Global conflict and

Détente

Hareem Zahra
Adiba Asif Khan
Malik Gulzaib
Nimra Afzal
Shamaim Khan
1
 • World War II (WWII) was a global
World War II conflict that lasted from 1939 to 1945,
involving most of the world's nations. It
was the deadliest and most widespread
war in history, with an estimated 70 to
85 million fatalities, including civilians
and military personnel.
• The war was primarily fought between
two major alliances: the Allies and the
Axis powers. The Allies, led by the
United States, the Soviet Union, and the
United Kingdom, among others, aimed
to defeat the expansionist and
totalitarian regimes of Nazi Germany,
Fascist Italy, and Imperial Japan, which
formed the Axis powers.
2
Immediate causes of
world war II
The immediate causes of WWII can be traced
back to the aftermath of World War I where
unresolved issues such as:
• Territorial disputes
• Economic instability
• Rise of aggressive nationalism created
fertile ground for conflict.
• The trigger event for WWII was the
invasion of Poland by Nazi Germany in
September 1939, prompting the United
Kingdom and France to declare war on
Germany, marking the beginning of the war
in Europe. 3
Invasion of Poland by Adolf Hitler

4
World War II: Post-colonial
world
• World War II (1939-1945) was a significant
turning point for colonialism globally.
• European colonial empires were weakened by
economic depression and the war's devastation.
• Japanese victories in Asia against European
powers undermined the perception of European
invincibility.
• Nationalist movements in colonies were
inspired by these challenges to European
dominance.
• Post-war, European powers faced difficulties in
reasserting control over their colonies.
• Many colonies gained independence in the
decades following World War II.

5
Colonies after independence
• Post-World War II saw numerous colonies
gaining independence from European powers.
• Significant examples include India (1947),
Indonesia (1945-1949), Algeria (1962), and
Vietnam (1954 and 1975).
• Kenya gained independence from British rule in
1963 after a period of agitation.
• Ghana, under Kwame Nkrumah's leadership,
became the first sub-Saharan African colony to
gain independence from European rule in 1957.
• Pakistan also gained independence from British
rule in 1947, alongside India, as a separate
Muslim-majority nation.
• These events led to significant geopolitical
changes across Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean.

6
Rise of Nationalization
Nationalism is a strong feeling of pride, loyalty, and
support for one's own country or nation. It's when
people believe their nation is superior and deserves
special treatment.
• World War II greatly influenced the emergence of
nationalism in colonial territories.
• European colonial powers' vulnerability was
exposed during the war.
• Anti-colonial movements gained momentum as a
result.
• Key leaders such as Ho Chi Minh in Vietnam and
Jawaharlal Nehru in India became prominent
figures advocating for independence.
7
 Nationalist
leaders

Jawahar Lal Nehru Ho Chi Minh

8
 • The United Nations was established after
The United the war, offering colonized nations a
Nations and platform to express their concerns and
seek independence.
decolonization: • In 1948, the UN approved the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights, which
emphasized the right of self-
determination for all people.
• This declaration served as a moral and
legal basis for anti-colonial movements,
justifying their struggles for
independence.

9
 Impact of
decolonization
• Decolonization was often turbulent, resulting in
violent conflicts like the Algerian War of
Independence (1954-1962) and the Vietnam
War (1955-1975).
• By the late 20th century, most colonies had
gained independence.
• However, the end of colonialism didn't
eradicate all forms of domination or
exploitation.
• Many former colonies still grapple with
poverty, inequality, and political instability.
• Decolonization signified a major change in
global power dynamics, shaping the world we
live in today.
10
 Cold war
The Cold War era was a period of
geopolitical tension between the
United States and the Soviet Union
and their respective allies, the
Western Block and the Eastern
Block, that lasted from 1947 to
1991. The term "cold" is used
because there was no large-scale
fighting directly between the two
superpowers, but they each
supported opposing sides in major
regional conflicts known as proxy
wars.
11
 Cold war
The Cold War arose from ideological differences
between the US and USSR: capitalism versus
communism.
The US promoted individual liberty, free
markets, and limited government, while the
USSR advocated collective ownership, central
planning, and one-party rule.
This ideological clash fueled global competition:
• Arms Race: Both sides amassed nuclear
weapons and advanced weaponry.
• Space Race: They competed in space
exploration, striving for milestones like
satellite launches and lunar landings.
12
Cold war
Proxy Wars: Conflicts like the Korean War and
Vietnam War saw superpowers supporting
opposing sides.
Espionage: Extensive spying efforts were
conducted to gain an advantage.
Propaganda: Both used propaganda to bolster their
ideologies and vilify each other.
The Cold War profoundly influenced international
relations, economies, and societies for nearly 50
years.
It concluded with the collapse of the Soviet Union
in 1991..

