pt. I. The significance of the Cold War. 1. The impact of the Cold War and the struggles for independence, 1945-54. 2. The application of bipolarity, 1954-70. 3. The period of tripolarity, 1971-89 -- pt. II. The policies of the great powers. 4. The United States and the Asia-Pacific. 5. The Soviet Union/Russia and the Asia-Pacific. 6. China and the Asia-Pacific. 7. Japan and the Asia-Pacific. 8. Conclusion: the post Cold War period, 1990-95.