Amy Hsieh
6.07.13
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What Defines Global Dominance in the Modern World?
While many factors affect the amount of influence a single nation has over the world, an important factor in determining dominance in the modern world is a nation's military success. Having a strong leader who holds power over its citizens and its military is also a defining factor in a nation's global dominance. For example, Germany succeeded in rising to power even after its loss at World War I. Hitler built up a strong army, improved economy, and unified his people, and made Germany one of the most internationally feared countries at the time. Yet, after a second major defeat at World War II, Germany lost a strong leader and its status as a global power. Their loss of World War II and subsequent loss of international influence emphasizes the importance of military success in order to maintain global dominance. On the other hand, the US, Great Britain, and the Soviet Union, victors of World War II, gained power and influence as global superpowers as a result of their military success. Britain had previously won the first world war with the aid of the US, where they began gaining more dominance. After the US and the Soviet Union proved victorious in Wold War II, they later controlled most of the UN, which gave them even more global dominance. Although the two nations were previously not as dominant, their military success enabled them to become superpowers, illuminating the importance of military success in international affairs. Military success helps a nation gain influence and more importantly, recognition from other countries, which defines global dominance in the modern world.
Caroline Allieri
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What Defines Global Dominance in the Modern World?
In order to achieve global dominance a country has to be economically and politically stable as well as feared militaristically by other countries. The Americans and the Soviets exemplify these traits and assert their global power through their success in World War II and the creation of the United Nations. After the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor during World War II, the United States proved themselves a threat with their responding attack. The United States used their advanced militaristic technology to drop the first atomic bomb on Japan. Although this experience is frowned upon today, it was successful at the time in proving their strength and advancement through their military. Also, due to Roosevelt’s idea of isolationism, they were able to maintain economic stability throughout the war. The US had established a well-respected government system, unlike other countries who were still struggling for stability. Alike the US, the USSR was economically and politically stable after Stalin’s creation of the 5-year plan. This plan modernized their country and allowed for the formation of a more advanced military. This modernization was demonstrated through their militaristic success and through their peace agreements throughout World War II. Due to instability in the war, other countries like France and Britain were unable to uphold their global power allowing for the USSR to establish themselves as a great power instead. Together, the Americans and the Soviets ran the United Nations following World War II. Their stability acted as a role model for other countries and they aided other countries in reaching the same type of organization as they had. The Soviets and Americans ability to maintain control over their countries during interwar periods, led them towards becoming a threat militaristically and overall globally dominant.