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AMSCO 8.9 Causation in the Age of the Cold Ward and Decolonization Notes

1 min read•october 3, 2023

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UNIT 8 — Period 4: 1900 to Present

📖 AMSCO p.615 - p.621

Key Timeline

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Cold War Effects: East vs. West

Aspect	Eastern Hemisphere	Western Hemisphere
Political Landscape	Division of Germany and Berlin Wall construction showed ideological split between Soviet Union and West. Communist governments prevailed in Eastern Europe, limiting freedom of expression.	Establishment of NATO and Warsaw Pact symbolized ideological divide. Western Europe supported democracy and personal freedoms with initiatives like the Marshall Plan.
Economic Impact	Planned economies in the Soviet bloc characterized the Eastern Hemisphere, with economic aid flowing to Eastern Bloc countries.	The Western Hemisphere experienced capitalist economies in Western Europe and the U.S., supported by the Marshall Plan for post-war recovery.
Military Alliances	The Eastern Hemisphere saw the formation of the Warsaw Pact in response to NATO. Proxy wars, including the Vietnam War, demonstrated superpower influence in Asia.	The Western Hemisphere was marked by the existence of NATO as a defense against Soviet expansion. Proxy conflicts occurred, such as the Cuban Missile Crisis in Latin America.
Decolonization Movements	The Eastern Hemisphere experienced anti-colonial movements, but the spread of communism often shaped newly independent states.	In the Western Hemisphere, the U.S. influenced Latin American politics, advocating for democracy and capitalism.
Cultural Influence	Soviet cultural influence dominated the Eastern Bloc, limiting freedom of expression and exposure to Western culture.	The U.S. fostered a cultural rebirth in Western Europe post-World War II. Personal freedom was promoted, and growth was supported in various domains like scientific research, music, art, and architecture.
Technology/Space Race	The Eastern Hemisphere witnessed Soviet space achievements, technological competition, and espionage.	Dominance in the space race, exemplified by the Apollo program, showcased technological advancements in the Western Hemisphere.
Global Impact & Proxy Wars	The Eastern Hemisphere saw the spread of communism in Asia, Africa, and Latin America, coupled with Cold War migration and blending of diverse cultures.	The Western Hemisphere, especially the U.S., intervened in Latin American affairs, leaving an imperial legacy and in many cases, power vacuums. Violent culture clashes followed superpower retreats in regions like Afghanistan and Yugoslavia.
End of the Cold War	The Eastern Hemisphere experienced the dissolution of the Soviet Union and the Eastern Bloc, leading to global geopolitical shifts.	Post-Berlin Wall, Germany was reunified. Global institutions like the United Nations and the World Trade Organization emerged, and countries moved away from traditional balances of power in favor of globalization.

Economic Changes & Continuities, Post-Decolonization

Period	Key Events	Economic Impact
1900-1945	Colonization of Africa, Latin America, and Asia facilitated economic exploitation through practices such as forced labor and resource extraction. Economic autonomy for colonies was severely limited, stifling indigenous economic development.	Imperial powers, such as Britain in India, profited from the economic dependence on colonies, maintaining economic inequality. In Sub-Saharan Africa, European powers left a lasting economic legacy, impacting post-independence economic structures.
1945-1960s	Western Europe's post-World War II cultural renaissance fostered creativity in fields such as art, science, and architecture. Colonial economic structures remained largely unchanged. Cold War dynamics in Eastern Europe limited freedom of expression and state-controlled economies persisted.	Economic aid played a crucial role in Western Europe's post-war recovery. Former colonies struggled to translate cultural resurgence into significant economic shifts. Eastern European countries faced economic disparities compared to their Western counterparts, a continuity from the pre-Cold War era.
1970s-1980s	The end of the Cold War marked a global geopolitical shift towards international cooperation, impacting economic relations worldwide. Superpower retreats led to violent culture clashes in regions like Afghanistan and Yugoslavia, resulting in economic disruptions.	The establishment of institutions like the United Nations and the World Trade Organization influenced economic policies globally. Yugoslavia's dissolution led to economic hardships as former republics struggled to establish stable economic structures.
1990s-Present	Continued global interdependence and cooperation shaped economic globalization and integration, with examples like the rise of multinational corporations. Technological advancements impacted economies, contributing to economic shifts, as seen in the rise of the technology sector in India. Persistent economic disparities in some regions remained a challenge, evident in the wealth gap within Latin American countries.	Economic opportunities and challenges in former colonies, such as India and China, were influenced by their integration into the global economy. Varied economic outcomes in former colonies were influenced by post-colonial governance, with examples like Singapore's successful economic policies. Efforts towards sustainable development and human rights influenced economic policies, as seen in South Africa post-apartheid.

