Stages of formation of the political map of the world. Brief history of the formation of the political map of the world. Stages of formation of the political map of the world
The political map of the world can be viewed in two aspects. The first is a simple publication on paper, which reflects how the world works in terms of the alignment of political forces. The second aspect considers this concept from a broader perspective, as about the formation of states, their structure and split, about the reshuffle of forces in the political world, about the advantage and influence of large and powerful states on the world economy. The past gives us a picture of the future, which is why it is so important to know the stages in the formation of the political map of the world.
general information
Any state has its own life cycle. It is a curve that looks like a hump. At the beginning of its journey, the country is being built and developed. Then comes the peak of development, when everyone is happy and everything seems to be fine. But sooner or later, the state loses its strength and power and begins to gradually fall apart. So it has always been, is and will be. That is why over the centuries we have seen the gradual rise and fall of great empires, superpowers and huge colonial monopolies. Consider the main stages in the formation of the political map of the world. The table is shown in the figure:
As you can see, many historians distinguish exactly five stages modern history. In various sources, you can find only 4 main ones. Such a dilemma arose a long time ago, since it is possible to interpret the stages of the formation of the political map of the world in different ways. The table of main sections proposed by us contains the most reliable information to date.
ancient period
IN ancient world the first great states enter the arena of major events. You all probably remember them from history. This is the glorious Ancient Egypt, powerful Greece and the invincible Roman Empire. At the same time, there were less significant, but also quite developed states in the Middle and East Asia. Their historical period ends in the 5th century AD. It is generally accepted that it was at this time that the slave-owning system became a thing of the past. 
medieval period
In our minds, during the period from 5 to 15 centuries, there have been a lot of changes that cannot be covered in one sentence. If the historians of that time knew what the political map of the world was, the stages of its formation would have already been divided into separate parts. After all, remember, during this time Christianity was born, Kievan Rus was born and disintegrated, the Muscovite state begins to emerge. Large feudal states are gaining strength in Europe. First of all, these are Spain and Portugal, which vied with one another to make new geographical discoveries. 
At the same time, the political map of the world is constantly changing. The stages of formation of that time will change the future fate of many states. The mighty Ottoman Empire will exist for several more centuries, which will capture the states of Europe, Asia and Africa. 
new period
From the end of the 15th to the beginning of the 16th centuries, a new page began on the political arena. It was the time of the beginning of the first capitalist relations. Ages when huge colonial empires that conquered the whole world begin to emerge in the world. The political map of the world is often changed and remade. Stages of formation constantly replace each other.
Gradually Spain and Portugal lose their power. Due to the robbery of other countries, it is no longer possible to survive, because more developed countries are moving to a completely new level of production - manufacturing. This gave impetus to the development of such powers as England, France, the Netherlands, Germany. After the American Civil War, they are joined by a new and very large player - the United States of America.
The political map of the world changed especially often at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries. The stages of formation in that period depended on the outcome of successful military campaigns. So, if back in 1876 European countries captured only 10% of the territory of Africa, then in just 30 years they managed to conquer 90% of the entire territory of the hot continent. The whole world entered the new 20th century already practically divided between the superpowers. They controlled the economy and ruled alone. Further redistribution was inevitable without a war. Thus ends a new period and begins the latest stage in the formation of the political map of the world. 
The newest stage
The redistribution of the world after the First World War made huge adjustments in the world community. First of all, four powerful empires disappeared. These are Great Britain, the Ottoman Empire, the Russian Empire and Germany. In their place, many new states were formed.
At the same time, a new trend appeared - socialism. And a huge state appears on the world map - the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. At the same time, such powers as France, Great Britain, Belgium and Japan are becoming stronger. Some of the lands of the former colonies were transferred to them. But such a redistribution does not suit many, and the world is again on the verge of war.
At this stage, some historians continue to write about the newest period, but it is now generally accepted that with the end of World War II, the modern stage of the formation of the political map of the world begins. 
Modern stage
Second World War outlined to us those boundaries, most of which we see today. First of all, this concerns the states of Europe. The greatest result of the war was that the colonial empires completely disintegrated and disappeared. New independent states emerged in South America, Oceania, Africa, and Asia.
