History of International Relations Lecture 1 September 5

7/27/2019 History of International Relations Lecture 1 September 5

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History of International Relations Lecture 1 September 5, 2011 Kessler

I. History and Politics

Discussion on financial crisis (Example 1)

- What is it? Loans, hedgefonds, money dried up, more loans . crisis.

- Why did it turn to an international crisis? Interconnection, loans sold, globalization.- Euro crisis? . The crisis in Europe raised the question of European integration: Why?

. After WWI: first integration started to separate Europe from its past and to prevent WWIII

. Integration because of maintaining peace, security, politics and to prevent war.

We need history to understand integration that spreaded the crisis throughout the world. We need

history to understand the financial crisis.

China and the BRIC states (Example 2)

- Brazil Russia India and China = BRIC states . upcoming and rising states.

- The Balance of Power is shifting toward the BRIC states due to their upcoming economies.

. Sovereign wealth, speculations, multinational corporations and the reconfiguration of the

global economy.. Colonization: The (un)making of the West.

Again: to understand the current event of the upcoming BRIC states, we have to understand the

historical background. We need to understand history of international relations to analyse problems

and current events.

Libya (Example 3)

- We did not intervene in Libya because of the presence of oil there and the demand of oil was high.

- French had much interest because it used to be an colony of France.

Again: history (French history in particular here) is important again in analysing a current event.

There always is a historical narrative to tell us what today‟s world is about. Without history it is

impossible to analyse a current event. Events in the past always have effect on the course or

outcome of an event.

On the other hand: politics shows recurrent patterns and law-like regularities. It is a predominant

theory today that science is the same as mathematics and mathematics inevitably treats history as a

storehouse of data:

History = science? . Discussion

II. History of the State

International Relations has to deal with states. Politics has to deal with states.

Political concepts are always connected to states.

What is a state?

- Population, territory, political government, recognition of other states, sovereignty, etc.

- Max Weber: monopoly of the government to use violence within a state.



What relation does International Relations have with states?

Map 1: World map . what do you see? Man-made borders

Map 2: Europe map . So many entitites

What does these maps say? . ...

Map 3: Europe map: Hundreds of years ago.

Are these states? No, they look more

like empires.

Are they sovereign? Sovereignty was

something that was really determined

in 1648

(Westphalia)

Empires vs. States/democracies.

Map 4: Ottoman Empire

Map 5: Empires in the world

Hardly any nation-states were there.

Map 6: World‟s empires and colonial power.

What does history tell us about empires and nation-states and their differences?

What do states do with their „national interest‟? An interesting question is the definition of national

interest here? Are those the interests of the colonial power or the interest of the colonial

population?



And what about foreign policy? It is that in interest of the colonial power or in the interest of the

colony?

But still: when we indentify states, call them sovereign, ascribe meaning to their practices with the

same vocabulary.

Map 7: 1800 . divided Germany; some parts of Germany are not originally German.

Map 8: Europe at the time of the death of Charles the Great

. States weren‟t even there, kingdoms divided Europe.

. No sovereignty in modern sense here.

. Political vocabulary was dominated by church instead of state.Macciavelli (Renaissance):

emergence of modern times.

Can we use history as a storehouse of data? No

Is it useful to know history? Yes, we need it to understand current events.

III History of the state?

What is already presupposed when we talk about a modern nation-state.

- Public versus private.

- Domestic versus international realm.

- Autonomous political vocabulary

- A specific organization of economical practices.

- Existence of mass media.

What about a common national identity? Emergence of state brings nationalism. We talk about

history in national terms. Always history is learned from a national perspective. Our vocabulary is

formed by nationalism.

History is not a collection of facts. It is always a narrative that gives meaning to individual events.

History is about memory and identity. It tells us who we are.

Identity is always constituted by excluded alternatives.



Try to understand what is not said and shown. Try to find out what is excluded and silenced. Learn to

learn differently . Think outside the box.



HIR Lecture 2 September 12, 2011 Harryvan

The Ascension of the modern state system 1648-1815

1648 was the year of the Peace of Westphalia.

Map 1: World power centers in the 16th century

. Ottoman Empire: Middle East and Africa

. Persian Empire

. Mongul Empire

. Ming Empire: China

. Muscovy

. Western Europe

Map 2: The world around 1800: European power all around the world through colonization.

The British were in North America.

The Habsburgs were in North and South America.

Also the Portuguese managed to maintain colonies in South America.

The Russians were the main power in Asia.

The “Scramble for Africa” didn‟t start until the 1870s. Then The European powers divided Africa (mainly without consideration for the scattered population and tribes living there).

But we have to look at the larger picture:

The characteristics of the new European State System that emerged in 1648 at the time of

Westphalia.

1. Emergence of modern territorial state . mediaeval state.

2. Usually was ruled by autocratic monarcs. It was the time of Absolutism.

3. Central Europe . power fragmentation .This was the exception on Absolutism.

4. New Policy Instruments: notably concepts of diplomacy and international law.

5. States participate in multi-polar state system . alliance to preserve the balance of power. This

was based on sovereignty.

6. Colonial expansion of European states in Americas, Asia and Africa.

Thirty Years‟ War:

Most destroying war in Europe until the World Wars One and Two. It was barbaric and devastating. It

affected also the population of the states. Its impact was great. The peace of Westphalia made and

end to the Thirty Years‟ War and too all religious wars. It showed the importance of international

relations in Europe.



The treaty of Westphalia consisted out of two treaties:

1. The treaty of Münster

2. The treaty of Osnabrück

It created the modern day system, characterized by centralized political power and balance of powerand reduction of religion in political power.

Westphalia is considered a turning point. Sovereign states became key components and domination

actors in international relations in Europe.

Holy Roman Emperor: Politically leading figure of the Holy Roman Empire, given power by the Holy

Roman Pope. The Pope remained the spiritual leader.

The Holy Roman Empire was the union of Central Europe.

- Expression the notion of religious unity and political unity of Europe.

- Holy Roman Emperor = political leader.

- Holy Roman Pope = spiritual leader.

- Holy Roman Emperor was most of the time a successful Habsburgs leader (Spanish,

Portuguese, Italian or Dutch, etc.)

-

Map 3:

Borders of the HRE: Germany, Austria,

Switserland, parts of France, Belgium, parts

of the Netherlands, parts of new Poland, etc.

It was a huge area. In 1648 Ferdinand the

Third was the Holy Roman Empire.

In the North of Europe: certain

emperors/kings/leaders controlled more

than one country:

Denmark and Norway were controlled by one king as well as Sweden and Finland were ruled by one.

Ottoman Empire: Also included Hungary etc.

Netherlands was divided. The Spanish Netherlands was current Belgium and the Republic of the

United Netherlands was current Holland.



Map 4: Charles V (Holy Roman Emperor before 1648) ruled large part of Europe but also in North and

South America. The Empire was so big that there is a saying about it:

“The Empire on which the sun never sets”

In 1648 the image of the HRE as the political and spiritual unity of Christian Europe was damaged. It

was the end of the concept of the HRE as hegemony.

Docterine of the Two Swords Gregorian Revolution

The pope chooses the Emperor and is slightly above the emperor in the hierarchy.

Pope Innocent X was not happy with new political order in Westphalia.

Westphalia:

- Equality in sovereignty

- Reframe from interference in each other‟s domestic affairs

- Respect government as highest authority of their state (no world government)

- Governments gained authority to choose leading religion . Territorial rules obtained right to

make their entity Protestant or Christian (big division in Germany)

o Northern Germany: mainly Protestant

o Southern Germany: mainly Christian

The Church got less power and thus it was the end of the Two Swords Doctrine. This was a hard blow

for the Emperor and the Pope and saw it as undermining their power.

Pope about the Westphalia treaty:

„*its+ provisions have been, and are of right, and shall

perpetually be, null and void, invalid, iniquitous, unjust,

condemned, rejected, frivolous, without force or effect,

and no one is to observe them, even when they be

ratified by oath (…).‟ (Rome, 26 November 1648)



Absolute monarchs: Idealism

King Charles I of England: “Getting the crown from above” . The divine right of king.

King Louis XIV ruled France: also known as the „Sun king‟. He stated that he himself was (equal to) the

state .” L‟état, c‟est moi”

There were problems in the monarchies:

First was money. Absolutism was seen as a joint venture. The king, however, needed the support of

the elites to rule the monarchy successfully financially and politically.

Glorious Revolution of 1688

This was an example of the limitations of the absolute monarchy.

Great Britain was very unpopular amongst the British population.

Stadholder William III (Willem van Oranje) invaded Britain successfully and became king.

17th Century: Wealth determined power. It was not an outcome of armies, population or extent of

territory.

The Netherlands were wealthy because of trade . Money could buy armies, economy etc.

The Netherlands was in that way richer than the other countries in Europe. Wealth gave power to

the Netherlands. It was therefore a dominant power in the 2nd half of the 17th century.

1672 Year of Disaster (Rampjaar) for the Republic of United Netherlands, as a coalition of French,

Germans and Swedish principalities attacked the rich and powerful Netherlands, which miraculously

managed to survive.

Stadholder William III became leader of the interstate coalition against French expansionism of Louis

XIV. (. Result of the 1688 Glorious Revolution: William III taking over Britain rule)



18th century: Peace of Utrecht . End of War of Spanish Succession. Britain took over the role of the

Netherlands as keeper of peace and balance of power, as guardian.

Fragmentation in Central Europe

The „hole‟ in Europe . See map 5

Germany in 1648 was divided into some 300 states and statelets (small states, bishops,

principalities). The old Holy Roman Empire had fallen apart. There was political fragmentation, or

also called the „donut hole‟ in central Europe. It was a permanent source of instability.

Powerful states in the region (Austria, Sweden, and Prussia) wanted to fill up the power vacuum. The

Hapsburgs managed to hold on a big inf luence in Europe.

Map 6: Europe in 1715

French expansion in the South East . of Austrian Empire.

Peace of Utrecht: prevented French expansionism in Spain. Louis XIV wanted the crown of Spain, but

that was prevented by the other European powers. Prussia (Brandenburg and East Prussia) became a

great power.

. Increasing tensions between Austria (HRE, where the Hapsburgs remained influence) and

Prussia.



Westphalia: Groundrules for diplomacy and international law.

Rules for interstate behavior:

- Minimize conflict and maximize cooperation.

- Rules for treatment of diplomats . which was a dangerous occupation . punishment.

- E.g. „Round Table Conference‟: no rank in negotiation, no head of the table.

- Ideas of legality of war and treatment of civilians.

Balance of Power

The period from 1648-1789 (Westphalia-French Revolution) is also called the „Golden Age of Balance

of Power‟. It was a period of tranquillity, a period without large wars. They were short, limited wars

or conflicts, but they had less impact on the population and were easily solved.

The Westphalian Balance of Power

- Multipolar system of states. There was no domination by one force.

- When the French went for hegemony in the French Revolution, the Balance of Power broke

down.

- participating Great Powers, responsible for the functioning of the balance enjoy relatively

equal power (relative power equality).

- Hence none of these states systematically dominates European inter-state relations.

- Participating countries consider the status quo provided for by the Balance of Power as a

vital national interest.

- They make sure that their competition for resources like colonies, trade and other power

tools does not run out of hand.

- And collectively defend the status quo against a country seemingly intent on breaking theserules by acquiring a hegemonic (dominating) position, enabling it to enforce its will upon the

rest.

. Cooperation to maintain the status quo = peace and no hegemonic power = everyone equal.



Poland split up in 1772, 1793 and 1795: example of failure Westphalian Balance of Power.

The Hole in Germany maintained

And so did the rivalry between Austria and Prussia.

Reversement of Alliances: „change of alliances‟

. War of Austrian Succession and Seven Years‟ War.

France and Austria combined forces to stop the rise of Prussia to maintain the status quo.

France and Austria historically were archenemies.

Britain joined Prussia to fight France.

Consequences of Seven Years‟ War:

- France gave up many colonies to Britain . France weakened and lost a lot of power

overseas.

- Prussia emerged as great power. (see map 7)

- Continuing rivalry Austria and Prussia.

- Russia slowly ascending to great power under Peter the Great. (see map 8) . expanding!

- Poland divided (1772, 1793, 1795) . Prussia, Austria and Russia divided it. (see map 8)

The partitioning of Poland shocked all nation-states. Sovereignty meant nothing anymore. It was the

beginning of the end of the Westphalian state system ideal of sovereignty.



Map 7: end of 18th century: before Fr Revolution . Prussia major power!

Map 8: The growth of Russia and the division of Poland.

The French Revolution in 1789 was against Absolutism. It also was the end of the Westphalian

system.

An new state system was introduced at the Congress of Vienna or also known as the Concert of

Europe. It was rather similar to the Westphalian system, but named differently.

1803-1815 Napoleonic wars: last attempt of France to gain hegemony over Europe. Almost

succeeded.

Map 9 shows the Empire of Napoleon. The Eastern

half was under his control and the rest were in an

alliance together against him.

1815: Waterloo battle

1814-15: Congress of Vienna: ended the Napoleonic

wars . Victorious powers were Prussia, Austria,

Britain and Russia. They redrew the continent‟s

political map aiming at Restoration. . Pre-

revolutionay Europe was called the „Ancien Regime‟.



Charter of the United Nations

Article 2.1:

„The organization is based on the principle of

the sovereign equality of all its members‟

. Sovereignty is still implemented in the Charter of the United Nations today.




The Long 19th Century: The Age of Nationalism and Imperialism and the Breakdown of the

European Balance of Power: the „Great War‟ (World War I)

Map 1 shows the Empire of Napoleon in 1810. Napoleon was defeated by the other European Great

Powers. He was banned to Elba which was followed by the 100 days. Napoleon marched back to

Paris, but was again and finally defeated completely at Waterloo in 1815.

The French Revolution before then in 1789 had a great impact on the domestic sphere in France,

especially to the League of novelties.

Code Napoleon, established under Napoleon in 1804:

- Cried for more revolution.- All citizens equal before the law

- General freedom of religion

- Specified governmental jobs had to go to the most qualified.

