The United Nations was created following World War II to prevent future conflict and promote international cooperation. While its creation was well-intended, the organization’s structure created inequality amongst its members. One of the permanent members (Russia, China, United States, United Kingdom, and France) could veto any action—no other members had that power. Gridlocks between the U.S. and the U.S.S.R. were frequent, creating tension that fueled the Cold War. Sometimes, well-intentioned actions can backfire and lead to unexpected outcomes. Here are 15 unforeseen events that changed our modern world.
Prohibition Breeds Crime
The U.S. Congress passed the 18th Amendment in 1920, which outlawed the manufacturing, sale, and transportation of alcohol. Despite this, those wanting a cold beer after work could still get one if they knew where to look. Many flocked to speakeasies or hidden illegal bars where they could drink bootleg alcohol. While the government tried to crack down on drinking, Prohibition had a counterintuitive effect—it gave rise to organized crime. Syndicates like the one Al Capone led found the bootlegging business highly lucrative.
Mao’s Sparrow Campaign
After winning the Chinese Civil War in 1949, Mao Zedong, leader of the Chinese Communist Party, founded the People’s Republic of China. He then launched the Great Leap Forward, a social and economic campaign aimed at industrializing the nation. However, he also initiated the Four Evils Campaign, targeting four perceived pests: rats, flies, mosquitoes, and sparrows. The mass extermination of the sparrow population caused an ecological imbalance, and the campaign inadvertently contributed to the Great Chinese Famine.
Columbus Discovers the Americas
The great explorer Christopher Columbus set sail from Spain in 1492 in search of a western trade route to the East Indies. Instead, he landed in the Caribbean—specifically in the Bahamas—and established the first permanent European settlement in the New World. Spain colonized the Americas, but settlers often clashed with the natives, especially when they sought to enslave them and take valuable resources such as gold. Columbus’s quest for a westward route led to the discovery of the Americas and opened the door to European colonization.
Gunpowder’s Warfare Impact
Chinese alchemists in the 9th century experimented with different chemicals while searching for an immortality elixir. However, they discovered that when saltpeter (potassium nitrate), sulfur, and charcoal were combined and ignited, the chemical reaction caused an explosion. Initially used for fireworks, gunpowder soon emerged on the battlefield and revolutionized early warfare. Instead of prolonging life, the alchemists unintentionally created something that would annihilate human life.
Treaty of Versailles
Five years following the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, Allied leaders met at the Paris Peace Conference. The Big Four—which included Woodrow Wilson (United States), David Lloyd George (United Kingdom), George Clemenceau (France), and Vittorio Emanuele Orlando (Italy)—signed the Treaty of Versailles, effectively ending the Great War. The treaty blamed Germany for the war and required the nation to pay reparations, give up territory, cede all overseas colonies, and restrict its military capability. Germany’s harsh treatment led to the rise of the Nazi party and World War II.
CIA Coup in Iran
In the early 1950s, the Western world’s oil interests in the Middle East were at risk. Mohammad Mosaddegh, the democratically elected prime minister of Iran at the time, sought to take control of the country’s oil resources, which were under British control. The U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) used propaganda, bribery, and political manipulation to stage a coup that would install a new prime minister to preserve Western oil interests. The CIA was successful; however, the situation fueled Middle Eastern resentment and bred anti-American sentiments that persist today.
Arming Afghan Rebels
Cold War tensions intensified following the Soviet Union’s involvement in Afghanistan. The U.S.S.R. supported the communist government against Mujahideen rebels, who received weapons and training from the U.S. The conflict led to a proxy war between the U.S.S.R. and the U.S. that lasted for almost a decade. The CIA provided rebels with Stinger rockets, AK-47s, and rocket launchers, which kept the Soviets at bay. However, after the U.S.S.R.’s withdrawal, the rebel groups fragmented to form the Taliban and Al-Qaeda. Although unpredictable, U.S. involvement ultimately contributed to the rise of extremist groups that would later carry out terrorist attacks against Western nations.
DDT’s Ecological Fallout
DDT, or Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane, is a pesticide used in the mid-20th century to control insect populations. The synthetic chemical was effective at preventing mosquitoes and lice from contaminating crops. However, its consistent use adversely affected wildlife, disrupting the food chain and negatively impacting bird populations. While the United States banned DDT for agricultural use in 1972, trace compounds were still detected in human fatty tissues decades later. The human health risks associated with its long-term exposure remain uncertain.
Thalidomide’s Tragedy
In the 1950s, a Swiss pharmaceutical company developed a drug to cure morning sickness for pregnant women. However, due to lax drug regulations and inadequate testing, the drug—called Thalidomide—caused severe congenital disabilities. Thousands of babies were born with limb malformations, and approximately 40% of the affected infants died shortly after birth. The drug, intended to ease nausea for pregnant women, impacted about 10,000 infants. In response, President John F. Kennedy promptly expanded the Federal Drug Administration’s (FDA) role in regulating prescription drugs by signing key progressive legislation.
Internet’s Global Impact
The military developed the Internet as a secure communications network, allowing different branches of the government to communicate instantaneously and share information from virtually anywhere. Once microchips were invented, companies began selling personal computers. Soon, one was in every household in the modern world. The Internet has significantly impacted society and the economy, and its ripple effects continue to surprise us.
Containerization Revolution
In 1956, the intermodal shipping container was invented, enabling the transportation of large quantities of goods. Few could predict the impact these large steel boxes would have on the global economy. Approximately 17 million containers are in circulation today, carrying 90% of the world’s cargo. Interestingly, over 1,000 containers are lost at sea yearly, but they don’t always sink.
Artificial Borders in the Middle East
Following the collapse of the Ottoman Empire after World War I, Britain and France divided the Middle East with national borders. The Sykes-Picot Agreement mapped the modern-day countries, disregarding the region’s demographics. The borders were drawn based on the colonial interests of the time, and many newly formed countries ended up dividing groups of people who shared the same identity—particularly along the borders of Jordan, Palestine, and Syria. Political and violent disputes over territory continue to cause tensions.
Antibiotic Overuse
Penicillin, discovered in 1928 by a Scottish physician, was the first antibiotic to treat bacterial infections. The chemical substance targets bacteria and prevents them from multiplying and damaging cells. While this breakthrough has saved many lives, its overuse can create “superbugs”—strong bacteria that survive the antibiotic attack. Bacteria multiply rapidly, so antibiotics aren’t always effective, especially against resistant strains. The issue remains a global health concern as it could lead to extended hospital stays, alternative treatments, or even death.
Globalization of Fast Food
The first fast-food restaurant, White Castle, opened in 1921 in Wichita, Kansas. Today, there are over half a million fast-food restaurants worldwide. These establishments provide convenience by maximizing food preparation speed and efficiency. However, convenience comes at an unhealthy price. Most fast-food restaurants use high-fructose corn syrup as a sweetener in buns, sauces, and sodas, which can cause obesity and disease if consumed excessively. Additionally, fast-food chains pay their workers meager wages, allowing them to cut costs.
Smartphone Revolution
In 1992, IBM created the first “smartphone,” a device that combined computer and phone capabilities. However, the smartphone revolution did not begin until Apple unveiled its iPhone in 2007. Today, there are an estimated six million smartphone users. The ubiquity of smartphones has reshaped communication, business, and daily life. No one knew the significant impact they would have on the world when Steve Jobs first unveiled the product in the late 2000s.
