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Consequences of WWII
Consequences of WWII
The importance of international cooperation
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Robert Kagan’s observant eye brings to the forefront an issue that is often disregarded in terms of contemporary importance. Throughout modern history, the United States and Europe have differentiated in both tact and standpoint, yet this critical fact has almost become the backdrop to the changing pace of today’s events. The histories of both continents are quite varied, yet are also intertwined—such is the reason why their viewpoints are so disparate. In Of Paradise and Power, Mr. Kagan shines light specifically on these reasons, yet unfortunately at the same time offers only weak resolutions. Nonetheless, his book discusses a topic that for a long time has been swept under the carpet, and does it with great detail.
Mr. Kagan begins by directly addressing the issue: the United States and Europe clearly do not see eye to eye on how to handle current affairs. The United States is currently the top superpower, whose slightest whim can start a chain of events that span the globe. This is because the U.S. is a military power that prefers to shoot before talking (or in some cases, talk with a pistol in hand). The political leaders of the country believes it to be ideologically supreme, and therefore must use its force to spread these good ideas to places in the world where they believe are missing.
Europe, on the other hand, is relatively weak compared to the bulkiness of America’s muscles. The continent has been battered by the last two World Wars and has thus developed a set of ideals that do not revolve around power and military defense. Europe over the centuries was the original superpower, conquering foreign lands as well as each other using brute, destructive force. Now that they have learnt from the terrors caused by supreme militarization, as well as radical ideology, the Europeans have become more state-oriented, and have therefore “fallen behind” the United States.
The biggest blow came to Europe during World War II, which essentially ended its militaristic and colonial ideals. The collective term for all the troubles that began then is the “German problem,” where fanatical dogma was taken to its extreme. Europe, a wounded superpower from the First World War, never fully regained the status it had retained beforehand. The people saw that building up armies would no longer be beneficial to the future of the continent. Now the nations’ leaders handle situations more diplomatically, although sometimes passively if the possibility of war looms.
After World War II, Europe emerged as a continent torn between two very different political ideologies, Communism and Democracy. As the two major superpowers, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and the United States, struggled to defend their respective governmental policies, the European Continent was caught in an intrinsic struggle to preserve the autonomy which had taken so long to achieve. During the Cold War, Eastern European nations struggled to achieve autonomy with the help of the West's dedication to break the Soviet sphere of influence. After the disintegration of the USSR, the struggle for autonomy among nations shifted from an intense, inward, nationalistic struggle to break away from a superpower to a commitment of international unity and cooperation as nations began to take moral and political responsibility for their actions.
This was definitely a tough predicament for Europe to be in. In the aftermath of World War I, literally tens of millions were mortally wounded and missing, there were devastating effects on morale and view towards war, which would make most any weakened society ...
In Stephen Kinzer’s Overthrow, centuries of American Intervention in foreign affairs is detailed and discussed. Three sections of the novel: The Imperial Era, Covert Actions, and Invasions speak of recurring patterns and themes throughout history in regards to American involvement. Kinzer suggests such actions were fueled by economic self-interest, ideologies, and the inherent belief that America is a force for good in the world. However, despite the obvious implications of American intervention, some would also say that the narrative weaved by Kinzer is far more complex than suggested.
In ancient times, there was a country of stupendous power and might. A nation which amassed a military like no other, grew an economy so strong that it seemed everlasting, and established a government that stood for its people. It appeared that this was the country to set an example for all countries that followed. It was the behemoth of prosperity. It was the great Roman Empire. It seemed as though this country’s reign would never end, but this was far from the truth. For with great prosperity came a dreadful plummet and eventually collapse. This was the unfortunate fate of all powerful nations, including that of, dare it be said, the United States of America. The all powerful and unbeatable nation which reigned its dominant influence over the entire world. Surely, it could never have fallen. However, that statement would be considered nonsensical if directed toward the once almighty and all powerful Roman Empire. Thus, it could not be stated for the “Great Experiment” (USA). Which was why the comparison between the two, very similar, superpowers was logical. Clearly, the Roman Empire which had striking parallels to the United States was a foreshadowing of America’s fate: Inevitable collapse. Both superpowers had vastly similar economics, foreign influence, and government, of which, Rome had experienced an unfortunate decline. Thus, comparisons could be made between how Rome and America rose to power, began to lose their power, and eventually, how Rome fell and how America might have fallen.
