World History for the Past 60 Years: Cold War and Beyond Aka The Beast
I. End of World War II A. Presented Europe and world with new situation 1. Individual European nations weakened; empires disintegrating 2. US picks up torch from UK (liberal open-market democracy supporting international capitalism); planned by Churchill and Roosevelt (Dumbarton Oaks, Bretton Woods) 3. Soviet Union presents as non-capitalist, nonliberal counterweight
II. Origins of Cold War A. Pre-WWII Western democracies hated and feared Communists B. Only Allies by force (Germany attacked USSR; Churchill claimed he d make a deal with devil to get Hitler)
II. Origins of Cold War C. Fell to fighting soon. Why? 1. Disagreements about fate of Eastern and Central Europe. (Soviets=dominated buffer zone; West=new capitalist democracies)
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II. Origins of Cold War C. Fell to fighting soon. Why? 2. Suspicion of USSR that West was planning to attack them militarily and/or economically 3. Suspicion of West that USSR was trying to spread communism and dominate Europe/World 4. Both sides probably had some reason to fear other
III. Early Aspects of Cold War A. Marshall Plan - economic aid package to Europe based on grants under the assumption that the money would purchase US products B. Truman Doctrine - economic and military aid to countries in danger of communist revolution
III. Early Aspects of Cold War C. Containment Idea that US would move quickly to stop communism anywhere new via any means
III. Early Aspects of Cold War D. Berlin Airlift 1948 Soviets close off West Berlin, force US and UK to supply by air
IV. Cold War Alliances A. Europe split between Soviet and US spheres 1. US-siding half begins uniting for economics (European Economic Community [EEC] 1952; evolved in European Union) 2. Soviet half united by force (Yugoslavia and Albania odd men out) eventually falls apart without the Soviet whip by 1989-91.
IV. Cold War Alliances B. Most worldwide conflicts get sucked into this overall conflict (regional groups pick sides for support) C. Is there another path? Sort of
V. Non-Aligned Movement A. Bandung Conference 1955; Brioni Declaration 1961 1. Between Josip Broz Tito of Yugoslavia, Gamel Nasser of Egypt and J. Nehru of India 2. Anti-colonialist; neutral to US and USSR; meant to create a Third Way that was not capitalist like US or communist like USSR
V. Non-Aligned Movement B. Why? 1. US viewed as imperialist like the nations it was rebuilding using Marshall Plan (UK, France, Netherlands, etc.) 2. USSR viewed as too reliant on communist ideology; not enough room for economic freedom
V. Non-Aligned Movement C. Success? Not very much D. Why not very successful? 1. Not enough industry/money in own countries; too drained by being colonies so had to accept aid 2. Tried to take help from both sides; best of both worlds 3. Neither US nor USSR liked this; wouldn t allow most to split loyalty 4. Forced to choose sides at least to some extent
V. Non-Aligned Movement E. Result? 1. Many countries became dictatorships protected by US or USSR 2. People suffered; states remained poor and under control of rich former imperial nations (economic imperialism) 3. Now many are called underdeveloped nations aka Third World
Regional Studies: General History and Challenges
Asia in the Post-War World
I. Southeast Asia: Independence A. Local resistance movements crushed (Moro War fought by the US in Philippines, Indochinese revolts) prior to World War II. B. Japanese conquest in WWII sparked new nationalism. 1. Some saw Japanese victory as sign that Europeans not all-powerful; Asians could fight and win. 2. Some supported Japanese 3. Others fought against Japanese but experience made them want independence. Ex. Ho Chi Minh in Vietnam.
I. Southeast Asia: Independence C. European powers tried to return to situation before war 1. Nationalists fought Europeans in most areas and successfully won their independence. 2. Nationalism and Communism often linked by West; created ideological wars there from 1955 to 1980. D. By 1980s SEA s wars calm down and economies surge; still growing despite some setbacks (1998 economic collapse) E. End of Cold War also allowed for a loosening of ideological regimes F. In the 1980s and more into the 1990s Islam gained more influence in the Indonesian archipelago
II. China and Korea A. Both slowed by colonialism and exploitation 1. China Western and Japanese 2. Korea Japanese
II. China and Korea B. Chinese Communist Revolution in 1949 breaks any remaining links with West 1. Mao tried rapid modernizations from 1950s to 1970s; never worked well and millions died or imprisoned 2. By 1980s Chinese Communists adopted some capitalist ways 3. Now 2nd largest economy in world; Communist Party trades political freedom for economic power
II. China and Korea C. Korea divided by Korean War 1. South prosperous and modern 2. North poor, backward and dangerous
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III. Japan A. Only non-western imperialist power B. Overreached in WWII 1. Lost military power 2. Kept economic power (used as a US base in Korean War 1950-53); also kept Soviet and Chinese Communists in check C. Japan now trying to amend constitution to be more militarily powerful; view China s growth with concern
Latin America in Post-War World
I. History A. Largely broke free of empires in 19th c. B. Social structure very strict; whites ruled and had most money; mestizo (mix of Indian and European in majority; Indians and African descendants on bottom of pyramid) C. Reform movements increased through 20th c. to challenge dictators; US often interfered especially in Central America and Caribbean
II. Economic and Political Developments A. In early 20 th c. tried to develop industries to produce goods that were formerly imported. 1. Could not find foreign markets for their goods. 2. Economic failures in Chile, Brazil, and Argentina led to instability and reliance on military regimes.
