Why were American soldiers fighting in Vietnam in the 1960s? Which version of the early Cold War is the true one? This book explores the why of recent history to provide a valuable political education for young citizens as well as a record of events. Key concepts such as democracy, socialism and nationalism are explained and illustrated through the twentieth-century history of the three paramount world powers (the USA, the USSR, and China), while the account of their relations since 1945 is an essential background to the international scene today.

CONTENTS:
1. The USA since 1920
2. The USSR since 1917
3. China since 1911
4. The World Powers’ Relations since 1945