HIS 605 - Cold War and the American Empire

The impact of the Cold War is still being felt around the world today. This insightful single-volume reference captures the events and personalities of the era, while also inspiring critical thinking about this still-controversial period. * Several analytical essays by prominent historians, plus 85 additional A-Z reference entries about conflicts, incidents, leaders, and issues * 35 examples of relevant primary source documents, including speeches, treaties, policy statements, and letters, such as the Marshall Plan and Winston Churchill's "Iron Curtain" speech * A detailed chronology of important events that occurred before, during, and after the Cold War * Numerous maps and images of key leaders and events * A comprehensive bibliography of print resources

The Second World War was a huge man-made catastrophe. When it ended two issues towered over all others: recovery and a new political order. Their respective symbols were American aid (chiefly the Marshall Plan) and the United Nations. The main business of the UN was to prevent wars, especially big wars and very specifically nuclear war, but the UN and its affiliated bodies were also designed to promote prosperity, relieve poverty and bolster justice. Coincidentally the political map of the world was transformed by the demolition of European empires outside Europe. The main aim of this book is to provide material to help to assess how far this program of unparalleled ambition has been achieved over the short span of two generations.

A concise guide to the ideas, events, people and movements that have shaped the world from the end of the Second World War to the present. The dictionary's entries cover all major countries of the world, as well as general issues of international significance, including the global economy, population explosion and women's liberation.