Westphalian system - a procedure for the conduct of international policy, established in Europe in the XVII century.It laid the foundations of modern relations between the countries and gave impetus to the formation of new nation-states.
Background Thirty Years War
Westphalian sovereignty was formed as a result of the Thirty Years' War, 1618-1648., During which destroyed the foundation of the previous world order.In this conflict it was drawn almost all the states of Europe, but was based on the confrontation of Protestant monarchs of Germany and the Catholic Holy Roman Empire, supported by another part of the German princes.At the end of the XVI century convergence of Austrian and Spanish branches of the House of Habsburg created the preconditions for the restoration of the empire of Charles V. But that was a hindrance to the independence of the German Protestant lords approved Ausburgskim world.In 1608 the Protestant monarchs created the union, backed by Britain and France.In contrast to her in 1609 it was created the Catholic League - an ally of Spain and the Pope.
course of military actions 1618-1648.
After the Habsburgs strengthen the influence of the Czech Republic, which actually leads to a violation of the rights of Protestants in the country uprisings.With the support of the Protestant union in the country elected a new King - Frederick Palatinate.From that moment, the first period of the war - Czech.It is characterized by the defeat of the Protestant army, confiscation of the lands of the king, passing under the rule of the Upper Palatinate in Bavaria, as well as the restoration of Catholicism in the country.
second period - Danish, which is characterized by the interference of neighboring countries in the course of hostilities.Denmark was the first went to war to seize the Baltic coast.During this period the anti-Habsburg coalition forces suffer a significant defeat of the Catholic League and Denmark are forced to withdraw from the war.With the invasion of northern Germany troops Gustavian Swedish campaign begins.Fundamental change begins at the last stage - the Franco-Swedish.
Peace of Westphalia
After the entry of France into the war the advantage of Protestant union became apparent, it led to the need to find a compromise between the parties.In 1648 he was awarded the Peace of Westphalia, which consisted of two contracts prepared congresses in Münster and Osnabrück.He gave the new balance of power in the world and sanctioned the collapse of the Holy Roman Empire into independent states (more than 300).
In addition, since the conclusion of the Peace of Westphalia basic form of political organization of society becomes a "state - nation", and dominant principle of international relations - the sovereignty of countries.The religious aspect of the treaty was considered as follows: in Germany, there was equal rights Calvinists, Lutherans and Catholics.
Westphalian sovereignty
Its basic principles have become so vvyglyadet:
1. The form of political organization of society - the nation-state.
2. Geopolitical inequality: a clear hierarchy of powers - from the powerful to the weaker.
3. The main principle of relations in the world - the sovereignty of nation states.
4. The system of political equilibrium.
5. The state is obliged to smooth out economic conflicts between their subjects.
6. Non-interference in the internal affairs of each other.
7. Clear organization of stable borders between European states.
8. Non-global in nature.Initially, the rules that established the Westphalian system, operated only on the territory of Europe.Over time, they were joined by Eastern Europe, North America and the Mediterranean.
new system of international relations ushered in globalization and the integration of culture, marked the end of the isolation of individual states.In addition, it has led to the establishment of the rapid development of capitalism in Europe.
development of the Westphalian system.Stage 1
clearly traced multipolarity of the Westphalian system, so that none of the countries could not achieve absolute hegemony, but the main struggle for political advantage was between France, England and the Netherlands.
During the reign of "Sun King" Louis XIV, France will intensify its foreign policy.It is characterized by the intention to obtain new territories and the constant interference in the affairs of neighboring countries.
In 1688 was created the so-called Grand Alliance, the main position in which occupied the Netherlands and England.This union directed its activities to reduce the influence of France in the world.A little later to the Netherlands and England, joined by other opponents of Louis XIV - Savoie, Spain and Sweden.They created the Augsburg League.As a result of wars, it was restored one of the main principles that proclaim the Westphalian system - the balance of power in international relations.
evolution of the Westphalian system.Stage 2
growing influence of Prussia.This country is located in the heart of Europe, he joined the struggle for the consolidation of the German territories.If the Prussian plans become a reality, it could undermine the foundations on which rested Westphalian sovereignty.At the initiative of Prussia were separated and the Seven Years' War of the Austrian heritage.Both conflicts have undermined the principles of peaceful regulation, established after the end of the Thirty Years War.Also
gain Prussia, the role of Russia in the world.This is illustrated by Russian-Swedish war.
In general, with the end of the Seven Years' War begins a new period in which entered the Westphalian system.
3rd stage of the existence of the Westphalian system
After the French Revolution begins the process of formation of national states.During this period, the state acts as a guarantor of the rights of his subjects, approved by the theory of "political legitimacy".Its main thesis is that the country has a national right to exist only in the case where its borders meet ethnic territories.
After the Napoleonic Wars the Congress of Vienna in 1815 for the first time spoke about the need to abolish slavery, in addition, the issues related to religious toleration and freedom.
At the same time the collapse of the principle is actually happening, decides that the citizens of the state of the case - it is a purely internal problems of the country.This was illustrated by the Berlin Conference on Africa and the Congress in Brussels, Geneva and The Hague.
