AP Modern World History Flashcards: Global Economic Development
Written by AP Content Team, Verified for 2026 AP Exams, Last updated: May 2026
Review key ideas with interactive flashcards. This set includes 10 cards to help you master important concepts.
What is meant by 'commercial extraction of natural resources'?
It refers to the large-scale harvesting and processing of raw materials, not for local use, but specifically for sale in the global market.
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What is meant by 'commercial extraction of natural resources'?
It refers to the large-scale harvesting and processing of raw materials, not for local use, but specifically for sale in the global market.
Describe the economic relationship between export economies and industrial nations during this period.
Export economies sold raw materials and food to industrial nations and then used the profits from these sales to purchase finished goods.
How did population growth in urban centers contribute to the rise of specialized export economies?
Growing urban populations in industrial areas created a massive demand for food supplies that could not be met locally, leading to the growth of economies specializing in food production.
What two primary needs of industrializing nations drove the growth of global export economies from 1750 to 1900?
The need for raw materials for factories and the need for increased food supplies for growing urban populations were the primary drivers.
A South American nation in the 19th century that focused its economy on producing rubber and coffee for European markets is an example of what?
This is an example of an export economy that specialized in the commercial extraction of natural resources (rubber) and the production of industrial crops (coffee).
What was the primary use for the profits gained by export economies from selling their raw materials?
The profits from the sale of raw materials and food were primarily used to purchase finished goods from the industrial nations.
What are 'industrial crops'?
Industrial crops are agricultural products, such as cotton or rubber, that are grown as raw materials for factories rather than for direct consumption as food.
How did environmental factors, such as the location of natural resources, shape the global economy from 1750-1900?
The global distribution of specific raw materials and suitable farmland led to the development of specialized export economies focused on extracting or producing those valuable resources.
If a nation in 1850 primarily exported wheat and imported textiles, what does this suggest about its role in the global economy?
It suggests the nation functioned as an export economy, specializing in food production while relying on industrial nations for finished goods.
What were 'export economies' in the context of the 1750-1900 global economy?
They were economies specializing in the commercial extraction of natural resources and the production of food and industrial crops for sale to industrializing nations.