POL SCI 5 Lecture Notes - Lecture 11: Appeasement, Maginot Line, Roaring Twenties
9 Oct 2016
School
Department
Course
Professor
Document Summary
Potential of russia was threatening, but not as obvious as threat of germany. Russia had largest standing army, large country. In 1914, it was the greatest industrial power and was growing. 80% of population still in agriculture and couldn"t feed everyone. 4th greatest industry, sure, but still far behind the top 3. Austro-hungarian empire (ah) is deteriorating: creates a power vacuum. Germany or russia will expand either to expand or to prevent other from expanding. Usa is a huge repository of power halfway across the world. Could significantly affect the balance of power if it gets involved. Misperception plays a big role in when and which kind of war. 3/5 great powers (germany, ah & russia) face internal revolt. Woodrow wilson thought this would end balance of power politics: Fought to do away with an old order and establish a new one. From neorealist point of view, this makes no sense.
