Les Frontières Politiques et leurs Types

Introduction

• Frontière: A territorial political limit separating at least two states, signifying sovereignty. A line of conflict in international relations.
• Frontiers are not fixed: They are internationally recognized and inviolate (by the UN).
• 20th Century: Saw a significant increase in the number of borders, particularly in Africa and South America.
• Post-World War II: Led to an increase in the number of states in Europe and globally.
• Treaties: Define the location and acceptance of borders

Types of Borders

• Natural Borders: Based on natural features (e.g., rivers, mountains). Not necessarily closed, can be open, partially marked, or unmarked/porous depending on the degree of demarcation.
• Man-Made Borders: Artificial barriers like walls, fences, or other man-made structures, usually indicate a firmer boundary.
• Open Borders: Are permeable or porous with little demarcation.
• Closed Borders: Marked by physical/artificial barriers (walls, fences, etc.)

US-Mexico Border

• Border features: Primary border is the Rio Grande river, some areas have walls
• Border Crossings: Vary widely in nature, involving illegal activities (drugs, etc.), economics (capital flows), and human movements (students, tourists, etc.).
• Transborder Spaces: Areas on either side of a border.

Roman Limes

• Limes Rhine: A Roman border zone, was partly fortified, mobile, and porous. It dealt with Germanic peoples. It was a line of defense for Rome. It included fortifications, watchtowers, roads, and walls.
• Purpose: To defend the Roman Empire against the Germanic peoples. It was a dynamic line with trading and cultural exchange alongside defensive functions.
• Decline: This area faced frequent Germanic invasions in the 4th century AD, leading to the abandoning and eventual ruin of the border zone.

Berlin Conference

• The Berlin Conference (1884-1885): Europeans divided up Africa amongst themselves; little regard for local populations, essentially based on their colonial claims on maps.
• Consequences: The borders drawn were not based on or respected the existing ethnic, religious or ancestral connections.
• Impact: Led to conflict and issues of control over resources. Limited African nations’ autonomy.

Korean Border

• Division: Korea was divided along the 38th parallel following World War II, under Soviet and US spheres of influence. A lasting, unresolved border.
• War: The Korean War (1950-1953): An ongoing, unresolved conflict. The armistice in 1953 established a Demilitarized Zone (DMZ.)

Post-WWII German-Polish Border

• 1939-1990: Germany and Poland had fluctuating borders, impacted by the war, Nazi and Soviet influence.
• Final Settlement: The 1990 border agreement finalized the boundary between the two countries

Cold War Border (German)

• Division: Post-World War II Europe was divided into communist and capitalist blocs. Germany, being a key country, further divided into two states (East and West).
• Berlin Wall: A significant and symbolic wall separating communist East Berlin from democratic West Berlin and the border between these sides of Berlin/Germany.
• Collapse: Division ended with the fall of the Berlin Wall (1989) and the reunification (1990).

Law of the Sea

• Importance: Covers 71% of the Earth and regulates marine activities. Sets rules to prevent clashes arising due to differing perspectives regarding ownership of oceans.
• Historical and Contemporary Treaties: Establishing clear boundaries, including treaties like the Treaty of Tordesillas.
• International Bodies like the UN: The United Nations plays a role in codifying and developing relevant international law, and addressing disputes around marine boundaries.

Maritime Zones

• Territorial Sea: Sovereign territory of a nation extending up to 12 nautical miles from the coastline
• Contiguous Zone : A zone extending beyond the territorial sea, for customs, immigration, etc., purposes
• Exclusive Economic Zone: Zone where a nation has rights to the resources of the surrounding water and seabed.

Maritime Disputes

• China's claims: Disputes with neighbouring nations over islands.
• General tensions: Disagreements based on differing interpretation of maritime boundaries.

Ce quiz explore les concepts de frontières politiques, leur évolution au cours du 20ème siècle et après la Seconde Guerre mondiale. Il examine également les différents types de frontières, y compris naturelles, artificielles, ouvertes et fermées. Testez vos connaissances sur ce sujet crucial en relations internationales.