The Process of Change in Relationships and the Balance in Power - Essay Example

The Process of Change in Relationships and the Balance in Power The litmus test for power is not only a contemporary event, but rather a cross generational process. The apparent alliances, power blocks and geographical unions that existed from 1890 to 1991 were all significantly influenced by past events as well as current ones. But change is one of the inevitable processes in life. It progresses from conception to the the final output, and so is an important part of development. The process of change in relationships among world powers passed through a number of different processes such as war, attacks, trade and most importantly aliances. The period between 1890 to 1991 represents landmark events responsible for a change in relationship across different countries. Certainly, these changes affected the balance in power from different perspectives as discussed in the paper which follows. Pearl Harbour, ‘the worst naval disaster in American history’1, was a key turning point in American and world history, which produced a profound shift from ‘isolationism to internationalism’2 in US foreign policy. Pearl Harbour was attacked by the Japanese navy in December 1941. It was important because it caused the American public to make a major shift and to change their minds about U.S. intervention in World War II, and this shift in public opinion accounted for much in determining the course of America foreign relations. Opinion polls in 1939 showed a staggering 99% of American people opposed American involvement in a foreign war.3 In 1940 the polls showed that 80% of them continued to oppose any involvement in military conflicts.4 After Pearl Habour this opposition changed. Senator Nye5 showed the aggression of the nation in his speech: ‘To give our Commander in Chief unqualified and unprejudiced backing in his prosecution of the war was is an obligation which shall gladly fulfil!’6 As Senator Vandenberg7, noted in his memories: ‘That day ended isolationism for any realist.’ Arguably, America had been willingly entangled in world economic affairs, but had stayed clear of military interventions.. The United States were involved in economic expansion, German reparations, naval and land disarmaments, the creation of a new treaty system for ‘the Far East’. Many historians argue that Roosevelt was an internationalist because of his early ‘Good Neigbour Policy’ and he had doubts about intervention even before Pearl Harbor, but his policies and actions were limited by oppposing public opinion. The evidence of that is that he kept some of his actions hidden from scrutiny for example, the secret talks between British and American planners. It could even be said that ‘the Japanese solved Roosevelt’s problem of how to get fully involved in the war.’ ‘Step by step between 1939-1941, he abandoned neutrality, through aid to Britain and other nations fighting Hitler, took the US to the brink of war.’8 In addition, before Pearl Harbour in November 1939, the administration had succeeded in repealing the arms embargo. Britain and France did have access to American arms production, although they had to pay for and receive armaments in American ports, and ship the goods themselves – the so-called ‘cash and carry’ provision.9 ‘Destroyers for Bases’ and ‘The Lend-Lease Plan’ were other signals of intervention even before Pearl Harbour, so can, in hind sight, be seen as precursors of what was to come. Apart from Pearl harbour, which greatlyinfluenced the balance of power between 1890 to 1991, other important factors also played along in streamlining the shift. For example, what was once called the Spanish-American War of 1898 was the pivotal event, bringing the ’large policy’ to fruition, and marking the United States as a world power. It was argued that ‘No war ever transformed us quite as the war with Spain transformed us’10. This Spanish-American war was a turning point as after it America was no longer only a regional power anymore. It was transformed into a country with a huge potential to become a world power.’ According to Ambassador John Hay, “It was a splendid little war, but with a great potential”11. The United States gained the reality of imperialism as a result of the war with Spain. In the same process, it assumed power as a protectorate over Cuba, and also took control of Hawaii,, later to become a state, and of Puerto Rico, and the Philippines as outright American colonies. Also, the high demand for an ‘Open Door Policy’ in China bought a potential 400 million and more customers for American goods, giving America, at the same time, a lee way into East Asia politics’12 Ihe war of 1898 did not actually produce a true realignment in the global balance of power, but it symbolically and tangibly heralded America’s emergence as a world power. Historically, Europe had been wracked by a series of crises since 1900 with each attracting war fortunes. In1890 Bismark left office, leaving control of Germany to the Kaiser who lacked his diplomatic skills13 and geopolitical understanding.14 Because of this Germany was not able to continue successfully with Bismarck’s policies. Apparently, by rejecting Russia's offer to renew the Reinsurance Treaty at the very beginning of his rule, the Kaiser and his advisers pulled the most important thread out of the fabric Bismarck's system of overlapping alliances. Contrary to the more aggressive Kaiser, Bismarck's aims were defensive. In his own words Germany was a 'satiated state' and was in the process of gaining stability15. On the other hand, the Kaiser was an expansionist .16 Within a decade of Bismarck’ leaving office Russia, which was previously tied to Germany by the Reinsurance Treaty, had become a military ally of France, while Great Britain, an on-again-off again suitor of Germany, also joined the French diplomatic camp. From this perspective, Germany had achieved the extraordinary feat of isolating itself and , at the same time, bringing together three erstwhile enemies in a hostile coalition opposing its views.The German naval strategy proved totally misconceived as an instrument for securing increased world recognition and power. Not only did it arouse Britain's fierce antagonism, but it served to strengthen the forces of opposition to German ambitions in Europe. On the same note, by 1914, German