Ego and selfishness have blemished much of history. It’s characteristics like these that prompted emperors and kings to invade neighbouring lands and take them for their own. These acts of aggression were called imperialism.
Prior to World War I, established military thinking held the belief of Alcibiades, renowned Athenian statesman and general who said (c. 450 BC), “If we cease to rule others, we are in danger of being ruled ourselves.” His concept of “rule or be ruled” became the position of the world’s military class for two and a half millennia.
World War I
World War I started like most. Germany, Austria, and the Ottoman Empire (Turkey) were in alliance against Britain, France, and Russia. In 1912, Russia announced a buildup of national munitions. Germany’s response was to strike now while still able. (Initially, WWI was scheduled for 1912 but was delayed until the German navy could be expanded to contend with that of the British.)
Due to technological gains, twentieth century warring had changed. Men no longer drew swords and battled in fields. Industrialized guns, bombs, and machinery had been invented and were prevalent everywhere. Without getting into gory details, WWI lasted over four years and the casualties totaled 37 million (17 million deaths).
Americans
Two years into the war it became obvious the German alliance was going to win. The allies’ only hope was to convince their fellow democracy-believing buddies, the Americans, to join in. Then president, Woodrow Wilson, knew he’d have a difficult time convincing his electorate to offer up its money and sons. At the time, America was seen as isolationist and indifferent. Not only were they always an ocean away but Americans believed there was no end to these European wars.
The general notion of the US was to host an economy where all citizens could work their way into a good life. But they also believed in freedom. A freedom only democracy could provide. And since, at the time, only 12 countries had attained such freedom, they were bound to support their allies.
League of Nations
After the war, America championed the League of Nations, an intergovernmental organization with the mission to maintain world peace. Its primary goals included preventing wars through collective security and disarmament, and settling international disputes through negotiation and arbitration. Other issues included labour conditions, just treatment of native inhabitants, human and drug trafficking, arms trade, global health, prisoners of war, and protection of minorities in Europe. At its greatest extent it had 58 members.
World War II
Though well intentioned, the League suffered many setbacks, including the US president’s failure to achieve ratification by his own senate. Italy disrespected the League by invading Ethiopia and, of course, Hitler wasn’t bothered by it at all.
The aggressions of World War II started in the late 1930s, with Britain and France declaring war on Germany in the fall of 1939. Again, the allies were being beaten badly and again, it was America to the rescue. But this time, US president Franklin Roosevelt had better ideas on how to curb imperialism.
Before entering the war, Roosevelt secretly met with British PM, Winston Churchill, off the coast of Newfoundland, to demand the dissolution of all existing empires following an allied victory (including Britain’s, which was by far the largest). This resolution (called the Atlantic Charter) came true with European countries divesting themselves of all foreign territories, including much of Africa and the Middle East.
United Nations
After WWII, humanity once again established a world organization to maintain world peace. The United Nations replaced the League of Nations with 51 original member states, and today has 193. Its objectives include maintaining international peace and security, promoting human rights, fostering social and economic development, protecting the environment, and providing humanitarian aid in cases of famine, natural disaster, and armed conflict.
Some harbour criticism of this organization but in terms of obstructing imperialism it has achieved most of its goal. Yes, some countries have broken apart (e.g., Czechoslovakia and Yugoslavia) but as of yet, no one has taken over the world.
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