Versailles-Washington system of international relations
This system was established after the First World War and the regrouping of forces in the international arena.The basis of the new world order amounted to contracts concluded as a result of the Paris and Washington summits.In January 1919, began its work the Paris Conference.The basis of the talks between the US, France, Britain, Italy and Japan were put "14 points" Woodrow Wilson.It should be noted that part of the Versailles system was created under the influence of the political and strategic objectives of the winners in the First World.At the same time ignore the interests of the defeated countries and those that have just appeared on the political map of the world (Finland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Poland, Czechoslovakia, etc.).Nearby contracts was sanctioned by the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian, Russian, German and Ottoman empires, and lay the foundations of a new world order.
Washington Conference
Versailles Act and agreements with Germany's allies were mainly related to European states.In 1921-1922, he worked the Washington Conference, which solved the problem of the postwar settlement in the Far East.Significant role in the work of this Congress played the US and Japan, as well as take into account the interests of Britain and France.At the conference, we signed a number of treaties that define the basis of the Far Eastern subsystem.These acts and made the second part of the new world order under the name of the Washington system of international relations.
The main purpose of the United States was "open door" Japan and China.They succeeded at the conference for the elimination of the union of Britain and Japan.With the end of the Washington Congress ended the phase of establishing a new world order.There were centers of power, which was able to develop a relatively stable system of relations.
Basic principles and characteristics of international relations
1. Strengthening the leadership of the US, Britain and France on the international scene and discrimination in Germany, Russia, Turkey and Bulgaria.Dissatisfaction with the outcome of the war, some countries-winners.This predetermined the possibility of revenge.
2. Dismissal of US European policy.In fact, the policy of self-isolation was proclaimed after the failure of the program Woodrow Wilson "14 points."
3. Transformation of the United States of the debtor in the main European countries lender.Vividly dependence of other countries from the United States showed the Dawes and Young plans.
4. Creation in 1919 of the League of Nations, which was an effective tool to support the Versailles-Washington system.Its founders pursue personal interests in international relations (the UK and France were trying to secure for themselves a privileged position in world politics).In general, the League of Nations was no mechanism for monitoring the implementation of its decisions.
5. Versailles system of international relations was of a global nature.
crisis of the system and its collapse
Washington subsystem crisis emerged in the 20s, and was caused by the aggressive policy of Japan towards China.In the early 30-ies it was occupied Manchuria, which was created by the State puppet.The League of Nations condemned Japan's aggression, and that came out of this organization.
crisis Versailles predetermined increase in Italy and Germany, to the authorities in which the fascists and the Nazis came.Development of the system of international relations in the 30s showed that the security system built around the League of Nations, is totally ineffective.
concrete manifestation of the crisis was the Anschluss of Austria in March 1938 and the Munich Agreement in September of the same year.From that time began a chain reaction collapse of the system.1939 has shown that the policy of appeasement completely ineffective.
Versailles-Washington system of international relations, which had many shortcomings and was completely unstable, collapsed with the outbreak of the Second World War.
system of relations between states in the second half of the XX century
foundations of a new world order after the war of 1939-1945 were worked out at the Yalta and Potsdam conferences.The congress is attended by the leaders of the anti-Hitler coalition, Stalin, Churchill and Roosevelt (later Truman).
In general, the Yalta-Potsdam system of international relations characterized by bipolarity, as the leading position occupied the US and the USSR.This led to the formation of certain centers of power that most influenced the nature of the international system.
Yalta Conference
members of the Yalta Conference as its main aim is to destroy German militarism and creation of guarantees of peace, as discussions were held in conditions of war.At this congress established the new borders of the USSR (at the Curzon line), and Poland.There have also been distributed to the zone of occupation in Germany between the anti-Hitler coalition.This has led the country for 45 years, it consisted of two parts - West and East Germany.In addition, there was a division of spheres of influence in the Balkan region.Greece came under the control of England, Yugoslavia was established communist regime JB Tito.
Potsdam Conference
At this congress, it was decided on the demilitarization and decentralization of Germany.Domestic and foreign policy under the control of the Board, composed of the commanders of the four winners in the war.Potsdam system of international relations based on new principles of cooperation between European states.It was created by the Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs.The main outcome of the congress was to demand the surrender of Japan.
principles and characteristics of the new system
1. bipolarity in the shape of political and ideological confrontation between the "free world" led by the United States and the socialist countries.
2. confrontational.Systemic opposition to the leading countries in the political, economic, military and other fields.This confrontation came to a head during the Cold War.
3. The Yalta system of international relations did not have a specific legal basis.
4. New Order was formed in the period of the proliferation of nuclear weapons.This led to the formation of the security mechanism.There was a concept of nuclear deterrence based on the fear of a new war.
5. Making the United Nations to be solved by all and based Yalta-Potsdam system of international relations.But in the postwar period was the organization's activities in the prevention of armed conflict between the United States and the Soviet Union at the global and regional levels.
Conclusions
In modern times, there are several systems of international relations.The Westphalian system was the most efficient and viable.Subsequent systems were confrontational, which explains their rapid decay.The modern system of international relations based on the principle of balance of power, which is the result of individual security interests of all states.
