2024-2 Historical Background - IR Theories by

1648 - The Peace of Westphalia

lzabalav — 2024-07-26 12:51:31 UTC

Can you imagine all the paperwork that must have existed in the 18th century? Well, imagine that the countries involved in the Thirty Years’ War (1618-1648), a destructive conflict, and all those powers we are going to visit on our Eurotrip, were fighting over religious and political issues. Spain and the rebellious provinces in the Netherlands caused the deaths of many. Then they thought that by forming hundreds of documents like the Treaty of Münster and the Treaty of Osnabrück, they would resolve everything.

And now, who held the power? What was the new balance? Was there really peace?

What did this milestone do to shape the states as we know them today? The Peace of Westphalia, signed in 1648, is a classic example of the formation of a new modern international system based on the principle of sovereignty. This implied that, in the international arena, the sum of sovereign actors and the creation of the modern state was established.

#PeaceOfWestphalia #Westphaliapeaceandlove #StateSovereignty #HistoricalStudy

1789 - The French Revolution.

lzabalav — 2024-07-26 12:51:31 UTC

Have you ever wondered why there were thousands of hanging heads at the opening ceremony of the Olympics? Well, this is a crazy story that’s going to blow your mind, haha. Not in a literal way, LOL. The French Revolution, so loved and acclaimed, wasn’t that great for those who lived through it in the 18th century in France. The collapse of a monarchy and the beginning of what we know today as democracy, rights, and a bit more.

1815 - The Congress of Vienna

lzabalav — 2024-07-26 12:51:31 UTC

Did you know that politics and diplomacy requieres a lot of conferences and meetings ? It is a little more fun that what you will think! Let’s look at was is happening right now in Vienna.

We are seeing the The Congress of Vienna which is an international conference held from September 1814 until today June 9, 1815. It is convened to reshape the political landscape of Europe after the defeat of Napoleon Bonaparte. The main objectives are to restore the pre-Napoleonic order, establish a balance of power to prevent future conflicts, and create lasting peace and stability in Europe. The key decisions that all of the people that you see on the picture are: redrawing national borders, restoring monarchies, and creating a framework for international diplomacy. We can see participants such as Austria, Russia, Prussia, Britain, and France, let’s hope everything goes as plan it and that Europe will have more order and the power gets balance.

#vienna

#balanceofpower

#europe

#diplomacy

#nomoreconlicts

1885 - The Bismarckian System

lzabalav — 2024-07-26 12:51:31 UTC

hello hello ! today its fun facts day and we are going to talk about The Bismarckian System which refers to the foreign policy strategies implemented by Otto von Bismarck, the Chancellor of Germany, during the late 19th century. The primary objective of the Bismarckian System was to maintain the stability and security of the newly unified German Empire and prevent the formation of hostile coalitions against it. Bismarck's approach involved a complex network of alliances, treaties, and diplomatic maneuvers aimed at isolating France and balancing the power among European nations.

#germany

#themanwhoinventedgermany

#powerbalanceinEurope

1914 - WWI

lzabalav — 2024-07-26 12:51:31 UTC

On July 28, 1914, the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand triggered the First World War, drawing two major alliances (the allies and the Central Powers) into a devastating conflict that lasted until November 11, 1918, and a few months later, on June 28, 1919, was officially ended by The Treaty of Versailles. This war, with trench warfare and unprecedented destruction, it redrew borders and altered global politics. A central chapter in history, shaping the 20th century.

1939/45 - WW2

lzabalav — 2024-07-26 12:51:31 UTC

The Second World War, ignited by Germany’s invasion of Poland on September 1, 1939, was a devastating global conflict that lasted until September 2, 1945. The war saw horrific battles, from the brutal sieges of Stalingrad and Berlin to the Pacific's island-hopping campaigns. It introduced the horrors of total war, including the Holocaust and the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, highlighting humanity's capacity for destruction. The war's aftermath reshaped the global order, leading to the Cold War and the creation of the United Nations, but also leaving deep scars and a deep thought about the implications of uncontrolled power.

1945 - Bretton Woods / New World Order

lzabalav — 2024-07-26 12:51:31 UTC

After understanding the severity of WW2's destruction aftermath and The Great Depression's exposure of global economic instability, allied countries began having general discussion to establish conditions that could prevent protectionism and isolationism, which became the main talking points for the Bretton Woods Conference.

As a result, 44 allied nations came together to design a new monetary and financial order. The key outcomes from this event were the creation of the IMF and The World Bank. They also agreed to peg their currencies to the US dollar to offer a more stable framework.

This was the starting point for what became known as The New World Order, referring to a newly found focus on global cooperation and governance that could create a more integrated world, both politically and economically. The Bretton Woods System became the institutional framework for the way nations interacted, reflecting commitment in multilateralism and cooperation.

The New World Order heavily influenced the Cold War conflict, along with the establishment of military and political alliances like NATO and the UN.

1991 - End of the Cold War

lzabalav — 2024-07-26 12:51:31 UTC

After nearly five decades of geopolitical confrontation between the US and the USSR in late 1991 the Soviet Union dissolved, thus marking the end of The Cold War and the emergence of a different world order but what were the consequences?

🌟 Many former Soviet Republics became sovereign nations and introduced democracy and market economies to Eastern Europe.

🌟 Stabilization and globalization: Deescalation of the arms race and the integration of countries to international trade increased economic and cultural interaction.

🌟 Unipolarity and realignment: USA emerged as the only world superpower, China became a major actor and the reunification of Germany strengthened its position in Europe and NATO

2001 - War against Terror

lzabalav — 2024-07-26 12:51:31 UTC

Following the 9-11 attacks, the United States and its allies in NATO launched a campaign that aimed to eliminate international terrorism and squash support from individuals and Stakes alike. It was one of the firsts instances in which a war was declared on non-State actors and its consequences are far reaching and continue to shape the world, as to many experts it is an ongoing war:

🌟US Invasion and ocupation of Iraq

🌟 Civil wars in Libya and Syria

🌟 Arab spring and instability of the Middle Eastern region

🌟 Terrorist attacks across the world: Madrid (2004), London (2007), Paris (2015), Mumbai (2008)

🌟 Refugee crisis