Week 1: Introduction Change in the Nature of Intervention
Global relations before WWII Borders were fluid Wars were fought over territory in Europe and South America Citizens of captured territories were integrated into the capturing state. Benefits: New sources of labor Natural resources.
Example: Partitions of Poland (1774-95)
Europeans also colonize Asia and Africa Gain: Exclusive access to natural resources. Cheap labor Strategic territory. Colonial subjects are rarely citizens.
US and USSR behaved differently than European powers. US: Preferred isolationism in Europe Aggressively defended trade in Latin America and Asia. Soviets: Supported communist movements abroad. Recaptured former Russian Empire territories.
US Prefered Isolation from Europe
US was not isolated from world affairs Great White Fleet Vigorously defended trade interests in Latin America and Asia.
Monroe Doctrine and Roosevelt Corollary Monroe intended to forestall European influence in Latin America. Roosevelt stipulated military intervention would be used. Occupations in early 20th Century for regime change or defense of US interests. Haiti (1915-34), Nicaragua (1912-33), Dominican Republic (1916-24), Honduras (various), Mexico (1914-17, Veracruz only)
Asia: Matthew Perry opens Japan to trade
Asia: Matthew Perry opens Japan to trade
US upholds open door policy in China
Colonization limited compared to European powers Hawaii (1898) Philippines (1898-1945) Puerto Rico (1898) Numerous strategic islands in South Pacific. Colonialism and interventionism curbed under FDR.
Russian Empire was vast, but mostly annexed territory
Before WWII Soviets had three motivations in foreign policy: Extending global reach of communism Support for communism around the world Recapturing territory lost in WWI. War with Poland (1920). In the 1930s, strategic conquest of land to prepare for war with Germany/West.
USSR gained territory from MolotovRibbentrop Pact
Several factors led to a decline in territorial conquests after WWII...
Four of the most common ones: Rise of nationalism Decline of France and Britain Fewer economic gains from conquest Anti-imperialism among policy makers in US and USSR.
What is nationalism? Belief that one's nation, founded in common cultural, linguistic or ethnic origins should be afforded sovereignty. States -->> Nation-states Nation is imagined
Rise of Nationalism in Europe
Outcomes from nationalism in Europe United nations: France Germany Italy Divided Empires: Ottoman Russian Austrian
Nationalism increases costs of occupation and annexation Galvanized population to fight against foreign occupier. Colonial powers expelled after wars in Algeria, Indochina, India and Kenya.
Factor 2: Decline of France and UK Most colonies held by France and UK Post-WWII public attitudes shift against colonialism. Neither can afford to spend money abroad Need for rebuilding at home.
Factor 3: Fewer economic gains from conquest Colonialism was part of scramble for natural resources by European trading companies. Governments called in for protection. After WWII, occupation not necessary to exploit foreign labor and resources. New ruling class makes similar concession for cash.
Factor 4: Anti-imperialism among policy makers in US and USSR. Fazal s argument. FDR hoped preserving territorial integrity would end interstate conflict. Anti-colonial and territorial integrity language in UN charter. Marxist and Soviet foreign policy fundamentally anti-imperial.
Which argument is most convincing? Why?
Setting for superpower intervention during Cold War. Conquest is not acceptable Boundaries are fixed. Superpowers fight over ideological affinity with nation. Hearts and minds
Four ways to exert influence: 1. Aid 2. Covert action 3. Proxy war 4. Direct military invasion