1. The Modern World

2. Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty
In 1968 many nations signed the Nuclear NonProliferation Treaty (NPT) agreeing to halt the spread of nuclear weapons
Many countries signed the treaty but many did NOT sign it including India, Pakistan, Israel, and North Korea
Today the International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards against the threat of nuclear proliferation

3. Global Trade
Many nations have formed regional groups to promote trade or increase prosperity
GATT (General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade)- signed in tried to establish fair trade policies for all nations
World Bank- makes loans to developing nations
These organizations and many others like them are called transnational and nongovernmental organizations- their focus is to work on problems that are common to many nations

4. Science and Technology
World Wide Web- the world’s largest computer network which revolutionized communication and made the world more connected than ever before
Genetic Engineering has now become possible but some fear that it may create deadly strains of bacteria
7 out of 10 biologists warn that the planet is currently experiencing a surprising extinction of plants and animals

5. Other things to know
The civil war and genocide in Rwanda were sparked by ethnic conflicts between two tribes- the Hutus and the Tutsis
Between the major factor contributing to world hunger was not a shortage of food, but a 45% increase in food prices
China has faced a population explosion and in order to help slow that down, they implemented a “one-child” policy