An ideal companion for students of world history, this book explores world history since the end of World War II. The central role played by Europe in global affairs gave way to new international power relations after the war. Initially a cold war between two superpowers, the Soviet-led communist alliance and the American-led capitalist alliance, shaped international politics. After the fall of the Soviet Union the integration of national economies into one single global system accelerated. This volume explores the post-war recovery and creation of international organizations; the cold war; decolonization and the nonaligned movement; religious, cultural, and social trends; the fall of the Soviet Union; globalization; and contemporary challenges.