Who was Metternich and what was his role and opinion on US involvement in Europe?
Who & Role: Austrian Chancellor; architect of the Concert of Europe (post-1815). Guardian of the conservative order against revolution.
Opinion on US: Saw the US as a radical ideological threat (democracy/republicanism) and an unnecessary disruptor to the European balance of power. Wanted to quarantine Europe from its influence.
How did the politics of Napoleon III and Bismarck reflect on the continuation of Austrian influence?
They directly ended Austrian dominance.
Napoleon III: Undermined Austria by supporting Italian nationalism (Franco-Austrian War, 1859).
Bismarck: Expelled Austria from German affairs via the Austro-Prussian War (1866), then harnessed its remaining power as a junior partner in a German-led system.
What is raison d’état? To whom is it attributed and what are its main features?
What: “Reason of State.” The principle that the state’s interest and security justify all actions, overriding morality and law.
Attributed to: Cardinal Richelieu (17th century France).
Features: Amorality, Pragmatism, Secrecy, Primacy of National Interest.
What is American moral exceptionalism? What were Wilson’s four assertions and why?
What: The belief that the US is a unique moral agent, promoting democracy/liberty, not selfish national interests.
Wilson’s 4 Assertions (Fourteen Points):
1. Open Diplomacy (no secret treaties)
2. Self-Determination
3. Collective Security (League of Nations)
4. Free Trade
Why: To create a new, moral world order to replace the failed “balance of power” system that caused WWI.
Why did Germany warn that its backing of Austria-Hungary in the Balkans had limits in 1912?
To restrain Austria and prevent a local Balkan conflict from escalating into a general European war.
Core Reason: Germany feared a two-front war (vs. Russia & France) over a non-vital Balkan interest. It was a failed attempt at crisis management.
How did the Crimean War reflect on Russian power in the 19th century?
Military: Exposed technological and logistical backwardness.
Diplomatic: Shattered the Holy Alliance; Austria’s neutrality revealed Russia’s isolation.
Result: Forced internal reforms (e.g., emancipation of serfs) and halted expansion.
What were the main contradictions in the Soviet Union?
- Planned Economy vs. Reality: The command economy failed, causing stagnation and shortages.
- Ideology vs. a New Elite: The promise of a classless society contradicted the privileged nomenklatura.
- Control vs. Modernization: Total state control stifled the innovation, information, and intellectual capital needed for a modern state.
Compare Russia’s approach to international economic relations in 2000 vs. 2016.
2000 (CIG): Cooperative, Integrative, Globalizing. Focused on attracting foreign investment, joining the WTO, and diversifying ties from a position of weakness.
2016 (ASD): Assertive, Sovereignty-driven, Diversifying. Aims to shape a “fair” global economic architecture, promote domestic tech, and reduce Western dependence.
Compare the main components of Russian foreign policy in 2000 vs. 2022/23.
2000: Cooperative & Integrative. Focused on joining global institutions, economic cooperation, and multilateral security (UN).
2022/23: Assertive & Confrontational. Relies on military force (Ukraine), economic coercion, and promoting a “multipolar world” to challenge Western hegemony.
What are the six main components of German foreign policy?
European Integration & the EU (Cornerstone)
Transatlantic Partnership with US/NATO
Commitment to Peace & Security (multilateral)
Promotion of Democracy, Rule of Law, Human Rights
Shaping a Fair, Multilateral International Order
Economic Diplomacy & Cultural Relations (supporting pillars)
Explain Kissinger’s understanding of Realpolitik “turning on itself.”
It’s the paradox where the pragmatic pursuit of national interest, when pursued without restraint, destroys the stable international system it requires.
Bismarck (Success): Used Realpolitik to build a restraining alliance system for stability.
His Successors (Failure): Abandoned restraint, creating rigid alliances and pursuing maximalist aims, leading to the catastrophic escalation of WWI.
When Bismarck requested the annexation of Bosnia-Herzegovina into the Austro-Hungarian Empire, what did Disraeli demand and why?
Demand: The right for Britain to occupy Cyprus.
Why: To counterbalance Austrian/Russian gains and secure a naval base to protect the route to India and project power to defend the Ottoman Empire.
Who was Metternich and what was his role?
Austrian Chancellor; architect of the Concert of Europe.
What was Metternich’s opinion on the US?
Saw it as a radical ideological threat and disruptor to the European balance of power.
How did Napoleon III weaken Austrian influence?
Supported Italian nationalism in the Franco-Austrian War (1859).
How did Bismarck weaken Austrian influence?
Defeated Austria in the Austro-Prussian War (1866), expelling it from German affairs.
What isRaison d’Étatand who practiced it?
“Reason of State”; the state’s interests override morality. Attributed to Cardinal Richelieu.
What is American Moral Exceptionalism?
The belief that the US is a unique moral agent, not pursuing selfish national interests.
What were Wilson’s Four Assertions (Fourteen Points)?
- Open Diplomacy 2. Self-Determination 3. Collective Security 4. Free Trade
Why did Germany warn Austria in 1912?
To restrain Austria and avoid a general European war over a Balkan issue (fear of a two-front war).
What did Disraeli demand in return for supporting Austria’s annexation of Bosnia?
The right for Britain to occupy Cyprus.
Why did Disraeli want Cyprus?
As a naval base to protect the route to India and counterbalance Russian/Austrian gains.
How did the Crimean War reflect on Russian power?
It exposed Russia’s military and technological backwardness and diplomatic isolation.
What were the main contradictions in the Soviet Union?
- Failed planned economy 2. New elite (Nomenklatura) vs. classless ideology 3. Control stifled modernization