He had whole new ideas and ideals about government. He implemented the Code on all countries

under French rule. It was more instrumental and an actual law. He wanted to give the bourgeoisie

(the middle class) more influence instead of the nobilities . more equality. It was modernization!

Characteristics of the European State System 1815-1917:

1. Multipolar interstate cooperation in which the five Great Powers cooperate in alliances to

maintain the status quo, the „Concert of Europe‟

2. The age of nationalism: national unification of Germany and Italy and the rise of the nation-state

3. The age of imperialism: European powers exercise economic, political and military control over



Africa and Asia

4. The political unification and economic and military rise of Germany among other factors

disturbing the balance of power in Europe

5. The gradual dissolution of the Ottoman empire destabilizing the Balkans, erupting in

6. World War I as the first European war whose dénouement (outcome) was determined by an

extra-European power: the USA

1. Multipolar interstate cooperation in the „Concert of Europe‟

- Restoring the Ancien Regime = post- Napoleonic wars.

- Reinstalling „legitimate‟ dynastic government: handing back power to the old leaders before

1789. Bourbons were restored, Pope was restored.

- Solidarity in maintaining the status quo, fighting nationalists, democratic, republicans and

liberal tendencies . Holy Alliance:

o This was Tsar Alexander‟s iniative: Christian values against barbaric incentives. UK,

Pope, Ottoman Empire did NOT sign, the rest of Europe did.

- The Concert of Europe: maintaining peace through interstate framework of negotiation.

The Concert of Europe:

- Regular meetings to discuss what measures should be taken to maintain peace and status

quo.

- Restauration of the Westphalian concepts of sovereignty, diplomatic behavior, etc. (still, the

French Revolution had a influence on Europe).

- Counterbalance to future expansionalistic states.

- Distinction was made between Five Great Powers and the other smaller powers.

Netherlands: North and South (Spanish or Austrian Netherlands before) united into one country. The

Concert of Europe meant no more republics. The Netherlands was seen as a important bufferstate to

keep France in check. We need a monarch! House of Orange (Huis van Oranje) became head of the



monarchy of the Netherlands.

Later on: the South rebelled and became Belgium.

The Larger Picture of Interstate Cooperation in Europe

1648 – 1789: Westphalian Balance of Power

1815 – 1914?: Concert of Europe . new reinstating Westpalian Balance of Power but then different.

From 1991 onwards: European Union

The European Council = European Council of Heads of State and Government Leaders

„The European Council shall provide the

Union with the necessary impetus for its

development and shall define generalpolitical directions and priorities thereof

(…)‟ (art. 15 EU Treaty)

The difference was the permanent presidency. Nowadays: Van Rompuy

Debate about chronology of Concert or Europe

1815 – 1854: „The Long Peace‟ (Vienna – outbreak of Crimean War)

1854 - 1870: Ascent of Nationalism

1870 – 1890: Bismarck‟s Balance of Power



1890 – 1914: Ossification i.e. Loss of Flexibility

The question is: When was the official end of the Concert of Europe?

It depends on the eye of the beholder. It became more and more less effective over the years. But

until the outbreak of WWI, there were conferences to settle diplomatic disputes and the Balance of

Power did remain. It did decline, but 1914 is when the Concert of Europe fundamentally changed.

The Concert as a Collective Security interest:

The Unifiction of Italy, 1850-1870.jpg

Unification of Germany, 1865-1871.jpg

„Zero-sum game‟ . No, all profit.

Rather than a „zero sum game‟ in which the gains of one Power came to the detriment of another:

„Crucially, states did not view their own securities

requiring the elimination of another Great Power

or the end of the balance as a whole‟. (Best p. 13-14)

Major wars until WWI were outside of Europe: Crimean War, USA Civil War, Colonial wars: With the

exemption of the Italian and German unification, there were no wars that took more than a few

months.

2. Age of Nationalism/ Rise of the Nation-State

Nation: common identity: Can have its own state or share with other nationals or live in more than

one state.



Unification of Italy 1850-1870

Ganbaldi played an important role in unification. In 1860 he said: „Qua si fa l‟Italia o si muore‟.

Italy was not treated as a great power after this, but as a courtesy power.

Unification of Germany 1865-1871

The World about 1900.jpg

Vienna Congress did not try to unite the Holy Roman Empire again. Germany was too poltically

fragmented. There was a loose unification first by means of the „Zollverein‟, which was the

economical unification by eliminating the tax barriers between the loose states.

When the unification came there was a big discussion about the size of the state:

Do we include present-day Austria, Slovania, etc? . Those were the „Little Germans‟.

Bismarck‟s Five Steps of Unification

1. Enlarging Prussia by conquest after 7 weeks war with Austria,

2. Annexing Hannover and Mecklenburg, Oldenburg, Saxony and Hessen

3. Channelling them into the Northern Confederation.

4. Lead them to war with France, conquering Alsace/Lorraine, forming the German empire in 1871

5. Ejected Austria by terminating the German Federation set up by the Vienna Congress.



Austria, Russia and the Ottoman Empire were all multinational states. They were threatened to be

scattered . disintegration due to nationalistic movements of different ethnic groups. Therefore,

nationalism was not good for them.

German and Italian unification fuelled nationalism and self-determination amongst different ethnic

groups (Slavs, Russians, etc) . This was considered a danger to the European state system.

3. Age of imperialism

- Africa heavily colonised by European powers

- Russia had colonized the northern parts of Asia.

- Britain had colonized India.

- Australia had colonized New Zealand

- Dutch had colonized Indonesia.

Map of 1913: Imperialism in Africa

- At the eve of the outbreak of WWI.

The Ottoman Empire controlling large part of Arica

and also all other European powers (Netherlands,

Belgium, France, Britain etc.) had colonies there.

There were two independent states:



1. Liberia

2. Ethopia

European relations were affected by Imperialism:

1. Cutting across/complicating relations within Europe.

o Example of the French-British rivalry was the battle at Fashoda 1898 when they both

wanted to expand and came across each other there. The French were expanding

from east to west and the British from the north to the south.o Example: Bismarck‟s national plan did not work with interest in imperialism.

2. Facilitating Great Power relationships in Europe.

o 1904: GB-FR Entente Cordiale

o 1907: GB-RUS understanding on rivalries in Asia.



- Important developments in WWI

3. Promoting theories of national and racial superiority as well as a crude Darwinistic approach

on IR as a „natural process‟ of „survival of the fittest‟ and war among them as „inevitable‟.

o This brought war back to the European front as well.

1890: Bismarck fired . Consequence: execution of German foreign policy.

Bismarck‟s foreign policy:

- Germany as „saturated nation‟ commits itself to preserve the peace in Europe . Wanted to

take the lead in Europe.

- Wanted to keep (revanchist) France isolated (aimed at regaining Alsace Lorraine)

- Since Britain was reluctant to get involved in continental affairs this could be done.

- Germany would be on the side of to one of three of the Five Great Powers.

o Balance of Power concept.

- Thus Germany‟s interests lay in good relations with both Russia and Austria-Hungary

o This was complicated . Russia was in conflict with Austria-Hungary (Which the

Germans had the Dual Alliance with) over the Balkans. Germany had interest in

solving this question diplomatically . when war arose, Germany had to take a side

and it did not what that!

o Conference of Berlin . Bismarck as „honest broker‟: wanted to be loyal to both.

