Changes

Beginning soon after the end of World War II, the western nations discussed agreements to reduce tariffs for trade among themselves.  In 1947, they entered into the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) in order to decrease tariffs that interfered with trade.  This marked a significant change from how nations had used tariffs in the past to protect their domestic industries and raise revenue.  Under GATT, western countries first froze the tariffs (preventing them from increasing) and later began reducing the tariffs.  In 1995, this approach was taken one step further with the World Trade Organization (WTO), which included non-western countries and also established international courts for deciding trade disputes among nations.  There are 150 members of the WTO today, and Vietnam (which the communists won by war in the 1970s) joined the WTO in 2007.

Beginning soon after the end of World War II, the western nations discussed agreements to reduce tariffs for trade among themselves.  In 1947, they entered into the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) in order to decrease tariffs that interfered with trade.  This marked a significant change from how nations had used tariffs in the past to protect their domestic industries and raise revenue.  Under GATT, western countries first froze the tariffs (preventing them from increasing) and later began reducing the tariffs.  In 1995, this approach was taken one step further with the World Trade Organization (WTO), which included non-western countries and also established international courts for deciding trade disputes among nations.  There are 150 members of the WTO today, and Vietnam (which the communists won by war in the 1970s) joined the WTO in 2007.

 

Western European nations also joined the European Common Market after World War II, and then in 1958 joined the European Economic Community (EEC) to reduce tariffs among themselves.  The EEC later because the European Union (EU), which includes all Western European countries except Switzerland, which has never joined anything and fiercely defends its independence, and Norway.  In 2002, all of EU began using a common currency known as the “euro”, except for Denmark and the United Kingdom, which still use their own currencies.  In 2004, many Eastern European nations also joined the EU.  A map of the EU is attached.

Western European nations also joined the European Common Market after World War II, and then in 1958 joined the European Economic Community (EEC) to reduce tariffs among themselves.  The EEC later became the European Union (EU), which includes all Western European countries except Switzerland, which has never joined anything and fiercely defends its independence, and Norway.  In 2002, all of EU began using a common currency known as the “euro”, except for Denmark and the United Kingdom, which still use their own currencies.  In 2004, many Eastern European nations also joined the EU.  A map of the EU is to the right.

The large Muslim nation of Turkey has requested to join the EU.  One opponent is the new Pope Benedict XVI of the Catholic Church, who succeeded Pope John Paul II in 2005 upon his death.  Pope Benedict has emphasized the need to keep Europe Christian, and he sparked Muslim riots in late 2006 when he repeated a provocative quote about Islam.  One of President Barack Obama’s most significant statements after his election was to call for the inclusion of Turkey in the EU.

The large Muslim nation of Turkey has requested to join the EU.  One opponent is the new Pope Benedict XVI of the Catholic Church, who succeeded Pope John Paul II in 2005 upon his death.  Pope Benedict has emphasized the need to keep Europe Christian, and he sparked Muslim riots in late 2006 when he repeated a provocative quote about Islam.  One of President Barack Obama’s most significant statements after his election was to call for the inclusion of Turkey in the EU.

===Agriculture===

===Agriculture===

The green revolution was a worldwide effort to increase the food supply through better farming, particularly in undernourished regions like India and South America.  By increasing the amount of farmland and obtaining better [[crop yield]] from existing farms, the food supply increased such that India began producing more food than it could consume, and exported its surplus.  Worldwide, the crops of rice, wheat and maize (corn) all increased.   

The “green revolution” was a worldwide effort to increase the food supply through better farming, particularly in undernourished regions like India and South America.  By increasing the amount of farmland and obtaining better [[crop yield]] from existing farms, the food supply increased such that India began producing more food than it could even consume, and exported its surplus.  Worldwide, the crops of rice, wheat and maize (corn) all increased.   

