Superpowers Flashcards
What is a superpower nation?
An extremely powerful country which is capable of influencing international events and the acts and polices of less powerful countries. Its power can be felt all over the world.
What are the 7 most important superpower nations?
Brazil, USA, UK, France, Russia, India, China
What are the 7 factors that make a country a superpower?
-size (area)
-population
-resources
-military power
-economic power
-cultural (soft power)
Why is size (area) important for a superpower nation?
Size is important as nations with large land areatend to have a greater number of natural resources and a larger amount of neighbouring countries that they can influence. eg. Russia
Why is population important for a superpower nation?
Population is important as nations with large populations can grow the economy through cheap workers and markets. Additionally, it allows for a large amount of military personel. eg. China and India.
Why are resources important for a superpower nation?
Resources are important as nations with resources necassary for economic development should hold significant power. eg. Russia- gas and Middle East- oil
Why is military power important for a superpower nation?
Military power is important as nations with high mlitary power are viewed to be more powerful and military force and be used to exert pressure on smaller countries. Additionally, they have the ability to project power around the world with military bases and aircraft carriers eg. China and USA
Why is cultural (soft) power important for a superpower nation?
Cultural power is important as nations with high cultural power are able to easily influence things such as their way of life, values and beliefs onto others. eg. UK and USA
Why is economic power important for a superpower nation?
Economic power is important as nations with a good economy are able to determine economic policies which affect the globe, control investment and use the world’s most powerful currencies. eg. China and USA
Why is political power important for a superpower nation?
Political power is important as nations with a high political power such as the members of the UN Security Council (USA, UK, Russia, France, China) are able to stop any resolution and can make key decisions that effect the whole world.
What is a Uni-Polar world system?
Where most of the world region’s economic, social, cultural aspects are influenced by a single state/country
What is a Bi-Polar world system?
A system of world order in which the majority of global economic, military and cultural influence is held by two states
What is a Multi-Polar world system?
Power is distributed between at least 3 significant poles (countries)
What does BRICS stand for?
Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa
What does MINT stand for?
Mexico, Indonesia, Nigeria, Turkey
What is Colonialism?
The act of one nation controlling another for economic gain. eg. When Britain took control of India
What is cultural imperialism?
the practice of promoting and imposing a culture over a less powerful society
What are the 6 factors that caused the fall of the British Empire?
-WW2
-New Superpowers
-Money
-Nationalism
-Indian Independence
-Opinion at home
How was WW2 one of the causes of the fall of the British Empire?
It helped other countries show their power such as the USA and the USSR (Russia) over Britain. It showed that the empire was no longer needed to hold the world together.
How were New Superpowers one of the causes of the fall of the British Empire?
In WW2, Britain called on its colonies and dominions to fight against the Axis powers which led to many of them thinking if being part of the empire was a good idea.
How was Money one of the causes of the fall of the British Empire?
After WW2, the empire was no longer as rich compared to other powers. They could not able to afford to hold territiories which were not making them profit so they had to grant them independance.
How was Nationalism one of the causes of the fall of the British Empire?
Many people living in the British colonies learned a love of their own culture and traditions and therefore wanted independance. This meant that they would have to fight for their independance, politically or physically.
How was Indian Independance one of the causes of the fall of the British Empire?
India held about 75% of the population in the British empire and was the most profitable colony. Them leaving in 1947 showed that the rest of the empire could leave too.
How was the Opinion at Home one of the causes of the fall of the British Empire?
Women’s rights, Worker’s rights, free education and healthcare went against the idea of the taking control of other nations and bullying them so they didn’t want an empire anymore. People prefered spending money on the NHSthan on colonies.
What is the negative legacy of the British empire? (name 3)
-religious conflict
-poverty
-slavery
-instability in countries
-over extraction in countries
-loss of culture
What is the positive legacy of the British empire? (name 3)
-sports: football, rugby, hocky, golf, tennis
-British overseas territiories
-Chrisitianity
-Speaking English
-Legal systems
-physical infastructure
