131-154 The World Since World War Two: 1945-1972

Formerly available as 131-007. Students who have completed 131-007 are not eligible to enrol in this subject. Formerly available as 131-114. Students who have completed 131-114 prior to 1999 are not eligible to enrol in this subject. It is recommended that this subject be taken in conjunction with 131-155 The World Since World War Two: 1973-2002.

This subject deals with the history of the postwar world, from the atomic bombing of Japan in 1945 to Australia's withdrawal from Vietnam in 1972. The Cold War, decolonisation, and cultural change during the sixties form the broad areas of study. The theme of the subject is the meaning of freedom, an issue explored with reference to the Iron Curtain, McCarthyism, the partition of India, the Algerian and Vietnam wars, neocolonialism, and mass movements from Civil Rights and Women's Liberation to the anti-war moratoriums. The postwar 'free world' with its economic and political institutions is compared with the postwar Communist bloc and post-colonial states, with their alternative rhetoric of emancipation. On completion of the subject, students should have a solid understanding of postwar world history.

Class participation, written work and a short exam totalling 4000 words.

A subject reader will be available.

• David Reynolds, One World Divisible: A Global History Since 1945. W W Norton, 2001.