Causation in Global Conflict

Einstein's Quote: "War is inevitable with sovereign nations possessing great power" (1945).
Essential Question: Significance of global conflict causes from 1900 to present?
Global Order Changes:
- 20th century: shifts in global order.
- Start: West dominated.
- WWI & WWII: Power shifted to US.
- New states emerged.
Empire Collapse & Upheaval:
- Ottoman, Russian, Qing empires collapsed.
- Nations faced upheaval.
- Totalitarian gov'ts arose.
Political Causes of Global Conflict:
1. World War I:
  - Nationalism: Pride and rivalries fueled expansion.
  - Imperialism: Competition caused tensions.
  - Militarism: Arms race created aggression.
  - Alliances: Local conflicts escalated.
2. Rise of Fascism/Nazism:
  - Conditions: Post-WWI hardships led to extremism.
  - Fascist Italy: Mussolini's model emphasized nationalism.
  - Nazi Germany: Hitler sought racial purity, expanded.
3. Appeasement Failure:
  - Appeasement: Britain/France conceded to Hitler.
  - Munich Agreement: Emboldened Hitler, failed to prevent war.
4. The Cold War:
  - Ideological Conflict: US (democracy) vs. USSR (communism).
  - Proxy Wars: Superpowers supported opposing sides.
  - Nuclear Arms Race: Threat of annihilation loomed.
5. Decolonization/New Conflicts:
  - Independence Movements: Colonies collapsed post-WWII.
New Nations: Faced ethnic conflicts, instability.
Examples: Algerian War, India/Pakistan partition.
Ethnic/Religious Conflicts:
- Causes: Persistent ethnic/religious differences.
- Examples: Balkan Wars, Rwandan genocide, Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
- Nationalism: Exacerbated tensions.
Economic Causes of Global Conflict:
- Competition for Resources: Drove conflict.
- Economic Inequality: Created unrest.
- Trade Imbalances: Led to tensions.
The Great Depression:
- Global Impact: Unemployment, poverty.
- Rise of Extremism: Fascism, communism gained power.
- Protectionism: Worsened economic tensions.
Rise of Multinational Corporations:
- Economic Power: Influenced gov'ts.
- Exploitation: Criticized for exploiting resources.
- Globalization: Linked to globalization.
Resource Scarcity and Environmental Degradation:
- Climate Change: Exacerbated scarcity.
- Water Scarcity: Led to tensions.
- Deforestation: Contributed to climate change.
Consequences of Global Conflict:
1. Humanitarian Crises:
  - Displacement: Refugee crises.
  - Casualties: Loss of life.
  - Famine/Disease: Disrupted food systems.
2. Political/Social Changes:
  - Regime Change: Overthrow of gov'ts.
  - Social Disruption: Increased crime.
  - Trauma: Need for healing.
3. Economic Costs:
  - Infrastructure Destruction: Hindered development.
  - Loss of Investment: Economic decline.
  - Resource Depletion: Undermined sustainability.
Efforts to Prevent/Resolve Global Conflict:
1. Diplomacy/Negotiation:
  - Mediation: Facilitated dialogue.
  - Arbitration: Binding decisions.
  - Track II Diplomacy: Informal discussions.
2. International Organizations:
  - UN: Peacekeeping, diplomacy, sanctions.
  - Regional Orgs: Conflict prevention.
International Law:
- Adherence promotes stability.
- ICJ settles disputes.
- ICC prosecutes genocide, war crimes.
Economic/Social Development:
- Poverty Reduction: Reduces tensions.
- Education: Fosters tolerance.
- Good Governance: Builds stable societies.
Case Studies of Global Conflict:
1. World War I:
  - Causes: Nationalism, imperialism, militarism, alliances.
  - Consequences: Casualties, collapse of empires.
2. World War II:
  - Causes: Versailles, depression, fascism, appeasement.
  - Consequences: Loss of life, Holocaust, Cold War.
3. The Cold War:
  - Causes: Ideologies, arms race, proxy wars.
  - Consequences: Proxy wars, nuclear threat, divided Europe.
4. The Rwandan Genocide:
  - Causes: Ethnic tensions, instability.
  - Consequences: Deaths, lasting impact.
Future Challenges/Opportunities:
1. Emerging Technologies:
  - AI: Potential for conflict.
  - Cyber Warfare: Threat to security.
2. Global Governance: