Post-WWII English-Speaking World

• The history of the English-speaking world post-WWII involves decentralization, economic challenges for Britain, complexities of decolonization, and the dominance of the US and its Cold War policies.

The Cold War

• After WWII, Europe was no longer the center of world power; the US and the Soviet Union became the main points of reference.
• The world was split by ideological, economic, political, and lifestyle models: capitalism and communism.
• The Cold War forced countries to take sides, ending between 1989 and 1991 with the fall of the Berlin Wall and the Soviet Union's splitting.

Decolonization and the Golden Age

• Decolonization in Africa and Asia marked the end of colonial empires like the British and French.
• A period of economic development lasting about 25 years occurred from 1945 to the 1970s, known as the 'Golden Age'.
• The 'Golden Age' affected capitalist countries, changing their social and economic profiles through wealth spread and consumption boosts.

Britain after the war

• Britain's priorities in 1945 were reducing unemployment, nationalizing essential services, creating a Welfare State, and housing investment.
• Voters, especially younger generations, supported the Labour Party.
• The Labour Party's victory in 1945 was unexpected due to the Conservative's wartime leadership.
• Clement Attlee's government (1945-51) established the Welfare State, aiding citizens regardless of income.
• Welfare State measures included old-age pensions, unemployment/illness benefits (National Insurance Act, 1946), and extended medical care (National Health Service, 1948).
• The government invested in public housing and nationalizing essential services.
• The safety and life quality improved but the cost of living increased and poverty remained.
• The Conservative party was in power led by Winston Churchill (1951-55), Anthony Eden (1955-57) and Harold MacMillan (1957-63).
• During the decade of economic growth, salaries and consumption rose.

The Empire and the Cold War

• Maintaining a large army and presence in the Empire was incompatible with Britain's economy.
• Britain's international importance declined during the Suez Crisis of 1956, when Egypt nationalized the Suez Canal.
• Britain, France, and Israel's military action lacked US support; Britain withdrew and Western power dynamics changed.
• Britain's disengagement from the Empire was gradual, with the Commonwealth still significant for the British economy and symbolic of Britain's presence.
• America wanted Western garrisons in areas where the US feared decolonization would lead to communism.

Decolonization

• India became independent (with Pakistan) in 1947 after progress towards self-governance since the early 20th century.
• Burma and Ceylon became independent the following year.
• Decolonization continued into the 1960s, with most African, Asian, and Caribbean territories gaining independence, often peacefully.
• Kenya and Rhodesia had wars for national liberation because power was in the hands of a white, racist minority
• Britain retained Pacific islands, Hong Kong (until 1997, seen as the end of the British Empire), Gibraltar, and the Falkland Islands.

The Return of the Labour Party

• Harold Wilson led the Labour Party back into power (1964-70).
• The government dealt with a trade deficit.
• The Prime Minister's weak policies led to seeking US financial aid in exchange for political backing in Vietnam.
• The Labour Party lost some credibility as anti-war movements grew.
• Nationalist political forces rose in Wales and Scotland.
• The Labour Party was defeated in the 1970 election.

Britain and Europe

• Britain traditionally had a difficult relationship since it was an isolationist nation that thought it was superior.
• Britain feared losing sovereignty, opting out of the European Economic Community (1957) and prioritizing alliance with the US.
• Losing the Empire and the need for commerce pushed Britain closer to the EEC.
• Britain joined the European Community between 1972 and 1973 during an oil crisis considered the end of the Golden Age.
• Entry into the EEC had little impact, but some distrust toward Europe remained.

Economic and Political Crisis

• Edward Heath's Conservative government (1970-74) addressed the economic crisis with free-trade policies.
• The Industrial Relations Act (1971) aimed to reduce strikes, leading to clashes with Trade Unions.
• 1972 had the highest number of strike days since 1926.
• The 1974 election saw the rise of the Liberals and nationalist parties.
• The Labour Party's victory caused change within the Conservative Party.
• Margaret Thatcher became the party's leader in 1975.

The Iron Lady

• Margaret Thatcher's victory (1979-90) brought about radical change politically.
• She was the first female Prime Minister and implemented neo-liberalism.
• Margaret Thatcher reduced state interference in the economy, privatized state companies, and deregulation. -The "Iron Lady" intervened in the Falkland Islands, a British colony in 1982.
• Victory in the Falklands led to increased popularity.
• Growing economic problems caused a political defeat in Nov 1990.

The US at the end of WWII

• After Roosevelt died in April 1945, Harry Truman (1945-53) became president.
• The U.S. became a leading world power economically and politically.
• The American supremacy in the West created new responsibilities.
• Truman reorganized military defense and created the CIA.
• The CIA contrasted communism and intervened for friendly governments with authoritarian characteristics.

Fear of Communism

• China becoming communist in 1949, the USSR's nuclear development and the Korean War (1950-53) fuelled fear of communism in America.
• Republican senator Joseph McCarthy led a 'witch-hunt' investigation in the House Committee on Un-American Activities.
• Anyone suspected of being connected to communism was punished and investigated.
• Ethel and Julius Rosenberg were sentenced to death for espionage without evidence in 1953.

The Americanization of the World

• General Dwight D. Eisenhower (1953-61) was elected as president during a climate of fear.
• Eisenhower's presidency coincided with the economic boom after the Korean War.
• The "American way of life' model was to be exported around the world.
• Poverty remained widespread and high in America.

The Kennedy Presidency

• John F. Kennedy (1961-63), a Democrat, became the White House's 1st Catholic and America's youngest president.
• Television played a crucial role in his victory.
• Kennedy championed principles, ideals and patriotism
• The 'New Frontier' addressed improving living conditions and health care, as well as technological development.

The African-American Civil Rights Movement

• Black minority groups were faced with severe discrimination.
• Racial segregation in schools was outlawed in 1954.
• One faction of the movement considered integration with the white population its final goal and was led by Marin Luther King.
• Another faction of the movement was led by Malcolm X and theorized separation between blacks and whites, as well as "black pride".
• Both the African-American rights leaders were assassinated.

The Vietnam War

• President Kennedy was murdered in Dallas in 1963
• Lyndon B. Johnson became president (1963-69)
• The Vietnam War undermined America's reputation as the US could be perceived as an imperialist superpower.

Protest Movements

• The Vietnam War divided America due to casualties, the government's lies, and the motivations perceived as imperialistic.
• Anti-war protests formed a unifying force among youth and students.
• Between 1964-1967, a season of mobilization occurred against authoritarianism in America, as well as society and civil rights in general.

The Nixon Years

• The Republican candidate, Richard Nixon, was President from 1969-1974.
• The oil crisis, military expense, and increased competition led to economic depression.
• The credibility of America was undermined by the Watergate scandal.
• The Watergate scandal reinforced the idea that American democracy was alive and functioning, but distrustful politically.

Reagan's Neo-Liberalism

• Jimmy Carter was president from 1976-81.
• The Republicans returned to power when Ronald Reagan (1981-89) was elected as president.
• Reagan's strategies for economic recovery were called ‘Reagonomics'
• He restrained inflation, repressed strikes/protests, limited assistance, and reduced taxation for private enterprises.
• Reagan promoted the idea of the US leading against the 'evil empire' of communism.