But the largest country in the world, the USSR, still continues to exist. With its collapse in 1991, another important stage appears. Many historians distinguish it as a subsection of the modern period. Indeed, in Eurasia after 1991, 17 new independent states. Many of them decided to continue their existence within the borders Russian Federation. For example, Chechnya defended its interests for a long time, until the power of a powerful country won as a result of hostilities.
At the same time, changes continue in the Middle East. There is a unification of some Arab states. In Europe, a united Germany is emerging and the Union of the FRY is disintegrating, as a result of which Bosnia and Herzegovina, Macedonia, Croatia, Serbia and Montenegro appear. 
Continuation of a story
We have presented only the main stages in the formation of the political map of the world. But the story doesn't end there. As events show recent years, you will soon have to allocate a new period or redraw the cards. After all, judge for yourself: two years ago, Crimea belonged to the territory of Ukraine, and now all atlases need to be completely redone in order to change its citizenship. And also problematic Israel, drowning in battles, Egypt on the verge of war and the redistribution of power, incessant Syria, which mighty superpowers can wipe out from the face of the Earth. All this is our modern history.
Kozlova D.
The history of the formation of the political map of the world
The process of forming the political map of the world has several millennia. Many historical eras have passed, so we can talk about the existence of periods in the formation of the political map of the world. It is possible to allocate: ancient, medieval, new and newest periods.
ancient period(from the era of the emergence of the first forms of the state to the 5th century AD) covers the era of the slave system. It is characterized by the development and collapse of the first states on Earth: ancient egypt, Carthage, Ancient Greece, Ancient Rome, etc. These states have made a great contribution to the development of world civilization. At the same time, even then the main means of territorial changes were military actions.
medieval period(V-XV centuries) is associated with the era of feudalism. The political functions of the feudal state were more complex and varied than those of the states under the slave system. The internal market was formed, the isolation of the regions was overcome. The desire of states to distant territorial conquests was manifested, since Europe, for example, was already completely divided between them. During this period, there were states: Byzantium, the Holy Roman Empire, England, Spain, Portugal, Kievan Rus, etc.
The era of the Great Geographical Discoveries at the junction of feudal and capitalist socio-economic formations greatly changed the map of the world. There was a need for markets and new rich lands and, in connection with this, the idea of circumnavigating the world.
From the turn of the XV-XVI centuries. allocate New period of history(up to World War I of the 20th century). This is the era of the birth, rise and assertion of capitalist relations. It marked the beginning of European colonial expansion and the spread of international economic relations throughout the world.
1420s - the first colonial conquests of Portugal: Madeira, Azores, Slave Coast (Africa).
1453 - the fall of Constantinople (the dominance of the Turks in the southeast direction. The Ottoman Empire controls the land routes to Asia).
1492-1502 - discovery of America for Europeans (4 travels of Columbus to Central America and the northern part of South America). The beginning of the Spanish colonization of America.
1494 - Treaty of Tordesillas - division of the world between Portugal and Spain.
1498 - voyage of Vasco da Gama (a journey around Africa).
1499-1504 - Amerigo Vespucci travels to South America.
1519-1522 - circumnavigation of the world by Magellan and his companions.
1648 - the journey of Semyon Dezhnev (Russia - Siberia).
1740s - travels of Bering and Chirikov (Siberia).
1771-1773 - J. Cook's travels (Australia, Oceania).
During the Age of Discovery, the largest colonial powers were Spain and Portugal. With the development of manufacturing capitalism, England, France, the Netherlands, Germany, and later the United States came to the forefront of history. This period of history was also characterized by colonial conquests.
The political map of the world became especially unstable at the turn of the 19th-20th centuries, when the struggle for the territorial division of the world sharply intensified between the leading countries. So, in 1876, only 10% of the territory of Africa belonged to Western European countries, while in 1900 - already 90%. And by the beginning of the 20th century, in fact, the division of the world turned out to be completely completed, i.e. only its forcible redistribution became possible.
Start Newest period in the formation of the political map of the world is associated with the end of World War I. The next milestones were World War II and the turn of the 80-90s, which is characterized by major changes on the political map of Eastern Europe (the collapse of the USSR, Yugoslavia, etc.).
