The World Since 1945

1. The World Since 1945

2. East & Southeast Asia • Japan • American Occupation of Japan: • Goals • To destroy militarism. • To ensure a democratic government. • Reforms • Japan formed a representative democracy with a new constitution forcing the emperor from power.  • Japan also rebuilt their industries using aid from the U.S. • Occupation ended in 1952, and Japan has since become the United State's strongest ally in the East, and also its main economic competitor around the world.

3. East & Southeast Asia • Japanese Successes • Trade & Investment • Developed a favorable balance of trade by importing raw materials, while exporting more profitable finished goods. • Trade Issue and Dependence on Oil • Japan’s need for raw materials showed the negativity of interdependence. • OPEC’s oil price hikes in the 1970s hurt Japan’s economy leading them to seek out new energy sources.

4. China

5. China • Equality of Women in China • Women won equality under the law in China’s new constitution, changing many traditions in the country. While women made progress they did not enjoy full economic or social equality.

6. China • Biography: Mao Zedong (1893-1976) • Leader of the Communist Party in China that overthrew Jiang Jieshi and the Nationalists. Established China as the People’s Republic of China and ruled from 1949 until 1976. • Deng Xiaoping (1904-1997) • Chinese Communist leader. Ruled from 1978 until 1997.

7. China • Tiananmen Square Massacre • A political and social protest by university students in Beijing, China in 1989. The protest called for political and social reforms and resulted in the government using the military to end it, which caused hundreds of deaths, thousands of injured, and many more imprisoned. • Population Policies • Due to overcrowding the Chinese government instituted a one-child-per-family policy. • Family who followed the policy were rewarded while those who didn’t, faced fines.

8. The Asian Tigers • Taiwan • Has experienced periods to Japanese, Chinese and American influence, but in Sept. 2007 asserted their independence from China. • Hong Kong • Turned into an economic force under British imperial control, but was returned to China in 1997. • Singapore • Also turned into an economic force under British imperial control and became independent in 1963. This clean, quiet and orderly country pays a price for stability with limits on their freedom.

9. North Korea Kim Il Sung brought Communism. Refused reforms in the 1960s. Under Kim Jong Il, failed government policies and terrible floods destroyed harvests. In the late 1990s North Korea accepted food aid from the U.S. and South Korea. South Korea Strong economy due to low wages, long hours and worker sacrifices. 1990s prosperity led to higher wages. 1997 Asian financial crisis brought hardships, but conditions bettered by 2000. Became democracy after direct elections were held in 1987. The Two Koreas • Similarities • Most Koreans want to see their country reunited & the Korean War was fought for that purpose. • They share the same history, language and culture. • Restoring unity is of global interest because of Korea’s strategic location in Asia.

10. Independence in Southeast Asia • Vietnam • By 1954, Ho Chi Minh had succeeded in establishing North Vietnam, with the military aid of the communist world.  In order to stop the spread of communism, the United States took control of South Vietnam from France and established a democratic government under the leadership of Ngo Dinh Diem.  The Vietnam conflict between North and South Vietnam would not end until the mid-1970's, with a Communist victory. • Philippines • In 1946 the Philippines gained their independence from the U.S. The Philippines became a dictatorship under Ferdinand Marcos, but turned to a democracy under Corazon Aquino. • Myanmar (Burma) • Military rulers imposed state socialism similar to China for nearly 30 years. Under the strife, Aung San Suu Kyi won elections in Myanmar in 1990, but when the election was rejected, Suu Kyi was put under house arrest and as of 1995 still fights for a democratic government. • Indonesia • A country of over 13,000 islands with a Muslim majority. The authoritarian government has struggled over the past 30 years with economic and human rights issues.

11. South Asia • The Largest Democracy—India • After Muhammad Ali Jinnah persuaded the British to partition, or divide India and Gandhi was assassinated, India and Pakistan went in two different directions. • India set up a federal system like the U.S. where powers were divided between a strong central government and smaller local governments.

12. India • Biography: Jawaharlal Nehru • Rising to Congress President under the mentorship of Mahatma Gandhi, Nehru was a charismatic, radical leader, advocating complete independence from the British Empire, and was eventually recognized as Gandhi's political heir. • “Nehru Dynasty” • His daughter Indira and grandson Rajiv would both also serve as Prime Minister and President of the Indian National Congress, as would Rajiv's wife Sonia. His long tenure was instrumental in shaping the traditions and structures of independent India.

