Transcript The World Since 1945:

The World
Since 1945 to Present
Aim: How has the events
since 1945 shaped the
world?
Do Now: Take a Quiz
Mr. Ott @ BETA 2012-13
An End to European Colonial Empires
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The postwar decades brought a major turning point in world
history.
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The colonial empires crumbled.
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The Cold War put strains on American society and the
government.
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Nationalist movements began in the 1930s in Africa, Asia and
the Middle East.
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After World War II nationalist leaders insisted on independence.
1945
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The United Nations was set up at the end of World War II as a
forum for settling disputes. UN agencies provide services for
millions of people worldwide. The UN has also sponsored
global summits, conferences of leaders and experts from
around the world. These summits have discussed issues such
as the environment, women , and population.
Early Conflicts
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Germany splits into 2 countries (East - communist & West Germany
– democratic)
Mao Zedong makes China communist and forces the Cultural
Revolution on the people.
Cold War – A ideological war between the two world superpowers,
the United States and the Soviet Union (Capitalism vs. Communism,
Democracy vs. Totalitarianism)
Berlin Wall – A wall built by Soviet backed East Germany to keep
people from leaving or entering East Germany. Becomes a symbol
of the Cold War of the difference between East & West.
Israel (1947) is formed out of Palestine territory as a place for
displaced Jews from the Holocaust. This will lead to today’s conflict
over the same territory and the state of Israel.
Korean War (1950-1953) – was a Cold War conflict between North
(communist) and South (democratic) Korea. Still separated along the
39th parallel. A peace treaty was never signed.
Vietnam War (1955-1975) – was a Cold War conflict between North
(communist) & South (democratic) Vietnam eventually leading to a
communist Vietnam
Other Organizations
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General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) 1947 was
formed to establish fair trade policies for all nations.
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The World Trade Organization (WTO) was formed in 1995 and
its goal was to establish global rules of trade.
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The World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF)
played a large role in the world economy by making loans to
developing nations.
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Other types of nongovernmental organizations formed were the
International Olympic Committee and the International Red
Cross.
Global Issues
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In 1945, the United States exploded two atomic bombs. Nations
have poured resources into building nuclear weapons. Nuclear
weapons grew from 3 in 1945 to over 50,000 in 1980.
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In 1968, many nations signed the Nuclear Non-Proliferation
Treaty (NPT) agreeing to stop the spread of nuclear weapons.
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In 1995, the treaty was renewed but some nations still refused
to sign. Israel,Pakistan and India refuse to sign the NPT, while
N Korea signed it, but gave notice of withdrawal from the treaty
on January 10, 2003
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After the Cold War ended in 1991 with the Fall of the Soviet
Union, many nations kept spending big sums on the military.
1960s
The Green Revolution begins, scientists applied
new technology to increasing food production for
the world’s growing population.
The Green Revolution had limits – it succeeded
only in areas with regular moisture and required
chemical fertilizers and pesticides and an irrigation
system, which only wealthy farmers could afford.
1991
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The global Cold War ends when the Soviet Union
collapsed. Tensions eased and conflicts were
resolved. People hoped for peace.
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Ethnic Conflicts – Within many nations, ethnic
groups have clashed. In some countries conflicts
have erupted between rival ethnic and religious
groups. (Bosnian War, Palestinian/Israeli, Apartheid
in South Africa, Contras/Sandinistas, Cambodia &
Pol Pot)
New Nations Seek Stability
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After winning independence, new nations had high
hopes for the future.
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People in new nations came from different cultural
traditions.
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As problems multiplied, the military leaders often
took control.
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Democracy did make some progress in the late
1980s and 1990s.
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Africa, Asian and Latin America had been ruled by
dictators held multiparty elections.
Terrorism & Later Conflicts
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Terrorism has increased since the 1960s. Terrorism is done by
bombings, kidnappings, airplane hijacks, and shootings.
Terrorists focus attention on their causes and try to force
demands on governments. Middle East terrorism rises
(hijackings in 1970s, Munich 1972 at the Olympics, various
suicide bombing 1970s to today)
Gulf War (1990-1991) – Iraq attacked and annexed Kuwait,
United States, NATO, Middle East countries respond to expel
Iraq from Kuwait. Saddam Hussein remains in power.
War on Terrorism started on September 11, 2001 with the attack
by terrorists of al-Qaeda organized by Osama bin Laden. This
would lead to two separate conflicts; War in Afghanistan
(directly related to the Attacks of 9/11, and Iraq War (indirectly
related) – Saddam Hussein is captured, tried, and executed by
the Iraqi people. Osama bin Laden will be captured and killed
by US in 2011.
To combat terrorism, governments have passed tough laws
and increased watchfulness.
Science & Technology
Since 1945 many things have changed.
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Computers were first built in the 1940s and were huge and slow. With
the invention of the silicon chip by 2000 a huge computer network
linked businesses, governments and individuals around the world. We
now can communicate, and buy and sell on line.
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Medical Breakthroughs Scientists developed new antibiotics.
Vaccines wiped out some diseases and prevented the spread of others.
By 2000, new challenges arose with the spread of deadly diseases
such as AIDS. In the 70s , surgeons learned to transplant organs to
save lives. Success was also made in treating some cancers.
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The Space Age 1957 the Soviet Union launched Sputnik into orbit. In
1969, the United States landed the first man on the moon. Since the
Cold War, the United States and Russia have cooperated in joint space
ventures.
A New Global Culture
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Modern communications technology has created a “new world”
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Radio, TV, fax machines, cell phones, satellites, and computer
networks have put people in touch and helped create a new
global world.
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The United States is the driving force with fashions, products,
and entertainment.
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The Arts…in the last 100 years, the western world has gained a
new appreciation for the arts of other countries.
Activity
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Write a paragraph: Explain, Compare, and
Evaluate:
2 Major Conflicts
 2 Major Positive Accomplishments
 2 Major Impacts/Changes since 1945 (Can be
Positive or Negative)
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