7.1

Increasing Government and Political Power

[|Link to Etherpad Page]

7.1.1
An example of change was expanding role of state power. Included in this example would be the importance of central banks, establishment of tariffs and barriers/incentives for international trade and subsidizing public transportation systems. The regulations of public commodities, such as electricity and the institution of social welfare programs, such as social security and national pensions are also ways that state power impacted the daily lives of their citizens.

7.1.2
The victory of the Allied Powers and the United States in World War I led to changes in the global balance of political and economic power, including the rise in power and status of the United States. The devastating effects of the world-wide depression and Treaty of Versailles left Germany and the Ottoman Turks powerless relative to global politics. The creation of new countries in Europe and the adjustment of political boundaries at the end of World War I changed the map of Europe. The decrease in military budgets following World War I was short-lived; dramatic military budget increases were needed to fight World War II.

7.1.3
Racism and ethnic hatred have resulted in genocide. Root causes of genocide include race, religion, economic disparity, and ethnic and cultural differences. The consequences, in addition to the loss of human life, are the loss of human potential for the improvement of society. We can use the work of journalists as well as journals, oral histories, interviews, and writings of participants to analyze acts of genocide perpetrated during the first half of the 20th Century.

7.1.4
Science and technology have brought about developments that both benefit and imperil Earth and its living inhabitants. Scientific and technological innovations in transportation and communications have increased speed and efficiency. Developments in medicine have provided longer livesfor many of the world's people through widespread use of immunizations and antibiotics. Innovations have also been used to increase the deadliness of warfare. Some examples might be the progression from the airplane to aerial bombing, and finally the delivery of nuclear weapons.

7.1.5
Warfare has changed from dominance by professional armies to conscripted civilians who serve as citizen soldiers. In previous eras, military personnel constituted the majority of casualties, while in 20th Century warfare, both military and civilians have been targeted by opposing sides. Industrialization and urbanization brought aerial destruction to cities, targeting factories that produced war materials. The proximity of factories to populations in urban regions put civilians at great risk from actions such as the Blitz, fire bombing, and nuclear weapons. Technological improvements in the design and production of weapons increased the numbers of individuals involved in the conflict as well as casualties.