Answers to the questions
1.Analyze how nationalism and militarism contributed to the outbreak of World War I. Use historical examples to support your answer. Of the various causes of World War I, which do you think was the most important and why?
1. It is a well-known fact that World War I was a result of certain decisions taken by the leading figures of five different countries, namely Austria-Hungary, Russia, Britain, France and Germany. The character, structure and sequence of the principal events depended on these great powers and their powerful regimes. When looking at their primary concerns, motivation and agendas, one should admit that “five coteries were moved by nationalism, imperialism, and militarism” (Hamilton & Herwig 13). Militarism and nationalism are considered to be cultural factors and causes of World War, because the policy aimed to proclaim the great importance of the military force dominating over civilians. It is believed that the there was a continuity in the foundation of German imperialism from Wilhelm II to Adolf Hitler. The European nations were engaged in arms races, military competition at that period and Germany was leader having increases its army expenditures by 105 percent. Nationalism is tightly connected to this notion and it was a part of this great race among the leaders. Each nation believed in its great power and there is even an argument that conservative elites decided to participate in the war in order to overcome the crisis weakening their position compared to those of ultraconservatives (Hamilton & Herwig 37). Besides, none of German 2,000 publications in 1912 were culturally and ideologically neutral. This situation resulted in an increased tension and crisis within the country. The countries including Austria-Hungary tried to overcome their internal crisis entering the external war. Although the assassination of Franz Ferdinand of Austria was a formal short-term cause of the war, I consider it to only escalate the existing conflict between Austria-Hungary and Serbia with different countries supporting their interests.
2.Compare and contrast the empires of Germany and Japan before the outbreak of World War II. Identify and describe the leadership qualities of their respective leaders. Make sure you use enough historical details to support your answer.
2.During the First World War, Japan participated on the side of the Allied powers, but no so actively as in the Second World War. Consistent discrimination of Japanese people worsened the Japanese-Western relationships and in 1930s, the military control over the Empire was established. Hirohito was the the Emperor of the country during that period, Hideki Tojo was a military leader, supporting the Tripartite Pact between Italy, Germany and Japan. It is a known fact that in December 1941, Japan attacked the opponents at Pearl Harbor trying to expand their control to the border of India and New Guinea. As for Germany at that period, Adolf Hitler was a leading figure in the Nazi Germany pursuing aggressive foreign policy and creating an alliance with Japan and Italy. “Japan and Germany would not have been so sensitive to the concrete, or material, threats they were facing if these had not been accompanied by, and dovetailed with feelings of psychological, or emotional insecurity” (Coicaud 231). Thus, these two countries had lots in common with regard to international instability, insecurity and military objectives.
3.Identify and analyze the main events of the Cuban Missile Crisis and the Vietnam War. Then assess how these affected the relationship between the United States and the Soviet Union. Make sure you use enough details to support your answer.
3.A 13-day long conflict between the Soviet Union and the U.S. in 1962 has been called the Cuban Missile Crisis and caused by the deployment of ballistic missile by Soviet leaders in Cuba. Fidel Castro and Nikita Khrushchev negotiated and planned the construction of military facilities and Kennedy’s committee interpreted this actions as a serious threat to the U.S. security. Subsequently, Kennedy ordered a blockade of Cuba in October and no offensive weapons were allowed as a part of the so-called “quarantine” in the region. As for the Vietnam War in 1955-1975, the country was divided into two parts: the North Vietnamese army supported by China, Soviet Union and other communist countries and the South Vietnamese army supported by the U.S. and other anti-communist groups. Although the war was considered to be formally caused by the inner conflict in the country, the United States were believed to protect their interests and prevent from the communist further expansion. These events resulted in mistrust between two leaders, although they remained allies against Germany during the Second World War. “The Cuban Missile Crisis brought the world closer to a nuclear catastrophe than bad ever been experienced” (Schier 84). Therefore, the countries had to negotiate, sign a number of control agreements and the hotline between Washington and Moscow was installed.
4.Analyze how the ideas and actions of Jean Monnet let to the creation of the European Union in 1958. Point out the events that led to the creation of the EEC, and what events followed. Clearly distinguish those countries that supported European Union and those that did not. Use specific details to support your answer. Then evaluate the relative process of the European Union (EU), in terms of its ability to create a “United States of Europe”.
4.Jean Monnet travelled to Canada and after having seen the main reasons and causes of the country’s strengthening and empowerment, he was inspired to forge the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) that later developed into the European Union (EU). “Jean Monnet saw international cooperation as the only means of survival for a Europe emerging from the ruins of the Second World War” (Ugland 6). Taking the U.S. and Canada as examples, he brought his 1951 speech about how and which institutions were to be changed in Europe and believed in individuals, successful leadership of private sector executives. The European Economic Community (EEC) was created before the EU to encourage economic integration and cooperation among the prominent countries. In such a way, political integration was not yet activated, but economic partnership strengthened the European market. Six founding EU-countries were France, Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Italy. As for the term “United States of Europe”, it was first heard from Winston Churchill who called to establish a first pan-European organization. Eventually, this idea has been successfully realized and the EU is one of the most powerful international alliances nowadays.
Works cited
Coicaud, Jean-Marc. “A Brief Case Study of Germany and Japan: Emotions and Passions in
the Making of World War II”. Japanese Journal of Political Science 16(3) (2015): 227-247. Print.
Hamilton, Richard; Herwig, Holger. The Origins of World War I. Cambridge University Press,
2003. Print.
Schier, Helga. The Cuban Missile Crisis. ABDO Pub. Co., 2008. Print.
Ugland, Trygve. Jean Monnet and Canada: Early Travels and the Idea of European Unity.
