Western Civilization and the Aftermaths of the World Wars

Western Civilization
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Western Civilization
According to Spielvogel (2020), western civilization entails various cultures in the European heritage that share a common philosophical and societal value. Thus, it revolves around arts, literature, culture, and long-lasting ideas that emerged following the fall of the Roman Empire. The significant events that influenced Western civilization in the 20th century and even beyond are the aftermaths of the world wars. By the end of the wars, many people were dead, and others were left homeless. Also, a lot of the continent's industrial infrastructure had been destroyed. The paper will give a detailed description of the changes in Western civilization in the 20th century and beyond brought about by these conflicts.
To begin with, the major conflicts in the 20th century shaped the economy as a whole. By the end of the war, a 70% collapse of the economy in European nations had been experienced (Hammond, 2018). A lot of industrial infrastructures had been destroyed, leading to an adverse effect on the economy. However, this was not the case for the United States since it emerged richer, dominating the world economy. During this period, the United States experienced a baby boom and, by 1950, unlike in any other nation, its domestic product per person had increased.
Additionally, various technological advancements were experienced due to wars, which led to the economy's growth. As a way of solving the needs of the military, technology development got accelerated after the First World War. Afterward, the military tools evolved into non-military equipment, which led to the economy's growth.
Furthermore, various cultural changes were experienced due to the major conflict. Women's lives were affected, leading to a cultural shift. After the major battles in the 20th century, women were accorded the right to vote after their participation in the wars. The right to vote was something that was denied to women for the longest time, but the culture changed after the battles. Also, the social acceptance of the disabled and the reduction in the destigmatization of those with mental health illnesses were introduced (Spielvogel, 2020). A culture that incorporated all people despite having physical disabilities was incorporated. The major conflicts also spurred new creativity in the arts. A global revival of poetry as a fo...