- Colonial adventures were dangerous: they could upset the European balance of power

- French colonial expansion could be useful in weakening French revanchism . not true

eventually.

4. The rise of a more powerful and aggressive Germany



Triple Entente: France, Britain and Russia

Triple Alliance: Germany, Italy and Austria-Hungary

The Triple Alliance was threatened with a two-front war.

Before the war:

- Arm race . military expenditures went up with 60%.

- Both sides took upon themselves a aggressive foreign policy . now more important than

domestic policies. (Conservatives leaders in power, social democratic movements)

5. The gradual dissolution of the Ottoman Empire

- Long series of Balkan empires.

- Berlin Congress: tried to stop nationalistic and ethnic groups to dissolute from the Ottoman Empire.

6. next lecture


Versailles and Interbellum 1917-1929



Map 1: Europe before the First World War.

The Triple Entente versus the Triple Alliance.

During the war, Italy saw itself as economically and military unfit . Became neutral in 1915.

Bulgaria and Turkey joined the Central Powers = Triple Alliance in 1915.

The trigger or direct cause of the First World War was the assassination of Austrian Archduke Franz

Ferdinand and his wife on a trip to Serbia

Austria-Hungary invaded Serbia . Germany invaded Belgium, Luxembourg and France (VonSchlieffenplan) and Russia therefore invaded Germany.

Conclusion: Europe was at war!

1914 Von Schlieffenplan: turned out not be so effective . Wrong assumptions:

- Britain would remain neutral . not the case when Belgium was invaded.

- Russian mobilization would be slow . not the case.

- Two German armies would be sufficient to defeat France . not the case.

- Austria would easily defeat Serbia

. not the case.



Stalemate: „Trench war‟ for four years.

1914-15: „Short – War Illusion: cult of the offensive versus preponderance of defensive fire. Change

from offensive to defensive fire.

Battle at Verdun 1916 . Germans attacked France

- Long war with a lot of causulties (750.000)

- Small battlefield (10km2)

Battle of Gallipoli: February –December 1915

- British/French try to open up a sea lane to Russia through the Black Sea against

OttomanTurkish resistance.

- Casualties: 550.000

- „Sea turned Red‟

- Who had command over the strait would have great trade power. Russia also very

interested.

1917: Collapse of the Russian Empire . Communist Revolution

Two Great turning points in the Great War in 1917-18



1. Following the November 1917 Communist Revolution in Russia: Revolutionary Russia (USSR)

led by Lenin made an eastern peace with the Central Powers and exits from the war (March

1918, Peace of Brest Litovsk).

2. Entry of the USA led by President Woodrow Wilson in the war on the side of the Entente

Powers (April 1917). Its economic and military might turned out to be decisive the western

armistice of November 1918.

Hence: World War I as the first European war who‟s Dénouement (outcome) was determined by an

extra European power: the USA

Woodrow Wilson

- He wanted the US to enter the First World War with the slogan: „A war to end all wars‟. He

argued the government to help Europe to safekeep democracy and end all wars.

- He proclaimed that the causes of war were: power politics by autocratic states and

dangerous „old diplomacy‟: balance of power, alliances, secrecy.

- And that the remedy was: „A crucade for democracy‟, selfdetermination and „new diplomacy‟:

collective security in a „League of Nations‟.

The „War Guilt Clause‟ . It is Germany‟s fault and they have to take responsibility

Art. 231 of the Versailles Treaty: War guilt clause

“The Allied and Associated Governments affirm and

Germany accepts the responsibility of Germany and

her allies for causing all the loss and damage to which

the Allied and Associated Governments and their

nationals have been subjected as a consequence of

the war imposed upon them by the aggression of

Germany and her allies.” Treaty of Versailles, art. 231

Art. 232 of the Versailles Treaty: reparations

“The Allied and Associated Governments recognize

that the resources of Germany are not adequate (…)

to make complete reparation for all such loss and

damage.”Treaty of Versailles, art. 232



Map 2: Price of defeat:

Territorial losses of Germany:

- France gained Alsace-Lorraine.

- Belgium gained a small border district, Eupen-Malmédy.

- Denmark was given northern Schleswig.

- Italy was given Tyrol.

- The Saar valley was put under League administration and its mines under French ownership.

- Poland was given the „Polish Corridor‟, Posen and West Prussia, to maintain the port of

Danzig, which was designated as a free city under the League.

- Lithuania seized the German port of Memel.

- All colonies of Germany were put under the administration of the League as mandates

(Under administration of the Allied Powers until they were ready for independence)

- The Rhineland would be demilitarized and occupied by the Allies.

- German navy and army were reduced and Germany wasn‟t allowed to build up a big army or

navy again.

- The army was denied heavy weapons and aircrafts.

And reparations of course!

New multi-ethnic state Yugoslavia = „pan Slavic‟ state = all-Slavic people. (Slovenes, Bosnians, Croats,

Romanians, etc.)

The Ottoman Empire split up in Turkey and some mandates governed by France and Britain until they

were ready to be independent.

The League of Nations Council . Monitored . „Open diplomacy‟: no more secrecy and secret



dealings. Forerunner of the Security Council of the UN today. Differences:

- In the Council: also smaller states had seat and all had the right to veto.

In the Security Council: smaller powers rotade seats and Great Powers have veto power.

- In the Council: art. 10: interstate aggression . power to advice, but not how to instruct

how, by what means and to what extent.In the Security Council: could instruct how, by what means and to what extent a state

should do something.

The Soviet Union was banned as Communist state

1934: SU admitted to League of Nations because its relevance in IR.

The absence of the US in the League of Nations (despite the efforts of Wilson himself):

- The US did not want to be part of a collective security system.

- They turned isolationistic again.

- They made their own peace treaty with Germany.

- For the League of Nations and European countries it was a great disappointment because of

its dependence of its financial powers and the Great War costs of the European Powers.

Interbellum Versailles states system:

1) 1919-1923: Confrontation.

Germany was discontent with the Peace Treaty, because of the loss of territory (especially

Alsace Lorraine) and they thought the peace treaty was too harsh. . Resentment versus the

„Versailles Diktat‟ and the Weimar Republic.

The USA Senate rejects the Treaty and membership of the League of Nations (Ch. 2)



2) 1923-1929: Détente.

Locarno Treaties: Franco-German understanding of some sort recognized each other‟s 1918

frontiers and borders.

Young Plan: resoluting enormous war debts problems.

Germany joins League of Nations (Ch. 2)

3) 1929 -1935: Growing tensions.

Global economic crisis & decline of democracy in Germany.

Italy and Japan opt for expansionist policies (Ch. 7)

4)1935-1939: Collapse of the system.

League of Nations runs agroud. Failure of appeasement policy (Ch. 7)

5) 1939-1945: World War II (Ch. 8)

Causes of WWI

1. Long term causes:

- Forming of opposing alliances

- Nationalist tensions in Balkans

- Rivalry between Great Powers: subdivision: colonies, social Darwinism, etc.

