Cold War and Decolonization — AP World History: Modern Unit 8 practice.

Exam prompt: 'Explain how the Cold War affected newly independent states in Asia and Africa after 1945.'

A strong response would argue that superpowers actively intervened in decolonizing regions to install or support friendly governments, as seen in U.S. support for South Vietnam and Soviet support for North Vietnam during the Vietnam War. Students should note that this intervention often destabilized new nations, as outside powers prioritized ideological alignment over self-determination. The key AP skill here is causation — linking Cold War competition directly to specific outcomes in decolonizing regions.

SAQ prompt: 'Identify ONE cause of decolonization in Africa or Asia after 1945 and explain how it contributed to independence movements.'

A student could identify WWII as a cause, explaining that the war drained British and French treasuries and destroyed the myth of European invincibility when Japan defeated colonial powers in Southeast Asia. This weakened European states' ability and will to suppress independence movements at the same moment those movements were gaining international legitimacy through the UN Charter's emphasis on self-determination. The response earns full credit by linking the cause directly to a specific mechanism driving decolonization.

DBQ/LEQ context: 'Evaluate the extent to which the Non-Aligned Movement successfully achieved its goals during the Cold War era.'

A nuanced response would argue that NAM had partial success: it gave postcolonial states a collective diplomatic voice and enabled leaders like Nasser to play superpowers against each other for economic benefit, demonstrating agency. However, many NAM members were still drawn into Cold War proxy conflicts (e.g., Vietnam, Angola) and remained economically dependent on former colonial powers or superpower aid, limiting true independence. The AP rubric rewards complexity — acknowledging both what NAM achieved and its structural limitations.