The Division Of The World Into Two Opposing Camps Flashcards

1
Q

What ways do Nations protect their self-interest?

A

Militarily; being willing to use force, or the threat of force to protect what they have; economically, using trade as a weapon, using trade bans and sanctions to cut off trade with countries that are opposed to you; or diplomatically, by talking things over with your enemies or making alliances with friendly countries.

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2
Q

What did the USA and the Soviet Union both want to do?

A

Both the USA and the Soviet Union wanted to have as many allies, supporters, and as much influence in the world as possible. Both sides believed that it was important to protect their national interests, sometimes leading to competition . Both sides also had special geopolitical spheres of interest- USA= American continent; Soviet Union= their western frontier because of fears of invasion. Neither side ever liked the other to interfere in their sphere of interest.

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3
Q

Describe international relations?

A

The term “politics” describes the competition for power and influence and international relations are politics on a global scale. Every nation works for its best national self-interest. The key elements of this self-interest are security, the ability to protect your people and your national borders; and sovereignty, the ability of each nation to make its own decisions and not have some other country telling it what to do.

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4
Q

Discuss about the Cold War and empires?

A

The spheres of interest often amounted to modern empires, built around trade and political allegiance. Although both sides set up empires they were not of the same kind. The European empire or sphere of interest, established by the USA was based on collaboration and a degree of consensus. The western nations freely associated with the USA because of a shared set of political, social and economic values. The Soviet Union’s European empire faced more resistance.

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5
Q

Discuss ideology with relation to the Cold War?

A

Both sides believe that their ideology is the best- USA= democracy, rights of the individual and private property; USSR= communism, opposing private property, group/state more important than individual. Soviets believed 1950s and 60s that a clash between them and USA inevitable. Two camps theory- world divided into two opposing camps- communist and capitalist. Soviets convinced that capitalist countries would try and destroy Marxism and their country.

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6
Q

Discuss National self-interest and geopolitics with relation to how the Soviet Union perceived its relationship with the USA?

A

National self-interest and geopolitical division about spheres of interest are a significant factor as to how the Soviet Union has perceived its relationship with the USA. This is supported by the fact that the closest either side has come to war with the other was over geopolitical disputes about Berlin and Cuba.

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7
Q

Besides ideology, national self-interest and geopolitics, what is another consideration when contemplating the beginning of the Cold War?

A

It seems to be a fact of history that powerful nations are often rivals and enemies. Going back to ancient history, there are many examples of rivalry.

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8
Q

What is meant by the term “superpower” and discuss the superpowers in the Cold War?

A

Superpowers are nations that think and act in global terms- in the case of the Cold War the two superpowers were communism and capitalism. Their military and economic power was so great that they created, in the 1940s and 50s, a bipolar world- meaning that most nations in the world were allied to one of the superpowers. Smaller nations became linked to them as trading partners or allies. The bipolar nature of international affairs began to gradually break down in the 1960s to be replaced by a multipolar world of international relations.

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9
Q

Discuss the influence of domestic politics on foreign relations?

A

Domestic Politics (what happens inside a country) has an influence on foreign relations. Politicians sometimes say and do things about other countries because of internal political pressures, perhaps thinking that they need to impress the people at home with their ability to get results in international relations.

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