UNIT 5 FRQ (actually)

Explain supranationalism

Supranationalism is the process of nation states organizing politically and economically into one organization or alliance. Supranational organizations are where three or more countries form an alliance for cultural, economic, or military reasons.

Devolution

Giving up power by the central / federal government to the different regions of the country. When a country breaks off peacefully like “the Stans”

Balkanization

The process by which a state breaks down through conflicts among its ethnicities.

Centripetal Forces

Things that unite a country's people

Centrifugal Forces

Things that pull apart a country’s people

Czechoslovakia

(what happened, devolutionary factors, aftermath/impact)

What happened: The Slovaks believe that the Czechs are the bigger/stronger ethnicity and that they are considered “under” them (which they don’t like).

Devolutionary factors: Ethnic seperatism, social problems

Aftermath/Impact: While the split was very peaceful and the two countries remained friends afterwards, the public did not want Czechoslovakia to split and many believe that the government did it without their permission for the government’s own benefit.

Catalonia

(what happened, devolutionary factors, aftermath/impact)

What happened: Catalonians have a distinct language and culture that they feel is separate from Spain and want to be independent (ethnic seperatism), and they pay a lot of taxes that go to other regions of Spain instead of benefiting them (economic problems). Catalonia is a very rich area and Spain does not want them to go.

Devolutionary factors: Ethnic seperatism, economic problems

Aftermath/Impact: Catalonia would have to apply for a European Union membership if it became a state, which would take years. Catalonia depends on Europe and it would be hard to have that separation.

Yugoslavia Balkanization

(what happened, devolutionary factors, aftermath/impact, what two sides?)

What happened: Growth of nationalism in absence of strong, unifying government

Devolutionary Factors: Ethnonationalism, Ethnic separatism, Economic & social problems

Impact:Yugoslavia violently balkanized along ethnonational lines; all sides engaged in ethnic cleansing (and, in some cases, genocide); destruction of cities during war; NATO intervened to end conflict; Yugoslavia broke up into several new states

SIDE A:Serbians

SIDE B:Croatians (& Albanians, Macedonians, etc.)