- Military build-up and militarism . Arms race

2. Immediate causes:

- Assassination of Franz Ferdinand

- German „blank cheque‟ support of Austria

- Austria-Hungary‟s ultimatum and war with Serbia



- Germany‟s invasion of Belgium

Effects of WWI

1. Long term effects:

- Revanchism .German and Italian resentment of Treaty

- U.S. policy of isolationism

- Nationalist dissatisfaction in colonies and League of Nations

- mandates (Ch. 4)

- Disillusionment of a Lost Generation

- Rise of national socialism and fascism

- World War I

2. Immediate effects:

- Russian Revolution

- Defeat of Central Powers

- Destruction and loss of life- Treaty of Versailles

- League of Nations

- Breakup of Austro-Hungarian empire

- Forming of mandates



HIR Lecture 5 October, 10, 2011 H. Meijer



World War II and its start-up phase

Three phases:

1. 1929-1935: Economic Crisis: growing tensions

2. 1935-1939: collapse of the system

3. 1939-1945: WW II

Phase 1: Economic crisis: people knew that bad times were there and more coming, but did not know

what was coming.

Hitler: personification of the evil upcoming and rising of Germany. His strategy: do not act by the

rules . makes other states confused.

Great powers by 1930s: USA (although isolationistic), Britain and France (not Germany, not Russia =

Communist, collapsed)

Phase 2: Collapse of the system:

- USA more interested in Asia, but what was more important was what happened with Japan.

USA and Europe were economic rivals.



- Britain: focused more on Commonwealth. It was imperialistic overstretched; it did not want

to be pulled into European issues.

- France: the only victorious Great Power, afraid and scared of an upcoming Germany.

All powers wanted to prevent war, but did nothing.

Liberal mindset: maintain status quo . Hitler and Mussolini wanted to profit from the old mindset

and the scared Great Powers.

Phase 3: the chronology is not that important to IR, but the changes in relations is!

Two scenes:

1. Far East: The rise of Japan

2. Europe: Germany challenges the status quo . balance of power changes

(E.g. current problem: China is a rising power, changing the balance . should we accept? It could be

comparable to the Japan situation back then)

1935-1939: The game of Risk

- Clash of values . that was what the Second World War was about. The values of the Great

Powers clashed. The political beliefs, norms, values, religions, rules of the politicians/leaders

of the Great powers clashed!

- Status quo versus revisionism (wanting to change the status quo or political order)

- Realism versus idealism



Idealism:

- League of Nations

– Internationalism: multilateralism – Collective security

– Norms and values/morality

– International law

– Liberalism

• Democracy

• Cooperation

• Free trade

Hard power politics: realism pur sang . roughest form or dictatorship.

- World is an anarchy

- Only self help . act in self-interest. Do not be dependent on other states.

- Power politics: war is (normal) instrument

- State is central actor and is the most important

- Social Darwinism: No morality, law of the jungle: struggle of the fittest, permanent rivalry. =

a selfish theory.

Theatre of the East: The Rise of Japan

Power transition theory: when an upcoming new power has to fight its new place amongst the

existing powers, usually through war, a new balance of power or status quo would be restructured.

The smallest of the big powers (could) become a middle power.

Catching-up policy

Before 1854 Japan was completely isolated. In 1854 the US forced Japan to open up.



In 1867 the Meji Restauration took place. This was the modernization of Japan, to catch up with the

European/Western powers. Western powers also benefited from a new market, so they granted

their help. (GB especially with navy)

Strive for Asian hegemony

Japan began to have dreams about becoming a big power and hegemon in Asia.

However, Japan needed colonies to get:

- Resources

- Prestige

- A larger consumer market . bigger market, bigger economy. Important because the

European were very protective of their own market, so Japan had to look elsewhere.

- Lebensraum .more room.

Expansionist policy:

1894-1895: First Sino-Japanese War

- New power hierarchy

- Korea

- Taiwan

1904-1905 Japanese-Russian War

- Japan defeated a Great White Power . received much prestige and a Great Power status.

- It also stimulated the Asian nationalism . this also was a by-effect of a non-white power

defeating a white-power = Russia.



World War I consequences

- Germany was cut off from the scene and the USSR imploded. And thus a power vacuum was

left . becomes dangerous.- Japan profits from isolation colonies.

- Expansion Japanese activities.

- Clash with western interests: USA more important . USA as „sleeping giant‟: isolationistic

and letting Japan rise.

Japan not recognized as a great power

Japan was already disappointed by the Versailles treaty because:

- It gained no possession over German colonies in Asia . They were made into mandates and

later given back to China.

- There was no racial equality. White was better than native and native was better than Asian.

- The Open Door Policy which protected Chinese markets by the US was a big disappointment.

Result: Japan builds up a great army and navy to force its way between the Great Powers.

The Western World remains in control

Washington Conference 1921-1922 was about:

- The status quo in Asia/Pacific and how to maintain it

- And safeguarding open door policy China.

Result: disappointment for Japan again. The Washington system lasted until 1942.



See book for the 5 power, 4 power and 9 power treaty.

1929: Economic crisis

This stimulated the dissatisfaction of Japan.

- Economic nationalism: every country for itself. Cooperation economically was gone and the

Darwinistic approach of „survival of the fittest‟ took over. Tariff walls were set up and raised

and this made the economic crisis even worse. Idealism was gone and there was no more

common interest amongst the Great Powers.

- Economic cooperation stimulates peace, but now it was gone . Anti-Western feeling grew

in Japan . Racism/Inferiority.

- Internal polization: democracy weak

- Extremist ideologies grew: nationalism Asian co-prosperity sphere:

o pan Asianism: Japan as born leader of Asia

o Need for Lebensraum (vital space): China

Japanese expansion in China

- 1931: Japan invaded Manchuria/Manchukwo

- However, the League of Nations put no sanctions on the matter. . LON loses legitimacy.

- 1933: Japan is leaving League of Nations: it stopped playing by the rules.

o Revisionism: wanted to change the international political order.

- Japan‟s Monroe Doctrine:

o 1937: second Sino-Japanese War

o Japan was preparing for total war

New rules of the game



France and Britain were competitors in these times, they were only allies in the bad times = times of

war.

German black-mail policy

1935: Saar region reoccupied

1936: rearmament/conscription army

1936: Rhineland remilitarized

1938: The „Anschluss‟ with Austria

1939: Taking over the Sudentenland in Czechoslovakia

Accomodation policy of the Big Powers

. Give in for the sake of peace

France and Britain did not balance the extra power that Germany gained. Therefore the balance of

power was gone. Britain did not want to help France because it was too preoccupied with their own

issues and France was not strong enough to take up Germany as an enemy. The United States were

still isolationist.

The „Never Again‟ spirit of the First World War turned into a fear for war amongst the Great Powers.

Quote from the book: „Reluctance of Great Powers to commit binding security alignments is typical for the 1930‟ (p174)

. Fear for alignments after WWI: France allied Czechoslovakia.



Peace Conference of Munich: 1938: Appeasement policy.

This was a turning point of the situation.

YouTube movie . „Chamberlain Munich appeasement‟

1938: Chamberlain tried to save peace by giving Germany the Sudetenland. The Czechs were

eventually forced to give in, because they were not strong enough to fight, but they were very

disappointment with France, their ally.

