Big Era Nine: Landscape Unit 9.3

Why This Unit?

The second half of the twentieth century witnessed the creation of more than fifty independent sovereign states. Many of these states achieved their independence as consequences of nationalist movements and decolonization. At the beginning of the twenty-first century, these states comprise a significant part of the membership of the United Nations. Though many of these new states are economically developing and are facing tremendous social and economic challenges, their very existence as sovereign states influences the powerful industrialized states. For example, in recent years “first world” states have contemplated offering debt-forgiveness programs to newly-independent nations. Human rights abuses, including mass killings, have also focused world attention on these new states. As citizens of the world, our students must understand the geopolitical transformation that occurred throughout the world, predominantly in Africa and Southeast Asia, during the second half of the twentieth century. In order to understand current events that involve these regions, students should possess an awareness of the processes that shaped these regions’ political terrains.