The World Since The World Since 1945:1945:

to Presentto Present

Anthony Anthony PretakiewiczPretakiewicz

An End to European Colonial EmpiresAn End to European Colonial Empires

The postwar decades brought a major turning point in world The postwar decades brought a major turning point in world history.history.

The colonial empires crumbled.The colonial empires crumbled.

The Cold War put strains on American society and the The Cold War put strains on American society and the government.government.

Nationalist movements began in the 1930s in Africa, Asia and Nationalist movements began in the 1930s in Africa, Asia and the Middle East.the Middle East.

After World War II nationalist leaders insisted on After World War II nationalist leaders insisted on independence.independence.

19194545::

The United Nations was set up at the end of World War II as a The United Nations was set up at the end of World War II as a forum for settling disputes. UN agencies provide services for forum for settling disputes. UN agencies provide services for millions of people worldwide. The UN has also sponsored millions of people worldwide. The UN has also sponsored global summits, conferences of leaders and experts from global summits, conferences of leaders and experts from around the world. These summits have discussed issues such around the world. These summits have discussed issues such as the environment, women , and population.as the environment, women , and population.

Other Other OrganizationsOrganizations

General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) 1947 was General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) 1947 was formed to establish fair trade policies for all nations.formed to establish fair trade policies for all nations.

The World Trade Organization (WTO) was formed in 1995 and The World Trade Organization (WTO) was formed in 1995 and its goal was to establish global rules of trade.its goal was to establish global rules of trade.

The World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) The World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) played a large role in the world economy by making loans to played a large role in the world economy by making loans to developing nations.developing nations.

Other types of nongovernmental organizations formed were the Other types of nongovernmental organizations formed were the International Olympic Committee and the International Red International Olympic Committee and the International Red Cross.Cross.

Global Global IssuesIssues

In 1945, the United States exploded two atomic bombs. In 1945, the United States exploded two atomic bombs. Nations have poured resources into building nuclear weapons. Nations have poured resources into building nuclear weapons. Nuclear weapons grew from 3 in 1945 to over 50,000 in 1980.Nuclear weapons grew from 3 in 1945 to over 50,000 in 1980.

In 1968, many nations signed the Nuclear Non-Proliferation In 1968, many nations signed the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) agreeing to stop the spread of nuclear weapons.Treaty (NPT) agreeing to stop the spread of nuclear weapons.

In 1995, the treaty was renewed but some nations still refused In 1995, the treaty was renewed but some nations still refused to sign.to sign.

After the Cold War ended, many nations kept spending big After the Cold War ended, many nations kept spending big sums on the military.sums on the military.

Human Human RightsRights

In 1948, UN members approved the Universal Declaration of In 1948, UN members approved the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which gave people basic rights and freedoms Human Rights, which gave people basic rights and freedoms without distinction of any kind: race, color, sex, language, without distinction of any kind: race, color, sex, language, property, birth, or other status.property, birth, or other status.

Human Rights include “the right to life, liberty, and security of Human Rights include “the right to life, liberty, and security of person.person.

In 1975, the national signed the Helsinki Accords which gave In 1975, the national signed the Helsinki Accords which gave rights to freedom of speech, religion, and the press, rights to a rights to freedom of speech, religion, and the press, rights to a fair trial, earn a living and live in safety.fair trial, earn a living and live in safety.

TerrorismTerrorism

Terrorism has increased since the 1960s. Terrorism is done by Terrorism has increased since the 1960s. Terrorism is done by bombings, kidnappings, airplane hijacks, and shootings.bombings, kidnappings, airplane hijacks, and shootings.

Terrorists focus attention on their causes and try to force Terrorists focus attention on their causes and try to force demands on governments.demands on governments.

To combat terrorism, governments have passed tough laws To combat terrorism, governments have passed tough laws and increased watchfulness.and increased watchfulness.

GLOBAL NORTH AND GLOBAL NORTH AND SOUTHSOUTH

The Cold War created a split between the communist East and The Cold War created a split between the communist East and the capitalist West.the capitalist West.

Rich nations – the global North includes the industrial nations Rich nations – the global North includes the industrial nations of Europe and North America, as well as Japan and Australia. of Europe and North America, as well as Japan and Australia. They control most of the world’s wealth and have basically They control most of the world’s wealth and have basically capitalist economies.capitalist economies.

Poor Nations – The global South refers to the developing world. Poor Nations – The global South refers to the developing world. Most of these nations lie in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Most of these nations lie in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. The South has 75% of the world’s population and much of its The South has 75% of the world’s population and much of its natural resources. The global South remains underdeveloped natural resources. The global South remains underdeveloped and poor and life is a daily struggle for survival.and poor and life is a daily struggle for survival.

1960s1960s::

The The Green RevolutionGreen Revolution begins, scientists applied begins, scientists applied new technology to increasing food production for new technology to increasing food production for the world’s growing population.the world’s growing population.

