The World Since 1945 to Present Aim: How has the events since 1945 shaped the world? Do Now: Take a Quiz Mr. BETA

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.

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.

Early Conflicts Germany splits into 2 countries (East - communist & West Germany – democratic) Germany splits into 2 countries (East - communist & West Germany – democratic) Mao Zedong makes China communist and forces the Cultural Revolution on the people. 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) 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. 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. 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 ( ) – was a Cold War conflict between North (communist) and South (democratic) Korea. Still separated along the 39 th parallel. A peace treaty was never signed. Korean War ( ) – was a Cold War conflict between North (communist) and South (democratic) Korea. Still separated along the 39 th parallel. A peace treaty was never signed. Vietnam War ( ) – was a Cold War conflict between North (communist) & South (democratic) Vietnam eventually leading to a communist Vietnam Vietnam War ( ) – was a Cold War conflict between North (communist) & South (democratic) Vietnam eventually leading to a communist Vietnam

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. 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 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 After the Cold War ended in 1991 with the Fall of the Soviet Union, many nations kept spending big sums on the military. 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 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 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) 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 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.

Terrorism & Later Conflicts 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. Middle East terrorism rises (hijackings in 1970s, Munich 1972 at the Olympics, various suicide bombing 1970s to today) 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 ( ) – Iraq attacked and annexed Kuwait, United States, NATO, Middle East countries respond to expel Iraq from Kuwait. Saddam Hussein remains in power. Gulf War ( ) – 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 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 To combat terrorism, governments have passed tough laws and increased watchfulness. To combat terrorism, governments have passed tough laws and increased watchfulness.

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, cell phones, satellites, and computer networks have put people in touch and helped create a new global world. Radio, TV, fax machines, cell phones, 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.

Activity Write a paragraph: Explain, Compare, and Evaluate: Write a paragraph: Explain, Compare, and Evaluate: 2 Major Conflicts 2 Major Conflicts 2 Major Positive Accomplishments 2 Major Positive Accomplishments 2 Major Impacts/Changes since 1945 (Can be Positive or Negative) 2 Major Impacts/Changes since 1945 (Can be Positive or Negative)