Key points:

1.The impact of the World War-II was different for different countries. The worst affected were the European countries and the USA suffered less. Indeed the war helped USA to come out of its economic misery caused by the great depression.
2.countries ebuilt their economies; the world saw some new processes. They were the establishment of the UN, cold war and decolonization. The Second World War had been fought on the principles of peace, democracy and freedom of nations in contrast to the Nazi ideas.
3.The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) emerged as a Champion of anti-colonial struggles. After the War, the world was divided into two groups under USSR and USA. USSR promoted the ideas of equality and state controlled development and suppression of opposition to these principles. On the other side USA promoted the ideas of multiparty democracy and private capitalist controlled process of development. The USA also started suppressing it’s ideological enemies across the globe. This ideological conflict is known as ‘the cold war’.
4.In 1955 under the leadership of Nehru, Nasser and Tito, Non-Alignment Movement (NAM) was organized. But the USA doubted the policies of NAM. There was a heavy competition between USSR and USA in alliances with other countries. USA with its alliances made NATO, SEATO and CENTO and USSR made Warsaw Pact.
5.In West Asian Countries, there was a conflict between Arabs and Israelites related to Palestine. The PLO leader Yasar Arafat and Israel president made a peace agreement.
6.The reforms introduced by Gorbachev in the USSR are described as ‘Glasnost’ and ‘Perestroika’, which were aimed at bringing transparency in governance and more freedom to people. These reforms made for the revival of their economy and promoted healthy relation with the West.
7.Jawaharlal Nehru formulated the Panchseel principles to determine India’s relations with other countries.
8.Pakistan has over the years encouraged separatist movements in the border states of India. Both India and Bangladesh have cooperated on many fronts. ‘Look East Policy’ of India is aimed at linking-up with Southeast Asia via Myanmar.
9.The conflicts between Sri Lanka and LTTE made the relations between India and Sri Lanka worse. India decided not to interfere when the Sri Lankan government began an all out war against the Tamil Militants which caused immense bloodshed and violation of human rights.

Key Concepts:

1.Military Alliances: The USA and USSR made several alliances. Military alliance means an agreement between two or more, military factions, related to war-time planning, commitments, or contingencies. Such agreements can be both defensive and offensive. NATO, SEATO and CENTO are military alliances.
2.Proxy War: Bringing fights between other countries by USSR and USA to show their domination. Proxy war is a war instigated by a major power.
3.Arms race: Each country competes to produce larger number of weapons. Competition between USA and USSR in the issue of making and marketing weapons was called as Arms race.
4.Unipolar World: Dominated by one super power especially, the US. After the collapse of the USSR, the US had no competition to its world dominance.
5.Bipolar Wolrd: In bipolar world, two group of countries i.e., USA, USSR influenced the world.
6.Decolonisation: Handing over the colonies to the natives was called as decolonization.
7.Peace: Friendly environment among the countries and no scope for a war
8.Veto: A right to reject a decision made by a law making body. This is a special power given to USSR, USA, UK, France and China which are permanent members of Security Council of UNO in taking important decisions.
9.Ethnic Conflict: Conflict between two groups on the basis of religion or race. Ethnic conflicts can take place within a country and between two or more countries.
10.Zionist Movement: Jews formed a union spread across the world which is known Zionist Movement.
11.Non Alignment Movement: This movement was started to uphold the independence of third world countries after World War-II. NAM countries choose not to support any military alliance by the USA or USSR.