civilian and military leaders felt that their ambitions were being attacked on all sides, while their rivals were increasing in military strength and seemed even more closely aligned. The future of Russia was becoming more important, but at the same time, the unity between nations manifested whenever differences unveiled.17 Therefore, as soon as Russia began to mobilize, Germany would call up its whole fighting forces, a proof of the inherent effects of power changes and shifts.18 The paradox of the First World War was that it had been fought to curb German power and looming predominance, but it left it, although very battered, in a far better position to dominate Europe than it had been before the war. For example, the Versailles settlement achieved the precise opposite of the previous intention. Arguably, they had tried to weaken Germany physically, but instead strengthened it geopolitically.19 Britain had large debts after the war, and her resources of money had been decreased by the sale of many overseas investments. 20'It seemed to me that post-war Britain needed something more than a drastic spring-clean. It needed coordination, economic, financial, industrial and commercial.'21 The biggest Empires, such as the Ottaman empire, which had dominated in the 19th century ,were broken up, and Russia turned inwards as a result of the First World War. However, USA only gained as a result. It's steel production (32 million tonnes per year) was three times as big as production of the biggest empire in the World.22 The United States assumed the the position as the world's greatest creditor as the European powers Britain (£959 million), France (£634 million) and Italy (£354 million) sought loans and credits to pay for their war purchases. America was helping the biggest empire in the world, that of the United Kingdom, which shows the potential of this country to become a world power. As well as this huge change, the Second World War, all over the globe, was a 'massively transformative event' . The Russian Army launched the final victory over the German Reich at the Battle of Berlin in the spring of 1945. From a worldwide perspective, it shattered the old order, giving rise to a new international system. Stalin had met Winston Churchill and F D Roosevelt during the war, but he was not invited to all the meetings between the two, and this made him suspicious about their plans for the future. He was distrusted and General George Patton wanted the Allies in the west of Europe to take on the Russians as the new enemy once it was clear that the Germans had been beaten, and so the Cold War began. Among the world's nations, only the United States emerged stronger and richer at end of the wars. Evidently, after WW1 America had disarmed and for the most part refused to intervene in foreign affairs. Nevertheless, WW2 produced a redistribution of power more sweeping than in any previous periods. Currently, USA has to forget about isolationist policy and accept the status of the world power. After the Second World War, the USA stayed high up in world affairs, creating a by-polar world with two superpowers, it self and Russia. It is impossible to determine the actual intention of Stalin at the time, but Truman's assessment appears simplistic.23 Conceivably, the Truman Doctrine began with the active implementation of containment catalyst, impelled by the fact that Britain could no longer suppress communist expansionism in Greece. In as much as the United States policy supported free people, the attempted subjugation by armed minorities or outside pressures proved to be inconsistent.24 For instance, in 1949 China accepted communism, and the Warsaw Pact in 1955 under which a number of eastern European states, made up of Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, East Germany, Hungary, Poland, Romania, and the U.S.S.R., agreed to join forces for collective defense under a joint military command, brought many more problems. The United States would, or could not, make any compromise with Russia or China. Instead, they preferred to build the mightiest armed force in order to defend the free world.25 In 1955 Hydrogen bombs were developed by both superpowers, enhancing the Cold War Yet the . Soviet Union and the USA could not afford to have a war with each other. The turning point, and the Soviet Union’s biggest mistake, was the invasion by its forces into Afganistan in 1979. Most importantly, Mikhail Gorbachev, president of the Soviet Union from 1990 to 1991 was the key figure in bringing the Cold War to an end. He wanted to modernize the Soviet Union. This required huge expense, and so there was a reduction in the Soviet Union’s defense spending, bringing as a result signs towards the end of the Cold War. In 1989 at Gorbachev, then General Secretary of the Communist Party and later to be President of the Soviet Union, and the American President H.W.Bush, meeting in Malta, declared that the Cold War over. From this point there was just one world super power, America, bringing an end to the stalemate. In conclusion, the rise of USA to a superpower passed through a number of changes stages, in what is relatively a young nation. Pearl Harbour was a key turning point, because after this unexpected disaster, the American people changed their minds about protecting their home soil while at the same time expanding its control. Hawaii, although not yet one of the American states, or even an American territory, had been in American control since the late 19th century, and many Americans lived there. This was the nearest America came to a true invasion in the 20th century. Although other events also assisted in motivating and building the important relationship between American and the rest of the world, Pearl Harbour can be said to have been the most transformative event for USA. After the Pearl Harbour incident and its consequences with World War II, two superpowers , the Soviet Union and USA, were in contention. These two forces were in a tussle to control the world, with each of them developing different strategies to ensure control. The American public would not accept the war between these two superpowers without a great reason. USA citizens continued to hold the opinion that they were always a superpower characterised by a great economy and potential, which would never go to war without substantial reason. Read More