The World Since 1945: to Present Anthony Pretakiewicz Anthony Pretakiewicz

An End to European Colonial Empires The postwar decades brought a major turning point in world history. The postwar decades brought a major turning point in world history. The colonial empires crumbled. The colonial empires crumbled. The Cold War put strains on American society and the government. The Cold War put strains on American society and the government. Nationalist movements began in the 1930s in Africa, Asia and the Middle East. Nationalist movements began in the 1930s in Africa, Asia and the Middle East. After World War II nationalist leaders insisted on independence. After World War II nationalist leaders insisted on independence.

1945 : 1945 : 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. 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.

Other Organizations General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) 1947 was formed to establish fair trade policies for all nations. General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) 1947 was formed to establish fair trade policies for all nations. The World Trade Organization (WTO) was formed in 1995 and its goal was to establish global rules of trade. The World Trade Organization (WTO) was formed in 1995 and its goal was to establish global rules of trade. The World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) played a large role in the world economy by making loans to developing nations. The World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) played a large role in the world economy by making loans to developing nations. Other types of nongovernmental organizations formed were the International Olympic Committee and the International Red Cross. Other types of nongovernmental organizations formed were the International Olympic Committee and the International Red Cross.

Global Issues 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 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 In 1968, many nations signed the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) agreeing to stop the spread of nuclear weapons. In 1968, many nations signed the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) agreeing to stop the spread of nuclear weapons. In 1995, the treaty was renewed but some nations still refused to sign. In 1995, the treaty was renewed but some nations still refused to sign. After the Cold War ended, many nations kept spending big sums on the military. After the Cold War ended, many nations kept spending big sums on the military.

Human Rights In 1948, UN members approved the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which gave people basic rights and freedoms without distinction of any kind: race, color, sex, language, property, birth, or other status. In 1948, UN members approved the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which gave people basic rights and freedoms without distinction of any kind: race, color, sex, language, property, birth, or other status. Human Rights include “the right to life, liberty, and security of person. Human Rights include “the right to life, liberty, and security of person. In 1975, the national signed the Helsinki Accords which gave rights to freedom of speech, religion, and the press, rights to a fair trial, earn a living and live in safety. In 1975, the national signed the Helsinki Accords which gave rights to freedom of speech, religion, and the press, rights to a fair trial, earn a living and live in safety.

Terrorism Terrorism has increased since the 1960s. Terrorism is done by bombings, kidnappings, airplane hijacks, and shootings. 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. Terrorists focus attention on their causes and try to force demands on governments. To combat terrorism, governments have passed tough laws and increased watchfulness. To combat terrorism, governments have passed tough laws and increased watchfulness.

GLOBAL NORTH AND SOUTH The Cold War created a split between the communist East and the capitalist West. The Cold War created a split between the communist East and the capitalist West. Rich nations – the global North includes the industrial nations of Europe and North America, as well as Japan and Australia. They control most of the world’s wealth and have basically capitalist economies. Rich nations – the global North includes the industrial nations of Europe and North America, as well as Japan and Australia. They control most of the world’s wealth and have basically capitalist economies. Poor Nations – The global South refers to the developing world. Most of these nations lie in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. The South has 75% of the world’s population and much of its natural resources. The global South remains underdeveloped and poor and life is a daily struggle for survival. Poor Nations – The global South refers to the developing world. Most of these nations lie in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. The South has 75% of the world’s population and much of its natural resources. The global South remains underdeveloped and poor and life is a daily struggle for survival.

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.

1969: 1969: On July 21, American astronaut Neil Armstrong became the first man to walk on the moon.

1980s: The computer becomes an essential tool in homes and offices.

1991: The global Cold War ends when the Soviet Union collapsed. Tensions eased and conflicts were resolved. People hoped for peace. The global Cold War ends when the Soviet Union collapsed. Tensions eased and conflicts were resolved. People hoped for peace. Ethnic Conflict – Within many nations, ethnic groups have clashed. In some countries conflicts have erupted between rival ethnic and religious groups. Ethnic Conflict – Within many nations, ethnic groups have clashed. In some countries conflicts have erupted between rival ethnic and religious groups.

New Nations Seek Stability After winning independence, new nations had high hopes for the future. After winning independence, new nations had high hopes for the future. People in new nations came from different cultural traditions. People in new nations came from different cultural traditions. As problems multiplied, the military leaders often took control. As problems multiplied, the military leaders often took control. Democracy did make some progress in the late 1980s and 1990s. Democracy did make some progress in the late 1980s and 1990s. Africa, Asian and Latin America had been ruled by dictators held multiparty elections. Africa, Asian and Latin America had been ruled by dictators held multiparty elections.

2000: 2000: A new millennium, or thousand-year period, brings both hopes and fears. The Millennium Dome in Greenwich, England was built to celebrate the start of this new era in history.

Old Ways and New Since 1945, people in the world have flocked to cities to find jobs and escape poverty. Cities offer economic opportunities and attractions such as sports, concerts and stores. Since 1945, people in the world have flocked to cities to find jobs and escape poverty. Cities offer economic opportunities and attractions such as sports, concerts and stores. Some newcomers settled in shantytowns which were slums on the outskirts of the cities. They are very crowded and dangerous. There are a lot of drugs and crime. Some newcomers settled in shantytowns which were slums on the outskirts of the cities. They are very crowded and dangerous. There are a lot of drugs and crime.

New Rights & Role For Women After 1945, women’s movements brought changes to both the western and the developing worlds. By 1950, women had won the right to vote in most European nations, as well in Japan, China, Brazil, and other countries. A small number of women won elected office. After 1945, women’s movements brought changes to both the western and the developing worlds. By 1950, women had won the right to vote in most European nations, as well in Japan, China, Brazil, and other countries. A small number of women won elected office. In the industrial world, more and more women worked outside the home. By the 1970s, the feminist movement sought greater access for women to jobs and promotions, and equal play. Women advanced into good jobs such as business owners and executives, scientists, and technicians. In the industrial world, more and more women worked outside the home. By the 1970s, the feminist movement sought greater access for women to jobs and promotions, and equal play. Women advanced into good jobs such as business owners and executives, scientists, and technicians.

Science & Technology Since 1945 many things have changed. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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 Modern communications technology has created a new world” Modern communications technology has created a new world” Radio, TV, fax machines, satellites, and computer networks Radio, TV, fax machines, satellites, and computer networks have put people in touch and helped create a new global world. The United States is the driving force with fashions, products, and entertainment. The United States is the driving force with fashions, products, and entertainment. The Arts…in the last 100 years, the western world has gained a new appreciation for the arts of other countries. The Arts…in the last 100 years, the western world has gained a new appreciation for the arts of other countries.

Looking Ahead Many recent trends and issues emerged long before 1945 and will continue for a long time. Many recent trends and issues emerged long before 1945 and will continue for a long time. At the same time, new issues and new conflicts will take shape. At the same time, new issues and new conflicts will take shape.