Contemporary World History Since 1945

£41.99

Contemporary World History Since 1945

History and Archaeology General and world history Social and cultural history

Author: Jeffrey W. Jones

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Language: English

Published by: Routledge

Published on: 10th October 2025

Format: LCP-protected ePub

ISBN: 9781040430477


Introduction

This book introduces readers to the historical roots of the key events, issues, and themes in the post-World War II period since 1945. Organized by region—Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America—it uses case studies to emphasize common themes and patterns.

Key Themes and Arguments

The book argues that the colonial period largely shaped the primary global relationships that still hold in the world today. During and after de-colonization, the Cold War emerged as the dominant global paradigm, but following the collapse of communism, a neo-liberal capitalist agenda prevailed in much of the world, although that has in turn shifted due to the global financial crisis of the late 2000s/early 2010s.

Major Topics Explored

The book explores these themes as well as terrorism and the environmental degradation of the planet, which are major features of the post-Cold War world, along with racial/ethnic/religious diversity and conflict, democracy, human rights, nationalism, and gender relations.

Target Audience

This volume is an essential resource for students of Contemporary World History, The World Since 1945, and The World in the Twentieth Century more broadly.

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