International Relations Midterm Notes PDF

International Relation's Midterm Notes Chapter 1: **Vocabulary:** - Nation-state: countries with defined borders where the people share a common government and often a common culture or language. - Global System: The way countries around the world interact and are connected through t...

International Relation's Midterm Notes Chapter 1: **Vocabulary:** - Nation-state: countries with defined borders where the people share a common government and often a common culture or language. - Global System: The way countries around the world interact and are connected through trade, politics, and other relationships. - Anarchy: A situation where there is no central authority or government, leading to a lack of order or control. - Balance of power: the posture and policy of a nation or group of nations protecting itself against another nation or group of nations by matching its power against the power of the other side. - International security refers to measures taken by countries and international organizations to ensure the safety and stability of the global community. What is international relations? What is the importance of international relations? International relations involve the political, economic, social, and cultural interactions between countries and other global actors, such as corporations, international organizations, and criminal or terrorist networks. International relations impact daily life by influencing the economy and job market, ensuring security, and fostering cultural exchange programs, study abroad opportunities, and access to global knowledge. How do nation-states balance their interests with the need for international cooperation? Countries rely on trade for economic growth and join organizations like the UN and WTO to address global issues while maintaining peaceful relations. **Major Oceans & Continents:** **Spheres of International Relations:** 1. Relations between states: treaties, wars, alliances, diplomacy, etc. Example: The US-Canada trade agreements are a form of peaceful state-state ties. 2. Relations between societies: movement of people, goods, information, technology, money, ethnic, cultural (including religious), political ties. Example: Global tourism and the international film industry. 3. State-society relations within each country: political systems and political processes as they affect the country\'s relations with others. Example: The EU regulates trade across its member states, affecting local economies. 4. State-society relations across borders: political systems and political processes as they affect the country\'s relations with others. Example: The Syrian refugee crisis and how it impacts neighboring countries. **Sanctions:** Punishment/restriction that one country imposes on another to force it to change its behavior. Sanctions reduce a country\'s GDP, trade, and investment, harm public health by limiting medicine access, and can cause political instability. **Key Players in International Relations:** 1. Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs): Groups like the Red Cross that work on humanitarian, environmental, or human rights issues. 2. Sovereignty: A country\'s power to govern itself without interference. 3. Balance of Power: A strategy where nations protect themselves by ensuring equal strength against rivals. 4. Diplomacy: Managing relationships between countries to protect interests and maintain peace. 5. International Security: Efforts by countries and organizations to ensure global safety and stability. 6. Global Governance: How countries and organizations work together to solve global problems like climate change and security. 7. Globalization: The increasing connection and interdependence of countries through trade, technology, and culture. 8. Foreign Policy: A country's plan for dealing with other nations. 9. International Law: Rules and agreements recognized between countries. 10. Multinational Corporations: Companies that operate in multiple countries. 11. Individuals: People who can also impact international relations, such as activists, diplomats, or leaders. Chapter 2 Part 1: **Vocabulary:** - Multinational corporations: companies that span borders and are profit-seeking organizations whose activities cross borders. - National leader: Hold executive offices as a result of which they are entitled to make foreign policy decisions and military. - Non-state actor: Actors that operate within or across state borders with important consequences for international relations. - Nongovernmental organizations: Members are non-profit groups that operate independently of governments and typically address political or social issues. - State actor: National leaders as well as bureaucratic organizations. **Foundations of International Relations:** IR as a discipline began in 1919 at the University of Wales, followed by Georgetown University in the US. The goal was to build a discipline that could explain and potentially solve the problem of warfare. How many countries are currently members of the United Nations? There are 193 member countries in the United Nations (UN). Landmark IR Eras: WWI (1914-1918)- war in Europe The Interwar Years (1919-1938) The Second World War (1939-1945) The Cold War (1947-1991) The New World Order (1991-2000) The post-9/11 era (2001-2019) The post-Covid-19 era (2020-?) **World War I Overview:** Duration: 1914-1918, known as the \"Great War.