NMTA: Western Civilization Since 1945 - Videos & Lessons

About This Chapter

In your preparations for the NMTA Middle Grades Social Science exam, use this chapter to review reconstruction in Europe after WWII, the creation of the state of Israel, post-WWII independence movements, Cold War conflicts and advances in science and culture in Western civilization since 1945.

NMTA: Western Civilization Since 1945 - Chapter Summary

Watch these short, engaging lesson videos to review the changes in Western civilization since World War II, including the impact of post WWII reconstruction, the Cold War and changes in arts and culture. Follow along with our expert instructors as they discuss:

Economic and political reconstruction of Europe after WWII
Creation of the state of Israel in 1948
Independence movements following WWII
Chinese Revolution
Conflicts of the Cold War and the fall of the Soviet Union
The space race
Scientific advances since 1945
Changes in culture and art since 1945

If you have any questions about any of these topics, you can send them to our professional instructors for clarification. Reinforce your understanding of these lessons by completing the lesson quizzes and chapter exam that accompany them. Use the results from these assessments to find topics you don't understand, then return to the lessons using the provided links to improve your mastery over these topics.

NMTA: Western Civilization Since 1945 - Chapter Objectives

Prospective middle school social science educators take the National Evaluation Series (NES) Middle Grades Social Science to demonstrate their competency with this subject area. When you take this exam, you will be asked a series of 150 computer-administered, multiple-choice questions in a three hour testing session. Fifty percent of the material covered by these questions belong to the content domain of History. This chapter has been put together to help you review the changes that took place in western civilization following WWII so that on test day, you will be able to respond accurately to questions about this time period.

13 Lessons in Chapter 18: NMTA: Western Civilization Since 1945

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1. Economic Reconstruction in Europe After WWII: Recovery Programs & Their Effect

In this lesson, we explore the measures taken by the United States to aid its European allies in combating the severe economic depression in Europe immediately after World War II.

2. Political Reconstruction in Europe After WWII: History & Impact

In this lesson, we explore the political reconstruction of Europe in the years immediately following World War II and the splitting of Europe between capitalist and communist states.

3. The Creation of Israel in 1948: Timeline & Resulting Conflicts

In this lesson, we explore the movements and political developments that led to the creation of the state of Israel and the subsequent backlash from the Arab world.

4. Post-WWII Independence Movements Around the World: History & Examples

In this lesson, we explore the diverse and varied experience of decolonization in Asia, the Middle East, and Africa after World War II when Western Europe began to withdraw its claims to far away territory and colonies.

5. The Chinese Revolution and Creation of Taiwan: History & Timeline

In this lesson we explore the long struggle between the Kuomintang and the Chinese Communist Party before, during, and after WWII, and the subsequent creation of Taiwan after the communist victory.

6. Conflicts During the Cold War: Examples & Causes

In this lesson, we explore several of the world's conflicts in the second half of the 20th century that ended up becoming proxy wars between the United States and the Soviet Union in their Cold War standoff.

7. The Space Race: Definition, History & Timeline

In this lesson, we explore the 20th century's space race between the United States and the Soviet Union, where both superpowers competed to be the first in space and the first to reach the moon.

8. Fall of the Soviet Union and End of the Cold War: Causes & Timeline

In this lesson, we chart the reforms made by Russian premier Mikhail Gorbachev attempting to save the Soviet Union and the communist federation's eventual dissolution in 1991.

9. Religion & Philosophy Since 1945

In this lesson, we explore some of the major developments in the world of ideas since the end of World War II, from the increased public engagement of professional philosophy and Catholicism to the growth of Islam.

10. The Advance of Science & Technology Since 1945: Developments & Impact

In this lesson, we explore just a few of the numerous advances and innovations made in the worlds of sciences and technology, from automobiles and televisions to computers and phones that can fit in the palm of your hand.

11. Social & Political Developments Since 1945

In this lesson, we examine several social and political developments in the United States and in Western Europe since 1945, from the civil rights movement to the creation of the European Union.

12. Art & Culture Since 1945: Types & Artists

In this lesson, we explore the art and culture of post-World War II Western society, from the fledgling television programming to the disparate directions of 20th-century art.

13. Globalization & Politics

The term 'globalization' gets tossed about quite a lot, but what exactly does it mean? In this lesson, you'll learn what globalization is and how it can affect states and their citizens. We'll also discuss the North-South gap. A quiz follows.

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Practice Final Exam

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