Popular and easy to grow in the Asian climate, rice was historically the world's most popular crop.  But maize (corn), wheat and sugar cane have surpassed rice in popularity.  Here is the list of the most popular crops in the world today:

Popular and easy to grow in the Asian climate, rice was historically the world's most popular crop.  But maize (corn), wheat and sugar cane have surpassed rice in popularity.  Here is the list of the most popular crops in the world today:

# tomatoes

# tomatoes

Pesticides and fertilizers were used to increase production during the green revolution, and many wonder if they are harmful to our diet.  Today, there is controversial use of genetic engineering of crops to increase crop yield (the amount of food produced per a given area).

Pesticides and fertilizers were used to increase production during the green revolution, and many wonder if they are harmful to our diet.  A massive market has developed in “organic” goods grown without the use of pesticides.  Today, there is also controversial use of genetic engineering of crops to increase crop yield (the amount of food produced per a given area).

Environmentalists complained that increased irrigation for crops has depleted ground water and an increase in the salinity of the soil.  Many ground wells in the United States may be polluted, though usually from hazardous waste (such as dumped oil) rather than from fertilizers or pesticides.

Environmentalists complained that increased irrigation for crops has depleted ground water and an increase in the salinity of the soil.  Many ground wells in the United States may be polluted from hazardous waste (such as dumped oil), or possibly from fertilizers or pesticides.

===Outer Space===

===Outer Space===

In the 1950s and 1960s, the United States and Soviet Union engaged in a “Space Race” to see who could explore and perhaps claim outer space first.  In 1957, the Soviet Union shocked Americans by being the first to launch spacecraft (“Sputnik”) into orbit.  The first astronaut was a dog named Laika, which sadly did not return alive.  The name “Sputnik” inspired the name chosen by a hippie-like leader of a new counterculture movement in San Francisco:  “beatnik”.  The beatniks in the late 1950s laid the foundation for the hippies in the 1960s.

In the 1950s and 1960s, the United States and Soviet Union engaged in a “Space Race” to see who could explore and perhaps claim outer space first.  In 1957, the Soviet Union shocked Americans by being the first to launch spacecraft (“Sputnik”) into orbit.  The first astronaut was a dog named Laika, which sadly did not return alive.  The name “Sputnik” inspired the name chosen by a hippie-like leader of a new counterculture movement in San Francisco:  “beatnik”.  The beatniks in the late 1950s laid the foundation for the hippies in the 1960s.

Sputnik alarmed American politicians, who vowed not to remain in second place in this Space Race.  America launched a project in the 1960s to land a man on the Moon, and used a series of spacecraft named “Apollo”.  In 1969, with the immortal words “one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind,” Astronaut Neil Armstrong became the first human to walk on the Moon.  Some conservatives felt that the Soviets never intended to go to the Moon themselves, but wanted Americans to waste money on the project.  It’s unclear what good came of the lunar project, although it did lead to the invention of Teflon, now widely used in cooking.

Sputnik, which was hyped in the media, alarmed some Americans, and politicians vowed not to remain in second place in this Space Race.  America launched a project in the 1960s to land a man on the Moon, and used a series of spacecraft named “Apollo”.  In 1969, with the immortal words “one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind,” Astronaut Neil Armstrong became the first human to walk on the Moon.  Some conservatives felt that the Soviets never intended to go to the Moon themselves, but wanted Americans to waste money on the project.  It’s unclear what good came of the lunar project, although it did lead to the invention of Teflon, now widely used in cooking.

The Soviet Union continued a more limited space program, and in the 1970s the two superpowers began to collaborate on docketing their spacecraft together in orbit, creating space shuttles, and even building space stations.  In 1975, the Apollo spacecraft and the Soviet Soyuz successful docked together in space.

The Soviet Union continued a more limited space program, and in the 1970s the two superpowers began to collaborate on docketing their spacecraft together in orbit, creating space shuttles, and even building space stations.  In 1975, the Apollo spacecraft and the Soviet Soyuz successfully docked together in space.

Americans continued to explore planets with the Hubble Telescope (to explore distant space in 1990) and the Pathfinder space probe (landing on Mars in 1997).  For most of the 20th century scientists (and popular movies) claimed that life must exist in outer space.  But despite all this exploration, no extraterrestrial life has ever been found.

