Contemporary Era 1914 - Now
Contemporary Era Divides into 3: World War/ Depression – 1914 to 1945 Cold War/ Decolonization – 1945 – 1991 1991 →
Contemporary Era Does a new period in history begin after WWI? Beginning of the end of European dominance – a massive “civil war” in the West. Emergence of nationalism in Africa and Asia.
Contemporary Era Chinese revolution Collapse of Ottoman Empire Balance of power shifts to U.S. advantage, but relative power of West declines. Relative decline vs. absolute decline. Is the U.S. a Western power? Or is it another animal? As it becomes a new voice is it saying new things or is it just reinforcing the traditional West?
How do the dominant themes of the 19th Century begin to change? A steady retreat of Western political, military, and economic power. Political Decolonization begins between WW’s – increases after WWII. Europe no longer controls large areas of the world.
How do the dominant themes of the 19th Century begin to change? Military Non-Western powers develop technology to challenge the West. New nations develop arsenals to prevent the West from entering their territory (i.e. Suez, 1956). (Contrast with 19th C. when small number of Brits could overcome thousands of “natives”) Alternative military strategies: guerilla warfare, terrorism (Vietnam, Algeria, Iraq).
How do the dominant themes of the 19th Century begin to change? Economics Whole batch of countries learn to get out of the periphery. Stalin’s Soviet Union, Mao’s China, Hitler’s Germany all become external (the re-emergence of external). Modern China aiming to become core.
Who will replace the West? U.S. dominates military power – complicates things. Since 1991 US the only superpower (recent and temporary). Will East Asia become the dominant civilization? Or could it be more than one civilization?
World Economy Continuity and Change in trade. Change occurs in specifics of what is being made in the core. Core includes West and Pacific Rim. Geographic periphery shifts to sub-Saharan Africa – colonial exploitation in 20th Century not yet reversed there.
World Economy What strategies to nations use to get out of peripheral status? Substitution: We can produce our own products protected by tariffs (Iran, Turkey in 1920s and Latin America in 1930s). Cheap Products: Let’s find a range of products that we can produce more cheaply than other nations.
World Economy Chile – truck gardening (1970s), Canada and Australia – raw materials. Most efficient with high technology. Oil becomes a key factor. Oil gets countries economically independent – doesn’t make them core though.
World Economy Industrial Exporter: Brazil after WWII becomes major steel producer and computer manufacturer (4th largest), India and China computer chips. International economic dependence increases, Western dominance curtailed.
World Economy Indicators for economic power in 2050 show: China India U.S. Brazil
New Themes Power rebalancing Communications & transportation technologies: air travel, radio, cable, internet, satellites, space travel etc. Redefinition of war – potential for total annihilation. Global population explosion
New Themes Population effects: Migration patterns Strain of resources Massive urbanization 2006 the first year that ½ world’s population is urban. 20th C. bloodiest century in human history – pop. Growth.
New Themes Nation-State still dominant, but problems come to the fore – inadequacies economically, multinational (multi ethnic?) states.
Political Change How many countries have the same political structures today as they did in late 19th C.? U.S., Western Europe. Classical regimes of agricultural Era no longer adequate – that is a major change Monarchy gone Decolonization in 20th C.
Political Change What are the structures that take over from monarchy? New forms of authoritarianism (fascism) Communism (declined by end of 20th C.) Democracy (multiparty) (gains ground after 1970s) Is there global agreement on a system?
Social Change Largest social class in 1914 – peasants Largest social class in 2008 - low wage urban working-class. Industrialization/urban replacing agricultural systems – remember the cool map! Most important social class in 1914 – landed aristocracy. Most important social class in 2008 – upper middle-class, urban, owners of capital and formally educated.
Social Change Gender In virtually every society in 20th century women get the vote (Turkey 1927). New legal rights (UN support after 1945) Educational gains & reduction of education gap (varies by society) – Iran & UAE over 55% of university grads are women.
Social Change Birth-rate reduction by late 20th century. France and Italy below reproduction levels (Sub-Saharan Africa?) Patriarchy begins to end, although inequality does not.
Social Change Problems: Increase of women into service industry – in U.S. by 1950s. But, in Sub-Saharan Africa women falling behind. Increased exploitation in sex trade. Increased domestic violence (India, Pakistan – dowry murders) Deliberate use of rape as a war tactic. Increased abortion of females and female infanticide. Male resistance to changes?
Culture Period of massive cultural change and resistance. Pace of cultural change depends on region. Urban – quicker/ rural – slower Only 30% of the world has access to the internet.
Culture Before 1914 most believed in one of the traditional belief systems from the classical and post-classical period. Since 1914 these belief systems have been increasingly challenged. Global revival of religion since 1970s.
Culture Communism: Nationalism: Own symbols Own cultural apparatus Gained ground in and out of communist nations. Nationalism: Always challenged religion to some extent – religion might get in the way of the nation (i.e. fascism).
Culture Secularism: These beliefs can overlap - all secular. Consumerism – personal acquisition Science Toleration These beliefs can overlap - all secular.
Culture Communism no longer a serious cultural idea. Nationalism questionable. Secularism still up and running. What do you believe in when your system collapses?
Culture Since 1970s a rise of fundamentalist movements (Islamic fundamentalists against nationalism). Increasing effort to have the state support religion. New missionary efforts in Latin America – Evangelical Protestantism.
Culture Increase in Islam and Christianity in Africa. Japan and Western Europe – secular – we have no idea where this is going – we have no pattern.
A New Framework? Notion of interconnectedness not new. How (or does it?) differ from previous eras? Globalization theorists argue that this is a new framework that goes beyond past connections. I.e. When the prosperity of U.S. depends on decisions made in Korea, Japan, and China – that is global.
A New Framework? U.S. exports culture. Globalization of costume (over 150 years). Globalization of sports since 1950s – Chess is internationalized earlier (soccer, baseball to lesser extent). Standards of beauty globalized – Britney Spears). Global effort to combat climate change - new
A New Framework? SARS epidemic (spread by plane) – old, but response was new – 20th century first time international coordination so complete. Contemporary globalization probably began in late 19th century – ships etc. A few decades where it retreats (Bolsheviks etc.)
A New Framework? After 1970s globalization increases. We don’t know if it will continue – as there are anti-globalization forces. Cold War – Anti-globalization (division), but both have global aspirations.