Research and write a short analysis of one important moment in the commodification and globalization of one commodity (in most cases, early 20th century or prior). Just a few examples could include bananas, cement, diamonds, palm oil, rubber, tobacco… (but not wheat, corn, cotton, or petroleum; if chocolate or coffee, must be 19th century or earlier). Specifically, your case study should
pick a commodity, and then pick a single phase or moment in the process of it becoming a commodity, and analyze how that change came about. Remember, commodification is the process of creating all the right conditions so that a particular thing can be produced, for profit, on a large scale, for large markets (often for a global market). Remember also that commodification is an ongoing process—nothing is ever fully commodified, merely commodified to a greater or lesser extent.
contextualize this moment of commodification within the broader history of the commodity, but focus most energy on one time and place: what change occurred, and why is it a particularly important moment?
pick a commodity, and then pick a single phase or moment in the process of it becoming a commodity, and analyze how that change came about. Remember, commodification is the process of creating all the right conditions so that a particular thing can be produced, for profit, on a large scale, for large markets (often for a global market). Remember also that commodification is an ongoing process—nothing is ever fully commodified, merely commodified to a greater or lesser extent.
contextualize this moment of commodification within the broader history of the commodity, but focus most energy on one time and place: what change occurred, and why is it a particularly important moment?
How did this moment of commodification lead to subsequent changes in how the commodity was produced, traded, and/or consumed?
The commodification of tea began in the early 18th century when the British East India Company began to import large quantities of tea from China. This moment was significant because it led to a dramatic increase in the production and consumption of tea, as well as a change in the way it was consumed. Prior to this, tea had been a luxury item consumed primarily by the upper classes. However, the British East India Company’s mass production and importation of tea made it more affordable and accessible to the general public. This moment of commodification also led to a change in the way tea was consumed, as it became more common to drink tea with milk and sugar.
