Download Post WWII The World after 1945

Post WWII: The World from 1945 to Today
1. What was the Cold War really about? Was it a war in the traditional sense?
The cold war was a war of ideologies between Western democracies and
Eastern communist countries over communism versus capitalism. It wasn’t
a war in the traditional sense because it wasn’t primarily fought on
battlefields. There were threats of violence, but neither side really wanted
to attack because no one wanted another world war.
2. What was the arms race? Who was involved?
The arms race was a period when the U.S. and the Soviet Union built up
their armies and weapons just in case a war was declared. There was
particular interest in developing news way of weapon delivery. This led to
the Space Race.
3. What was the Space Race? Who was involved?
Space exploration served as another dramatic arena for Cold War
competition. On October 4, 1957, a Soviet R-7 intercontinental ballistic
missile launched Sputnik (Russian for “traveler”), the world’s first artificial
satellite and the first man-made object to be placed into the Earth’s orbit.
Sputnik’s launch came as a surprise, and not a pleasant one, to most
Americans. In the United States, space was seen as the next frontier, a
logical extension of the grand American tradition of exploration, and it was
crucial not to lose too much ground to the Soviets. In addition, this
demonstration of the overwhelming power of the R-7 missile–seemingly
capable of delivering a nuclear warhead into U.S. air space–made gathering
intelligence about Soviet military activities particularly urgent.
By landing on the moon, the United States effectively “won” the space race
that had begun with Sputnik’s launch in 1957. For their part, the Soviets
made four failed attempts to launch a lunar landing craft between 1969 and
1972, including a spectacular launch-pad explosion in July 1969. From
beginning to end, the American public’s attention was captivated by the
space race, and the various developments by the Soviet and U.S. space
programs were heavily covered in the national media. This frenzy of
interest was further encouraged by the new medium of television.
Astronauts came to be seen as the ultimate American heroes, and earthbound men and women seemed to enjoy living vicariously through them.
Soviets, in turn, were pictured as the ultimate villains, with their massive,
relentless efforts to surpass America and prove the power of the communist
system
4. What was the iron curtain?
The Iron Curtain was a term coined by Winston Churchill to describe how
communist countries in eastern Europe were isolates from the West.
Information and people were not allowed to flow into or out of the areas
controlled by communism.
Name_______________________________
5. What was the Berlin Wall?
The Berlin Wall was a wall separating the East(Communist) half of Berlin,
and the West(Democratic) side of Berlin. The wall was erected to keep
people from escaping the terrible living conditions in the East, to the
freedom of the west. The Wall became THE major symbol of the Cold War.
6. What was the Berlin Airlift and who was involved?
In response to the Soviet blockade of land routes into West Berlin, the
United States begins a massive airlift of food, water, and medicine to the
citizens of the besieged city. For nearly a year, supplies from American
planes sustained the over 2 million people in West Berlin.
The Soviets persisted with the blockade until May 1949. By then, however,
it was apparent to everyone concerned that the blockade had been a
diplomatic fiasco for the Russians. Around the world, the Soviets were
portrayed as international bullies, holding men, women, and children
hostage in West Berlin and threatening them with starvation. The
unbelievably successful American airlift also backfired against the
Russians by highlighting the technological superiority of the United States.
By the time the Soviets ended the blockade, West Germany had become a
separate and independent nation and the Russian failure was complete.
7. Why did the U.S. become involved in the conflicts between North and
South Korea and North and South Vietnam?
The U.S. became involved in both conflicts because they were afraid that
if communists took over noncommunist countries, other Asian countries
might also become communist. The United States wanted to stop the spread
of Communism in as many locations as possible. They saw communism as
a direct threat to democracy and their way of life.
8. Describe the term Globalization. What are some of the advantages to being
global?
Globalization is the process of making something worldwide, or global.
The term globalization refers to the integration of economics. Cultures, and
government policies around the world. Trade between countries, the
sharing of cultures, travel, and intergovernmental politics are all aspects of
globalization.
There are many advantages to being so connected: Organization from
different countries can work together to solve major issues like poverty,
climate change, and terrorism
Post WWII: The World from 1945 to Today
9. Describe the Following World Organizations:
a. OPEC – The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries. An
inter-governmental organization of 13 oil producing countries. Its
mission is to ensure the stabilization of the oil markets.
b. WTO – World Trade Organization. The only global international
organization with rules of trade between nations. The goal of the
WTO is help producers of goods and services sell their goods; help
exporters and importers conduct their business; and to promote free
and predictable trade between the 157 participating nations. The
WTO administers trade agreements and negotiations, helps with
disputes and policies, and provides assistance to developing
nations trying to enter the global economy.
c. UN – United Nation. The UN replaced the failed League of
Nations. Its primary purpose is to help prevent any further world
war by focusing on peace and international security. Meeting
between the 193 member countries are held in New York.
d. WHO – World Health Organization. The WHO oversees
healthcare situations for the United Nations. It provides leadership
for global health issues, technical assistance for developing
countries, sets the standards for global health, and monitors trends
in the health of humans.
e. EU – European Union. The EU is a unique economic and political
partnership between 27 countries in Europe. This organization was
developed after WWII and promotes human rights. The EU created
a common currency to be used among its member nations called
the Euro and allowed Europeans to travel freely through the
member countries.
f. NATO – North Atlantic Treaty Organization. A military alliance
that seeks peace and security. there are 28 member nations in
Europe and North America. NATO can send troops to handle crisis
situations around the world to try to keep peace between nations.
g. NAFTA – North American Free Trade Agreement. An agreement
between Canada, Mexico, and the United States signed in 1994 that
allowed for free trade between those neighboring nations. It created
the largest area of free trade in the world.
h. G20 – Group of 20 finance ministers and central bank governors
(including the EU). They act as a forum for leaders to handle
international financial matters. The G20 summit (meeting) is held
yearly in different locations around the world.
10.
Name_______________________________
What is a non-governmental organization (NGO). Give some examples.
A term used to describe organizations created by people who are not
involved in government. There are approximately 40,000 NGOs that focus
on human rights, environmental protects and awareness, and development.
Usually these organizations go into a country and does “charity” work
without any financial support for any government. Example include
Doctors Without Borders, the Red Cross, Greenpeace.
11.
What exactly happened on September 11, 2001?
On September 11, 2001, terrorists attacked the Unites States. They hijacked
four airplanes in mid-flight. The terrorists flew two of the planes into two
skyscrapers at the World Trade Center in New York City. The impact
caused the buildings to catch fire and collapse. Another plane destroyed
part of the Pentagon (the U.S. military headquarters) in Arlington, Virginia.
The fourth plane crashed in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. Officials believe
that the terrorists on that plane intended to destroy either the White House
or the U.S. Capitol. Passengers on the plane fought the terrorists and
prevented them from reaching their goal. In all, nearly 3,000 people were
killed in the 9/11 attacks.
12.
How did the events of 9/11 changed the world?
Following 9/11, the U.S. government took many steps to try to make the
country safer. It tightened security at airports and in public buildings. A
new cabinet-level department—the Department of Homeland Security—
was created. It works to protect the United States from terrorism.