Reading Notes Week 14A: Postwar and Postcolonial Literature

Postwar and Post Colonial Literature, 1945-1968

The world after WWII was a mess.  Hundreds of Thousands of people died and countries were destroyed.

The US and Soviet Union were locked in a Cold War. Each country had enough nuclear weapons to to take out the planet.  They each knew though that who ever sent the first missile off would be the one to take the beating.  As a result, both countries were locked and waiting for each other to make a move.

After 1949- Half of the world lived under Communism.

To avoid nuclear attacks, the two different sides fought wars in different territories such as Korea and Vietnam.

Decolonization in Western Europe, often accompanied by conflicts over redrawn borders

The initial stages of post colonial development were frequently marked by internal conflicts, civil wars, and dictatorships

First world, second world and third world emerges

Postwar period in western Europe saw rapid rebuilding and further industrialization.