Mussulini . Great Power Conference . Munich, Czechs were not consulted and the Sudentenland

went to Germany. The Anglo-German naval agreement was signed, stating that there would be no

war between them again

It was a relief for Europe

September 1939: World War II

Hitler wanted total war to win over Europe and thereby he wanted more.

Germany invaded Poland

Winter 1939-40: everyone waiting for a war that wouldn‟t happen . „phoney war‟

Spring 1940: West Europe was conquered. It was too late to equal the German war-machine.

New coalitions were made: Game of Risk.



The Axis Powers versus the Grand Alliance

A new balance of power was set up.

Japan goes to war

Need for resources: China had coal, but Japan needed oil. The United States had boycotted oil to

Japan. This was also a reason for the Japanese to revenge by attacking Pearl Harbour in December

1941. It was a surprise attack and Britain was not strong enough for two wars. It was an easy first

battle for Japan.

Overstretch of the Axis Powers

Summer 1942: Midway-battle turning point Pacific

Winter 1942-1943: „Stalingrad siege‟ the beginning of the end for Germany . Russia was not part of

Great Alliance but it was not isolated anymore like in the 1930s

The Axis were fighting a 2-3 front war but it was unable to hold it.

Germany was fighting in West, South and East Europe.

Japan was fighting in China, Pacific and South East Asia.

Why victory Great Alliance

- There was a case of mismanagement among the Axis.

- The Axis powers were overstretched.

- The Allies had material superiority.



- The Allies had a surplus in men, money, resources and technology.

- The Allies had a different but stronger mentality/moral: fighting „the evil‟ . a „common

enemy‟

- And the Allies had better cooperation and strategy . The Big Three had regular conferences.

Post World War II: A New World Order

The ideas were already set up in 1942. Several plans were already made for Germany after the war

and peace in Europe.

- Atlantic Charter principles (August 1941)

- Declaration United Nations( January 1942)

- Yalta conference February 1945:

• A declaration for a liberated Europe was set up.

• And the German question after end war was discussed.

The End of the Grand Coalition

After the Second World War things changed:

- The Allies had no common enemy any more. In the time of the war it was a convenience

coalition.

- There were different world views and mistrust between them. . The SU regime verses the

Western regime.

- There was a change in world leaders.

- There were different ideas about security policies

It drove the European powers apart and thus was the end of the Grand Coalition.



The final failure was shown in the July-August 1945 Potsdam Conference: Where the European

powers failed to come to agreement about what to do with Europe.

Lecture 6: History of International Relations (Clemens Six)

The Cold War 1945-79

Video on Youtube: Cold War Propaganda Communism vs Capitalism

- Cold War was about values endangered by the USSR and Communism.

- Cold War was a clash between economic systems . Communism versus Capitalism.

- Cold War was a serious military conflict between two blocs, but never fought directly

between the United States and the Soviet Union.

Cold War: real danger or just a show?



Enormous costs. . How can they be legitimized?

50/60s: Anti-communist drive, also in the academic world (in the West) . „Evil‟ Communism. The US

scolars might have exaggerated the threat.

60/70s: revisionist historians . tried to bring a new view on the Cold War. They were blaming the US

for originating and extending the war longer for their own interests. US just wanted to extent their

influence and capitalism.

Since late 70s: Post-Vietnam revisionists: focus on misperceptions and over-reactions of both sides.

Misunderstandings and misinterpretation of each other‟s actions and ideas were key to the Cold

War.

Reasons of Cold War

1. Ideological differences.

2. Nuclear arms race.3. Misperceptions of each other‟s intentions.

4. Overestimation of each other‟s capabilities.

Quote George Orwell:

“The atomic bomb *may be] robbing the exploited classes and peoples of all power to revolt, and at

the same time putting the possessors of the bomb on the basis of equality. Unable to conquer one

another they are likely to continue ruling the world between them.”

Atomic arms race ruining the rest of the world It put the US and USSR on an equal basis, but

harming the global world.



Besides misperceptions & misunderstandings: the Cold War as an explicit strategy to rule the world.

The “Cold War ethos”: serving vested interests of political & economic elites.

The Cold War emerging

When the Cold War turned rather “hot”: when words/threats were almost put into military actions.

1. 1950-51: Militarization around the Korea War

2. 1961-62: Berlin and Cuba Crisis

3. 1981-84: The Soviet fear of Western nuclear strikes

1946: The good reasons not to be afraid of each other

- US population tired of war. . Economically, financially and morally exhausted after the First

WW.

- Decrease of US army. . From 3,5 million to 400,000- US lacked sufficient atomic bombs to inflict a major strike on the USSR.

- American primary concern: rise of communist forces in Western Europe . Stop Communism

but did not want war!

- Significant de-mobilisation . also in the USSR.

But: Some conflicts were fought outside of Europe . Diplomatic conflict between the two.

Economic interests were always a key element to US or USSR involvement in conflicts outside of

Europe. Iran, for instance, had OIL!



The failure to reach an agreement on nuclear weapons in 1946: US self-confidence as the sole

nuclear powers.

What finally caused the Cold War

. The future of Germany

The Programme for Germany after 1945 . De-nazification, de-militarization, de-cartelization, de-

centralization and Germany as single unity . Crucial point

Three western moves:

1. January 1947: Merger of the British and the American zones in West-Germany.

. Threat to Communist Eastern powers.

2. 1947: Inclusion of West-Germany into the “European Recovery Programme” (ERP, Marshall

Plan aid)

. USSR: no single economic unity! The East was left out. It was not fair for East-

Germany.

3. 1947: Changing atmosphere in the US: “Soviet misbehaviour” . no more “isolationism” . „Containment‟ of Communism (keeping it in USSR borders and stop the spread)

was the new theme of the age.

After 1945 changes in Soviet foreign policies:

1. 1946: Forced merger of East German Communist & Social Democratic Parties, more power to

the SED

2. 1948: West Berlin was cut from economic supply . Disruptions. There were 2 intentions:

- Make the West reform its plans as West-Berlin as single unity.

- Make the West give up Berlin.

3. Tightening its control over East – Germany: Communist Information Bureau (Sept. 1947)



The Communists take over 4 times.

1. Yugoslavia and Albania: The Communist Party got more power through well-established

communist movements and was historically legitimized.2. Poland: Gradually the Communist influence grew carefully via Workers‟ Party as part of a

coalition.

3. Hungary, Bulgaria, Romania: Also gradual, but strikes against oppositions‟ ideas etc.

4. Czechoslovakia: coup d‟état.

Towards more economic conformity & cooperation: COMECON 1949 (West: OECD & NATO) . „We

don‟t need the Marshall plan, we can do it ourselves‟.

Cold War goes global

Especially to Asia and Middle East . anti-imperialism and rising nationalism in Asia and Middle East.

Truman: will provide support to all non-communist states.

- Turkey and Greece were also supported by US to kick out Communist threat.

Question “How to apply the „Truman doctrine‟ outside of Europe?”

US isolationism decline after:

1. USSR going nuclear (August 1949)

2. Mao‟s victory in China (October 1949)



The Korea War (1950-53): Militarization & globalisation of the Cold War . Turning point.