13
 Cold war
• Proxy Wars: Conflicts like the Korean War and
Vietnam War saw superpowers supporting
opposing sides.
• Espionage: Extensive spying efforts were
conducted to gain an advantage.
• Propaganda: Both used propaganda to bolster
their ideologies and vilify each other.
• The Cold War profoundly influenced international
relations, economies, and societies for nearly 50
years.
• It concluded with the collapse of the Soviet Union
in 1991.

14
 Post Cold War Era

The fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 symbolized

the end of Soviet control over eastern Europe. In
December 1991, the Soviet Union officially
dissolved, leading to the independence of its
constituent republics. The end of the Soviet
Union marked the official conclusion of the
Cold War era.
The Post-Cold War era, from the collapse of the
Soviet Union in 1991 to 2002, was marked by
significant geopolitical shifts and challenges.
Here is a glimpse of major events that followed:

15
 • Unipolar Moment
• Democratization and Market Reforms
• Globalization
• Rise of New Challenges
Post Cold era • Wars and Conflicts

up to 2002 • Nuclear Arms Reduction

• Emergence of New Threats
• Shifts in International Alliances
• Technological Advancements

16
Events leading up to
2002
• Unipolar Moment: With the Soviet
Union gone, the United States
emerged as the sole superpower. This
period is often referred to as the
"unipolar moment" because of the
US's dominant military, economic, and
cultural influence.
• Globalization: The era witnessed rapid
globalization, characterized by
increased interconnectedness in trade,
finance, communication, and culture.
• Emergence of New Threats: Despite
the end of the Cold War, new security
challenges arose, including terrorism,
ethnic conflicts, and regional
instability.
17
Détente • Democratization and Market Reforms: The fall
of communist regimes in Eastern Europe led to a
wave of democratization efforts. Many former
Soviet republics became independent nations and
experimented with democratic institutions and
market economies. However, the transition
wasn't always smooth, with economic hardships
and political instability in some regions.
• Rise of New Challenges: While the threat of a
large-scale war between superpowers subsided,
new challenges emerged, including terrorism,
ethnic conflicts, and regional instability.
• Wars and Conflicts: The period saw various
conflicts, including the Gulf War (1990-1991),
the breakup of Yugoslavia leading to the Bosnian
War and Kosovo War, and conflicts in Africa,
such as the Rwandan genocide arose.

18
• Technological advancements :This era saw a
surge in technological advancements, particularly
in the field of information technology. The
internet became more widely accessible, leading
to a more interconnected world but also raising
concerns about cybersecurity and the digital
divide.
• Nuclear Arms Reduction: Efforts were made
towards nuclear arms reduction and non-
proliferation agreements, although concerns
persisted over nuclear proliferation, especially in
regions like North Korea.
• Shifts in International Alliances: The NATO
alliance expanded to include former Eastern
European countries, while Russia sought to
redefine its relationship with the West.
19
Looking towards
2002
By 2002, signs of a multipolar
world order were starting to
appear. The rise of China as an
economic power and the use of
unilateral military action by the US
in Afghanistan after the 9/11
attacks indicated a shift in the
global balance of power.
This period, though marked by a
sense of optimism after the Cold
War, also laid the groundwork for
the complex geopolitical landscape
we see today.

20
Thank You
21