The The Green RevolutionGreen Revolution had limits – it succeeded had limits – it succeeded only in areas with regular moisture and required only in areas with regular moisture and required chemical fertilizers and pesticides and an irrigation chemical fertilizers and pesticides and an irrigation system, which only wealthy farmers could afford.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:1980s:

The computer becomes an essential tool in homes and offices.

1991:1991:

The global Cold War ends when the Soviet Union collapsed. Tensions The global Cold War ends when the Soviet Union collapsed. Tensions eased and conflicts were resolved. People hoped for peace. eased and conflicts were resolved. People hoped for peace.

Ethnic Conflict – Within many nations, ethnic groups have clashed. In Ethnic Conflict – Within many nations, ethnic groups have clashed. In some countries conflicts have erupted between rival ethnic and some countries conflicts have erupted between rival ethnic and religious groups.religious groups.

New Nations Seek New Nations Seek StabilityStability

After winning independence, new nations had high hopes for After winning independence, new nations had high hopes for the future.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 Democracy did make some progress in the late 1980s and 1990s.1990s.

Africa, Asian and Latin America had been ruled by dictators Africa, Asian and Latin America had been ruled by dictators held multiparty elections. 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 NewOld Ways and New

Since 1945, people in the world have flocked to cities to find Since 1945, people in the world have flocked to cities to find jobs and escape poverty. Cities offer economic opportunities jobs and escape poverty. Cities offer economic opportunities and attractions such as sports, concerts and stores.and attractions such as sports, concerts and stores.

Some newcomers settled in shantytowns which were slums on Some newcomers settled in shantytowns which were slums on the outskirts of the cities. They are very crowded and the outskirts of the cities. They are very crowded and dangerous. There are a lot of drugs and crime.dangerous. There are a lot of drugs and crime.

New Rights & Role For New Rights & Role For WomenWomen

After 1945, women’s movements brought changes to both the After 1945, women’s movements brought changes to both the western and the developing worlds. By 1950, women had won western and the developing worlds. By 1950, women had won the right to vote in most European nations, as well in Japan, the right to vote in most European nations, as well in Japan, China, Brazil, and other countries. A small number of women China, Brazil, and other countries. A small number of women won elected office.won elected office.

In the industrial world, more and more women worked outside In the industrial world, more and more women worked outside the home. By the 1970s, the feminist movement sought greater the home. By the 1970s, the feminist movement sought greater access for women to jobs and promotions, and equal play. access for women to jobs and promotions, and equal play. Women advanced into good jobs such as business owners and Women advanced into good jobs such as business owners and executives, scientists, and technicians.executives, scientists, and technicians.

Science & Science & TechnologyTechnology

Since 1945 many things have changed.Since 1945 many things have changed.

ComputersComputers were first built in the 1940s and were huge and slow. With were first built in the 1940s and were huge and slow. With the invention of the silicon chip by 2000 a huge computer network the invention of the silicon chip by 2000 a huge computer network linked businesses, governments and individuals around the world. We linked businesses, governments and individuals around the world. We now can communicate, and buy and sell on line.now can communicate, and buy and sell on line.

Medical BreakthroughsMedical Breakthroughs Scientists developed new antibiotics. Scientists developed new antibiotics. Vaccines wiped out some diseases and prevented the spread of others. Vaccines wiped out some diseases and prevented the spread of others. By 2000, new challenges arose with the spread of deadly diseases By 2000, new challenges arose with the spread of deadly diseases such as AIDS. In the 70s , surgeons learned to transplant organs to such as AIDS. In the 70s , surgeons learned to transplant organs to save lives. Success was also made in save lives. Success was also made in treating some cancers.treating some cancers.

The Space AgeThe Space Age 1957 the Soviet Union launched Sputnik into orbit. In 1957 the Soviet Union launched Sputnik into orbit. In 1969, the United States landed the first man on the moon. Since the 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 Cold War, the United States and Russia have cooperated in joint space ventures.ventures.

A New Global A New Global CultureCulture

Modern communications technology has created a new world”Modern communications technology has created a new world”

Radio, TV, fax machines, satellites, and computer networksRadio, TV, fax machines, satellites, and computer networks

have put people in touch and helped create a new global world.have put people in touch and helped create a new global world.

The United States is the driving force with fashions, products, The United States is the driving force with fashions, products, and entertainment.and entertainment.

The Arts…in the last 100 years, the western world has gained a The Arts…in the last 100 years, the western world has gained a new appreciation for the arts of other countries.new appreciation for the arts of other countries.

Looking AheadLooking Ahead

Many recent trends and issues emerged long Many recent trends and issues emerged long before 1945 and will continue for a long time. before 1945 and will continue for a long time.

At the same time, new issues and new At the same time, new issues and new conflicts will take shape.conflicts will take shape.