Global Geopolitics: Blocs, Cold War, and Decolonization

Posted on Mar 2, 2025 in History

New Global Geopolitics: World Divided into Blocs

The Formation of Blocs (1947)

The United States and the USSR became adversaries due to their radically different political and economic systems, forming two blocs of countries.

Capitalist Bloc (USA)

Included countries of Western Europe and Japan, characterized by parliamentary democracy and a capitalist economy. This bloc was strengthened by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

Communist Bloc (USSR)

Included countries of Central and Eastern Europe (occupied after World War I). These countries subordinated freedoms and individual rights to the interests of a planned economy. The bloc was reinforced by a military alliance: the Warsaw Pact.

Each bloc spread to other countries in Latin America, etc.

Relations Between the Blocs: The Cold War

Between 1945 and 1991, the Cold War was a period of permanent military, ideological, and diplomatic tension. It consisted of several stages:

  1. A Time of Great Tension (1947-1956): The Truman Doctrine denounced the creation of Communist regimes in Central and Eastern Europe under pressure. The Zhdanov Doctrine denounced U.S. imperialism.
  2. Peaceful Coexistence (1956-1976): Marked by a desire for dialogue between the blocs, favored by the increase of nuclear power leaders (Kennedy and Nixon/Khrushchev and Brezhnev).
  3. The Resurgence of the Cold War (1977-1985): The USSR tried to achieve military supremacy with missiles and nuclear warheads, and foreign interventions. The USA increased military spending (Reagan) and undertook the Strategic Defense Initiative (Star Wars).
  4. The End of the Cold War (1985-1991): The USSR eased tensions with Gorbachev through dialogue and disarmament. In the USA, the public deficit hampered the maintenance of nuclear arms. Both superpowers signed several disarmament and arms reduction agreements. The Fall of Berlin and the Disappearance of the USSR marked the end of the Cold War.

Decolonization

Decolonization was a process that began in 1945 and led to the dismantlement of colonial empires and the independence of their colonies, affecting over half of the world’s surface and 1.5 billion people.

Causes of Decolonization

  • World War I: Colonies became aware of their own importance, and the prestige of colonial powers was reduced.
  • Nationalist Movements: After World War I, nationalist ideas fueled by liberalism or Marxism spread through the colonies, defending the right of people to govern themselves.
  • Emergence of Charismatic Leaders: Elites from many colonized nations studied in European universities. Upon their return, they formed political parties and led the independence process. Examples include Gandhi, Ho Chi Minh, Sukarno, and Lumumba.
  • International Support: From groups of intellectuals, Christian churches, international humanitarian movements, and the United Nations.

Stages of Decolonization

  1. Asia (1945-1955/Bandung Conference)
  2. Certain North African countries, especially Sub-Saharan countries (1956-1975)
  3. Remaining colonies (Arabian Peninsula, West Indies, Oceania) (1975 onwards)

Different Ways of Decolonization

  1. Pacts (e.g., most of the British colonies, which created the British Commonwealth)
  2. By force (colonial wars; Algeria, Angola, Mozambique)
  3. Mixed process (mixture of war and diplomacy, e.g., India)