History Geopolitics and East Asia

Sovereignty

The authority of a state to govern itself without external interference. Inspired by treaty of Westphalia 3 rules:

1. respect boarders

2. free hand in your own boarders

3. and non-interference in domestic affairs.

Anthropocene

The current geological age, in which human activity significantly impacts the Earth's climate and environment.

Communism

A political and economic ideology advocating for collective ownership of production and the abolition of private property, aiming for a classless society. All factories and business owed by people and runed by government

Appeasement

A policy of making concessions to an aggressor to avoid conflict, often associated with Britain and France's approach to Nazi Germany before WWII.

Containment

A Cold War strategy aimed at preventing the expansion of communism, primarily through political, military, and economic measures.

International Order/International Systems

The set of global rules, norms, and institutions that govern relations between nations. (global laws)

International Governance

Cooperation between states and organizations to manage global issues through treaties, agreements, and institutions.

Causes of the Cold War

Ideological differences between capitalism (U.S.) and communism (USSR), post-WWII power struggles, nuclear arms race and competing global influence.

The Truman Doctrine

U.S. policy pledging support to countries resisting communism, particularly Greece and Turkey.

The Marshall Plan

U.S. economic aid program to rebuild Western Europe after WWII, preventing communism’s appeal.

It gets European countries on the American side as well

NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization)

A military alliance formed in 1949 to counter Soviet influence in Europe.

Berlin Airlift

U.S. and Allied response to the Soviet blockade of West Berlin (1948-1949), supplying the city by air.

Iron Curtain

Metaphor used by Winston Churchill to describe the division between Soviet-controlled Eastern Europe and the West.

The Warsaw Pact

A military alliance of communist nations led by the USSR, formed in response to NATO.

phase 1

Hostility U.S. and China as adversaries, Korean War conflict, and U.S. support for Taiwan.

phase 2

Rapprochement (1972-1979) Nixon’s visit to China, diplomatic thaw, and normalization of relations.

phase 3

Strategic Cooperation (1980s-1990s)

Economic and political collaboration, especially against the Soviet Union. (teaming up against USSR)

phase 4

Competition & Rivalry (2000s-Present)

relying on each other, but disputes over Taiwan and trade, and military influence.

The Chinese Dynastic Period

Long history of dynasties ruling China, characterized by cycles of rise and fall, Confucian governance, and territorial expansion.

rise through Chinese Civil War

Conflict between the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and Kuomintang (KMT), leading to communist victory in 1949.

Oppressive Policies

Crackdowns on political dissent, mass surveillance, and repressive governance under Mao and later leaders.

Land Reform

Redistribution of land from landlords to peasants, often accompanied by violent purges. (landlords executed)

Great Leap Forward

A failed economic campaign (1958-1962) aiming for rapid industrialization, leading to famine and millions of deaths.

Cultural Revolution

A radical movement (1966-1976) led by Mao to reassert communist ideology, resulting in social upheaval and persecution.

State Capitalism

China’s blend of a controlled economy with market reforms, encouraging foreign investment and private enterprise while maintaining government oversight.

The Rise of Imperial Japan

Japan’s transformation into a major world power (late 19th-early 20th century) through industrialization, militarization, and territorial expansion, culminating in WWII.

Containment

U.S. strategy to limit Soviet expansion, using diplomacy, military alliances, and economic aid.

International System

interaction between countries based on certain rules

The way countries and international organizations interact, following certain rules. Examples include the United Nations and World Trade Organization.

International Society

A community of countries that share common values and work together. Examples include the European Union and African Union.

Difference between International Systems and International Societies

System: -interaction based on established rules

society - communities of countries, that share common values and collaborate.

International Systems refer to the structured way in which countries and international organizations interact based on established rules, such as the United Nations.

In contrast, International Societies consist of communities of countries that share common values and collaborate on various matters, like the European Union.