commercial aviation) reduced the problem of geographic distance, fostering globalization and economic integration.
Estimated Time:1m 30s
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