Effects of The Cold War
Western Europe
North America
Eastern Europe
South/Central America
Africa
Middle East
East Asia
South & Southeast Asia
Political Changes
Social Changes
Economic Changes
Political Changes
Social Changes
Economic Changes
Economic Changes
Political Changes
Social Changes
Social Changes
Economic Changes
Political Changes
Political Changes
Social Changes
Economic Changes
Economic Changes
Social Changes
Political Changes
Economic Changes
Social Changes
Political Changes
Economic Changes
Political Changes
Social Changes
Some political changes in East Asia have occurred in China. For example, the new Chinese government after Mao sought to modernize China's industry, agriculture, technology, and national defense. With these new policies, per capita (per person) income doubled in the 1990s. But, despite the calls for reform, communism still held strong.
Social changes also occurred in East Asia throughout the Cold War period. For example, the Chinese government adopted a one-child policy to control their population growth. Also, South Korea's culture has been changing rapidly since almost every household has cell phones and high-speed internet. South Korean movies and television have great popularity throughout Asia, but education remains the number one priority.
Throughout East Asia, many economic changes occurred in the Cold War period. For example, Japan became the world's greatest exporting nation for 40 years, between 1950 and 1990. Japan also developed the world's largest economy, second to the United States'. Even some economists predicted that Japan would pass the United States as the world's largest economy by 2010.
Leaders of Western Europe faced many economic challenges and changes at the end of the 20th century and the beginning of the 21st century. The European Union formed in 1993. In 2010, this economic union established a common European currency, the Euro. Also, France didn't escape the financial woes of the euro crisis. Amid the failing economy and low approval ratings, Sarkozy(former president of France) lost his reelection bid in a run-off election in May 2012.
Many countries in Western Europe went through very drastic political changes that are vital to their histories. For example, when the Berlin Wall fell, it really showed the people in Germany that the Cold War was coming to an end, since the wall was such an important symbol of the Cold War.
Western Europe also went through some social changes throughout the Cold War period. For example, when Germany's Communist government opened its entire border with the West, thousands of East Germans swarmed across the border to reunite with their families and friends. Also, with a population of 79 million people, the new Germany became the leading power in Europe. The joy over reunification soon faded as new problems arose. It became clear that the rebuilding of eastern Germany would take far more money than had been thought.
South/Central America went through a variety of social changes throughout the Cold War period. For example, more than 35,000 people have been killed since President Felipe Calderon, elected in 2006, ordered a military response against the country's drug gangs. Also, Mexican drug cartels are influencing the young generation in terrible ways. For example, these drug cartels rely upon young people of Central America, who are poor and unemployed. These teenagers are willing to transport drugs, watch kidnap victims, and perform other low-level tasks.
Many political changes throughout the Cold War period have also affected the countries in South/Central America. For example, since 1990, many South American countries have transitioned to democracies and have reformed their social and economic structures. Also, left-wing governments have gained popularity recently as Bolivia, Paraguay, and Peru have elected populist leaders.
A variety of economic changes have also affected the countries in South/Central America. For example, the increase in public education and economic growth has lessened the gap between the rich and poor. Also, many South American countries have pushed for reforms and economic growth.
Many social changes have occurred in North America since and throughout the Cold War period. For example, there has been a backlash against the women's rights movement that arose in the 1990's. Additionally, American popular culture has spread throughout the world. This has raised concerns about the preservation of other languages and cultures.
North America has also been through a variety of economic changes throughout the Cold war period. For example, President Reagan's spending policies produced record government budget deficits. Presidents since have struggled to right the economy and deal with wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
As the Cold War ended, United States politics oscillated from right to left. For example, key issues in the 2008 presidential race led to a change in American politics with the election of Barack Obama, the first African American president. In 2009, Obama dealt with the worst economic recession since the Great Depression, the passage of national healthcare legislation, and the war in Afghanistan. he was reelected in 2012.
Iran remains under control of Muslim clerics, who enforce strict adherence of Islamic law. In 2009, following the reelection of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, hundreds of thousands of Iranians protested the outcome and declared election fraud.
In Egypt, there is a high percentage of young people; more than half of Egypt's 80 million people are under the age of 25. Most of these young people are unemployed. This means that a great majority of the region are unemployed.
After the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, the United States invaded Afghanistan in 2001 and Iraq in 2003. The United States then killed Osama bin Laden in Pakistan in 2011. bin Laden claimed responsibility for the attacks in New York.
Rapid free market reforms led to severe unemployment in Poland. Aleksander Kwasniewski, the new president of Poland, continued Poland's move toward an increasingly prosperous free-market economy and democracy.
In 1988, the Polish regime agreed to free parliamentary elections. The first free elections in Eastern Europe in 40 years. A new government was then elected, ending 45 years of Communist rule.
In Romania, Nicolae Ceausescu's economic policies led to a sharp drop in living standards. Additionally, food shortages caused rationing. In December 1989, the secret police murdered thousands of people who were peacefully demonstrating. Then, the army refused to support any more repression. Ceausescu was then captured and executed.
Conflict between Hindus and Muslims has continued, and religious differences have fueled a long-term dispute between India and Pakistan over Kashmir, a territory separating the two countries. Lastly, new reforms included public works projects and hot lunches programs for all primary school children.
India's economy has emerged as one of the world's largest and fastest growing economies. Economic reforms in 1991 fostered foreign investment and began to move India toward a market-based economy. Many economist believe that India is a rising economic superpower.
In India in the early 1990s, the Congress Party's power began to decline. Parties such as the militantly Hindu Bharata Janata Party began to compete with the Congress party for control of the central and state governments. After a series of coalition governments headed by the BJP, the Congress Party returned to power.
In African countries, due to rapid population growth, economic growth has slowed tremendously. In the early 2000s, the population growth rate was 2.3% compared 1.24% in the rest of the world. As a result of this issue, poverty is extensive throughout Africa.
Africa has had a fair amount of women as leaders of the countries. Luis Diogo became prime minister of Mozambique in 2004. Additionally, countries have been leaning towards multi-party elections.
AIDS is a dangerous concern throughout Africa. About 1.9 million people living in Africa south of the Sahara were infected with HIV in 2010, and more than 1.2 million died of AIDS. Some African nations have worked to fight AIDS, however, the disease continues to spread.