The Coming of a New Millennium

TOWARD A GLOBAL COMMUNITY (1900 – PRESENT)

• Although relations between the Soviet Union & the U.S. began to improve after the 1970s, Cold War politics continued to affect events on the world stage:

– The U.S. supported the Pinchot dictatorship in Chile

– The 1979 Iranian Revolution brought an end to the U.S. backed monarch in favor of a religious, anti-American regime led by the Ayatollah

– The Soviets invaded Afghanistan, the U.S. supported a resistant movement

– The U.S. supported Contra rebels against the socialist Sandinistas in Nicaragua (Iran Contra Scandal, mid 80s)

• By the end of the 1980s the Soviet economic & political model were beginning to collapse. Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev introduced a policy of perestroika (restructuring) and glasnost (political

openness), which allowed for a softer fall.

• By the end of 1989 communist governments across eastern Europe had fallen unraveling the Soviet bloc & bringing an end to the Cold War. The Berlin Wall also came down.

• In 1990 Germany was reunified and democracy began to take shape in eastern Europe.

• However, ethnic divisions (& nationalism!) tested the survival of Yugoslavia and Czechoslovakia, which eventually erupted into conflict and fragmented into smaller states.

• The collapse of the Soviet Union meant the end of bipolarity and the beginning of a “unipolar” moment for the United States as they became the world’s only super power.

• How would the U.S. behave in this new position?

– Persian Gulf War: The U.S. formed a multilateral coalition to drive Iraq out of Kuwait.

– Iraq War: Following the 9/11 attacks the U.S. preemptively and for the most part unilaterally invaded & overthrew the Iraqi government.

• Some believed U.S. action was done because of their oil interests in the region. The stationing of troops in Saudi Arabia upset religious groups in the region and became the source of outrage for terrorist groups like Al-Qaeda.

• Although China remained “Communist” in name, by the 1970s the country under Deng Xiaoping began to make reforms in favor of capitalism. As a

result millions of people have been lifted out of poverty.

• However, steps toward democracy were not taken as exhibited by the squashed protests at Tiananmen Square in 1989.

Don’t forget the one child policy!

• Meanwhile Taiwan, South Korea, Hong Kong, & Singapore were developing into modern industrial and commercial economies (strong banking, electronic, &

textile industries) earning them the nickname the Asian Tigers.

• In contrast, Africa is still confronting decolonization and problems of order.

– Genocide in Rwanda, Sudan

– AIDS

– Poverty

– Civil War in the Congo

– Struggle for women’s rights

• On the bright side apartheid ended in South Africa. Nelson Mandela was elected president and prevented a “black” backlash against the once powerful white minority.

• In Latin America during the 70s & early 80s some nations flirted with what was called the “Brazilian Solution” a mix of dictatorship and government promoted industrialization. For example, military

dictatorships were established in Brazil, Chile, & Argentina. While various governments in Central America carried out assassinations, kidnappings, and other human rights abuses.

• However, by the year 2000 all Latin American governments had become democracies (except for Cuba), even in Mexico the once dominant PRI party lost their monopoly on power.

• Are the problems of disorder finally over?

• Economically some nations in the region were reluctant to adopt capitalism while others made free market changes. Critics of capitalism claimed that for

decades they had been abused by the American capitalist system compelled to export raw materials & import manufactured items. Dependency theorists argued that wealthier countries trapped poorer nations in debt by giving loans with high interest rates.

• Although capitalism & democracy were spreading, growing inequality was taking place around the world (part of the reason for populist / socialist leaders in Latin

America). The U.S., Europe, and Japan accounted for more 75% of the world’s economy by 2000.

• For example average per capita GNP . . .

– U.S., $34,280

– Russia, $1,750

– Bolivia, $950

– 20% of the world,

less than $500

• In addition to inequality there was also a concern about population growth. Between 1850-1914 the

population of Europe nearly doubled putting pressure on rural land and housing. As a result many people moved across the Atlantic during this time to the Americas. People feared this crisis would continue.

• However, population growth in the industrialized world (U.S., Europe, Japan) slowed due to societal changes (women put off having children to focus on a career,

contraception, desire to have a small family, etc.).

• At the same time life expectancy was increasing (however not true in Russia), thus resulting in “aging” populations (more old people compared to young people).

• In contrast, in the developing world there are more young people to old people and populations are continuing to grow (However, famines & lack of health care services do hinder life expectancy & overall growth).

• Whereas in the developed world welfare programs that depend upon working young people to support the elderly are being put in jeopardy, in the developing world there aren’t always enough jobs for younger workers.

• As a result, a large number of people from the developing world have migrated (legally & illegally) to the developed regions of Europe (from the Middle East,

North Africa) & the U.S. (from Latin America).

• Consequently, problems of “nativism” and “racism” have sprouted as has the question of cultural identity.

• Internal migration has also taken place: – urban sprawl in the developed world

– rural-to-urban migration in developing

countries; causing shantytowns

• 95% of future population growth is predicted to take place in the developing world.

• In China & India populations passed the 1 billion mark despite government efforts (one child policy in

China) to curb population growth.

• Additional changes took place with technology and the global economy often effecting the environment:

– Larger & faster transportation methods increased trade

– The rise of multinational corporations (companies that

operate in more than one country)

– Robotic and computer technology increased productivity & communications

– Increased demand for metals and woods brought destruction to mountains and rainforests

– Rising populations in the developing world created a demand for more farmland, hence deforestation

• A majority of the benefits of the new “global economy” (computers & consumer electronics) were taking place in the developed world, whereas the environmental effects (the loss of rainforests), tedious manufacturing projects (Made in China), and Western cultural bombardment (McDonalds & Coca-Cola) were often taking place in the developing world.

• So by 2000, there were some countries that benefited from technological advancements while others didn’t leaving a “power” gap. All awhile some are complaining of cultural imperialism and of the environment being exploited. Sound like the Industrial Revolution?

• This disparity of wealth and opportunity is not new to world history, however because of globalization (the

interconnectedness of the planet) the world’s citizens are more aware of their status.

• On one hand, globalization is increasing opportunities & leveling the playing field for entrepreneurial spirits.

• While others have lashed out (9/11 attacks, protests against

multinational corporations) over a world that appears to be dominated by western interests.

Example: women

– The treatment of women worldwide has generally improved over the last several decades as women have gained a greater political voice and more economic opportunities.

– However, in some regions (Middle East, Africa, China) governments have been reluctant to grant equality to women. Furthermore, they don’t like being pressured by the United Nations or feminist groups in the West.

– Therefore, as technology improves and brings about “quicker” & “thicker” globalization, the world is becoming a “smaller” planet – a community – that must learn how to get along with one other.

• Along with technological developments free trade (the elimination of tariffs and other trade barriers) has increased not only cultural contacts, but also economic activity across political borders.

– For example, the formation of the European Union (E.U.) has unified much of Europe into a single “economic” bloc (the euro is used as currency, movement between borders has becomes less regulated).

– The purpose of the World Trade Organization (WTO) is to reduce trade barriers. Critics of the WTO see it as a way for wealthier nations to take advantage of weaker ones.

Quick Videos 1 & 2

Globalization I - The Upside: Crash Course World History #41

•http://safeshare.tv/v/5SnR-e0S6Ic

Globalization II - Good or Bad?: Crash Course World History #42

•http://safeshare.tv/v/s_iwrt7D5OA