. McArthur made the suggestion to „bomb the Chinese!‟ for their support of North Korea. The

US was afraid of USSR reaction after this plan.

This shows the way of thinking in the Cold War.

Theory: Stalin launched Korean War to direct focus away from Europe . USSR busy with states in

East Europe.

Facets of the Cold War„s globalisation:

1. Eisenhower: first Republican President after the Second World War (1952). He had a tougher

hand on foreign relations . Changes in the Middle East and the “Eisenhower doctrine”

(1957).

2. French disaster in Indochina and US-American involvement.

3. Iran: Primeminister protested against embargo . This threatened the West/Washington:

CIA and Eisenhower started Operation “Ajax” (1953)

4. Guatemala - Jacobo Arbenz Guzmán took away US power from the companies to give it to

the people and goes “socialist” . He was called a “communist” and this led to Operation

“PBSUCCESS” (1953/54)

Cuba Crisis and its consequences

Khrushchev„s reform agenda (1955) in Soviet Union: domestic and international reforms.

- Agricultural, reduce army, more liberal stance of peripheral states, criticizing Stalin‟s ideas.

- Rising tensions with Mao: saw it as threat to unity of Communist (Stalin) block.

Khrushchev‟s precarious position within the CP, conflicting interests of the Red Army . Was looking

for a successful story.



Cuba . small country, but important.

- Since the end of the 19th century: „protectorate‟ of US. It was a integrated part of the sphere

of influence of the US.

- 1959: Revolution Communist Fidel Castro . Cuba became an independent nation and Castro

gave it a whole political new direction.

- „Bay of Pigs‟ invasion of 1961: Pentagon and CIA trained soldiers and invaded Cuba .

Disaster.

- October 1962: US spy planes spotted ballistic missile (IN OUR BACKYARD!) sites on Cuba .

Kennedy (mid-term elections coming up) over-reacted and called upon a sea-blockade. This

led to the agreement between the USSR and US to withdraw the missiles from Cuba and

Turkey . trade-off.

Consequences of the Cuba Crisis:

- More willingness to cooperate & coordinate. Rising willingness to cooperate and coordinate

to prevent direct nuclear confrontation.

- Direct communication between Moscow & Washington

- 1963: Limited Test Ban Treaty (. only test underground)

- Soviets: seeking nuclear parity with the US . “Mutual Assured Destruction” (MAD) - Deteriorating relationship between de Gaulle‟s France and the US and closer friendship

between France & Germany . Friendship treaty . beginning of “détente”: releasing

tensions in Europe.

o Gaulle withdrew from NATO.

Détente in Europe

. Different from world détente.

. European détente more successful!



- French ambitions & European integration

- European Economic Community (1958) . German and French ambitions for European

integration.

- Vetoing the British (America‟s “Trojan horse”) . Keep them out of European integration

process.

- France‟s withdrawal from NATO

- Willi Brandt‟s “Ostpolitik” after the “Hallstein doctrine” o Ostpolitik: Eastern Europe: please their national interest to win them over?

o Hallstein Doctrine: idea of uncompromising: no relations with the East?

European détente: a (rather) dynamic process of released tensions, mid-60s until the early 80s

. European integration

. Secure borders and economic integration.

Concrete results: series of treaties between West-Germany, East-Germany, the USSR and Poland.

- 1975: Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe (CSCE) - Helsinki Final Act:

accepting post-war borders; fuller economic, scientific & technical cooperation; human

rights; closer contact, better cooperation and exchange of information.

Some progress of détente at global level: SALT 1 (and 2)

Failures of détente and Third World Interventionism

- Background: US trouble in Vietnam and Nixon„s „doctrine‟ - Failure of “Vietnamization” -strategies . gradually redrawing the American troops and

letting the Vietnameze take over the war and making it a „Vietnam‟ war again.

- Chile 1973: CIA-backed overthrow of the elected president Allende . Dictator Augusto

Pinochet

- Middle East 1973: “Yom-Kippur” War & USA turning into decisive broker in the region



African developments

Angola: decolonizaation . anti-colonial movement against Portugal rule . End of Portugal rule

Cuba and USSR supported nationalists

External support for SWAPO guerrilla in Namibia

US: no intervention, but disapproval . the communist bloc seemed to move into Africa

1979:

1. Iran: Islamic revolution as a major setback for US interests in the region

2. Afghanistan: start of USSR intervention in domestic situation.

. Cold War entered Africa



Lecture 7: History of International Relations 17-10-2011

Lecturer: Hans Meijer

Decolonization in Asia and Vietnam

(We were going faster over the slides, because a delay in the lecture . Lecturer forgot his PowerPoint!)

Overview 1900-1945: Formal colonialism

In the 2nd half of the 19th century: no more indirect administration over the colonies.

- Direct/formal rule

- White man‟s burden: ethnical policy: What to do with the colonies:

o Education

o Modernization: new colonial elite . learned more western liberal theories

(stimulating nationalism in the colonies.)

o Autonomy: self rule

o Self-determination

The European Powers were never indented to hold on to the colonies forever. They just wanted to

make them ready to stand on themselves.



Japanese victory over Russia in 1904-1905 also stimulated nationalism! Defeat of a white-power

especially send a message to the non-white countries that they could

Beginning 20th century: „White‟ British colonies became dominions . more freedom.

1914-1918: First World War . isolation

- Power vacuum: rise of Japan

- Pan Asianism: Asia for the Asians, but under the rule of the Japanese.

1917: Soviet Union: communism as a new ideology supported nationalism.

1922: Independence Ireland: „white‟ colony gained independence. Not that much stimulation in Asia

for nationalism, because they were white, but still a growth of nationalism globally.

All these events stimulated nationalism around the world.

Nationalism in Asian colonies

1929: Great Depression:

- Social discontent

- Repression: non-cooperation movement

o Indonesia: Soekarno

o India: Gandhi and Nehru

1930s: Middle East mandates became semi-independent: return to informal rule



- Egypt: puppet king ruled Egypt now, but Britain still had some power

- Iraq and Iran: similar situation.

No complete sovereignty, but still formal independence.

World War II consequences

Japanese conquest South East Asia

- Blow for European prestige

- Japanese occupation: stimulated nationalism

1941: Atlantic Charter: the colonies should stand on their own feet

- Decolonization and self-determination principles grew after the Second World War.

India: Quit India movement: Gandhi . Britain however needed the Indians to fight the Japanese.

After World War II: 1945-1949

A power vacuum existed:

- The Japanese were defeated, but they still stayed there, so they could not be divided

amongst the European powers yet. The Japanese stimulated the colonies to declare

independence . So did Indonesia after the Japanese capitulation.

Nationalism winning strength and there was no return to the pre-war situation.



Three reactions:

- Voluntary decolonization: United States . 1946: Philippines became independent. To „give

the good example‟. They did not have to fight their independence. The American however

were still in change there and it was no true independence yet.

- Accommodation: fait a compli: Britain was not able to reconquer their colonies. They had to

come to some kind of agreement with the nationalist = accommodation = accept the

situation and make the best of it.