The first stage was marked by the appearance on the world map of the first socialist state (USSR) and noticeable territorial shifts, and not only in Europe. Austria-Hungary collapsed, the borders of many states changed, sovereign countries were formed: Poland, Finland, the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, Slovenes, etc. The colonial possessions of Great Britain, France, Belgium, and Japan expanded.
The second stage (after World War II), in addition to changes in the political map of Europe, is associated primarily with the collapse colonial system and education a large number independent states in Asia, Africa, Oceania, Latin America (in the Caribbean region).
The third stage continues to this day. To qualitatively new changes on the political map of the world (these are changes that usually do not lead to a change in the territory of the state, the essence of which is a change in socio-economic formations, the gaining of state independence by former colonial countries, the introduction of a new state system, etc.) and influence on the socio-economic and socio-political life of the entire world community can be attributed to the following:
· The collapse of the USSR in 1991, the approval of the political independence of the three former Soviet republics of the Baltic States, and then the rest, incl. Russia.
· Formation of the CIS;
· Mostly peaceful, people's democratic revolutions of 1989-90. ("velvet") in the countries of Eastern Europe.
· The termination in 1991 of the activities of the Warsaw Treaty Organization (WTO) and the Council for Mutual Economic Assistance (CMEA), which seriously affected the political and economic situation not only in Europe, but throughout the world;
· the collapse of the SFRY, the proclamation of the political independence of Slovenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Macedonia, Croatia, the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (as part of Serbia and Montenegro). The most acute political crisis of the former federation resulted in a civil war and interethnic conflicts that continue to this day;
May 1990 - the unification of the Arab states of the YAR and the PDRY on a national-ethnic basis (the Republic of Yemen, the capital is Sana'a);
· 1990-91 - the process of decolonization continues: Namibia gained independence - the last colony in Africa; new states were formed in Oceania: the Federated States of Micronesia (Caroline Islands), the Republic of the Marshall Islands;
· January 1, 1993 - the formation of two independent states (the collapse of Czechoslovakia) - the Czech Republic and Slovakia;
· 1993 - the independence of the state of Eritrea (a former province of Ethiopia on the Red Sea) was proclaimed.
The scale of future changes on the political map of the world will be determined by the further course of ethno-cultural processes in multinational countries, the nature of economic, political and cultural relations between countries and peoples.
Bibliography:
I.A. Rodionov "Political map of the world. Geography of the world economy” M., 1996;
A.G. Artemieva, V.P. Maksakovskiy and others “Economic geography foreign countries"(textbook) M. 1995.
|Stages of formation. The beginning of the formation of the modern political map of Europe was laid back in the late Middle Ages, when nation-states began to grow from fragmented feudal estates, which gave rise to many modern countries. Since then, the main states of Western Europe have come a long way of "collecting lands", accompanied by dynastic marriages, wars and redrawing of borders.
Often, the desire to unite the surrounding territories grew into the claims of other countries for leadership in the entire region, then empires arose. So, from part of the possessions of the Habsburg dynasty, the Austro-Hungarian Empire was formed, which by the end of the 19th century. became the largest state of foreign Europe in terms of area and collapsed only in 1918. Napoleon's imperial aspirations in early XIX in. for a short time they made almost all of Europe part of the French Empire. In the 30-40s. 20th century most European countries were occupied Nazi Germany, which claimed to create a new world empire - the Third Reich. The modern political map of the region consists of dozens of independent states that preserve their own languages and original culture. On the territory of Western Europe, where almost all countries are economically developed, there are several large centers of conflicts on ethnic and religious grounds. Vivid examples are the territory in the north of Spain, inhabited by the Basques, Northern Ireland and a number of others.
The Balkans and part of the Mediterranean were under the rule of Ottoman Empire, finally disintegrated only after the First World War. The formation of the political map on these frontiers was accompanied by a special drama.
In the XX century. The territory of the region was divided by another important frontier - the border of the USSR. The confrontation between the USSR and the West also led to several redistributions of the political map, preparing a particularly troubled fate for the so-called buffer countries. Poland fully experienced the inconvenience of the geographical position between the two aggressive giants - Germany and the USSR, which restored the right to its historical territory only after the Second World War.