From western expansion to foreign imperialism the United States has always been an expansionist country. Early America’s focus was to conquer the natives and obtain western land within North America, but in the latter of America’s history, specifically in the nineteenth and twentieth century, foreign imperialism became the new focus. America’s activity in foreign imperialism was a continuation and departure of the United States’ early expansionism. It was a continuation in terms of manifest destiny, the spread of Christianity, and by the concept of “the city on a hill” and a departure in terms of foreign involvement.
In 1914, Europe was diving into two separate powers. One was Triple Entente composed of France, Russia and Britain. Other one was Triple Alliance, consists of Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy. (Pope 2) Each of the countries was connected with different treaties. The caused of European countries’ unstable political situation and threat of war was present. By arranging alliances with other governments, most countries found ways to protect themselves from assault. While Germany was becoming the center of the struggle, Europe made a spider web of tangled alliance that led most countries into two opposing powers. (Hamilton 16) In the late nineteenth century, the most surprising event in Europe was the birth of united state of Germany. Under the leadership of the Chancellor of Germany, Otto von Bismarck, system of alliances was established to achieve peace in Europe. By 1890, Bismarck succeeded in having every major power into his alliance system...
According to Wright, this decline in the unipolar concert “marks the return of geopolitical competition and presents a significant challenge for U.S. strategy” (Wright, 8). Many believe that these country were not too concerned with global power until it saw the U.S. weak
In the summer 1993 edition of the journal Foreign Affairs, Huntington argued that world politics was entering a new phase after the end of the Cold War, and that tensions between civilizations, as the highest cultural groupings of people, would dominate the global scene. He explains the article’s thesis in these words.
... An American History of the World. 4th ed. of the book. W.W. Norton, 2012, 671. 2.)
WWII has a ripple effect across the globe causing changes both internationally and domestically. Internationally, The sun finally began to set over the British Empire with the majority of her majesties colonial possessions gaining independence in the years following the war. Britain’s stage left exit from its hegemonic role resulted in the start of a new “Great Game” between two burgeoning superpowers. A new world order began to take shape with the United States and USSR vying to establish their own hegemony.
The Main Strengths and Weaknesses of the Major Powers of 20th Century At the beginning of the 20th century the five main powers in Europe
In the decades before the outbreak of war in 1914, Germany had been the major instigator of tension between the European powers. Under the policy of Weltpolitik (world politics) Germany's wished to play a large part in international affairs, join in on the quest for colonial territory, and spread German influence abroad. The other European powers were all pursuing their own imperialistic policies and were all competing for the same aims as Germany. When Germany tried to bully its way into the grab for colonies the other nations responded by forming alliances isolating it. Weltpolitik accomplished very little positive effects, instead managing to sour international relations, and cause a great deal of ...
This book is written from a perspective foreign to most Americans. Historically, American students are taught from a single perspective, that being the American perspective. This approach to history (the single perspective) dehumanizes the enemy and glorifies the Americans. We tend to forget that those on the opposing side are also human.
Throughout history, negotiation has been a powerful tool used by world leaders to avoid violence and resolve conflict. When negotiation succeeds, all parties can feel that they have achieved their goals and met their expectations, but when negotiations go awry, countries and relationships can be damaged beyond repair. The Munich Agreement of 1938 is a primary example of this type of failure, which was one of the catalysts to the start of World War II and Czechoslovakia’s loss of independence. The Czech people were greatly overlooked during this agreement process, which still in some instances affects the country today. The 1930s were a challenging time for Europe and the powers within it due to the aftermath of WWI and the worldwide economic depression.
Some of the consequences of the EU and the United States interaction in international politics are, in most cases, that going into conflicts may ultimately delay the effectiveness of the nation-states ability to influence as a world leader. Works Cited Kamel, R. (1999). The Species of the World. The information technology landscape in Egypt. EGYPT, Retrieved from http://www1.american.edu/carmel/rk8183a/egypt.htmhttp://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/5309.htm.