THE WORLD AFTER 1945

Global Issues Technology

Has changed life around the world and created a global culture by spreading ideas rapidly across borders

Human Rights Some countries have been accused of denying basic human

rights to their citizens In 1948, the UN issued the Universal Declaration of

Human Rights and in 1975, the Helsinki Accords

Terrorism Terrorism is the deliberate use of violence, especially against

civilians, to achieve political goals

Globalization The world has become more united but some countries fear

it has been too westernized

End of Colonial Empires

By the 1930s, nationalist movements had occurred in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East

In most areas, people achieved freedom through peaceful means Around 90 new countries emerged after WWII

The new nations of Africa, Asia and Latin America became known as the “developing world” All were determined to modernize: build stable

governments and developing the country economically

New Nations Seek Stability

People in new nations struggled to unite because of cultural differences Many countries struggled to maintain control and

military and authoritarian leaders often took control They imposed order by building one-party dictatorships

Despite setbacks, democracy did make some progress.

The most immediate threat to these developing nations is overpopulation High populations make it difficult to ensure

democracy, protect the population, and provide basic necessities

The Global Cold War The United States and the Soviet Union were

the superpowers of the post-war world Each superpower wanted new countries to adopt

its ideology (either capitalism or socialism) Some countries remained nonaligned (not

allied to either side in the Cold War) Their goal was to reduce world tensions and

promote economic policies that would benefit developing nations

In Africa, Latin America, and Asia local conflicts grew out of the Cold War The United States would often support one

side and the Soviets supported the other

Regional and Global Organizations

Since 1945, countries have grown increasingly interdependent (dependence of countries on other parts of the world)

The United Nations was set up at the end of World War II as a peacekeeping organization

Regional organizations like the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and the European Union (EU) have been formed to lower trade barriers and promote free exchange of goods and services

Global organizations like the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade and the World Trade Organization (WTO) also promote global trade policies

THE GLOBAL NORTH AND THE GLOBAL SOUTH

Global North

Location: Industrial nations of Europe and North America, as well as Japan and Australia.

Population: 25% of the world’s population Other Characteristics: wealthy, industrialized,

standard of living is high, high literacy rates, basic health services, capitalist economies, supports economic growth, control much of the world’s capital, trade, and technology

Environmental Concerns: acid rain, global warming, oil spills, nuclear power

Depends on the Global South for: low-paid workers, resources (like oil)

Global South

Location: Most nations lie in Asia, Africa and Latin America

Population: 75% of the world’s population Other characteristics: The “developing world”,

underdeveloped and poor, extreme poverty, migration

Obstacles to Development: geography, huge populations, poverty, economic dependence, political instability

Environmental Concerns: high populations have caused over-cultivation

Depends on the Global North for: new technology, aid, technical advisers, and loans