The modern political map of Europe was formed mainly in the 20th century. as a result of territorial changes after the First and Second World Wars.
In the 21st century The political situation in Europe has changed significantly. The main attention in the activities of European interstate organizations began to be given to the problems of ensuring peace, economic and political stability, preventing crises and jointly solving political problems, and creating a multilateral system of European security.
At the beginning of the XXI century. within the physical and geographical boundaries of Europe there were about 40 states, including the European parts of Russia and Turkey.
Forms of government and government. Most of the European states - Unitary state "> unitary republics. Federation"> Federative republics - Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Russia, Germany. According to the constitution, Confederation "> confederation, and, in fact, a federation, is Switzerland. The Kingdom of Belgium has a federal structure.
Constitutional Monarchy">monarchies: Andorra (Principality), Belgium, Great Britain, Denmark, Spain, Liechtenstein (Principality), Luxembourg (Grand Duchy), Monaco (Principality), Netherlands, Norway, Sweden.
Theocratic monarchy - Vatican.
British colony - Gibraltar.
Independent states - members of the Commonwealth: Great Britain, Malta.
The main events of the XX - XXI centuries.
In 1912-1913. The First and Second Balkan Wars took place. In the first, Turkey opposed the union of the Balkan states - Bulgaria, Serbia, Greece and Montenegro, in the second - Bulgaria against Greece, Serbia and Montenegro. The independence of Albania, which had previously been under Turkish rule, was proclaimed. As a result, Turkey lost its possessions in the Balkans, the territory of Serbia increased by 45%, Montenegro - by 36%, Romania - by 5%, Bulgaria - by 15%, Greece - by 44%.
Changes on the political map after the First World War and the revolution in the Russian Empire
In the First World War, the Entente countries (England, France and Russia) opposed the Triple Alliance (Germany, Austria-Hungary, Italy), but in 1915 Italy withdrew from the Union and joined the Entente. The war was for changing state borders and redistributing colonies. 38 states participated in the war, including 34 on the side of the Entente.
1917- as a result of the revolution in Russia, the monarchy was liquidated. Finland gained independence.
1918- the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian monarchy, formed: Czechoslovakia (it was given the Austrian "crown lands" - Bohemia, Moravia, Silesia), Austria and Hungary; South Tyrol passed to Italy, Bukovina - to Romania.
Formation of the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes (Serbia, Montenegro and the former South Slavic territories of Austria-Hungary - Croatia, Slovenia, Dalmatia and part of Bosnia and Herzegovina are united).
The overthrow of the monarchy in Germany.
Poland gained independence.
By Treaty of Versailles the following territories departed from Germany: Alsace and Lorraine - to France; the administration of the Saar was transferred for 15 years to a commission of the League of Nations, which, in turn, transferred the Saar to France. The cities of Eupen and Malmedy went to Belgium, Northern Schleswig to Denmark; Poznan and part of East and West Prussia, as well as part of Silesia - to Poland; Gulchinsky region and other part of Silesia - to Czechoslovakia. Germany renounced the rights to the city of Memel (Klaipeda), which in 1923 was transferred to Lithuania; Danzig (Gdansk) was turned into a free city under the control of the League of Nations.
Germany lost its overseas possessions in Africa and Oceania with an area of about 3 million km2, with a population of 13 million people. By Yurievsky treaty(between the RSFSR and Finland) Finland returned the Repol and Porosozersk volosts to Karelia in exchange for the area of the city of Pechenga and part of the Rybachy Peninsula. Romania captured Bessarabia.
Iceland, which until 1918 was a colony of Denmark, was declared an independent state, and the Danish-Icelandic union was concluded.
1919- on the Neuilly Treaty Western Thrace was transferred to Greece, the cities of Kula, Tsaribrod, Bosilegrad, Strumica passed to the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes.
Lithuania and Estonia gained independence.
1920- the Svalbard archipelago came under the sovereignty of Norway. Latvia gained independence. By Trianon Treaty Transylvania and the southern part of the Banat region went to Romania; to Czechoslovakia - Slovakia and Transcarpathian Ukraine; to Austria - Burgenland, Slovenian Carinthia.