\" Start: It began with the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary. Main Sides: Allied Powers: France, Britain, Russia (later the U.S.) Central Powers: Germany, Austria-Hungary, Ottoman Empire. Fought: Mostly in trenches with new deadly weapons like tanks and gas. End: 1918, with Germany surrendering and the Treaty of Versailles in 1919. Impact of WWI: Millions died, and countries were destroyed. New countries and governments were formed. The harsh treatment of Germany helped lead to World War II. Events with its destruction: \- World War I ended with the creation of the League of Nations (The League of Nations was an international group formed after World War I to keep peace, but it failed because it couldn\'t enforce its rules. Formed by Woodrow Wilson). \- The Treaty of Versailles: Triggered the global Great Depression. \- The Cold War Led to significant global tensions and proxy wars. \- The Fall of the Berlin Wall: Marked the end of Communist control in Eastern Europe. **Causes of World War 1:** MAIN (militarism, assassination/alliance, imperialism, nationalism) - Militarism: the belief that a country should maintain a strong military and be prepared to use it aggressively. - Imperialism: a policy of extending a country\'s power and influence through colonization. - Assassination: the act of intentionally killing a person, typically a prominent or important figure. - Alliances: a formal agreement between two or more states for mutual support in case of war. - Nationalism: an ideology that emphasizes loyalty, devotion, or allegiance to a nation. **Treaty of Versailles:** Germany was made to: Pay reparations to the allies Loss of colonies Demilitarized the Rhineland. Reduced army to 100,000 men. Only 6 Battleships allowed/no submarines or aircraft. Lost Alsace and Lorraine to France. Anschluss- Not allowed to unite with Austria. 13% of European territory lost. 50% of Iron reserves were lost. 15% of coal reserves were lost. War guilt- Taking the blame for the outbreak of the war. What did the Treaty of Versailles mean for Germany and Europe? **Germany** **Europe** ----------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------ ---------------------------------------------------------------------- war guilt cause They felt humiliated for taking all the blame for the war They felt joyous for gaining victory and punishing Germany. reparations They felt burdened, pressured, and in debt to pay to the allies. They were happy as they need not to pay for any damages for the war. military They felt weak because they had less men in the army. They felt more powerful compared to Germany. land They felt debilitated to loss 13% of their gained territory. They felt richer by gaining more land, coal, and iron. peacekeeping They felt isolated for not being able to make any alliances. They were euphoric to isolate Germany. What were the primary factors that led to the failure of the League of Nations in preventing conflicts and maintaining peace? Lack of enforcement power: The League had no standing army or means to enforce its decisions. Limited membership: Key world powers like the United States never joined, while others like Germany and Japan left. Slow decision-making process: The requirement for unanimous decisions often leads to inaction. Inability to prevent aggression: The League failed to stop major conflicts like Japan\'s invasion of Manchuria and Italy\'s invasion of Ethiopia. Economic sanctions ineffectiveness: Economic penalties proved insufficient to deter aggressive nations. Chapter 2 Part 2: World War II (1939-1945) was a major global conflict involving many countries around the world, primarily fought between two groups. Main participants of WW-II: Allied powers- USSR, USA, France, Britain Axis forces- Germany, Italy, japan Causes of World War 2: 1. Treaty of Versailles (1919): This treaty ended World War I and punished Germany. Its harsh terms angered Germans and contributed to Adolf Hitler\'s rise, leading to World War II. 2. Rise of Totalitarian States: Dictatorships in Nazi Germany, Fascist Italy, and militarist Japan aimed to expand their territories, violating international rules and threatening global peace. 3. Failure of the League of Nations: The League was too weak to stop aggressive nations from breaking agreements, contributing to the outbreak of war. Totalitarian State: A government where a single party or leader has complete control over all aspects of life, including politics, the economy, and citizens\' beliefs (e.g., North Korea and Nazi Germany). **Appeasement:** As Hitler expected, France and Britain did not use force because neither was willing to risk a war. British leaders thought they could avoid conflict by accepting Hitler\'s demands. This was when appeasement policies were adopted to prevent war. Appeasement: A policy where countries like France and Britain avoided conflict by accepting Hitler\'s demands, hoping to maintain peace. This involved making concessions to prevent war. Which of the following best explains supporters\' view on appeasement? Supporters of appeasement believed that making adjustments to aggressive powers like Hitler would prevent another large-scale conflict. What was one of the long-term effects of appeasement? Appeasement allowed Nazi Germany to grow more aggressive, ultimately leading to the outbreak of World War II in 1939**.** **Hitler's actions in Europe (1936-1939)** 1\. 1933- Germany began to re-arm, going against the Treaty of Versailles. 2\. 1936- Hitler reoccupies the Rhineland (land between France and Germany), breaking the Treaty of Versailles. 