13. Obstacles to progress in India • Green Revolution • Better irrigation, machinery, chemical fertilizers and pesticides. • Increase food production • Population Increase • Tripled since independence • Relation • Green Revolution eliminated agricultural jobs, overcrowding cities without enough jobs. • Goals • Build a Modern Secular State • Federal System • Promote Social Justice • Obstacles • India’s size • Diversity: Regional & Religious Divisions • Population issue

14. India • Social Changes • Caste System • Gandhi campaigned to end inhumane treatment of untouchables (harijans – children of god). While some reforms have been made, untouchability is still an issue. • Women • Upper & Middle Class women became educated, but poor women received little education and low paying jobs. • Nuclear Issue • As of 1998 both India and Pakistan had tested nuclear weapons, a dangerous sign due to their religious past.

15. Middle East • Forces Shaping the Modern Middle East • Religious & Ethnic Differences • Judaism, Christianity & Islam • Over 30 different languages • Differences have led to divisions • Natural Resources • Oil and water • Governments • Mainly authoritarian (dictators or monarchs), few democracies (Israel & Turkey). • Islamic Traditions • Many Islamic reforms over the last 30 years have seen Muslims resorting back to the laws of the Quran and the Sharia instead of Westernizing.

16. Middle East • Birth of Israel (Balfour Declaration) • A promise made by British Prime Minister Arthur James Balfour to create a homeland for the Jewish people in 1917. This was not realized until 1948. • Turkey Modernizes • Became a NATO nation during the Cold War with the help of the United States. • Government & Economy • Became a democracy and was strengthened by Muslim reformers. • Their economy was modernized through farming and industry. This did bring urbanization, which led to overcrowding and unemployment.

17. Iran Oil rich nation Shah carried out U.S. desires (1953-1978) Shah became repressive to enemies. Ayatollah Khomeini gains control in 1979. Creates a theocracy based on Quran and Sharia. Egypt Nassar nationalized the Suez Canal in 1956. Limited economic success under Socialism. Gave Egyptian people more farmland and irrigation with the Aswan High Dam Later leaders Sadat & Mubarak made peace with Israel, but faced economic problems and urbanization. Middle East • Similarities • British colonial past. • Hatred toward Israel (Egypt under Nassar) • Heavily involved in Cold War politics

18. Middle East • Biography: Gamal Abdel Nasser • President of Egypt from 1956 to 1970. He was responsible for nationalizing the Suez Canal, and was an important leader to the Arab world. He was often at odds with the West and Israel. • Arab & Israeli Conflict • A series of wars were fought between the Jewish sate of Israel and the various surrounding Islamic states.  Religion was the core issue, while political and economic contentions made the wars have a global significance. • Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) : One time terrorist organization, now considered to be a legitimate political body whose goals have been to create a nation-state for the displaced Palestinians. The PLO was lead by Yasir Arafat until his death in 2004, the current leader is Mahmoud Abbas.

19. Middle East • Civil War in Lebanon • War in Lebanon lasting for 16 years (1975-1990). The war was fought along both religious as well as political borders, where especially the Maronite Christians, Shi'ite Muslims, the Druze (Islamic sect), PLO, the Israeli as well as the Syrian army were the main contenders. • As many as 150,000 died and the economic losses estimated to have been from US $8 and 12 billion. • While the capital city of Beirut has slowly returned to promise the country remains dependent on its neighbors for peace.

20. Middle East • Persian Gulf Wars • Iraq and Iran • Eight year war that ended in a stalemate after former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein seized a disputed border from Iran. • Iraq and Kuwait • Again, Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein attacked and gained access to Kuwaiti oil fields and to the highly important Persian Gulf.  It was feared that Iraq would attack Saudi Arabia, therefore, in 1991, the United States, attacked Iraqi forces in Kuwait and drove them out.  The Persian Gulf War ended within weeks of its beginning.  However, Iraq was able to set fire to thousands of Kuwaiti oil-pipe lines prior to being ousted, creating a huge environmental disaster. 

