Definitions “A branch of geography which

considers the strategic value of land and sea area in the context of the national economic and military power and ambitions.”

“The study of the interplay between international political relations and the territorial/environmental context in which they occur.”

Definitions “Another name for political

geography.”

“The study of how geographic considerations influence long-run international relations.”

“The use of geographic information and concepts to attain political goals.”

Examples of Geopolitics Manifest Destiny

19th century Mexican War

Monroe Doctrine European Colonies Effectiveness

○ US Civil War○ Cinco de Mayo

Roosevelt Corollary

Friedrich Ratzel

Organic Theory of States

“lebensraum” Influence on

WWII

Sir Halford Mackinder

Heartland Theory Pivot area Geopolitik

Karl HaushoferGerman

Exploitation of Mackinder’s ideas

Nicolas Spykman

Rimland Theory Containment Domino Theory

Cold War○ Korea (1950)○ Vietnam (1964)○ Afghanistan (1980)

Bush Doctrine

Two main pillars are identified for the doctrine: 1. preemptive

strikes against potential enemies, and

2. promoting democratic regime change.

Bush Doctrine

preventive war, depose foreign regimes that represented a potential or

perceived threat a policy of spreading democracy around the world,

especially in the Middle East pursue U.S. military interests in a unilateral way