World History: Journey Across Time

Chapter 22: Building Today's World

Chapter Overviews

The technology revolution has helped build a global economy. With the invention of the computer, people throughout the world are connected almost instantly. The technology revolution has proven that the world's economies and politics rely on one another for survival. This idea, or globalism, has promoted free trade. Globalism has also simplified the trade process. European countries began using a common currency, the euro, in 2002. Globalism has also made people aware of challenges that face the world. Deforestation, water and food shortages, and nuclear proliferation have all troubled many people. The world's nations, members of the European Union, and the United States, have prospered. On September 11, 2001, the United States suffered a horrifying act of terrorism when hijackers seized four American planes, crashing two into the World Trade Center and one into the Pentagon. The fourth plane crashed in a Pennsylvania field. Since the attacks, the United States has worked to find Osama bin Laden and remove al Qaeda from power. In 2002, the United States turned its attention to finding and eliminating weapons of mass destruction. Also during this time, Saddam Hussein was captured and removed from power.