II. Economic and Political Developments B. Dependent on the United States, Europe, and Japan for the advanced technology needed for modern industries. C. Some regimes encouraged multinational corporations to come. D. In the 1970s, borrowed money to maintain weak economies. 1. By the 1980s, large debts owed to foreign countries caused many economies to fall apart. 2. New loans? Had to make reforms. 3. The debt crisis often led to the establishment of democratic regimes.
III. Latin American Society A. Between 1950 and the mid-1980s, the population grew dramatically. 1. Cities grew in number and size 2. Many slums formed B. The gap between the rich and the poor remained quite large.
III. Latin American Society C. The international drug trade has brought crime and corruption; undermined their stability.
IV. The United States and Latin America A. In 1948, the states of the Western Hemisphere formed the Organization of American States (OAS), 1. Called for an end to military action by one state in the affairs of any other state. 2. US a member but ignored call; continued to send troops and military aid to protect U.S. interests and help friendly dictators and anti-communist regimes.
Africa
I. Decolonization A. Decolonialized entirely from 1957-1975 1. Some remained white dominated until 1990s (South Africa, Zimbabwe) 2. Most remained connected to former imperial nations B. Elites cultivated by Europeans often took over C. Hopes for democracy often crushed
II. Economics A. Resource extraction=no added value from own country; only good if resource is constantly needed and expensive (like oil) 1. Economies based off resource extraction; tried to upgrade to industry 2. Needed loans for industry a. Loans from US/World Bank? Heavily influenced by US (advisors/bases) b. Loans from USSR? Often only given in exchange for Soviet advisors/bases B. Many nations came to be ruled by kleptocrats
III. Challenges A. European drawn borders linger despite reality on ground
III. Challenges B. Superpower rivalry (not anymore; only aftereffects)
III. Challenges C. Land/resources only so much to go around and Africa has highest population (and high economic) growth rate
III. Challenges D. Religion
IV. Opportunity A. Growth of democratic society B. Recognition of need to fix own problems C. Economically ready population
Middle East
I. Post-WWI A. English/French take over most as mandates (former Ottoman colonies) B. Proxy or direct rulers drawn from local elites C. European powers still tried to keep effective control - caused much anti- European and anti-colonialist feeling
II. Post-WWII A. Most colonies became largely artificial independent nations by 1948 (some still not fully independent until 70s) B. Elites used Western-style institutions (parliaments, etc.) which led to anger with both elites and institutions - led to overthrow by dictators many of whom still in place.
II. Post-WWII C. Importance of Gulf region s oil grew dramatically c. 1946
II. Post-WWII D. State of Israel created in 1948 - Palestinian Arabs largely flee; creates anger
III. Challenges A. Results of European influence and control - European ideas grew and evolved in Middle East 1. Socialism - revolt against old elite of Ottoman Empire 2. Feminism - revolt against women s traditional role 3. Nationalism - ideas expressed as either pride in own artificial region or, more commonly (especially among Christians), Pan-Arab nationalism
III. Challenges 4. Other people began to focus on own traditions; Why are we oppressed by Europe when we were once great? - sought to find cure for weakness in own tradition, not imported ones a. Led to a rebirth in Islamic belief and customs among some b. Led to current clash between modernization and tradition c. Led to distrust of outside intervention in internal matters
New Challenges (and Origins) Where are we now?
I. End of the Cold War A. Gorbachev 1980s - Glasnost and perestroika (openness and reform) - failed to reform unreformable system B. E. European satellite states break away in 1989-91 C. Dec. 91 - Soviet Union collapses
I. End of the Cold War D. Where does Europe stand now (c. 1995)? 1. Continue old ways? 2. Create new system?
European Union
II. New World Order A. Decentralized Superpowers growing less super closer to 18 th c. world B. Multilateral no more two sided conflict C. Old hatreds/new rules
III. World Challenges A. Ideological/Religious/Pseudoreligious B. Ecological C. Economic D. Most are all of the above E. Off-the-chart weird asteroids, supernovas all bets off!
Challenges
I. Radical Ideologies A. Political none prominent currently, no guarantee of rise. B. Religious fundamentalism belief in spiritually rightness has led to extreme and/or violent actions
I. Radical Ideologies A. Political none prominent currently, no guarantee of rise. B. Religious fundamentalism belief in spiritually rightness has led to extreme and/or violent actions
I. Radical Ideologies C. Islamism is the most aggressive current version 1. May be waning Al Qaeda becomes a model; no longer centrally powerful 2. So, how to defuse tension? 1. More democracy in Mideast see Indonesia s success? 2. More wealthy equity in Mideast? 3. Smaller Western footprint? 4. Other ideas?
II. Ecological Challenges A. Climate Change 1. Probably Anthropogenic 2. What to do?
II. Ecological Challenges B. Peak Oil when we run low, bad things might happen.
II. Ecological Challenges C. Peak Soil Have about ½ acre per person for food now. By 2025 could be at ¼ acre.
II. Ecological Challenges D. Water Stress
II. Ecological Challenges E. Population Over or Under?
II. Ecological Challenges F. Interconnectedness What happens when we can travel around world within days?
II. Ecological Challenges G. Doomsayers of past not always accurate Malthus had us all dying in 19 th c.; Paul Ehrlich in 1970s. 1. Challenges present opportunities for the smart, bold, and innovative 2. Technological breakthroughs can be a game changer
III. Economic Challenges A. Current economic model assumes growth is necessary and inevitable B. Interconnectedness world economy is now a true world economy hiccup in one place causes trouble everywhere
VII. Summing Up A. Long lecture, huh? B. World has lots of challenges and opportunities C. We re finally truly global! D. You are the future take what s good and do the right thing. Make a better future.