21. Africa • Routes to Freedom • Ghana: The nationalist leader Kwame Nkrumah was a believer in the principles of Gandhi.  He established autonomy for Ghana through civil disobedience and passive resistance.  • Kenya: Kenya's nationalist leader, Jomo Kenyatta, used passive resistance like Nkrumah in Ghana.  However, Great Britain refused to end its control of Kenya and had imprisoned Kenyatta for guerilla warfare.  Regardless, the Mau Mau, Kenyan guerilla fighters, resisted British troops until Great Britain released Kenyatta and left in 1963 with Kenyatta as the prime minister of a free Kenya.   • Algeria: In 1962 they celebrated their freedom after the National Liberation Front fought against the French for 8 years.

22. Africa • Effects of Colonial Rulers (Colonial Heritage) • Economic Changes • Countries had to endure short-term problems to enjoy long-term success, but countries still struggle with their type of economy and ways of feeding their population. • Political Changes • “Tribal” leaders led to One-Party or Military rule. In need of loans countries legalized opposition parties, lifted censorship and allowed elections by the mid-1980s. • Education & Health Care • With many nations resources stripped by imperialism Africa struggles to properly teach and keep healthy a continent that grew 370 million people in 25 years. • Artificial Borders • When Imperialism ended many Africans felt loyalty to their ethnic group not a faceless national government.

23. Africa • Obstacles to Development • Population & Poverty: People are beginning to out number food and jobs. • Political Problems: Civil Wars are still being fought for control over land in their countries. • Economic Dependence: Because most countries can not support themselves they rely on other nations for food and resources. • Land & Climate: With a hot climate and desert land, farming is increasingly difficult with desertification and deforestation. • Economic Policies: Struggling with socialism or capitalism alone, some nations have turned to mixed economies where there are private and state run enterprises.

24. Africa Sahel • People & Environment (problems then & now) • Drought & Famine: Hit hardest in the 1970s and 80s, but international efforts helped save millions facing starvation. • Deforestation: To boost earnings rainforests were slashed, the soil’s nutrients were washed away, but the Greenbelt movement by Wangari Maathi started to restore the environment. • AIDS: This epidemic has effected 21 million Africans with about 4 million new infections each year. • Nigeria • Possesses oil, large population, fertile farm areas and two rivers. • Religious strife between Muslim north and Christian south. • Experienced oil wealth in the 1970s. • Economy nearly collapsed when oil prices fell in 1980s. • Since independence, often lived under military rule, but has since Democratically elected.

25. Africa • Congo/Zaire • Rushed to independence in 1960 by Belgium. • Nation included 200 ethnic groups and 100 political parties. • Mobutu Sese Seko controlled the country for 34 years by killing rivals and stealing money. • Late 1990s Mobutu overthrown. • By 2001 the Congo and its 9 neighbors were involved in the violent power struggles. • Tanzania • Formerly German land transferred to Britain after WWI. • One Party Rule under Socialist Julius Nyerere. • People worked as farmers to help export coffee, cotton, tea and tobacco. • Nyerere promoted ujamaa or family hood, this failed as farm output did not rise. • Reforms when Nyerere resigned in 1985. Ali Hassan Mwinyi was able to provide water, schools and health care to the people. • Zimbabwe • Originally controlled by Cecil Rhodes in the 1890s. • White, Ian Smith declared independence in 1965 when Britain supported black majority rule. • Through leaders Robert Mugabe & Joshua Nkomo the nation of Zimbabwe was formed in 1980. • Mugabe’s one party leadership was hurt by sanctions, drought and tensions over land ownership that led to renewed violence in 2000.

26. Apartheid • A political policy in South Africa where black South Africans could only live in certain areas, were required to use separate trains, beaches, restaurants, and schools, and could not enter into an interracial marriage. • Resistance to Apartheid/ANC(African National Congress) • A group formed in protest of the policy of Apartheid in South Africa. It was eventually outlawed due to their violent tactics, and Nelson Mandela, one of its leaders, was imprisoned for over thirty years.

27. Biographies • Nelson Mandela (1918 – present) • A black South African leader who protested the policy of Apartheid and spent over thirty years in prison before becoming the first black president of South Africa. • F.W. de Klerk (1936 – present) • The white South African president who ended Apartheid in the early 1990s. • Desmond Tutu (1931- present) • Former schoolteacher, ordained priest and bishop who crusaded against apartheid.