The collapse of the Ottoman Empire: the islands of the Dodecanese (Southern Sporades) went to Italy, to Greece - East Thrace with Adrianople (now the city of Edirne in Turkey), the Gallipoli Peninsula and Smyrna (now the city of Izmir in Turkey).
By Treaty of Rapalla between Italy and the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes, the Julian Krajina (the region of Friuli-Venice - Giulia), the Istrian peninsula with the cities of Trieste and Pula, the islands of Lošinj, Cres, Lastovo in the center of the Adriatic Sea passed to Italy; to Yugoslavia - Slovenia, Dalmatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina. The port of Zara acquired the status of a free city under the sovereignty of Italy, Fiume (Rijeka) became a free city.
Poland seized Vilen from Lithuania.
1921- on Riga(Soviet-Polish) treaty Western Ukraine and Western Belarus passed to Poland.
By Anglo-Irish Treaty Southern Ireland is declared the Irish Free State (Dominion of the British Empire); Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
1922- the formation of the USSR as part of the RSFSR, the Ukrainian SSR, the Byelorussian SSR, the Transcaucasian SFSR.
Establishment of a fascist dictatorship in Italy.
1923- Occupation of the Ruhr (Germany) by Franco-Belgian troops.
Signing Treaty of Lausanne, along which the borders of Turkey in Europe and Asia Minor are established. The Entente powers abandoned their plans for the dismemberment of Turkey and recognized its independence. Left behind Turkey: Eastern Thrace (the border was drawn along the Maritsa River) and Smyrna (Izmir).
Occupation of the city of Fiume (Rijeka) by Italy; in 1924 passed to Italy.
1924- Proclamation of Greece as a republic.
1929- Creation of the sovereign Papal State of the Vatican in the city of Rome (Italy).
Accession to Norway of Jan Mayen Island (in the northern part of the Atlantic Ocean).
Renaming the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes to the Kingdom of Yugoslavia.
The overthrow of the monarchy in Spain.
1933- the rise of Nazism to power in Germany.
1935- Accession of the Saar to Germany. Monarchist coup in Greece.
1936- Beginning of the Spanish Civil War.
1937- Ireland, a former dominion of the British Empire, declared itself the independent state of Eire.
1938- Germany captured Austria, including it in the Third Reich under the name "Ostmark".
Munich Agreement: the division of Czechoslovakia (the Sudetenland and other border areas went to Germany, the Teszyn region to Poland, part of Slovakia and Transcarpathian Ukraine to Hungary).
1939- The occupation of Czechoslovakia by Germany, on the territory of which the Protectorate of the Czech Republic and Moravia and the puppet state of Slovakia were formed. Capture of Klaipeda and Klaipeda region by Germany.
The coming to power in Spain of General Franco, the establishment of a fascist dictatorship.
Albania is captured by Italy and declared a colony, included in the Italian Empire.
Changes on the political map of Europe during the Second World War (1939-1945)
1939-1940- the USSR included Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Bessarabia (Moldavian SSR), the eastern part of Poland (with the cities of Vilna, Grodno, Pinsk), Eastern Galicia (with Lviv), Northern Bukovina (with the city of Kamenets-Podolsky)
| Territories annexed to the USSR in 1939-1940 |
Attached to the USSR as a result of the Soviet-Finnish war of 1939-1940: Karelian Isthmus (with Vyborg and Vyborg Bay); the western and northern shores of Lake Ladoga with the cities of Kekholm (now Priozersk), Sortavala, Muoyarvi; islands in the Gulf of Finland; territories east of Merkjärvi with the city of Kuolajärvi; part of the Rybachy and Sredny peninsulas. Finland leased the island of Hanko to the USSR.
Partition of Poland: Poznan, Pomerania, Upper Silesia went to Germany.
Germany occupied Denmark and Norway, invaded Belgium and the Netherlands. Northern Transylvania was transferred to Hungary (formerly the territory of Romania), Bulgaria - Southern Dobruja.
| Caricature of the relations between the USSR and Germany in the late 1930s. |
1941- division of Yugoslavia: Slovenia is annexed to Germany; Italy captured Dalmatia and Montenegro; part of Slovenia, Croatia and Vojvodina passed to Hungary; a puppet government has been set up in Serbia; Croatia became formally an independent state. The division of Greece into three zones of occupation: Bulgaria (Western Thrace, Eastern Macedonia with the islands of Thassos, Samothrace), Germany (Central Macedonia with the city of Thessaloniki, the islands of Lemnos, Lesvos, Chios), Italy (the rest of Greece, including Athens).
