The major events that increased polarization on the world stage from the close of world war II through 1961 had to do with the Cold War between Russia and the US--primarily proxy wars such as the Korean War.
As a political philosopher, Jefferson favored the rights of states and a strictly limited federal government. This vision was contrary to that of John Marshall, who believed in the need for a strong and broad federal government, capable of resolving the conflicts of its people and guaranteeing the rights of its citizens.
The term ethnic cleansing came into use to describe the slaughter of Bosnian Muslims.
