The local populations of northern Rhodesia and Burma experienced extreme economic impacts during the Great Depression largely due to their reliance on export commodities, which were severely affected by the global economic downturn.
In northern Rhodesia, the economy was heavily dependent on copper mining, and as demand for copper plummeted, prices fell drastically, leading to significant job losses and reduced income for those dependent on the mining sector. This decline impacted not only the miners but also those in local businesses that relied on the mining economy.
In Burma, the economy relied on rice and other agricultural exports, as well as teak and oil. The Great Depression led to a decline in prices for these commodities, disrupting the livelihoods of farmers and workers in related industries. Additionally, the local economies struggled with changes in market demand and limited access to trade due to global economic contraction.
Both regions faced a shared vulnerability due to their export-oriented economies and limited opportunities for internal economic diversification, leading to severe local impacts from the global economic crisis.
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