Global Economic Shifts

Aspect	Impact on Free Market Ideas
Western Europe's Cultural Rebirth After WWII	The presence of personal freedom and U.S. support contributed significantly to a cultural renaissance. There was significant growth in various domains, with economic change evident in creative sectors. Autonomy and external support reflected the economic impact of free-market ideas.
Cold War Dynamics in Eastern Europe	Limitations on freedom of expression in Eastern Europe hindered the spread of free-market ideas. The active blocking of Western culture limited exposure to diverse economic perspectives. Eastern Europe experienced less economic change compared to the West.
Cold War Migration and Imperial Legacy	Increased migration from former colonies resulted in mixed cultures and varied economic impact. The imperial legacy and language influences had economic implications, especially in trade advantages.
Violent Culture Clashes After Superpower Retreats	Violent clashes in regions like Afghanistan caused economic disruption due to ethnic tensions. The example of Yugoslavia with a power vacuum had a significant impact on economic stability and development.
Global Geopolitical Shifts and Development of Institutions	The end of the Cold War and geopolitical shift influenced global economic dynamics.

Comparison: Cold War Influences

Aspect	United States	Soviet Union
Support for Autonomy	Actively supported personal freedom in Western Europe through initiatives like the Marshall Plan, providing over $12 billion in economic aid. Economic aid played a pivotal role in fostering post-World War II cultural renaissance, aiding the reconstruction of war-torn cities.	Imposed limitations on freedom of expression in Eastern Europe, with the establishment of state-controlled media and censorship. Led to a lack of exposure to cultural achievements beyond government-sponsored or approved ones, limiting access to Western literature, music, and art.
Cultural Impact of Migration	Experienced increased migration from former colonies, notably from African and Asian nations, contributing to the Civil Rights Movement in the U.S. Influx contributed to cultural diversity, influencing aspects like cuisine (e.g., the popularity of Asian cuisine), music (e.g., Jazz influenced by African rhythms), and language (e.g., widespread use of Spanish).	Imposed Russian language and Soviet-style education systems in Central Asia, influencing language usage and educational practices. The spread of Russian cultural elements, such as literature and cinema, in Eastern Europe.
Post-Superpower Retreat Effects	Regions like Afghanistan experienced violent culture clashes after the U.S. retreat, leading to the rise of the Taliban and ongoing conflicts. Yugoslavia faced ethnic tensions escalation post-Soviet Union fall, creating a power vacuum exploited by leaders like Slobodan Milosevic.	Faced challenges in maintaining stability after the Soviet Union's collapse, with several former Soviet states experiencing political and economic turmoil. Power vacuum left by the Soviet departure contributed to violent culture clashes, notably in Yugoslavia, where ethnic tensions erupted into wars.
Global Geopolitical Shifts	Played a key role in the global geopolitical shift after the Cold War, advocating for a cooperative approach. Promoted the establishment of institutions like the United Nations and the World Trade Organization to address transnational issues.	Contributed to the global geopolitical shift after the Cold War, but impact was more localized, with former Soviet states undergoing political and economic transformations. Unlike the United States, did not play a direct role in establishing global institutions, but left a complex legacy in international relations, influencing the dynamics of post-Soviet states.