World War II: Development, Aftermath, and Legacy
Development of World War II
We can distinguish two stages:
- 1939 to 1942: At this stage, the German command was winning the war.
- 1942 to 1945: During this stage, the Allies (France, Britain, and Russia) recovered and ultimately won.
Consequences of World War II
There were several types of consequences:
- Human: Nearly 50 million people were killed.
- Economic: For Europe, it involved the destruction of its two major economies. The USA became the most powerful country.
The Cold War
It was not a direct war, but a global situation of tension between the USA and the USSR. Each country had its areas of influence, and the opponent did not dare to intervene.
Characteristics of the Cold War
- This war was characterized by espionage.
- The Russians created the Warsaw Pact.
- The Russians and their allies created COMECON.
Decolonization
Decolonization is the general movement that occurred after World War II, resulting in the independence of African and Asian countries that had been conquered, mainly by the English and French, in the last quarter of the nineteenth century.
Causes of Decolonization
- The United States’ interest in weakening European countries.
- The USSR also supported decolonization, believing the colonies were a symbol of capitalism.
- Many Africans and Asians studied in the metropolis, which allowed them to form intellectually and demand independence for their countries.
- Nationalist movements emerged, reclaiming independence based on cultural and religious motivations.
All these newly independent countries tried to stay out of the Cold War, calling themselves non-aligned countries.
Characteristics of the New World Order
- Political and economic hegemony of the U.S.
- Establishment of a division between rich and poor countries.
- Emergence of power centers that intend to share power with America.
- Economic globalization.
- Hegemony of Western culture.
- Rejection of this model in many regions of the world, leading to Islamic fundamentalism.