1944- Iceland proclaimed a republic, Danish-Icelandic union terminated.
Changes on the political map of Europe after World War II
Liberation Soviet army Romania, Bulgaria, Hungary and Czechoslovakia; the overthrow of fascist regimes in these countries.
1945- following the results of the Yalta (Crimean) conference, Germany was divided into four zones of occupation: the eastern one - the USSR, the northwestern one - Great Britain, the southwestern one - the USA, the western one - France.
The abolition of the monarchy in Yugoslavia, the proclamation of the Federal People's Republic of Yugoslavia (since 1963 - the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia) as part of Serbia, Croatia, Slovenia, Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro.
Agreement between Yugoslavia, Great Britain and the USA on the occupation of the Julian Krajina: the city of Trieste and the surrounding territories are occupied by the Anglo-American troops, the neighboring regions - by the Yugoslav.
The western border of Poland with Germany was established along the Oder and Neisse rivers.
1944-1945- the district of the city of Pechenga (formerly the territory of Finland) was annexed to the USSR; Transcarpathian Ukraine; the coastal part of East Prussia with Koenigsberg (the rest of East Prussia with the city of Danzig (Gdansk) passed to Poland).
1946- Albania is declared a republic.
1947- Italy, Bulgaria, Romania are proclaimed republics. According to peace treaties between the states that won the Second World War and the former allies of Germany in Europe, the border of Italy was changed: the Istrian peninsula, part of the Julian Krajina, the cities of Fiume (Rijeka), Zara with adjacent islands, the islands of Palagruzha were transferred to Yugoslavia; the city of Trieste is declared the Free Territory of Trieste; Greece crossed the Dodecanese. Italy lost its colonial possessions in Africa, recognized the independence of Albania and Ethiopia.
Restored pre-war borders of Romania, Bulgaria, Hungary, Finland; Transylvania returned to Romania.
Spain was declared a monarchy (in fact, the monarchical form of government was established only in 1975 after the death of Franco).
A bloc of socialist countries was created in Eastern Europe, which included: Poland, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Albania, Yugoslavia (SFRY).
1948- granting internal autonomy to the Faroe Islands (as part of Denmark).
1949- the formation of the Federal Republic of Germany on the territory of the zones of occupation of France, the USA and Great Britain; GDR - on the territory of the zone of occupation of the USSR.
Creation of the Council for Mutual Economic Assistance (CMEA) - an economic organization of socialist countries, it included: Bulgaria, Hungary, Vietnam, East Germany, Cuba, Mongolia, Poland, Romania, USSR, Czechoslovakia.
Ireland is proclaimed an independent republic.
Hungary is proclaimed a republic.
Formation of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) to collectively confront the threat of communism.
1951- an agreement between the USSR and Poland on the exchange of border areas of the territory: Poland was given a plot of 480 km 2 near the city of Drogobych, the USSR - 480 km 2 in the Lublin Voivodeship.
1953- According to the constitution, Greenland received the status of an overseas amt (province), an equal part of the Kingdom of Denmark.
1954- division of the Free Territory of Trieste between Italy and Yugoslavia. Transfer of the Crimean region of the RSFSR to Ukraine.
1955- restoration of Austria as a sovereign and independent state within the borders of 1938
Formation of the Warsaw Pact Organization (OVD) - an organization for coordinating military cooperation between the socialist countries. It included Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland, Romania, the USSR, Czechoslovakia, Albania and the GDR.
1957- the inclusion of the Saar region in the FRG.
Formation of the European Economic Community (EEC) consisting of Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, France, Germany, Italy.
The collapse of the USSR, the declaration of independent states of all the union republics that were part of it.
Formation of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). It did not include the Baltic states (Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania), Georgia (joined in 1993).
The collapse of the SFRY, the formation of sovereign states - Croatia, Slovenia, Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.
