Program: BSAF

Course Title: International Relation. Semester: Fall 2024

Assignment No 1:

Question No 1: Trace the key events from 1900 to 1990 that shaped international relations. How did the
outcomes of World War I and II, and the Cold War, influence the emergence of international organizations like
the United Nations and NATO?

Answer:

The Early 1900s and World War I (1914-1918): In the early 1900s Europe was continent in powerful
countries with strong army. Some countries like British and Germany are also competing for this power and this
competition created a lot of tension among them.

In 1914, tensions become so high when Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary was killed. This event
started horrible World War 1. This war was very destructive and become the cause of many deaths.

World War 1 ended in 1918 with a signing of treaty of Versailles. This Blamed on Germany and imposed
severe penalties on the country.

The Interwar Period (1919-1939): After World War 1 ended, the world began to rebuild in 1920 and the
league of nation created to rebuild peace and resolve all the conflicts but it was weak and couldn’t stop
aggressive leaders in Germany and in Italy from gaining powers.

During 1930s, economic powers like the great depression made the entire thing getting worse. Many leaders
turned to authoritarian leaders who promised to solve the problems. This set a stage for another conflict.

World War II (1939-1945): World War 2 begins in 1939 when Germany invaded Poland. This war
quickly spread in Europe and across the entire world, involving countries like United States, Soviet Union,
Japan and many others.

This war is even more destructive than World War 1. The war ended in 1945 after the allies defeated Germany
and japan.

The Birth of the United Nations (1945): After World War 2, World leaders wanted to create a new
organization that could maintain peace and prevent war. In 1945, the united nation was founded. They aimed to
promote peace, security and cooperation among countries.
The UN has a general Assembly, where all member countries can discuss issues and a security council who has
power to make powers and maintain peace.

The Cold War (1947-1991): After World War 2, the world has divided into main camps which are
western bloc and eastern bloc. This period of tension and competition is known as cold war lasted for about 45
years

It didn’t involve direct war between United States and Soviet Union. Both sides built up huge arsenals of
nuclear war which created a constant threat of nuclear war.

The Formation of NATO (1949): In 1949, western countries created the North Atlantic Treaty
Organization (NATO). NATO is a military alliance where member countries agree to defend each other if one
of them is attacked. Its main goal was to counter the soviet thread and provide collective security.

The Spread of Independence Movements (1950s-1980s): During cold wars, many countries in
Africa, Asia and the Middle East gained independence from European colonial powers. These newly
independent countries often found themselves caught the struggle between the US and Soviet Union

The End of the Cold War (1991): The cold war came to an end in 1980s and 1990s. The Soviet Union
faced economic problems and political change. In 1991, the Soviet Union collapsed, leading to end of cold war.
This marked new era with US as dominant power.

Impact on International Organizations: The events from 1900 to 1990, especially the two World Wars and the
Cold War, had a major impact on the creation and development of international organizations such as the UN
and NATO. These organizations were established to maintain peace, ensure security, and foster cooperation
among nations. They aimed to prevent the recurrence of the devastating world wars and to manage the Cold
War rivalry.

The United Nations has been vital in peacekeeping missions, addressing global issues like poverty and human
rights, and providing a platform for international dialogue. NATO has remained an essential military alliance,
adapting to new challenges even after the Cold War.

Question No 2: The end of the Cold War marked a significant shift in international relations. Discuss the rise
of the United States as the sole superpower and the expansion of NATO. How did these developments affect
global security and the emergence of new conflicts?

Answer:

The End of Cold War (1991): The cold war is the period of tension between United States and Soviet
Union, which was ended in 1991 when Soviet Union collapsed. This collapsed make a high change in global
politics and the United States emerged as only super power in the world.

The Rise of the United States as the Sole Superpower: After the cold war, United States will have
the most powerful military and largest economy in the world. This made US more powerful in global politics.
1. Economic Dominance: The US economy was very strong. They led the world in many areas, from
computer to entertainments.
2. Military Strength: The US had the best and powerful military with advanced technology. They could
show their power anywhere in the world easily.
3. Cultural Influence: The culture of America became most popular in the entire world which includes
movies, music and fast foods etc. This also help spread America ideas
4. Political Influence: The US played important role in international organization like United Nation (UN)
and World Bank (WB). This influence to shape global politics.

The Expansion of NATO: NATO was a military alliance formed during cold war to take over Soviet
Union. After the cold war, NATO did not go away. Instead, it expanded. Here’s how:

1. New Members: Many countries in Eastern Europe, which were once part of the Soviet bloc, joined
NATO. This included Poland, Hungary, and the Czech Republic in 1999, and later many others like
Bulgaria, Romania, and the Baltic States (Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania).
2. Purpose: NATO's purpose also expanded. It wasn’t just about defending against Russia anymore. NATO
started taking on new roles, such as peacekeeping in conflict zones like the Balkans.
3. Collective Defense: NATO's principle of collective defense means that an attack on one member is
considered an attack on all members. This provided a security umbrella to new members, making them feel
safer.

Effects on Global Security:

The rise of the U.S. as the sole superpower and the expansion of NATO had both positive and negative effects
on global security.

Positive Effects:
 NATO’s expansion contributed to the stabilization of Eastern Europe. Countries that joined NATO felt
more secure and were less likely to engage in conflicts with their neighbors.
 NATO and the U.S. led interventions in regions like the Balkans (Bosnia and Kosovo) to halt ethnic
violence and foster peace.

 The U.S. and NATO promoted global cooperation on issues such as terrorism, nuclear non-proliferation,
and humanitarian aid.

Negative Effects:
 NATO’s expansion was perceived by Russia as a threat, leading to increased tensions between Russia and
the West. Russia felt encircled and distrusted NATO's intentions.

 U.S. involvement in regions like the Middle East sparked new conflicts. The 2003 invasion of Iraq is a
prime example, resulting in instability and the emergence of extremist groups like ISIS.
 Some critics argue that other countries became overly reliant on the U.S. for security. This dependency led
them to invest less in their own defense and depend on American power to resolve issues.

The Emergence of New Conflicts:

After the Cold War, new conflicts arose in various regions. Here are some examples:

1. Middle East: The region experienced numerous conflicts, such as the Gulf War (1990-1991), the Iraq
War (2003), and the ongoing conflict in Syria. U.S. involvement in these areas aimed to promote stability
but often led to greater instability.
2. Terrorism: The rise of terrorist groups like Al-Qaeda and ISIS became a significant global threat. The
9/11 attacks in 2001 led to the U.S.-led War on Terror, including the invasion of Afghanistan to remove the
Taliban, who were harboring Al-Qaeda.
3. Regional Conflicts: Other regions also faced conflicts. In Africa, civil wars in countries like Rwanda
and Sudan caused immense suffering. In Asia, tensions between India and Pakistan, as well as North
Korea's nuclear ambitions, posed significant threats.

The end of the Cold War marked a big change in global relations. The United States became the only
superpower, greatly influencing world politics, economics, and culture. NATO expanded, bringing security to
many former Soviet bloc countries but also creating tensions with Russia.

These changes had mixed effects on global security. Some areas saw stability and cooperation, while others
experienced new conflicts and tensions. The world became more connected, with the U.S. playing a key role in
international affairs.

This helps us understand how today's world was shaped by late 20th-century events. The rise of the U.S. and
NATO's expansion still impact global politics, security, and conflicts.