Forces of Internationalism

1. Forces of Internationalism Sara Ahmad

2. Types of Forces • 1. Internationalism and Religion • Arab armies spread Islam around the Mediterranean and into Asia and Africa after the death of the Prophet Muhammad in 632 • The strength of the Muslim Empire, an enormous international organization, was the unifying influence of religious belief • By 1400, Muslim Turks from central Asia established the Ottoman Empire, which stretched from the Middle East into the Balkan quests of the Ottoman Empire threatened Christian Europe • Empire in decline after WW1 (1914-18)

3. Holy Roman Empire • Christianity was the dominant religion of what is now Western Europe in the Middle Ages (ca. 400-1400) • Charlemagne, King of the Franks, used Christianity to convert “pagans” (non-believers) and unify what is now France and part of Germany • From roughly 900-1800 CE, the Holy Roman Empire covered a large section of Europe • Most rulers and subjects were Germans, the empire included French, Czech, Polish, and other Slavic peoples • Politically, the universal authority of the Church often conflicted with the limited power of the secular ruler – rulers needed Church support to ensure loyalty and maintain authority

4. So What? • Even with the weakening of the Church’s unifying influence, the empire remained cohesive, displaying some characteristics of a modern international association of states, such as the EUROPEAN UNION • The European Union (EU) is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe

5. Types of Forces • 2. Internationalism and Imperialism • Imperialism  the political, economic, and military control of one country over other countries • Involved acquiring colonies and building empires • The Roman Empire covered the area around the Mediterranean Seam including Egypt and North Africa, and stretched northward into what is today France and Britain • Endured as a political model in Western Europe

6. Issues Arising From Imperialism • Internationalism in this stage of imperialism was a achieved through force and superior technology • Indigenous peoples were exploited and their languages and religions were displaced as European colonies were established

7. Examples • For example, in China the British forced opium imports to create favourable trade balances • At its peak in the late 19th century and before WW1, the British Empire stretched from America to India and from Africa to New Zealand • The British introduced a system of laws, education and government that continue to have influence • Colonizers were most often white and the colonized were people of colour  inherent racism and use of political power led to nationalism and independence movements

8. Types of Forces • 3. Internationalism and Trade • Historic forced of nationalism • In Northern Europe in the 12th century 100 trading cities joined t he Hanseatic League  an economic association that promoted trade • Members acquired monopolies and privileges including military protection • Rise of nationalism led to the League’s collapse in the 16th century • Independent German stated in 1834-38 led by Prussia, created the Zollverein (customs union) to remove trade tariffs  led to the formation of the nation-state Germany in 1871

9. Did the Hanseatic and Zollverein Unite? • The Hanseatic league and the Zollverein were forerunners of the European Coal and Steel Community, founded by the Netherlands, Belgium, France, West Germany, and Italy in 1951 • This organization of economic cooperation evolved into the European Economic Community, which became the European Union in 1993 • At each stage, members states sacrifices some sovereignty for closer economic and political integration

10. Types of Forces • 4. Internationalism by Means of Agreements • Internationalism has also been achieved through diplomacy and agreements between states • Agreements/covenants/conventions/protocols • All are binding under international law and each signatory accepts a moral obligation to respect the terms • Canada/US land boundary dispute over Alaska • 1919 Treaty of Versailles and League of Nations

11. Questions in Review • 1. identify four historical forces of internationalism. • 2. Describe two “religious” empires that nourished internationalism. • 3. How did the British Empire serve as an agency of internationalism? • Identify two European trade associations that existed before the 20th century. How did they encourage internationalism?