1. Unit 7: The World Since 1945
Unit Focus: How has the world changed and developed since the end of WW2 until now?

2. Chapter 30: The Cold War (1945 – 1991) Chapter Summary
For almost a half century after World War II, the Cold War loomed over Europe—pitting the West, led by the United States, against the Soviet Union (Russia). Despite the constant threat, Western Europeans and their North American allies enjoyed their most rapid and sustained economic growth since the Industrial Revolution. The Soviet Union and its Eastern European satellites also made efforts to rebuild after the war but were held back by Stalin's repressive policies. In the 1980s, efforts at major reform unleashed forces that brought the collapse of communism and an end to the Soviet Union.

3. Chapter 30: The Cold War (1945 – 1991) Chapter Outline
Section 1: The Cold War Unfolds
The Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union cast a shadow over the world for more than 40 years.
Section 2: The Industrialized Democracies
As a result of government policies and international cooperation, the people of the industrialized democracies—the United States and Canada, Western Europe, and Japan—have enjoyed freedom and prosperity.
Section 3: Communism Spreads in East Asia
In the late 1940s, communism made advances in East Asia.
Section 4: War in Southeast Asia
Southeast Asian nations sought independence but also fell into divisive conflicts in the decades after World War II.
Section 5: The End of the Cold War
After years of communist rule, the Soviet Union collapsed and was replaced by Russia and other independent republics. After years of Soviet domination, the countries of Eastern Europe were free of Russian control, facing new and sometimes difficult challenges.

4. Ch. 31: New Nations Emerge (1945 – Present) Chapter Summary
At the same time that the Cold War was unfolding, a global independence movement was reshaping the world. Colonial rulers gradually relinquished their hold over their overseas possessions. As independence celebrations ended, new countries and governments were faced with the task of nation-building.

5. Ch. 31: New Nations Emerge (1945 – Present) Chapter Outline
Section 1: Independent Nations of South Asia
After winning independence, Hindu India and Muslim Pakistan pursued separate roads to modernization.
Section 2: New Nations of Southeast Asia
Southeast Asian nations sought independence but also fell into divisive conflicts in the decades after World War II.
Section 3: African Nations Gain Independence
As many African nations won independence in the 1950s and 1960s, they held great hopes and faced great challenges.
Section 4: The Modern Middle East
Three forces shaping the modern Middle East are nationalism, religious and cultural diversity, and access to resources such as oil and water.

6. Ch. 32: Regional Conflicts (1945 – Present) Chapter Summary
Many areas of the world have faced regional conflicts since the end of World War II. Fighting broke out in several areas of Africa as colonies gained independence, and in some African regions internal conflicts continue today. Ethnic and political conflicts have affected Ireland, the Balkans, Chechnya and Sri Lanka. In the Middle East, the Arab-Israeli conflict has come to define relations between nations in the region.

7. Ch. 32: Regional Conflicts (1945 – Present) Chapter Outline
Section 1: Conflicts Divide Nations
Political, religious, and ethnic unrest has disrupted lives in many regions of the globe.
Section 2: Struggles in Africa
As many African nations won independence in the 1950s and 1960s, they held great hopes and faced great challenges.
Section 3: Conflicts in the Middle East
The Middle East has been the focus of conflicts that have had an impact far beyond the region.

8. Ch. 33: The Developing World (1945 – Present) Chapter Summary
Development is the process of building a stronger and more advanced economy and creating higher living standards. The nations working toward development in Africa, Asia, and Latin (South) America are known collectively as the developing world. Each of these nations faces challenges of development as each tries to create better lives for its citizens.

9. Ch. 33: The Developing World (1945 – Present) Chapter Outline
Section 1: The Challenges of Development
Education, technology, the environment, and the economy: all of these, as well as others, are factors in development.
Section 2: Africa Seeks a Better Future
Since 1945, more than 50 new nations have been born in Africa, each trying to improve the daily lives of its citizens.
Section 3: China and India: Two Giants of Asia
China and India are home to two-fifths of the world's people, and their economies have grown stronger over the past 60 years.
Section 4: Latin America Builds Democracy
Despite setbacks, Latin American nations have tried to sustain economic growth and overcome a legacy of poverty and social inequality.

10. Ch. 34: The World Today Chapter Summary
Today's world is a culmination of the events and developments of the past centuries. Technological and economic changes have created new links between people around the globe. These connections worldwide have also made people and societies more aware of the challenges that face the world today and in the years to come.

11. Ch. 34: The World Today Chapter Outline
Section 1: Industrialized Nations After the Cold War
The end of the Cold War saw old empires crumble and new nations emerge, along with new global economic trends.
Section 2: Globalization
Globalization defines the world of the post-Cold War, integrating economies, politics, cultures and societies around the world.
Section 3: Social and Environmental Challenges
Globalization has brought all kinds of social and environmental issues to the world's attention, such as poverty, disease, environmental threats and human rights.
Section 4: Security in a Dangerous World
Just a decade after the end of the Cold War, people and nations are worried about attack—from different, unpredictable sources.
Section 5: Advances in Science and Technology
Since 1945, scientific research and technological development have had a transforming effect on human history.

12. Discussion Questions Ch. 30 - 34
What was the Cold War and what impact did it have on the world?
What are some of the causes of the struggles and conflicts taking place around the globe in modern times?
What kind of challenges do developing nations face today?
What is globalism?
What are the possible positive and negative impacts of globalism?