The Heartland, the Rimland, & the In-Between Land.

Think about the following questions & be ready to share… What 3 countries that you consider world powers? What factors do they share in common? What role does geography play in the development of a country’s power & culture?

Heartland Theory

Heartland Theory (aka world island theory): The belief that whoever controlled Europe and Asia (biggest land mass) would have the most world power Proposed in 1904 – Before WWI Heartland was also known as the “world island” Based on control of land area & land-based resources Theory was proposed at a time when Russia was in disarray, and many other states were expecting to gain land

Rimland Theory

Rimland Theory: The belief that whoever controlled the rimland around Eurasia controlled countries contained within Eurasia, and would then have the most world power Proposed in 1924 – Before WWII The power of the heartland could be kept in check by the Rimland. By forming alliances along the Rimland the members can contain the heartland. Coastal areas or the Rimland has the advantage because of the higher population, more resources & access to sea.

Contrasting Viewpoints:

What does this quote mean? “States, cannot escape their geography. However skilled the Foreign Office, and however resourceful the General Staff. A state’s foreign policy must reckon with geographic facts. It can deal with them skillfully or ineptly; it can modify them; but it cannot ignore them. For geography does not argue. It simply is.”

Effects of Imperialism

Which of the following elements of culture might imperialism effect? 1. Language 2. Religion 3. Social values 4. Social customs 5. Food preparation 6. Healthcare 7. Political system 8. Clothing styles 9. Popular sports ALL of these!

ANCIENT Imperialism: Impact of Alexander the Great 336 BC to 323 BC (13 years) Greek born Conquered much of Europe & Southwest Asia Although he did not unite his conquered territories in the ways we might today (money, political offices, etc) he did improve trading relations between the diverse groups. Which crops did his empire have an effect on?

MODERN Imperialism

British Imperialism in South Asia (India) The British East India Company controlled India from 1600’s to the 1850’s British controlled India until 1947 Initially Britain didn’t interfere in politics, but after 1857 India was incorporated into British political system

Impacts Education: Many Indians went to college in England Slavery: Abolished during British rule Religion: Attempts to spread Christianity widely failed on Islamic & Hindi population Social Customs: Illegal to burn dead husbands Illegal to practice infanticide Remarriage after death of husband was encouraged Improved all transportation networks Impacts

RICE