20TH CENTURY GLOBAL CHANGE

Political Revolutions The Bolsheviks, led by Vladimir Lenin, seized power in 1917 and set up a communist government, taking over agriculture and industry and abolishing private business and trade. Lenin instituted the New Economic Plan (NEP) allowing some private trade and sales to boost the economy. Joseph Stalin instituted the Five Year Plan to build the Soviet Union into an industrial power. Mexico, under the dictator Porfirio Diaz, allowed foreign investors from the U.S. much economic control. Opposition led to a revolution in 1910. Following the fall of the Qing Dynasty in 1911, China experienced political instability. Dr. Sun Yat-sen led the Chinese Republic but war lords controlled many regions. Civil War between the nationalists led by Chiang Kai-shek and the communists under Mao Zedong continued until 1949.

The Cold War Definition – A war of ideologies that led to tension and competition between the United States and the USSR that dominated both nations’ foreign policies and which many feared would lead to actual war. Soviets wanted a buffer between communist and western nations and will occupy East Germany as well as establishing “satellite” nations in Eastern Europe. Winston Churchill coined the term “iron curtain” Truman Doctrine stated the US would intervene to prevent spread of communism Marshall Plan provided economic aid to Europe so communism would not be attractive Europe and Asia were divided between US and Soviet Union China’s civil war will become a communist revolution in 1949 under Mao Zedong. The Korean and Vietnam wars will be “hotspots” within the Cold War demonstrating the tension and division of a bipolar world.

Decolonization After World War II, many new nations arose as colonial empires collapsed. New ideologies of anti-imperialism contributed to the dissolution of empires. Nationalist leaders in Asia and Africa challenged imperial rule, such as the Indian National Congress led by Mohandas Gandhi. Some colonies negotiated their independence such as India and French West Africa. Some colonies achieved independence through armed struggle such as Algeria and Vietnam from the French. The colonies of Portugal were last to gain independence in the 1970s but civil war and ethnic violence will continue throughout Africa such as with the Hutus and Tutsis and in Rwanda and Sudan.

Restructuring States Great Britain granted independence to India in 1947. Religious violence caused the split into two nations (India and Pakistan). Mohandas Gandhi was assassinated by a Hindu extremist. The Jewish nation of Israel was born on May 14. 1948 after the Balfour Declaration and the UN set aside land. Islamic countries invaded but Israel won the war. Tension and violence between the Jews and the Palestinians still exist today. Iran westernized but faced a revolution in 1979 that brought the Ayatollah Khomeini to power under the banner of Islam and Sharia law. The Pan-African Movement brought the idea of unity to African people. Beginning with the British colonies, there were soon numerous movements for full independence. South Africa gained independence but lived under apartheid until the release of Nelson Mandela in 1994. Kwame Nkrumah brought independence to Ghana. Jomo Kenyatta helped bring independence to Kenya. Mustafa Kemal lead Turkey in 1923 to become an independent secular republic.

Global Migrations Political changes were accompanied by major demographic and social consequences. The redrawing of old colonial boundaries led to population displacement. Examples include: Muslims moving to Pakistan, Jews in Israel and displacement of Palestinians, Algerians to France The global conflicts led to genocide and ethnic violence. Examples include: Armenians in Turkey in WWI, the Jewish Holocaust in WWII, the Killing Fields of Cambodia in the late 1970s and the Tutsi in Rwanda in the 1990s.

Science and the Environment Advances in technology after 1945 led to increased global interaction and improved quality of life. Computers used to put a man on the moon, transformed the business world. Technology led to new types of consumer goods such as microwaves, wireless devices and computer-run automobiles. Technology also changed medicine with vaccines, antibiotics, and imaging. The biggest environmental issues are air and water pollution. Although many countries are seeking to reduce emissions and work to clean the air and water, other nations are still developing and have not yet addressed pollution in a meaningful way. The Kyoto Protocol of 1997 aimed at reducing carbon emissions that many scientists believe lead to global warming. In the 1960s, scientist started the green revolution an attempt to increase food production worldwide. The revolution did increase crop yields, but fertilizers and pesticides pollute the environment. Earth Day was initiated in 1970. In Africa, governments are dealing with soil and crop depletion due to over-farming and drought. Disease and epidemics continue to spread as poverty and problems with the environment persist. Examples include malaria, cholera, Ebola, HIV. Changing lifestyles have brought on higher rates of diabetes and heart disease.

Interdependent Economy Due to globalized communication through technology, nation’s economies have been linked and free-market economies have increased among nations. In 1951, some nations joined together to create free trade among their people. The European Union (EU) has grown to become a powerful trading block. OPEC or Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, founded in 1960, has a mission of unifying oil producing countries to ensure stable markets. They are a major influence on today’s oil prices. Other agreements include the European Economic Community (EEC), North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), and Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Society and Culture Globalization is worldwide integration and development arising from the interchange of world views Global organizations have used collective measures to solve problems or promote an agenda. The United Nations was formed to promote world peace. The UN Universal Declaration of Rights was written to protect the rights of children, women, and refugees. The World Trade Organization (WTO) is an intergovernmental organization that regulates international trade. Popular and consumer culture has also become more global. Examples include sports such as World Cup soccer and the Olympics as well has Hollywood and Bollywood. More people are enjoying music, art, and literature from all parts of the world due to travel and technology.