Exam Notes: World War II to Modern Technology

World War II and Beyond

World War II: Key Events and Participants

• 1939: World War II begins.

• 1941: Pearl Harbor attack.

• 1939: Germany and the Soviets form a non-aggression treaty.

• 1941: Hitler breaks the treaty and invades Russia.

Key Players

• Axis Powers: Germany, Italy, and Japan.

• Allied Powers: United States, Britain, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Poland, and eventually the USSR.

• Leaders: Hitler (Germany), Mussolini (Italy), Tojo (Japan), Roosevelt (US), Churchill (Britain), and Stalin (USSR).

War's End in Europe

• 1945: The Soviet Union conquers Berlin.

• 1945 (May): US and Britain conclude the war in Europe from the West.

• May 8, 1945: Victory in Europe Day (V-E Day).

War's End in the Pacific

• 1945: Atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, leading to Japan's surrender.

The Cold War

Origins and Key Aspects

• The Cold War immediately follows World War II.

• Main adversaries: US and USSR.

• Berlin Blockade: Soviets block supplies to West Berlin; the Allies respond with an airlift.

Proxy Wars

• Definition: Conflicts where the US and the USSR support opposing sides.

• Examples:

  • Korea (1950).

  • Algeria.

  • Vietnam (see documentary "Turning Point: Vietnam" on Netflix).

  • Nicaragua.

Decolonization (1948-1980)

• A period of significant decolonization in Africa and Asia.

Indian Independence and Partition (1948)

• Indian Partition: Division of British India.

• New Nations: Creation of Pakistan, India, and later Bangladesh (formerly East Pakistan).

• Violence: Post-independence violence between India and Pakistan, often along religious lines and disputes over land.

• Types of Decolonization: Negotiated (e.g., India) and violent (e.g., Algeria).

Unit 9: New Communication Technology (1980-Present)

Key Themes

• New communication technologies.

• New transportation methods.

• New energy sources.

Green Revolution

• Focus on fertilizer, chemicals, and GMOs.

• GMOs: Genetically Modified Organisms.

• Definition of GMO: Genetically Modified Organisms

• Impact: GMOs have improved the quality and consistency of produce.

  • Before GMOs, visual inspection of fruit was necessary to ensure quality.

  • Now, most produce in grocery stores is of good quality due to genetic modification at the gene level.

Globalization

• Globalization is facilitated by new communication technology.

• Impact of Technology: Easier and more frequent communication with people worldwide.

• Shrinking World: The world has become more interconnected and "smaller."