C O L D W A R T H A W S …

N E W C O U N T R I E S E M E R G E …

I N T E R C O N N E C T E D N E S S A N D G L O B A L I Z A T I O N W I N .

THAW AND CHANGE

New Nations

After WWII, countries slowly gained independence in Africa, Asia, and Eastern Europe

Fighting in the war made African and Asian soldiers unwilling to accept colonial domination when they returned home

Europe couldn’t afford colonies anymore

Don’t care about how colonies are dropped

Africa

Artificial borders drawn by the Europeans created tensions.

Some ethnic groups were split up and wanted to unite

Some ethnic groups were forced into the same country and fought over power

Violence, civil war, genocide

http://www.history.com/topics/rwandan-genocide/videos/rwanda-background-to-genocide

500,000-1 million dead in Rwanda

Up to 500,000 dead in Darfur

Apartheid

In South Africa, a small white minority had long ruled a large black majority Extreme segregation—blacks forced

to live on special land. No contact.

Blacks, lead by people like Nelson Mandela, seek change throughout the 20th century.

Finally, Apartheid declines from 1989-1996. Mandela elected President. New constitution.

Mandela was jailed from 1962-1990 for public

protests against Apartheid

India

After WWII, Britain could not afford to keep India.

Issue:

350 million Hindus; 100 million Muslims. Separate political parties. Who will rule?

Solution:

Partition—separate into two independent countries: India (Hindus) and Pakistan (Muslims)

August 15, 1947—countries became officially independent

Much violence between the groups (and Sikhs)

Soviet Union

In 1984, Mikhail Gorbachev becomes leader of the USSR.

young, energetic, and charismatic

Wants free flow of ideas and information

New Policies

1. Glasnost- increased openness and transparency in Soviet government and culture

Churches opened, rebels released from prison, books free from censorship, journalists more free to investigate

2. Perestroika- economic restructuring that increased local control over farms and factories

People could open small private businesses

Increased efficiency and worker motivation

3. Democratization- new legislative elections and emphasis on arms control, not arms buildup

Nations Call for Independence

Over 100 ethnic groups in the Soviet Union

Russians were the biggest, but the 14 other Soviet republics had significant power

Most non-Russians seek independence from the USSR

Traditionalists fight to keep Communism

Fall of 1991, several events lead to the peaceful dissolving of the Soviet Union.

Communist Party loses power, Gorbachev steps down, 15 independent states emerge

Violence and rebellion continues in this region ex: Chechnya

Crimea!

Germany Reunifies

Unrest in East Germany leads to major demonstrations calling for free travel and elections

November 9, 1989: East German leader opens the Berlin Wall…thinks it will calm the protests Only adds to the fire! By the end of 1989, Communism is dead in East

Germany

October 3, 1990: Germany is officially reunified Had to convince the world it was ready and responsible

East portion needed MUCH updating and economic aid

Now, Germany is one of the strongest economies in Europe!

Reform in Europe in the 1990’s

Communist countries like Poland, Hungary, and Romania turn to free market reforms

Conservative Czechoslovakia becomes democratic and splits in 1993 (Czech Republic, Slovakia)

Yugoslavia endures much ethnic conflict (8 different ethnic groups!) and soon beaks up into smaller countries after bloody wars.

Israel & Palestine

In 1917, a British minister publicly favored a “national home for the Jewish People” in Palestine (Balfour Declaration)

After WWII, the United Nations voted to divide Palestine in two; part for the Palestinians people (both Christian and

Muslim) part for the Jews Residents of Palestine were not consulted!

Tensions between groups have existed ever since. Wars, taking of territory, settlements, failed peace talks Ideal: a “two state solution” where Jews and

Palestinians can live in peace with their own gov’ts