- Refusal/resistance: France and the Netherlands resisted to give their colonies up to the

nationalist. They thought that the nationalist/communist were only a part of the population

and they tried to fight. Nonetheless, it failed.

British attitude: pragmatism

The country was worn out. There was an imperial overstretch. They were no more able to rule over

their colonies after the Second World War. They had to safeguard what was crucial for the British

Empire:

- Economy: they needed resources for recovery after the war: They were ready to give the

colonies their independence, but they still wanted trade benefits with the colonies to hold onthe economic status quo.

Pragmatism: (British let go of major colonies, they chose the easy way out)

- Greece: Civil war: Communism versus nationalism . The British had to leave it to the

Americans, because it could not restore the situation.

- Palestine: Jews wanted their own country after the Second World War. British were not able

to give them what they want. They abandoned them. „Solve it yourself‟ (Easy way to solve the

problem)

- India: (see below)

Summer 1945: new Labour government (1945-1952)



Churchill no longer in the government . the people were fed up with him. They wanted a new kind

of future and the people agreed with the socialist ideals of freedom of colonial people . would not

have happened if Churchill would be in charge. . it would not give up India that easily.

Indian decolonization 1945-47

- During the Second World War the Indians were promised a future self-government.

- There already was a conflict of internal communal rivalry: Hindoes versus Muslims . came

to the forefront during the Second World War.

- India was no economic asset anymore.

- The British was unable to restore war . did not want to fight another (decolonization) war --

. Voluntary transfer of sovereignty.

17 August 1947: independence India . also the beginning of Pakistan (Part of India back then).

India was the first Asian colony to gain independence.

YouTube movie: „declonization india BBC‟

(source: IntSchoolHistory?)

Dutch/French attitude:

Dutch had different attitude then the British. The Dutch only had Indonesia. They were proud to be a

Middle-Power, because of Indonesia. Without their colony, they would be a lesser power and lose

prestige. So they wanted to regain their power after the Second World War. The Dutch thought they

could go back to the pre-Japanese occupation years, but this was not the case.

Restoration pre-war situation:



- Prestige

- Power hierarchy: Dutch was middle power because of great colony.

- Morality: they were Calvinists: they thought that they knew best . „obligation‟ to look after

the Indonesian people, the education was not finished yet.

- Economic necessity: the Netherlands needed Indonesia to recover from the Second World

War. And the colonies were still profitable.

There were two option: Diplomacy and war

Diplomatic attempts to come to an understation

Obstruction conservative Dutch: only Indonesian independence on Dutch terms

. No peaceful agreement: escalation which led to two colonial wars: „Police Actions‟ (The Dutch

would not call it a „war‟)

- Dutch „victory‟

- Military stalemate

International factors

- United Nations interference:

o To legitimize its existence: Indonesia litmus test . It was a breach of international

peace and they wanted to show their importance.

o Public opinion . They wanted to improve the public opinion about the UN. The

public opinion was also anti-Dutch . forcing the UN to intervene!

- American global responsibilities:

o Cold War settings were evolving: fear for communism. It took advantage of

nationalism,

o September 1948: change of policy: they first supported the Dutch to restore the

peace in Indonesia and their own economy, but then they started to support

Indonesia when the nationalists suppressed a communist coup. . It showed the

Americans that the Nationalistic Party was not evil.

o They forced the Dutch to give in.



- 27 December 1949: Indonesian independence.

-Break-

“I skipped a few slides, but these are just a summary of the book”

. Korean War

Vietnam War

1945-54: decolonization war . so not yet a Cold War/American war.

1954-63: proxy wars East versus West . American fighting the Russians indirectly by giving weapons

and money to the movements against the pro-Russian movements (supported by the Soviet Union)

1963-73: Cold War-war: Open US involvement . The American admitted that they were involved .

most dangerous moment of the Cold war.

1975-79: interstate/intra communist war. Vietnam got involved in other wars. War between China

and Vietnam: The Vietnamese won!

Decolonization war: Indochina:

After the Second World War a power vacuum was created.

The Vietnamese nationalists (Vietminh) . Leftist leader (Communist) Ho Chi Minh declared

independence in September 1945. France would not give up because of the sources. . A power

struggle between the French and the Vietminh established, but remained undecided.



Vietnam and US involvement

Until 1954 the war was a decolonization war.

The American supported the French: They were afraid to lose it to Communism and that it would

lead to a Domino effect . (Korean War was being fought) That Communism would continue to the

rest of Asia. It turned into a Cold War-war.

The French were defeated at Dien Bien Phu.

. Geneva Conference: a border between North and South Vietnam was established at the 17th

parallel. Also elections for reunification were held. Futhermore the rest of Indochina (Laos

and Cambodia) were neutralized.

. American refused to have elections in South Vietnam: They knew the Communist would win

and that they would lose South Vietnam to North (Communist) Vietnam. . The Cold War

heatened!

France was unable to restore the colonial power:

- Imperial overtretch.

- Domestic political instability

- Support Vietminh by China and Soviet Union.

American support: Cold War context

- 1949: China communist

o Fear of domino effect

o Containment-policy



Needed support from strong France in Europe and the French vote in the UN (France had veto right)

American Vietnam-policy:

- Established a puppet regime in South Vietnam by putting President Diem on top. American

„advisors‟ (CIA/FBI men) remained there until 1963.

- Coup d‟états in Laos . who wanted to become a neutral country. Non-allignment

movement: They did not want to become part in the Cold War, but America did not support

that. (Neutral was seen as Leftist = Communist = Wrong!)

- Until 1963 the Vietnam was a proxy war.

1963: Kennedy was murdered . He would not have let the Vietnam war escalate. But the new

President Johnson knew South Vietnam was losing legitimacy.

. They killed Diem.

There was a fear of losing war which would be an American humiliation.

1964: Tonkin incident: American warship was attacked (theory) by a North Vietnamese ship (could be

a made-up incedent) . reaction of the USA: MORE SOLDIER TO VIETNAM! Americanization of the

war . 200.000 American soldiers in Vietnam . 1968: 500.000 American soldiers were in Vietnam.

Vietnam a civil annex liberation war: North versus South

- US loses legitimacy:

o Upscaling war: 1968: Test Offensive . Instead of retreating, they started to escalate

the war.

o Domestic protests: American population became anti-government. „They were going

too far!‟ The American government lost face and support.

. Casualties/deaths



. Television war

- International anti-American movement

o War crimes: bombing campaign

Johnson did not go for President anymore . Nixon was the new president: „Peace with Honour‟

. American retreat: replacement by South Vietnamese: leaving it to be a civil war again.

International detente

1973: Paris Peace Agreement

- US troops out of South Vietnam

- No North Vietnamese in South Vietnam.

Inter Indochina war . More and more countries were getting involved with Vietnam.

1975: North Vietnam conquers South Vietnam . Americans flee from Saigon. . Vietnam-Syndrom



Communist rivalry Vietnam versus Laos/Cambodia. . Rivalry Soviet Union versus China.

1978: war Cambodia-Vietnam . Removal Pol Pot

1979: war between Vietnam and China.

Documentary Fog of war life rober mcnamara lesson 6 YouTube!

Documents

History of International Relations Lecture 1 September 5