WHII Contemporary World

Front

What is genocide?

Back

Systematic and purposeful destruction of a racial, political, religious, or cultural group.

Front

Give examples of modern era genocides.

Back

Armenians by Ottoman Empire leaders, peasants/leaders/elite in Soviet Union by Joseph Stalin, artists/technicians/officials/monks/minorities/educated in Cambodia by Pol Pot, Muslim/Croats in former Yugoslavia by Bosnian Serbs, Tutsi minority in Rwanda by Hutu, Darfuri civilians by Sudanese government.

Front

What are some contemporary political issues?

Back

Migrations of refugees and others, ethnic/religious conflicts, impact of technology.

Front

What are some examples of migrations?

Back

Refugees as an issue in international conflicts, guest workers to European cities, contemporary conflicts resulting in refugee migration.

Front

Where are some regions experiencing ethnic and religious conflicts?

Back

Middle East, Northern Ireland, Balkans, Horn of Africa, South Asia.

Front

What is the impact of technology on contemporary political issues?

Back

Widespread but unequal access to computers/instantaneous communications; genetic engineering/bioethics; social media allows instant communication/rapid spread of ideas; advances have intended and unintended consequences.

Front

What is terrorism?

Back

Use of illegal violence to achieve political ends.

Front

Give examples of international terrorism.

Back

Munich Olympics, 9/11/2001 attacks by Osama bin Laden, car bombings, suicide bombers, airline hijackers, U.S. Embassy bombing in Beirut, Lockerbie Bombing of Pan Am Flight 103, U.S. Embassy bombings in Nairobi, Kenya, 2011 Breivik shootings.

Front

What are some governmental responses to terrorism?

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Surveillance, review of privacy rights, security at ports/airports, identification badges/photos, interrogations/detentions.

Front

What is economic interdependence?

Back

Countries increasingly dependent on each other for raw materials, markets, financial resources; role of rapid transportation, communication, computer networks; rise/influence of multinational corporations; changing role of international boundaries; regional integration (e.g., EU); trade agreements (e.g., NAFTA, WTO); international organizations (e.g., UN, IMF).