Esyudios sociales

1.
Interwar period (1919-1939)

The interwar period is characterized by the restructuring of the global order after
World War I. This time was marked by economic instability, the rise of
authoritarian regimes and the establishment of institutions such as the League of
Nations to prevent global conflicts. This time was marked by economic instability,
the rise of authoritarian regimes and the establishment of institutions such as
the League of Nations to prevent global conflicts.
1.1 Culture of the Roaring Twenties
This decade was marked by economic prosperity in countries such as the U.S.
and cultural advances that included jazz, cinema and artistic movements such as
surrealism. However, this bonanza was uneven and did not affect all countries
equally.
1.2 Great Depression (1929-1939)
The Great Depression was a global economic crisis that originated in the United
States after the collapse of the stock market in October 1929, known as "Black
Tuesday". This event caused a massive drop in the value of stocks, leading to the
bankruptcy of banks and companies, the collapse of international trade and a
wave of mass unemployment.
o Economic impacts: In the US, industrial production fell by 50% and

unemployment reached close to 25%. In Europe, this crisis exacerbated
social and political tensions, weakening democracies and favoring the rise
of totalitarian regimes.
o Global consequences: The crisis marked the beginning of new economic
policies, such as Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal, which sought recovery
through employment programs and financial regulation.
Reference:
Kindleberger, C. P. (1986). International Public Goods without International Government.
The American Economic Review, 76, 1-13.
2. Rise of Totalitarian Governments (1919-1939)

Fascism, led by Mussolini, and Nazism, led by Hitler, exemplify how
totalitarianism promoted absolute state control over all aspects of public and
private life, often driven by an exacerbated nationalism.
2.1Totalitarianism
A political system in which the state exercises absolute control over all aspects of
life, including economics, culture and politics. Historical examples include Italian
fascism, German Nazism and Soviet Stalinism.
Characteristics:
o Official ideology that guides the policy of the State.
o Systematic use of propaganda and repression to maintain control.
o Authoritarian leadership and extreme centralization of power
2.2 Fascism
Fascism is an authoritarian and ultra-nationalist political ideology that emerged

in Italy under the leadership of Benito Mussolini in 1922.
Key features:
o Cult of the leader: Concentration of power in an authoritarian
figure.
o Extreme nationalism: Supremacy of the State over the individual.
o Militarism: Glorification of war as a means of expansion and
consolidation of power.
o Antiliberalism: Rejection of democracy and socialism.
Historical effects: Inspired other authoritarian regimes, such as Nazism in

Germany, and was one of the underlying causes of World War II
2.3. Nazism
Ideology promoted by Adolf Hitler based on racial supremacy, anti-Semitism and

territorial expansionism. This regime led to World War II and the Holocaust.
2.4. Nationalism
A central component of fascism and Nazism, which exalted national identity and
justified expansionist and repressive policies.
Reference:
 Payne, S. G. (1995). A History of Fascism, 1914-1945. University of Wisconsin
Press.
 Friedrich, C., & Brzezinski, Z. (1965). Totalitarian Dictatorship and Autocracy.
Harvard University Press
3. Cold War (1945-1991)

Ideological and political conflict between the US and the USSR that shaped
international relations and provoked an arms and space race between the two
powers.
3.1. Yalta Conference (1945)
Agreement between Churchill, Roosevelt and Stalin that established the post-
World War II spheres of influence and sowed the seeds of the East-West conflict.
3.2 Division of Germany
Germany was divided into Allied-controlled zones, consolidating into West (pro-
West) and East (pro-Soviet) Germany, symbolized by the Berlin Wall.
3.3 United Nations (UN)
Founded in 1945 after World War II, the UN seeks to maintain international peace
and security, promote sustainable development and protect human rights.
Main organs: General Assembly, Security Council, International Court of Justice,
among others.
Notable achievements: peace missions, human rights promotion and
humanitarian assistance
3.4. Missile Crisis (1962)
A confrontation between the U.S. and the USSR over the installation of Soviet
missiles in Cuba that brought the world to the brink of nuclear war (Oxford
Academic, 2024).
3.5 Vietnam War (1955-1975)
This conflict pitted North Vietnam, supported by the USSR and China, against
South Vietnam, backed by the United States.
Causes:
o Cold War: U.S. fear of the advance of communism in Southeast Asia
(domino theory).
o Colonial heritage: Conflict between Vietnamese nationalism and foreign
powers after the French withdrawal.
Development: It was characterized by guerrilla tactics and massive bombing
(Operation Rolling Thunder). Despite US military superiority, the North managed
to resist and advance thanks to its strategy and popular support.
Consequences: In 1975, the war ended with the reunification of Vietnam under
a communist government, marking a significant failure for U.S. foreign policy
3.6 Korean War (1950-1953)
The Korean War was the first major war of the Cold War, initiated when North
Korea (communist) invaded South Korea (pro-West).
Causes: Division of the Korean peninsula after World War II into the USSR-
controlled north and the US-controlled south.
Development:
o U.S.-led U.N. intervention to defend the South.
o Northern counterattacks with Chinese support.
o Stagnation at the 38th parallel.
Consequences: The war ended with an armistice in 1953, leaving a divided and
militarized peninsula.
Reference:
 Cumings, B. (2005). Korea's Place in the Sun: A Modern History. W.W. Norton &
Com
 Weiss, T. G., et al. (2018). The United Nations and Changing World Politics.
Westview Press.
 Karnow, S. (1997). Vietnam: A History. Penguin Books.
4. Dissolution of the USSR (1991)

The collapse of the Soviet Union marked the end of the Cold War, a result of the
reform policies implemented by Mikhail Gorbachev.
4.1 Glasnost
Policy implemented by Mikhail Gorbachev in the 1980s in the USSR that sought
greater transparency in institutions and freedom of expression.
Objectives:
o Combat government corruption.
o Allow for a more open public debate.
Impact: Facilitated criticism of the Soviet regime and contributed to
independence movements in Soviet republics
4.2 Perestroika
Another Gorbachev reform aimed at the economic and political restructuring of

the USSR.
Objectives:
o Introduce elements of market economy into the socialist system.
o Decentralize state economic control.
Impact: Although it sought to revitalize the USSR, perestroika contributed to its
collapse by destabilizing the existing political and economic system.
Reference:
 Kotz, D. M., & Weir, F. (1997). Revolution from Above: The Demise of the Soviet
System. Routledge.
 Brown, A. (1996). The Gorbachev Factor. Oxford University Press
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1.

Interwar period (1919-1939)

1.1 Culture of the Roaring Twenties

1.2 Great Depression (1929-1939)

o Economic impacts: In the US, industrial production fell by 50% and

2. Rise of Totalitarian Governments (1919-1939)

Fascism is an authoritarian and ultra-nationalist political ideology that emerged

Historical effects: Inspired other authoritarian regimes, such as Nazism in

Ideology promoted by Adolf Hitler based on racial supremacy, anti-Semitism and

3. Cold War (1945-1991)

3.1. Yalta Conference (1945)

3.2 Division of Germany

3.3 United Nations (UN)

3.4. Missile Crisis (1962)

3.5 Vietnam War (1955-1975)

3.6 Korean War (1950-1953)

4. Dissolution of the USSR (1991)

Another Gorbachev reform aimed at the economic and political restructuring of

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