Post-WWII World: Cold War, Decolonization, and Ideologies
The World After WWII
World after WW2: Different economic, social, and political systems emerged. Countries sought allies, forming two major blocs: the Western Bloc (WB), which was capitalist, and the Eastern Bloc (EB), which was communist.
These blocs experienced tension but never engaged in direct conflict. The USA and USSR formed military and economic organizations.
Colonies in Africa and Asia demanded independence, forming the Third Bloc or Third World.
Franco’s regime consolidated until his death in 1975.
Artists reflected the differing ideologies of the time.
Control of the Blocs
Truman denounced communist regimes in Western and Central Europe, offering military and economic aid to countries at risk of falling to communism. He also increased the number of military bases in Europe and offered financial reconstruction.
The Cold War
Economic Cooperation
- WB: Marshall Plan (1947)
- EB: COMECON (Council of Mutual Economic Assistance, 1949)
Military Alliances
- WB: NATO (1949)
- EB: Warsaw Pact (1955)
Military Power
Investment in nuclear arms to destroy the enemy led to a balance of terror, preventing direct war but fueling conflicts in other countries.
Propaganda
Western Bloc (WB) Characteristics
Consequences of the Marshall Plan:
- Democratic political systems: republics or parliamentary systems, with Spain and Portugal being authoritarian.
- NATO defended the WB.
- Capitalist economy: trade between WB countries.
Eastern Bloc (EB) Characteristics
The USSR sought more power, forming alliances with Cuba, Angola, Ethiopia, North Korea, and Vietnam.
- Communist regimes or popular democracies.
- Warsaw Pact.
- Communist economy.
China and the Eastern Bloc
In 1949, Mao Zedong came to power in China. Relations with the USSR were initially strained, leading to a split due to diplomatic differences and ideological disagreements.
Space Race
From 1957 to 1975, the USA and USSR competed to demonstrate their superiority. Achievements included launching a satellite in 1957, sending a man into space in 1961, and landing on the moon in 1969.
Key Cold War Events
- Berlin Blockade (1948): Allies united; the blockade failed, resulting in two zones.
- Korean War (1950-1953): Parallel 38, North Korea (communist) attempted to invade South Korea but failed. China and the USSR supported North Korea, while the USA supported South Korea.
- Suez Canal Crisis (1956): Nasser received aid from the USSR; the USA did not send troops.
- Building of the Berlin Wall (1961): Built in 1961, destroyed in 1989.
- Cuban Missile Crisis (1962): Castro (communist) allowed missiles to be placed in Cuba, leading to tensions between the USA and Cuba. Kennedy and Khrushchev negotiated the removal of the missiles.
Peaceful Coexistence
The emergence of nuclear power and the possibility of Mutually Assured Destruction (MAD) led to a period of relaxed tensions. Arms races were limited, and a red telephone line was established.
Vietnam War
The USA aimed to stop communism in Asia, sending troops to fight Vietcong guerrillas supported by the USSR. Troops were withdrawn in 1973.
Arab-Israeli Conflicts
Wars occurred in 1948 and the 1960s.
Return to Tension
The USSR invaded Afghanistan in 1979. The USA supported Latin American countries. Reagan initiated the Star Wars program to develop anti-missile shields. In 1985, Gorbachev initiated dialogue and withdrew from Afghanistan. The Cold War ended in 1991.
Causes of Decolonization
- Nationalist ideas, liberalism, and Marxism.
- Charismatic leaders such as Gandhi, Minh, and Surkano.
- Intellectual support: The Conference of Bandung (1955) included 29 countries from Asia and Africa, condemning colonialism and racism, denouncing the blocs, and advocating neutrality.
Consequences of Decolonization
- Politics: New frontiers, civil wars, dictatorships, violence, and corruption.
- Economy: Dependence on former colonizers, neocolonialism.
- Society: Malaise.
Non-Aligned Movement
Neutrality and non-alignment with blocs, originating in the 1955 Bandung Conference, included more Third World countries.
- Politics: Different forms of government, no military alliances, non-violent solutions, economic growth.
Capitalist World
- Elections based on private property and free markets.
- Basic services, pensions, reduced inequalities, growing middle class expansion.
- Consumerism.
- Protests in the 1960s, civil rights movement to end racism (banned in 1964).
- USA: hippies, French students in 1968.
USA Hegemony
Two-party system: Republican and Democrat. Anti-communism and blacklists. In 1961, Kennedy supported civil rights for black people. Industry grew.
Communist World
Dictatorship of the proletariat, economy controlled by the state, communist economy aimed for egalitarianism.