Ch 21: Europe & the United States After 1945
About This Chapter
Europe & the United States After 1945 - Chapter Summary and Learning Objectives
World War II may have ended in 1945, but the world still faced several political and economic challenges in the post-war period. In the last seven decades, the Soviet Union rose in power and fell, Germany was partitioned and reunified, the European Union was created, the United States experienced fights for civil rights, and advancements in science and technology altered the world forever. In this chapter, the focus is on the many challenges and accomplishments that have impacted the U.S. and Europe since World War II. The lessons cover topics such as:
- How the Soviet Union dominated Eastern Europe
- What the purpose of Germany's Berlin Wall was
- How religion and culture have changed since 1945
- What led to the space race between the U.S. and Soviet Union
- How post-WWII scientific achievements impacted the world
- What key developments shaped post-WWII politics and society
| Video | Objective |
|---|---|
| Soviet Domination of Eastern Europe | See how the Soviet Union was able to take control of post-WWII Eastern Europe. |
| Communists Take Power in Czechoslovakia | Explore what led to the Communist takeover of Czechoslovakia and how it impacted the country. |
| Post-war Germany: Politics, Developments & Partitioning | Examine how the creation of East Germany and West Germany came about after WWII. |
| The Reunification of East and West Germany in 1990 | Discover what events led to the reunification of East and West Germany. |
| Building and Tearing Down the Berlin Wall: History and Timeline | Trace the history of the Berlin Wall and how its destruction coincided with the decline of communism. |
| Religion & Philosophy Since 1945: Lesson & Quiz | Explore how major religious and philosophical developments have affected society since 1945. |
| The Advance of Science & Technology Since 1945: Developments & Impact | See how post-WWII scientific and technological advancements have changed the world. |
| The Space Race: Definition, History & Timeline | Take a look at the role of the Cold War in the space race between the U.S. and Soviet Union. |
| Social & Political Developments Since 1945: Lesson & Quiz | Learn about key post-WWII political and social events that have impacted Europe and the U.S. |
| Art & Culture Since 1945: Lesson & Quiz | Study the themes of and influences on post-WWII art and culture. |
1. Soviet Domination of Eastern Europe
During the second half of the twentieth century, the Soviet Union dominated Eastern Europe. Explore the state of Eastern Europe after WWII, the formation of the Warsaw Pact, and how the Soviet influence on Eastern Europe ultimately declined.
2. Communists Take Power in Czechoslovakia
The communist takeover of Czechoslovakia in 1948 led to a number of tumultuous events. Learn about President Bene's exile, the battle for control between the coalition and the communist party, victorious February and the impetus for NATO.
3. Post-war Germany: Politics, Developments & Partitioning
After its defeat in World War II, Germany was divided, split into East and West Germany, and reunified in 1990. Explore the politics, developments, and partitioning of post-war Germany, and examine the impact of the Allies and the Cold War.
4. Building and Tearing Down the Berlin Wall: History and Timeline
For nearly 30 years, the Berlin Wall cut off both friends and families from one another. Learn about the history of the Berlin Wall, timeline, how it began, and how its final demise came as communism fell across Eastern Europe in the late 1980s.
5. The Reunification of East and West Germany in 1990
In 1990, the reunification of Germany brought to light the vast cultural and economical differences among the civilians in East and West Germany. Learn about the partition of Germany after WWII, the fall of communism, and the reunification of Germany.
6. Religion & Philosophy Since 1945
The world has undergone many religious and philosophical shifts highlighted in several major world religions since the end of World War II in 1945. Explore changes in Catholicism made through the liberal-minded Vatican II decree, and in Islam, whose leaders embraced increasingly conservative interpretations of the Qu'ran, leading to the rise of radical Muslim sects.
7. The Advance of Science & Technology Since 1945: Developments & Impact
Since the end of World War II in 1945, there have been countless advancements in science and technology. This lesson will provide examples from the different areas of advancement, such as communication, transportation, and computers.
8. The Space Race: Definition, History & Timeline
The space race refers to the United States and the Soviet Union competing to be the first to send men in space and reach the moon in the middle 20th century. Explore the definition, history, and timeline of the space race, and learn about the Cold War, Sputnik, and the moon landing by U.S. astronauts ahead of the Soviet's cosmonauts.
9. Social & Political Developments Since 1945
After World War II, the Western world underwent several distinct political changes and shifts in the current social fabric. See these developments through student activism and civil rights, women's liberation, and the economic creation of the European Union.
10. Art & Culture Since 1945: Types & Artists
After 1945, there was an explosion in the areas of art and culture. Understand the post-WWII culture, the types of art and artists of the era, and the impact on television, music, and art.
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Other Chapters
Other chapters within the World History II course
- Europe's Age of Exploration
- The Protestant Reformation
- The Elizabethan Era in Europe
- European Colonialism
- Absolute Monarchs in Europe
- Empire and Expansion in the 18th Century
- The Asian World (1368-1911)
- The Scientific Revolution and Enlightenment
- The French Revolution and Napoleon Bonaparte
- Nationalist Revolutions Across the World
- Industrialization in the Western World
- European Life & Trends
- Imperialism in the 19th-20th Centuries
- Global Transformations in the Early 20th Century
- World War I: Battles & Diplomacy
- Revolution & Nationalism in Asia
- Crisis & Depression Between the World Wars
- World War II: European & Pacific Theaters
- Restructuring the World After World War II
- The Spread of Democracy Across the World
- Latin America after 1945
- Africa & the Middle East After 1945
- Asia & the Pacific After 1945
- Contemporary Global Concerns