3\. 1938- the "Anschluss" and the Munich Agreement were signed, breaking the Treaty of Versailles. Anschluss- the forced unification of Austria and Germany, driven by Adolf Hitler's desire to expand German territory and to create a Greater German Reich that included all ethnic Germans. Munich agreement- signed by the leaders of Germany, Britain, France, and Italy, it agreed that the Sudetenland (part of Czechoslovakia) would be returned to Germany and that no further territorial claims would be made by Germany. This decision was made without the participation of Czechoslovakia. 4\. 1939- Hitler invaded and took over Czechoslovakia.  **Key Events:** The Holocaust: Hitler and the Nazis also targeted Jews and other minorities, leading to the Holocaust, where millions were killed in concentration camps. Pearl Harbor: In 1941, Japan attacked the U.S. at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Bringing the U.S. into the war. D-Day: In 1944, the Allies launched a huge invasion of German-occupied France, which helped turn the tide of the war. Germany's Defeat: In 1945, the Allies defeated Germany, and Hitler committed suicide. Atomic Bombs: The U.S. dropped two atomic bombs on Japan (Hiroshima and Nagasaki), which forced Japan to surrender in 1945. **Outcome:** United Nations: After the war, countries formed the United Nations (UN) to help prevent future conflicts. Cold War: The end of WWII set the stage for a new rivalry between the U.S. and the Soviet Union, called the Cold War. How did Hitler violate the Treaty of Versailles? \- Rearmament: The treaty said Germany couldn\'t have a big army. But Hitler secretly built up the military, adding more soldiers and creating weapons. \- Remilitarization of the Rhineland (1936): The treaty banned German troops from a region called the Rhineland. In 1936, Hitler sent soldiers there anyway. \- Anschluss with Austria (1938): The treaty said Germany and Austria couldn\'t unite. In 1938, Hitler took over Austria, which was against the rules. \- Taking the Sudetenland (1938): Hitler wanted a part of Czechoslovakia called the Sudetenland. He got it by threatening war, which also broke the treaty. \- Invasion of Poland (1939): Finally, in September 1939, Hitler invaded Poland. This was the last straw and led Britain and France to declare war on Germany. **Factors Leading to Germany and Japan\'s Surrender** Germany\'s Surrender: 1. D-Day Invasion (June 6, 1944): Allies attacked Normandy, opening a new front. 2. Soviet Advance: The Soviet Union reclaimed territory and approached Germany. 3. Fall of Berlin: Soviet forces reached Berlin by May 1945. 4. Hitler\'s Suicide: Adolf Hitler died in April 1945. 5. Unconditional Surrender: Germany surrendered on May 7, 1945. Japan\'s Surrender: 1. Continued Fighting: Japan continued to fight after Germany\'s surrender. 2. U.S. Island Hopping: The U.S. captured key Pacific islands. 3. Atomic Bombs: The U.S. dropped bombs on Hiroshima (August 6) and Nagasaki (August 9). 4. High Casualties: The bombings caused significant destruction and loss of life. 5. Japanese Surrender: Japan surrendered on August 15, 1945. **Pros and Cons of Atomic Bombs** **on Hiroshima and Nagasaki:** Pros: - Quick End to the War: Forced Japan to surrender quickly. - Saving Lives: Prevented a costly invasion. - Demonstration of Power: Showcased U.S. military strength. Cons: - Massive Civilian Casualties: Hundreds of thousands died. - Long-term Effects: Caused lasting health issues and environmental damage. Chapter 2 Part 3: **Definitions:** - Capitalism: An economic system where individuals own their properties. - Communism: A political system/economic system where a state is responsible for providing all the essentials to its people to keep everyone equal under the law. - NATO: North Atlantic Treaty Organization. - Containment: A foreign policy strategy that the United States used in the Cold War. The policy stated that communism needed to be contained. - Russia became the USSR (United Soviet Socialists Republic) in 1917. - Star, Sickle, & Hammer are the symbols of the USSR's communist state. - The bear has been a Russian symbol since the 19^th^ century. **The Cold War:** Describes a conflict between the United States (U.S) & the Soviet Union (U.S.S.R). - This was not a typical war but more of a disagreement and competition between the two countries. - There was no direct "War," but tensions were very high. - The USA was Capitalist (Other Countries include Germany, Japan, Canada, & Australia). - USSR was communist (Other Countries: Cuba, North Korea, Laos, & China). The causes of the Cold War between the U.S. and the Soviet Union: - Ideological Differences - Post-World War II Power Vacuum: Weak European Nations: Struggle for power after WWII. - Nuclear Arms Race - Cold War doctrine in which opposing sides with nuclear weapons can annihilate each other. If one side attacks, the other will retaliate, leading to destruction. This paradoxically deters war, as any conflict would result in mutual destruction. - The Arms Race 1945 - The Space Race 1957 - Germany Divided 1949 - Berlin Wall 1961 - Cuban Missile Crisis 1962 **The Arms Race 1945:** During the Cold War, the US and USSR never physically attacked each other. Both countries had nuclear weapons, but both knew using these weapons would be catastrophic instead, the countries competed to develop the most damaging weapon. This is the Arms Race. **The Space Race 1957:** Both countries wanted to be the first to