Notes for World History
THE NEW WORLD ORDER
- When communism collapsed in eastern Europe and the USSR broke up in 1991, the Cold War came to an end. The USA was left as the world’s only superpower.
- US wanted to lead the world now on the path of peace, prosperity, and democracy. In addition, US wanted to act as world’s policeman, keeping ‘rogue states’ under control.
- However, the new world order turned out to be quite different. Much of the rest of the world did not wish to be led by USA, and disagreed with the USA’s world-view.
- Factors that caused dislike for USA in other nations :
- US foreign policy continued along the same interventionist course as during the Cold War. For instance, US invasion and bombing of Panama in 1989.
- USA failed to intervene in situations where international opinion hoped for a decisive US role. For instance, in Rwanda ; in Arab-Israel conflict.
- The USA often failed to support the United Nations. For example, US rejection of verdict of International Court of Justice which condemned USA for its use of force in Nicaragua.
- The USA had a long history of vetoing Security Council resolutions and opposing General Assembly resolutions.
- The US economy was so powerful that decisions taken in US had worldwide implications. The Americans kept firm control over the World Bank and IMF.
