Post-WWII Military and Political Landscape

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Questions and Answers

Which of the following territories was specifically mentioned to be restored without limitations on its sovereignty?

Rumania

France

Austria-Hungary

Belgium (correct)

What is one of the proposed military terms regarding national armaments?

They should be entirely abolished for peace.

They should be reduced to the lowest level for safety. (correct)

They should be increased to enhance national security.

They must remain at current levels to maintain a balance of power.

Which group of countries was to be evacuated and restored, with Serbia's access to the sea secured?

Rumania, Serbia, and Montenegro (correct)

Belgium and Portugal

Austria and the Ottoman Empire

Hungary and Italy

Which of the following was proposed to ensure the political independence of nations?

Establishment of a league of nations. Signup and view all the answers

What was suggested regarding the territories of the Ottoman Empire?

Sovereignty for Turkish parts and autonomy for non-Turkish nationalities. Signup and view all the answers

What key factor contributed to the disappearance of total wars after 1945?

The establishment of international law Signup and view all the answers

Which event marked the maximum intensity of total war?

World War II Signup and view all the answers

How did the nature of warfare shift after 1945?

From total war strategies to limited warfare Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about the Cold War is accurate?

It represented a change in strategic warfare towards indirect competition. Signup and view all the answers

After WWII, many countries recognized that war was pointless because:

Total wars do not yield productive results. Signup and view all the answers

What is a key reason for the occurrence of war according to the concept of rationality?

War will be waged if there is something to gain from it. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best describes the nature of 'new wars'?

The majority of conflicts are intrastate, often targeting ethnic groups. Signup and view all the answers

What major event signified the end of an era characterized by proxy wars and increased human rights peacekeeping?

The end of the Cold War Signup and view all the answers

What economic view underpins the idea that wars are driven by business motivations?

Wars are seen as opportunities for profit and resource acquisition. Signup and view all the answers

Which factor contributed to the decrease in conflicts during the 1990s?

The moral legal turn and regulations by international bodies. Signup and view all the answers

What common belief drives ordinary people to rebel against their governments, according to the insights on warfare?

They believe that violence is the best choice in dire circumstances. Signup and view all the answers

What drove the arms race and disproportion in warfare in the context of the late 20th century?

The proliferation of weapons technology and regional conflicts. Signup and view all the answers

How did military entrepreneurs, or warlords, influence the nature of modern conflicts?

They waged wars for personal needs rather than national goals. Signup and view all the answers

What best describes the fundamental difference between greed and grievance in the context of armed conflicts?

Greed relates to economic motivations, while grievance pertains to socio-political factors. Signup and view all the answers

Which analysis perspective highlights the role of individual rationality in understanding civil wars?

Micro-level theory Signup and view all the answers

In the context of civil wars, what is the likely situation when grievances are most intense?

People lack hope and face unbearable misery. Signup and view all the answers

How does a top-down analysis approach influence the understanding of civil wars?

It examines structural factors that may limit individual freedoms. Signup and view all the answers

What role does subjective nature play in understanding grievances that lead to conflict?

They reflect personal perceptions of relative deprivation. Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes new wars compared to traditional wars?

Motivations driven by grievance and greed Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best describes the role of warlords in new wars?

They are motivated by profit and resources, often prolonging conflicts. Signup and view all the answers

How does the concept of grievance relate to new wars?

It symbolizes a collective response against oppressive systems. Signup and view all the answers

What was Ronald Reagan's Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI) primarily focused on?

Creating a missile defense system against potential attacks Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following factors primarily distinguishes new wars from traditional wars?

The absence of definitive state control in conflicts Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Territorial Terms

The Paris Peace Conference concluded that Russia should be allowed to determine its own political future.
Belgium must be evacuated and restored without restrictions on its sovereignty.
French territory, including Alsace-Lorraine, should be freed and restored to its rightful place.
Italy's borders should be adjusted based on nationality.
The peoples of Austria-Hungary should have autonomy in their development.
Romania, Serbia, and Montenegro should be evacuated and restored, with Serbia granted access to the sea.
Turkish parts of the Ottoman Empire should be sovereign, with autonomy for non-Turkish nationalities and free passage through the Dardanelles.
An independent Polish state with access to the sea should be created.

Military Terms

National armaments should be reduced to the lowest level compatible with domestic security.
Colonial claims should be adjusted, considering both the interests of the populations concerned and the colonial powers.
A general association of nations should be formed to guarantee the political independence and territorial integrity of states.

Causes of War

Total war reached its peak intensity during World War II.
The Yalta and Potsdam Conferences are comparable to the Paris Conference.
After World War II, states realized that war is pointless and offers no benefits.
Total wars, which engage all resources of the state, are unlikely to yield any results.
Warfare should be used in limited ways, due to its potential to destroy the world.
The Cold War marked a significant shift in strategic warfare.
Portugal, France, and the UK ended their colonial empires, relinquishing territories reluctantly.

New Wars

New wars are characterized by their intrastate nature, focusing on resources rather than monetary transfers.
Ethnic targeting and eradication are prominent features of new wars.
New wars are fueled by a bottom-up approach, with warlords benefitting from prolonged conflicts.
The circle of violence in new wars is sustained by various factors, including the lack of state control, economic considerations, and the exploitation of resources.

Greed vs. Grievance

Greed, in the context of conflict, is driven by economic motivations, such as the control over resources and poverty.
Grievance, on the other hand, is rooted in socio-political motives, stemming from resentment against inequality, lack of social mobility, and a sense of relative deprivation.

Warlordism

Warlords are military entrepreneurs who wage wars for personal gains, often using propaganda to recruit followers.
Warlords typically have an ideology and do not adhere to state structures, but can mobilize people to participate in conflicts.

Realism

Realism is a dominant framework in international relations that emphasizes state behavior based on self-interest, power, and survival.
Realism can be utilized to explain the causes of conflicts like World Wars I and II, as well as the Cold War's shift in warfare.

Armed Conflict

Armed conflicts have evolved from traditional wars, where states engaged in total warfare for destruction, to contemporary conflicts with more limited objectives, often driven by greed and grievance.
The rise of intrastate wars, new ways of fighting, and the disappearance of the traditional state are major factors in understanding contemporary armed conflicts.

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Description

Test your knowledge on the significant geopolitical changes and military concepts that emerged after World War II. This quiz covers topics such as territorial sovereignty, the nature of warfare, and the dynamics of the Cold War. Assess your understanding of these critical historical developments.