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LANGARA COLLEGE
HISTORY 1130
Modern History: 1939 to the Present
Dr. Marjory Lang
Office B247e
Phone: 604-323-5837
e-mail: mlang@langara.bc.ca
I check + answer email twice a day
Office Hours:
T: 11: 30-12:30
R: 14:30-15:30
World War II was more thoroughly a world war than any in our history. It destroyed communities,
nations and empires. In its wake a cold war held a super-power dominated world in tense
stability. This course examines the character and consequences of World War II and the Cold
War, as well as developments in new centres of global power. After a general survey of major
themes in super-power politics up to the break-up of the Soviet Empire, we will then concentrate
on the recent background of events in two regions, China and the Middle East.
REQUIRED READING:
Walter LaFeber, America, Russia and the Cold War
Plus: Chapters from Michael Gasster, China's Struggle to Modernize and
Richard Andersen et al, Politics and Change in the Middle East which are on reserve in the
library
RECOMMENDED READING:
Robin Winks and RJQ Adams, Europe in Crisis and Conflict
Students' responsibilities:
Students are required to attend lectures and read the texts. Reading assignments correspond
to lecture topics, but they do not duplicate the lectures. The text provides a chronological
overview, specialized articles give more penetrating analysis of the events under review.
Students are responsible for both lectures and readings.
Students will be evaluated on the basis of an annotated bibliography in preparation for a
research paper plus two examinations based on lectures and assigned readings. Class
participation is based on student response to in class questions and attendance.
Distribution of marks
Mid-Term examinations
Annotated Bibliography
Research paper
Class participation
Final
25
10
25
10
30
PART ONE: World War to Cold War
Grading Scale
90-100 A+
85-89
A
80-84
A76-79
B+
72-75
B
BC+
C
CD
F
68-71
64-67
60-63
55-59
50-54
<50
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World War Two will be examined in three theatres: the war in Europe with
Britain and her allies and then the US fighting against Germany; The Nazi-Soviet
struggle; the Pacific War. Once the Axis powers were defeated, the war
evolved into the Cold War conflict between the US and the USSR, which sees
Europe divided and a hot war develop in Korea. The Post War collapse of
European Empires opened new opportunities for competition between the
remaining super- powers. As Khruschev replaced Stalin and Eisenhower
succeeded Truman, the Cold War stabilized but flared up again in the Kennedy
administration with the Cuban Missile Crisis.
Week 1
Jan 6-8
Week 2
Jan 13-15
Week 3
Jan 20-2
Introduction and
World War II in Europe
World War II: The Eastern
Front & Pacific War
End of the Grand Alliance
+ the Origins of the Cold War
Week 4
Jan 27-29 Two Solitudes: Cold War USA
+ Cold War USSR
Week 5
Feb 3-5
Readings in LaFeber
Intro
Ch 1
Ch 2 + 3
Ch 4-6
Rules of the Game
Khruschev vs Eisenhower
+ Kennedy
Ch. 7-9
pp. 231-9
Week 6
Feb 10
FEB 12
Cuban Missile Crisis + Review
MID TERM
pp. 213-9
Week 7
Feb 17
Vietnam
pp. 239-265
Chapter 11
Feb 21
Mid Term Break
PART TWO focuses on three distinct historical regions: Europe, China, and the
Middle East
I. European Unity
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As the United States grappled with its principal Cold War tragedy in Vietnam,
and the Soviet Union entered its long decline, Europe in the West and East
struggled to break from super-power domination. This process culminates in the
end of the Soviet Union and increasing unity in Europe.
Week 8
Feb 24-26 Western European Unity
Eastern European rebellion
Feb 24
Annotated Bibliography Due
Week 9
Mar 3-5
The End of the Soviet Empire
Review relevant
pages in La Feber
" + Ch 12-13
II. China in Revolution
As the twentieth century opens, China is powerless before Western
Imperialism but throughout the century, nationalist leaders will seek to repel the
foreign dominators and struggle to find a new identity for China. The Communist
leader, Mao Zedong triumphs and leads China along a turbulent path to
independence in isolation. Following the death of Mao a new generation of
leaders gradually alters the Maoist legacy and move China along the road to
economic superpower status.
Week 10
Mar 10-12
China in Revolution
Week 11
Mar 17-19
Maoist China and after
Review La Feber
Michael Gasster: China's
Struggle to Modernize
(Chapters on reserve in
library)
"
III. The Middle East
Conflict in the Middle East stems from the legacy of Imperialism which drew
the lines in the sand defining the modern nation states of the region. The
principal areas of violent confrontation are first, the long Arab-Israeli
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conflict and second, rivalry in the oil-rich Persian Gulf region which climaxed in
two Gulf Wars
Week 12
Mar 24-6
Background to Conflict
in the Middle East
Arab Israeli Wars
Week 13
March 31
Apr 2
Iranian Revolution and the Gulf Wars
April 7
Review
Andersen, Siebert and
Wagner
Chapters on reserve in
library
Review relevant pages in
LaFeber
"
Learning Outcomes:
Assuming students attend all the lectures and finish assigned readings
students will gain an overview of major themes in twentieth century history.
Specifically, they should become familiar with the motives and strategies
employed by each of the three Axis powers and how the Grand Alliance among
Britain, the United States and the Soviet Union and their allies came together to
defeat them. They should also understand how superpower conflict emerged out
of the wartime cooperation and how the ideological power struggle of the Cold
War determined internal as well as external affairs of both the United State and
the Soviet Union. As the Cold War stabilizes students should come to an
understanding of how Cold War competition shifted from Europe to the emerging
nations of the former European empires. They should also become familiar with
the way that European nations extricated themselves from Cold War
allegiances, especially as the Soviet Union deteriorated in the context of a
renewed Cold War. In examining China and the Middle East, students should
achieve an overview of the histories of these regions as well as an understanding
of how the legacy of Imperialism intersected with the framework of the Cold War.
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