Cold War and Decolonization 1900-Present Module Overview

Introduction

Berlin Wall Image The states of Latin America experienced a tremendous amount of change and economic growth during the 20th century. On the other hand, the Latin American states continued to experience instability and frustration as they struggled to find the right political and social formula. The end of World War II brought with it circumstances that resulted in tremendous change for Japan and the Pacific Rim. Japan had begun its modernization and expansionism by the beginning of the 20th century and had become a major imperialistic power by the eve of World War II. Once the Second World War was concluded Japan as a defeated power began a new era of modernization and industrialization. Other less powerful states in the Pacific Rim such as Korea found themselves in a transitional mode serving as pawns in the ideological struggle between the Cold War powers of the east and the west. The Age of the Empires came to an end as the 20th century progressed. Both World War I and World War II played a substantial role in the end of European domination of the world. Colonial territories in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East saw inherent weaknesses within the European states which encouraged nationalistic leadership demanding the end of foreign domination. As the century progressed and independence had been achieved by most of these territories, these newly independent states experienced difficulties in establishing competent governments. As they took their place in international politics new dynamics arose in maintaining international peace. The World Wars of the 20th century truly signaled the end of a world in which one state is able to separate itself from the politics of the others. Modern technology, transportation, and communication made the world a much smaller place making the policy of isolationism no longer possible and globalization a reality.

Essential Questions

Explain the historical context of the Cold War after 1945.
What were the causes and effects of the ideological struggle of the Cold War?
In what ways did the United States and the Soviet Union seek to maintain influence over the course of the Cold War?
What were the causes and consequences of China's adoption of communism?
Explain the causes and effects of movements to redistribute economic resources.
Compare the processes by which various peoples pursued independence after 1900.
How did political changes in the period c. 1900 to the present led to territorial, demographic, and nationalist developments?
What economic changes and continuities resulted from the process of decolonization?
Explain various reactions to existing power structures in the period after 1900.
What were the causes of the end of the Cold War?
Explain the extent to which the effects of the Cold War were similar in the Eastern and Western Hemispheres.

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