Human Geo 8.3 Questions Flashcards
What were the 2 superpowers during the Cold War?
The US and Soviet. They could quickly deploy armed forces. To maintain strength in other regions, they established military based in other countries, from which they sent ground and air support close to local areas of conflict. Also Naval fleets. Their balance of power was bipolar, which divided the world into 2 camps and left other states helpless to tip the scales in favor of one or the other, and would become either an ally or a satellite.
How did both superpowers demonstrate that they would use military force to prevent an ally from becoming too independent?
The Soviets sent armies into Hungary and Czechoslovakia in 1968 to install more sympathetic gov’ts, and the US didn’t intervene there, but sent troops to Grenada (1983), Panama (1989), Dominican republic (1965) so those countries would remain allies.
What was a major confrontation during the Cold War between the US and the Soviet Union?
1962: when the Soviets began secretly constructing missile-launching sites in Cuba, less than 90 miles from the US. JFK demanded that they be removed, and ordered a naval blockade. At the UN, after denial by Soviet ambassador, US ambassador revealed aerial photographs as evidence. The crisis was then ended, and the Soviet Union dismantled the sites.
On what 3 occaisons has UN (founded in 1945 with 51 original members) membership increased rapidly?
- 1955: 16 countries joined (mostly European countries newly freed from Nazi Germany during WWII).
- 1960: 17 new members, mostly from former African colonies of Britain/France.
- 1990-1993: 26 additions, due to the breakup of Soviet & Yugoslavia AND admission of several microstates.
What did the UN replace? Was this earlier organization successful?
The League of Nations, which was established after WWI, but was never effective at peacekeeping. The US didn’t join it (even though Woodrow Wilson proposed it) because the Senate refused, and by the 1930s, Germany, Italy, Japan, and the Soviets had all withdrawn, & the organization couldn’t stop these states’ aggression against their neighboring countries.
How has the UN used military and peacekeeping to intervene in conflicts within or between member states?
The UN is trying to separate warring groups in many regions (esp. Eastern Europe, Central/SW Asia, and sub-Saharan Africa). Because it relies on individual countries to supply troops, there often aren’t enough to effectively keep peace. They have tried to maintain strict neutrality in separating warring factions (but it’s been difficult in places like Bosnia where the world sees 2 ethnicities, Croats & Serbs, as guilty of ethnic cleansing against Bosniaks).
Explain about vetoing a UN peacekeeping operation. How has the UN done so far maintaining peace?
An 1 of 5 permanent members of the Security Council (China, France, UK, US, & Russia) can veto a peacekeeping operation. It was used during the Cold War to veto UN intervention, and it was only after a failed Security Council meeting in 1950 that troops were sent to support South Korea. China/Russia’s opposition has made it hard to stop Iran from making nukes. Despite all these shortcomings, the UN represents a forum where states can meet and vote without resorting to war. More cooperation, etc.
What is the Fragile State Index?
It measures stability of states. It combines several factors, including fairness of legal system, youth unemployment, level of violence, and freedom to express diverse political views. The most fragile states are in sub-Saharan Africa. It has highest pop growth and poor health, the most genocide/ethnic cleansing, & problematic state shapes.
What is the start of nuclear weapons and the largest nuclear-related event in history?
During WWII, the US collaborated with Canada & UK to develop them. They feared Nazis were also doing so. Allies dropped atomic bombs on Nagasaki & Hiroshima, Japan, in 1945. 100-200,000 died immediately, and many died later from radiation & cancer. It ended WWII. These bombs haven’t been used since, because a full-scale nuclear conflict could end humanity!
How many warheads do the Soviets and Israel have? Who didn’t sign the Non-Proliferation treaty?
During the Cold War, the Soviets developed nuclear weapons, and overall, 8 countries have successfully detonated them. In 2018, they had a total of 14,480 nuclear warheads. Israel is an unconfirmed suspect of them, and it’s unsure if they’ve conducted a nuclear test–possibly have 80 warheads. 5 countries (India, Israel, Pakistan, & South Sudan) never signed it, and North Korea withdrew in 2003. India/Pakistan last tested in 1998, leaving (North Korea is only country to test in 21st).
What is the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, which went into force in 1970?
Signed by 191 countries, designed to prevent spread of nuclear weapons. It designated 5 countries as nuclear-weapon states: US, Soviet, UK, France, & China, who agreed to share their tech for peace & try eliminating all nuclear arsenals. Since it went into effect, # of warheads possessed has declined sharply (esp. with US and Russia). Together, they make up 92% of world total. South Africa and 3 former Soviet republics have agreed to dismantle their arsenals as part of the treaty.
Explain how Libya is a suspect of pursuing development of weapons of mass destruction?
-Their longtime leader Muammar al-Gaddafi (1942-2011) bought nuclear technology blueprints from Pakistan & tried to enrich imported uranium into weapons. Libya gave up their nuclear weapons program in 2003 and cooperated with international inspectors.
Explain how Iraq is a suspect of pursuing development of weapons of mass destruction:
Saddam Hussein employed chemical weapons against Kurds/Iranians in the 1980s, and after they invaded Kuwait in 1991 and the US drove them out, the UN located & destroyed chemical weapons stockpiles. In 2003, the US attack deposed Hussein, they learned that Iraq still had nuclear weapons, but most other countries didn’t agree. The US then argued that Hussein should be replaced with a democratic gov’t, which soon plunged Iraq into a civil war (between Shiites Sunnis, some Kurds, and some ISIS).
Explain how Iran is a suspect of pursuing development of weapons of mass destruction:
Hostility between it and the US dates from 1979 (a revolution forced Iran’s pro-US Shah out), and Iran’s majority Shiite supporters of an exiled Shiite leader proclaimed Iran an Islamic Republic. Militant supporters seized the US embassy and held 52 Americans hostage for 2 years. They claimed their nuclear program was for civilian purposes. There was an agreement to degrade their nuclear capabilities without resorting to war, and Trump pulled the US out of the treaty in 2018 (saying it didn’t stop the nuclear weapons).
Explain how Syria is a suspect of pursuing development of weapons of mass destruction:
The gov’t (led by President al-Assad) has repeatedly employed chemical weapons in its long-running multisided civil war. The US, Russia, and other countries have failed to get them to eliminate their stockpile.
