session 17: Urbanization

Question 1

In one sentence, what is the big idea of Session 17?

Answer 1

Between 1400–1800, very few people lived in cities, but cities were powerful global nodes of trade, politics and culture

Question 2

What is urbanization?

Answer 2

The increase in the size and number of cities, the share of people living in them, and the spread of urban values

Question 3

What are “urban values”? Name two

Answer 3

Values like a commercial mentality, mobility / migration, and new leisure habits

Question 4

What is an urban system?

Answer 4

A network of large, medium and small towns connected with each other and with the countryside

Question 5

Around 1800, about what percentage of the world’s population lived in big cities (100,000+)?

Answer 5

Less than 2%

Question 6

What does the phrase “cities were islands in a rural sea” mean?

Answer 6

Most people lived in the countryside, but cities were small but very important centres

Question 7

In an urban system, what role do large towns usually play?

Answer 7

They are regional hubs for trade, administration and culture.

Question 8

What is the main role of medium towns?

Answer 8

They act as linkers between countryside and big cities (trade, crafts, markets).

Question 9

What do small towns usually provide?

Answer 9

Local markets where villagers sell goods and buy basic products.

Question 10

Why are city–countryside links so important?

Answer 10

Cities depend on the countryside for food, raw materials and migrants, and rural areas depend on cities for markets and services.

Question 11

Why is Japan considered highly urbanised in 1600–1800?

Answer 11

Because more than 5% of the population lived in cities of 100,000+, higher than Europe.

Question 12

Name the three main Japanese cities in this period and their functions.

Answer 12

Kyoto (emperor), Osaka (merchant capital), Edo (political centre).

Question 13

Give the “ladder” of reasons why Japanese cities grew.

Answer 13

Peace → Food → Trade → Fun → Flow (peace, better agriculture, commerce, leisure, movement of people/resources).

Question 14

In China 1400–1800, what two forces mainly drove urban growth?

Answer 14

Agricultural productivity and both state power (capitals) and commerce (trade cities).

Question 15

Name one big Chinese city and its role.

Answer 15

Beijing – political capital; or Hangzhou/Yangzhou – commercial/luxury cities.

Question 16

What is a colonial city?

Answer 16

A city created or reshaped by European empires as a hub for empire and trade.

Question 17

What does “double orientation” mean for a colonial city?

Answer 17

It looks outward to the metropolis (sending silver, taxes, info) and inward to the hinterland (controlling local countryside and mines).

Question 18

Name two functions of colonial cities.

Answer 18

Administrative centres, ports/trade hubs, and cultural meeting points.

Question 19

After the Black Death, did European cities disappear or recover?

Answer 19

They recovered slowly and grew again from 1500 to 1800.

Question 20

Give one example of a capital city and one port/trade city in Europe.

Answer 20

Capital: Paris or Madrid. Port/trade: Amsterdam, Seville, Venice, Lisbon.