Americans continued to explore planets with the Hubble Telescope (to explore distant space in 1990) and the Pathfinder space probe (landing on Mars in 1997).  For most of the 20th century scientists (and popular movies) claimed that life must exist in outer space.  Claims of life existing in outer space may have anti-Christian motivations and effects, as they tend to contradict the Christian view of the creation of life and the redemption by Jesus Christ.  No extraterrestrial life has ever been found, despite all the exploration costing billions of dollars.

==Security==

==Security and Terrorism==

As communications and travel makes the world seem like a smaller place, security issues become more important.  America can no longer rely on the vast distance of the oceans to protect herself from her enemies.  A terrorist is only a few hours away by plane, or by car in crossing a border.

As communications and travel makes the world seem like a smaller place, security issues become more important.  America can no longer rely on the vast distance of the oceans to protect herself from her enemies.  A terrorist is only a few hours away by plane, or by car in crossing a border.

Northern Ireland remains in control of the British, despite the objections of the growing Catholic minority.  On “Bloody Sunday” (1972), the Irish held a peaceful march for freedom in Derry, Northern Ireland.  The British soldiers responded by shooting thirteen unarmed protesters dead, including six minors, and another died from the wounds a few months later.  Five had been shot in the back.  Army vehicles ran over two protesters.  The British never punished those responsible and several songs (one by John Lennon, and other by U2) commemorate the tragedy.  There is a Christian rock group that dedicates its name to the event, calling themselves “Bloody Sunday.”

Northern Ireland remains in control of the British, despite the objections of the growing Catholic minority.  On “Bloody Sunday” (1972), the Irish held a peaceful march for freedom in Derry, Northern Ireland.  The British soldiers responded by shooting thirteen unarmed protesters dead, including six minors, and another died from the wounds a few months later.  Five had been shot in the back.  Army vehicles ran over two protesters.  The British never punished those responsible and several songs (one by John Lennon, and other by U2) commemorate the tragedy.  There is a Christian rock group that dedicates its name to the event, calling themselves “Bloody Sunday.”

This event made many Irish feel that complete independence is the only solution, and that armed revolt is the only way to achieve independence.  Membership in the IRA then soared.  At one point they launched handheld missiles on the headquarters of the British prime minister, in the hopes of killing John Major.  He escaped injury.  More recently, violence in Northern Ireland has subsided, but there is no end to the controversy over whether the Protestants or Catholics should rule that northeastern corner of Ireland.

This event made many Irish feel that complete independence is the only solution, and that armed revolt is the only way to achieve independence.  Membership in the IRA then soared.  At one point they launched missiles from a van, directed at the headquarters of the British prime minister, in the hopes of killing John Major.  He escaped injury.  More recently, violence in Northern Ireland has subsided, but there is no end to the controversy over whether the Protestants or Catholics should rule that northeastern corner of Ireland.

===Terrorism===

===9/11===

Islamic terrorism has long plagued the Middle East.  Palestinian terrorists grabbed and murdered eleven Israeli athletes at the Olympic Games in Munich in 1972, shocking the world.  A suicide bomber drove a truck of explosives up to a barracks of American Marines in Beirut, Lebanon, and detonated an explosion that destroyed their building, killing 241 of them in 1983.  Within a year President Reagan pulled American troops out of Beirut.  In March 1998, terrorists bombed American embassies in Tanzania and Kenya.  Most suspected Osama Bin Laden as the mastermind behind these attacks.

Islamic terrorism has long plagued the Middle East.  Palestinian terrorists grabbed and murdered eleven Israeli athletes at the Olympic Games in Munich in 1972, shocking the world.  A suicide bomber drove a truck of explosives up to a barracks of American Marines in Beirut, Lebanon, and detonated an explosion that destroyed their building, killing 241 of them in 1983.  Within a year President Reagan pulled American troops out of Beirut.  In March 1998, terrorists bombed American embassies in Tanzania and Kenya.  Most suspected Osama Bin Laden as the mastermind behind these attacks.

