Faire la guerre faire la paix 2/2 - HGGSP Terminale

Summary

The video explores the evolution of peace-making throughout history, beginning with the concept of peace as simply the absence of war. It highlights key historical moments such as the Treaty of Westphalia in 1648, the aftermath of World War I, and the formation of the League of Nations. The focus then shifts to the role of the United Nations in maintaining global peace, addressing issues like the Gulf War, the Rwandan Genocide, and the Iraq War. Ultimately, the video questions the effectiveness of security collective peace-building in the modern world, especially in light of geopolitical interests and ongoing conflicts like Russia's war in Ukraine.

Takeaways

• 😀 The concept of peace has evolved from simply ceasing combat to building a global balance of power.
• 😀 The Peace of Westphalia in 1648 marked the beginning of constructing peace based on a global power balance between states.
• 😀 The Congress of Vienna in 1815 restored the Westphalian order after the disruptions caused by Napoleon's empire.
• 😀 The Treaty of Versailles after World War I had two contrasting visions: the French desire for punitive peace and Wilson's vision of a founding international organization for collective security.
• 😀 The League of Nations, proposed by President Wilson, was created but failed due to the U.S. Senate's refusal to join, rendering it ineffective in preventing World War II.
• 😀 In 1945, following two world wars, nations sought to create an organization, the United Nations, to maintain peace through collective security.
• 😀 During the 1990s, under Kofi Annan's leadership, the UN became an important actor in global peacekeeping, with interventions in places like Kuwait, Timor, Kosovo, and Haiti.
• 😀 The 1990s saw a rise in multilateralism, with the U.S. and other powers working together under the influence of the UN to ensure global peace.
• 😀 Despite these efforts, the UN failed to prevent tragedies like the Rwandan genocide (1994) and the Srebrenica massacre (1995).
• 😀 The U.S.'s unilateral actions post-9/11, including the 2003 Iraq invasion, challenged the UN's role in global security, as it acted without broader international support.
• 😀 The 2003 Iraq invasion highlighted the tension between pursuing national interests (e.g., the U.S.) and the UN's mission of global peace, a theme that remains relevant in current conflicts like the Russia-Ukraine war.

Q & A

What is the historical definition of peace?

Historically, peace was defined as the absence of war, where conflict ended with the cessation of combat and a peace treaty between the countries involved.

What concept did the Treaties of Westphalia introduce in the 17th century?

The Treaties of Westphalia introduced the idea of constructing peace through a global balance of power, where the power of each state or monarchy was recognized and balanced against others.

How did Napoleon's conquests disrupt the European balance of power?

Napoleon's conquests disrupted the European balance of power by breaking the equilibrium established by the Treaties of Westphalia, leading to instability until the Congress of Vienna in 1815.

What was the outcome of the Congress of Vienna in 1815?

The Congress of Vienna in 1815 restored the balance of power in Europe, reaffirming the principles established by the Treaties of Westphalia after Napoleon's defeat.

What was the difference between the French and American visions of peace after World War I?

The French vision was a punitive peace that sought to make Germany pay for the war, while President Wilson's vision was a peace that would establish an international organization for collective security, leading to the creation of the League of Nations.

Why was the League of Nations ineffective in preventing World War II?

The League of Nations was ineffective because the United States, which had been a key proponent of the idea, refused to join, and the organization lacked the power and unity to prevent the rise of totalitarian regimes and the outbreak of World War II.

How did the United Nations aim to maintain peace after World War II?

The United Nations, founded in 1945, was designed to maintain peace through collective security, aiming to prevent future conflicts by bringing nations together to cooperate on global issues.

How did the UN play a role in global security during the 1990s?

In the 1990s, the UN became a major player in global security by overseeing international interventions, such as the Gulf War in 1991, and by conducting peacekeeping operations in regions like Timor, Kosovo, Ethiopia, and Haiti.

What challenges did the UN face in the 1990s despite its efforts for global peace?

Despite its efforts, the UN faced challenges in preventing atrocities, such as the 1994 Rwandan genocide and the massacre at Srebrenica in Bosnia, demonstrating its limitations in preventing violent conflicts.

What role did the United States' unilateral actions play in the post-9/11 era?

After the 9/11 attacks, the United States pursued an increasingly unilateral approach to international relations, exemplified by the 2003 invasion of Iraq, which bypassed UN approval and was based on the false premise of weapons of mass destruction.

How does the current conflict between Russia and Ukraine reflect the challenges to global peace?

The ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine highlights the ongoing challenges to global peace, as it is a modern example of how the geopolitical interests of major powers continue to influence international stability, undermining efforts for a lasting global peace.