The prolonged political, military, and ideological rivalry between the U.S. and the Soviets
Cold War
process by which nations gained political independence from imperial powers after WWII
Decolonization
An event where terrorists crashed planes into the World Trade Center and the Pentagon
September 11, 2001 Attacks
Russian leader at the end of WWII who consolidated power, established a communist government and policies, and extended Soviet influence in Eastern Europe
Joseph Stalin
Term for the increasing worldwide integration of common economies, cultures, and politics
Globalization
The two superpowers that opposed each other during the Cold War
U.S. and Soviet Union
The decolonization movement in this continent saw most nations gain independence from colonial rule between 1950 and 1970.
Africa
decades-long conflict in Northern Ireland between Protestant unionists (who wanted to remain in the UK) and Catholic nationalists (who wanted to join the Republic of Ireland)
The Troubles
1945-49 Conflict where Communists led by Mao Zedong defeated Nationalists led by Chiang Kai-Shek.
Chinese Civil War
The stated mission of this organization is to maintain international peace and security, develop friendly relations among nations, and promote human rights
United Nations
Cold War policy to prevent the spread of communism to other countries
Containment
The 1947 British division of their "crown jewel" that created Pakistan and led to mass migrations and violence
Partition of India
1950–53 conflict between communist North Korea (backed by China and the USSR) and South Korea (backed by UN forces led by the United States)
Korean War
Mohandas Gandhi used nonviolent civil disobedience and mass mobilization, protests, and boycotts to pressure British rule during this movement
Indian Independence Movement
A military alliance formed by Western democratic nations to provide collective defense against aggression
North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)
1948–49 operation that delivered food and supplies to the German capital during a Soviet blockade
Berlin Airlift
These were the only two African nations never to be colonized by European powers.
Ethiopia and Liberia
The 1956 crisis, when Egypt nationalized the Suez Canal and Britain, France, and Israel invaded. Political pressure from the US, USSR, and UN led to withdrawal, and control returned to Egypt.
Suez Crisis
The legal system of racial segregation in South Africa that was fought against by future president Nelson Mandela
Apartheid
An international organization that regulates trade rules between nations to reduce barriers and resolve disputes, significant for promoting global trade stability
World Trade Organization (WTO)
1962 confrontation after the U.S. discovered Soviet missiles in Cuba, which brought the superpowers close to nuclear war
Cuban Missile Crisis
Mossadegh was overthrown, and the Shah was installed before being exiled during a Revolution in this country, where students held American hostages at the U.S. embassy for over a year.
Iran
1994 mass killing event where extremist Hutu groups killed 800,000 Tutsis
Rwandan Genocide
This leader was largely responsible for the Cambodian Genocide of the 1970s.
Pol Pot
The ethnic cleansing of Muslims in the former Yugoslavia during the 1990s is known by this term
Bosian Genocide