reach outer space and land on the moon the USSR successfully launched the first manmade object to orbit the earth in 1957, which inspired the US to be the first country to put a man on the moon, and that was successful when Neil Armstrong became the first man to walk on the moon in 1969. **Germany Divided 1949:** Germany was divided into four zones: the USSR controlled the east while the US controlled west Germany, and the capital of Berlin was also divided the east was communist, and the west was capitalist. **Berlin Wall 1961:** People in the West had more freedom than people in the East. As a result, many people wanted to escape the communist East, and millions moved to the West. This worried the East German government, so in August 1961, east Germany constructed a wall that would keep people from going to the West. This is the Berlin Wall, almost 27 miles long, and it was heavily guarded with guns, land mines, and attack dogs. **Cuban Missile Crisis 1962:** In October 1962, the Cuban Missile Crisis was a 13-day standoff between the U.S. and the Soviet Union over nuclear missiles in Cuba, nearly leading to nuclear war. The crisis ended with the Soviets removing the missiles in exchange for a U.S. no-invasion pledge and the secret withdrawal of U.S. missiles from Turkey, highlighting Cold War tensions and sparking arms control efforts. **Containment:** Soviet Threat: American leaders were concerned about the growing threat of the Soviet Union. Containment Policy: - Proposed by diplomat George F. Kennan. - Argued that war could be avoided by firmly standing against Soviet expansion. - Aimed to \"contain\" communism through military and other means. Truman Doctrine: - Introduced by President Harry S. Truman. - Committed the U.S. to assist any nation facing a communist takeover. Economic Concerns in Europe: - Fears of a weak Europe contributed to the spread of communism. - Secretary of State George C. Marshall proposed economic aid to war-damaged Western Europe. Marshall Plan: - Provided economic recovery for Western European countries. - Reduced the appeal of communism by stabilizing economies. The USA applied the containment policy in different ways: - Sometimes, it succeeded in containing communism by giving economic aid. - Sometimes, military offensive did help contain. - China, North Korea, Vietnam, Cuba, & Eastern Europe all fell into communism, and the USA couldn't help. - The USA succeeded in preventing communist spread in Western Europe, South Asia, & middle east through military and economic aid. **Fall of Berlin Wall:** November 9, 1989, East German communist leaders bowed to pressure in a historic move they opened the main gate of the Berlin Wall the next day, soldiers and civilians began tearing down the wall and moved freely between East and West Germany in 1990, the two parts of Germany were united after 40 years of separation. **Reagan's Policy:** Military and Financial Support: - Provided support to groups fighting Soviet-aligned regimes. - Example: Supported the Mujahideen in Afghanistan. Economic Sanctions: - Imposed sanctions on the USSR, targeting access to Western technology and capital. - Worked to reduce Soviet revenues from oil and gas exports: - Persuaded U.S. allies not to build gas pipelines to Western Europe. - Limited Soviet access to hard currency. Increased Military Spending: - Significantly raised U.S. military spending in the 1980s. - Launched a massive arms buildup. - Put pressure on the Soviet Union, which felt compelled to match U.S. military spending. - Soviet economy was strained and could not sustain the costly arms race, worsening their resource challenges. **Gorbachev\'s Reforms** Background: Mikhail Gorbachev became the leader of the Soviet Union in 1985 due to an economic crisis. Glasnost (Openness): - Introduced a policy of openness, allowing Soviet citizens to express their thoughts freely. - Reduced fear of government punishment for speaking out. Perestroika (Rebuilding): - Aimed to reform the Soviet economy. - Gave factory managers more autonomy. - Encouraged the development of private businesses. **Key Points Relating Gorbachev's Reforms to Soviet Changes:** Desire for Freedom: - Citizens demanded more power, aligning with Gorbachev\'s glasnost policy that promoted freedom of speech. Religious Freedom: - The push for religious practice reflected broader demands for individual freedoms supported by glasnost. Class Differences and Economic Decline: - Emerging class differences and a declining economy underscored the need for perestroika, which aimed to rebuild the economy and grant factory managers more autonomy. The collapse of the Soviet Union: - Gorbachev\'s policies exposed system inefficiencies, fueling citizens\' awareness of their rights and reform possibilities. Rise of Nationalist Movements: - Glasnost empowered nationalist movements as cultural groups sought independence. Overall Impact: - Gorbachev's reforms responded to and catalyzed demands for freedom, economic restructuring, and nationalism, leading to significant political change. **The primary reasons behind the fall of the Soviet Union were:** 1\. Economic Decline: Years of inefficient central planning, military spending, and stagnation weakened the economy. 2\. Political Reforms: Gorbachev\'s policies of glasnost (openness) and perestroika (restructuring) led to unrest and loss of control over Soviet republics. Vladimir Lenin, Leon Trotsky, and Joseph Stalin were the leaders of the communist idea and the Soviet Union**.**