Theory
Goepolitics
Territoriality-a willingness by one person or group of people to defend space they claim
It is the study of the effects of geography on politics and relations among states
Ratzel's Organic Theory
Friedrich Ratzel (1844-1904)
Trained as a biologist, influenced by Darwin
Viewed states as similar to living organisms
States obtain this living space, lebensraum, by annexing territory from weaker states. If a state stayed weak, other states that were stronger would seize its land.
Theory argues that states are born and need nourishment and living space to survive
Believed that forces of natural selection applied to relationships among them
Influenced Hitler
A state has to grow, or it ceases to exist
Example: Westward expansion in the US
Heartland Theory
Created by British geographer, Sir Halford Mackinder (1861-1947)
Originally, people believed that power came from controlling water foutes in the ocean
Land-based power is essential in achieving global domination
Theory based upon a combined beliefs and geographic facts:
Improvements in land transportation-roads and railroads- enabled military forces to move as fast or faster on land than water
Control over land was therefore much more important than maritime power
The heartland has coal deposits and a wealth of other resources
The heartland is mostly landlocked, so it is well-protected form naval attack
The only land route to invade the heartland is through EAstern Europe
The "world island" includes the majority of Earth's land and population
Rimland Theory
Created by Dutch-American Nicholas Spykman (1893-1943)
Argued that power is derived form controlling strategic maritime areas of the world
The rimland comprises densely populated coastal areas that reside outside of the heartland
Spykman thought these areas were more crucial to worldwide power because they had more varied resources than the heartland-including people and access to the sea
The Domino Theory
Theory that after WWII countries next to communist countries would eventually become communist
America put into place the Truman Doctrine that stated we would protect countries attack by communist countries (ex: Korean War and Vietnam War)
Sea Power Theory
Alfred Mahan
Theorized sea power was crucial to national supremacy
In other words, if you controlled the sea, you can control the world