1914 – Present Why this periodization? Contemporary History
Industrialization & Empire Building on Unprecedented Scale Great War (WWI) Revolution in China & Russia Collapse of Ottoman Empire Capitalist countries fell into deep economic depression Soviet industrialization
Rise of Totalitarian Leaders Germany Italy Japan Spain China WWII
Decolonization Africa Asia Latin America India
Rise of Communism Cold War Soviet Union Bipolarization of the World Proxy Wars Nuclear proliferation Soviet Union China
Steps Towards World Peace Collapse of Soviet Union Curtailment of nuclear arms United Nations
United States as Dominant Power Economically Militarily
Current Issues Widening gap between rich and poor Environmental damage Global terror