But it was not until September 11, 2001 (9-11) that Islamic terrorism hit American soil.  A group of 19 Muslims, most from Saudi Arabia, hijacked American airlines and flew one into each tower of the World Trade Center, a third into the Pentagon (probably after the pilot had trouble locating the White House from the air), and a fourth crashed in Pennsylvania as the passengers attempted to retake control of the plane from the terrorists.  Nearly 3,000 people died when the World Trade Center collapsed from the resulting fire, as millions watched it live on television.  An outpouring of support for American followed, with only Saddam Hussein of Iraq refusing to fly his flag at half-mast at the United Nations.

But it was not until September 11, 2001 (9-11) that Islamic terrorism hit American soil.  A group of 19 Muslims, most from Saudi Arabia, hijacked American airlines and flew one into each tower of the World Trade Center, a third into the Pentagon (probably after the pilot had trouble locating the White House from the air), and a fourth crashed in Pennsylvania as the passengers attempted to retake control of the plane from the terrorists.  Nearly 3,000 people died when the World Trade Center collapsed from the resulting fire, as millions watched it live on television.  An outpouring of support for American followed, with only Saddam Hussein of Iraq refusing to fly his flag at half-mast at the United Nations.

President George W. Bush responded by attacking Osama Bin Laden in Afghanistan, after the Taliban in charge of that nation refused to hand him over.  Bin Laden is the leader of the terrorist organization called al Qaeda (spellings vary in translating that name from Arabic).  Bin Laden fled, but al Qaeda was broken up in Afghanistan, the Taliban was overthrown, and many of Bin Laden’s top aides were killed by the end of 2001.  Although a democratic provisional government has replaced the Taliban there, the persecution of Christians continues.  In 2006, the Afghanistan country sentenced a citizen to death for converting from Islam to Christianity, and the United States did not intervene.  International pressure causes a suspension in the punishment.

President George W. Bush responded by attacking Osama Bin Laden in Afghanistan, after the Taliban in charge of that nation refused to hand him over.  Bin Laden is the leader of the terrorist organization called al Qaeda (spellings vary in translating that name from Arabic).  Bin Laden fled, but al Qaeda was broken up in Afghanistan, the Taliban was overthrown, and many of Bin Laden’s top aides were killed by the end of 2001.  Although a democratic provisional government has replaced the Taliban there, the persecution of Christians continues.  In 2006, one Christian was targeted for execution by the Afghanistan country merely for converting from Islam, and the United States did not intervene.  International pressure causes a suspension in the punishment.

In 2003, the United States invaded Iraq after Saddam Hussein refused to cooperate with inspectors of his nuclear facility and Americans feared that he had weapons of mass destruction (WMD).  The Iraq War was initially very successful for Americans, as Baghdad was captured quicker than expected.  The use of new body armor by American soldiers saved many lives that would have been lost at an earlier time.  At the end of 2006 Saddam Hussein was captured by an American soldier and then tried by the Iraqis and hanged for his crimes.  But although military victory for Americans appeared swift and decisive in Iraq in 2003, terrorism continued to cause a continuing stream of violence and killings for over three years there, until a massive "surge" in 2007 and 2008 by American forces reduced the resistance and counter-attacks.  The election of Barack Obama as President of the United States in 2008 led to the announcement that the United States would withdraw most of its troops in 2009.

In 2003, the United States invaded Iraq after Saddam Hussein refused to cooperate with inspectors of his nuclear facility and Americans feared that he had weapons of mass destruction (WMD).  The Iraq War was initially very successful for Americans, as Baghdad was captured quicker than expected.  The use of new body armor by American soldiers saved many lives that would have been lost at an earlier time.  At the end of 2006 Saddam Hussein himself, after being captured by an American soldier and tried by the Iraqis, was hanged for his crimes.  But in early 2007, three years after President Bush had announced victory in the war, he asked the American people to send 20,000 more troops to Iraq to try to finish the job.  Terrorists there have caused a continuing stream of violence and killings for over three years.

===Migration===

===Migration===