28. South Africa’s Long Struggle • 1948: The Afrikaner National Party wins majority in “white only” parliament. • 1960: 69 men, women and children gunned down in Sharpeville Massacre during a peaceful demonstration against Apartheid. • 1964: Nelson Mandela was arrested for conspiracy and condemned to life in prison. • 1980s: Demands to end Apartheid and free Mandela intensify. • 1989-1990: New South African President F.W. de Klerk ends Apartheid, repeals the pass laws and lifts the ban on the ANC. Mandela was freed in 1990. • 1994: First multiracial elections in which Mandela was elected President of the new democratic South Africa.

29. The Past & Present of Africa • Urbanization • ½ of African people live in cities. • Developed national identity, but weakened traditional cultures. • Women • Upper class/Educated women experienced upward social mobility • Urban and Rural women experienced few rights as constitutions were not enforced. • The educated class is working to make rights better for all women. • Religion • People in Africa are predominately Christian and Islamic. • Both religions have met resistance to growth or lack of toleration in Rwanda (Christians) & Algeria (Muslims). • The UN • After Independence African countries joined the United Nations. • In addition to being peacekeepers, the UN has helped with health care, literacy, economic development, ending racism, imperialism and uneven distribution of wealth.

30. Unrest in Latin America • Gap Between Rich & Poor – tiny elite refused reforms that threatened their power. • Social Classes – Upper = Europeans, while Lower = mestizos, Natives & Africans. • Population and Poverty – 400 to 600 million in 10 years, led to poverty. • Urban Growth – 70% live in cities, poor conditions, but more opportunity for growth. • Military Regimes – Caudillos took over Latin American countries, oppressing and murdering dissenters. • Augusto Pinochet (1973-1990), in Chile, Pinochet expanded the economy through capitalism, but this was one of the few successes. • Democratic Revival – After military regimes of the 1960s – 1970s, the mid-1980s brought elections after many repressive leaders stepped aside.

31. Revolution in Cuba & Regional Issues • Biography: Fidel Castro • Leader of the Cuban Revolution and communist dictator of Cuba. He is responsible for making Cuba a socialist country which has often been at odds with the United States. • Bay of Pigs • An unsuccessful invasion of Cuba in 1961, which was sponsored by the United States. Its purpose was to overthrow Cuban dictator Fidel Castro. • Cuban Missile Crisis • Crises that developed as a result of Cuban dictator Fidel Castro’s decision to allow the Soviet Union to base nuclear missiles in Cuba. Upon discovery, the United States confronted the Soviet Union and demanded the missiles be removed. For nearly two weeks, nuclear war was imminent. Fortunately, diplomacy succeeded and crisis was averted. • U.S. – Cuba Trade Policies • The U.S had a trade embargo against Cuba since the Cold War, but with Cuba no longer a threat this is unlikely to continue. • Drug Wars • After drug lords made huge profits off of illegal drugs in the 1970s the U.S. headed up efforts in the 1980s to destroy coca crops and fight against the spread of drug trafficking and usage.

32. Mexico • Politics/PRI • The Institutional Revolution Party (PRI) held control of Mexican politics from the Revolution in 1929 until 2000. • Poverty & Prosperity • 1970s Economic Boom • Cause: Change from agriculture to industry. • Effect: Urbanization & new oil reserves found. • 1980s Economic Decline • Cause: Recession put Mexico into debt. • Effect: The government reduced barriers to foreign businesses and privatized some industries, in order to pay off debts.

33. War & Peace in Central America • Nicaragua • Under support of the U.S. the Somoza family was in control from 1936-1979. After decades of looting the country a revolutionary group called the Sandinistas overthrew the government. Then President Reagan backed a guerilla group called the contras, but the Sandinistas maintained political control until 1990. • Guatemala • Another example of authoritarian control gone wrong in which the common person struggled with civil war, repression and poor government. With help from the U.S. the 30 year civil war ended in 1996, giving rights to the Guatemalan people.

34. Argentina & Brazil Argentina Brazil *Spanish descent * Portugese descent *Isabel Peron, first *Military regime fought female president in * Urbanization Communism with help Western Hemisphere. led to poverty. from U.S. * Dirty War: army * Rich in natural res. * Rejected monarchy terrorism of leftist * Experienced periods in favor of a republic. guerilla, political of military rule. * Squatters fought enemies in 1976. * Had democratic land owners for * Tried to take elections in land during the Falkland Islands from 1980s. Landless Movement Britain, this loss ended military control. • Juan Peron & Getulio Vargas improved wages & worker benefits for the urban poor.