The World Since 1945:
to Present
Anthony Pretakiewicz
An End to European Colonial Empires

The postwar decades brought a major turning point in world
history.

The colonial empires crumbled.

The Cold War put strains on American society and the
government.

Nationalist movements began in the 1930s in Africa, Asia and
the Middle East.

After World War II nationalist leaders insisted on independence.
1945:

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.
Other Organizations

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 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.
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 1980.

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.

After the Cold War ended, many nations kept spending big
sums on the military.
Human Rights

In 1948, UN members approved the Universal Declaration of
Human Rights, which gave people basic rights and freedoms
without distinction of any kind: race, color, sex, language,
property, birth, or other status.

Human Rights include “the right to life, liberty, and security of
person.

In 1975, the national signed the Helsinki Accords which gave
rights to freedom of speech, religion, and the press, rights to a
fair trial, earn a living and live in safety.
Terrorism

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.

To combat terrorism, governments have passed tough laws and
increased watchfulness.
GLOBAL NORTH AND SOUTH

The Cold War created a split between the communist East and
the capitalist West.

Rich nations – the global North includes the industrial nations
of Europe and North America, as well as Japan and Australia.
They control most of the world’s wealth and have basically
capitalist economies.

Poor Nations – The global South refers to the developing world.
Most of these nations lie in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. The
South has 75% of the world’s population and much of its
natural resources. The global South remains underdeveloped
and poor and life is a daily struggle for survival.
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.
1969:
On July 21, American astronaut Neil Armstrong
became the first man to walk on the moon.
1980s:
The computer becomes an essential tool in
homes and offices.
1991:

The global Cold War ends when the Soviet Union collapsed. Tensions
eased and conflicts were resolved. People hoped for peace.

Ethnic Conflict – Within many nations, ethnic groups have clashed. In
some countries conflicts have erupted between rival ethnic and
religious groups.
New Nations Seek Stability

After winning independence, new nations had high hopes for
the future.

People in new nations came from different cultural traditions.

As problems multiplied, the military leaders often took control.

Democracy did make some progress in the late 1980s and
1990s.

Africa, Asian and Latin America had been ruled by dictators
held multiparty elections.
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 New

Since 1945, people in the world have flocked to cities to find
jobs and escape poverty. Cities offer economic opportunities
and attractions such as sports, concerts and stores.

Some newcomers settled in shantytowns which were slums on
the outskirts of the cities. They are very crowded and
dangerous. There are a lot of drugs and crime.
New Rights & Role For Women

After 1945, women’s movements brought changes to both the
western and the developing worlds. By 1950, women had won
the right to vote in most European nations, as well in Japan,
China, Brazil, and other countries. A small number of women
won elected office.

In the industrial world, more and more women worked outside
the home. By the 1970s, the feminist movement sought greater
access for women to jobs and promotions, and equal play.
Women advanced into good jobs such as business owners and
executives, scientists, and technicians.
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.

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.
A New Global Culture

Modern communications technology has created a new world”

Radio, TV, fax machines, 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 Arts…in the last 100 years, the western world has gained a
new appreciation for the arts of other countries.
Looking Ahead

Many recent trends and issues emerged long
before 1945 and will continue for a long time.

At the same time, new issues and new
conflicts will take shape.