1993- transformation of the European Economic Community (Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, France, Germany, Italy, Denmark, Ireland, Great Britain, Spain, Portugal, Greece) into the European Union (EU); removal of state borders within the framework of the single European economic space.
Partition of Czechoslovakia into two independent states - the Czech Republic and the Slovak Republic.
1995- accession to the EU of Sweden, Finland, Austria.
1999- Poland, Czech Republic and Hungary are admitted to NATO.
The signing of an agreement on the union state of Belarus and Russia with the prospect of growing into a confederation.
2002- The Federal Republic of Yugoslavia became known as Serbia and Montenegro. While maintaining a single defense and foreign policy, different currencies are being introduced, customs legislation and economic systems are different.
2004- 10 countries of Central and Eastern Europe joined the EU: Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Cyprus, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Czech Republic, Estonia.
2007 Bulgaria and Romania joined the EU.
Territorial disputes and ethnic conflicts. Europe, as part of the Old World with well-established political borders, has a minimal number of acute territorial disputes.
Question about geographical location borders in the region have not been discussed since the Second World War. The inviolability of state post-war borders was secured by the Conference on Security and Cooperation (Helsinki, 1975). The principle was strictly applied until the beginning of the 90s. XX century, when, as a result of the collapse of the socialist system, the republics that were part of the USSR were recognized as independent subjects of international law. The collapse of Czechoslovakia, the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and the unification of the GDR and the FRG are last changes state borders on the political map of Europe.
| Schengen border at Munich airport (Germany) |
Further events - the admission of new members to the EU (including the countries of Central and Eastern Europe), the entry into NATO of the former socialist countries of Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic - led to the disappearance of a direct military threat to Western Europe. The issue of collective security was on the agenda.
However, there are disagreements between countries regarding the drawing of borders. As a rule, these disagreements are of a private nature, not states, but political parties are in favor of changing borders. There are discussions about borders, territorial waters or unresolved issues.
For example, for changing the state status of territories inhabited by national minorities requiring self-determination (Northern Irish, South Tyroleans, Basques, Slovenes, Corsicans), or peoples with the status of national minorities, which in the post-war years were separated by state borders (Hungarians in Transylvania). Disputes are fought over territories that were previously part of another state. Virtually none of the European border disputes escalated into a military conflict, with the exception of the claims of the Albanians (supported by Albania) on the territory of the autonomous province of Kosovo in Serbia, as well as in Macedonia.
The expansion of the EU and the formation of a single European space have changed the former functions of borders - security and border control. Interstate borders become purely symbolic, but the question arises of the external border of the EU, which should protect prosperous Europe from smuggling and illegal migration.
Modern period begins after World War I and lasts until present tense. This period can be divided into three stages. First stage covers the years between the first and second world wars, when the disintegration of the Austro-Hungarian and Ottoman empires is going on and new su loyal states in Europe (Austria, Hungary, Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia, Albania, Poland is reborn). At the same stage, there is a significant expansion colonial possessions of Great Britain, France, Belgium, Italy, Japan and Germany loses all its colonies.
Between the two world wars, another 16 countries gain independence, and by the time the second world war begins, 71 sovereign states are formed. During World War II, 10 more countries gain independence and thus, by 1945, on the political map of the world, there were already 81 independent state.
Second phase modern period of formation of the political map of the world covers the years after the Second World War and up to the end of the 80s. At this stage events of great importance take place - the national liberation struggle in the colonies, which contributed to the beginning of the collapse of the world colonial system. In the first post-war years, the largest colonies in Asia, which belonged to the Netherlands (Indonesia - 1945), the USA (Phi Lippins - 1946), Great Britain (India - 1947), etc.
In parallel with the process of the national liberation movement in the nyah, from 1945 to 1950, the formation of the world social alistic system under the influence and direct participation of the Soviet empire, which pursued the geopolitical goals of expansion in Europe and Asia. In all 13 socialist countries that appeared on the politicalmap of the world by 1950, the process of democratization of the socio-economic and political life was deformed. Democratic structures based on law were replaced by a Soviet-type totalitarian communist regime. The appearance on the political map of the world of this bloc of states, armed with communist ideology, led to the unleashing of " cold war» for several decades, paralyzed normal eco economic relations between the countries of the two blocs - the socialist and capitalist. Creation of a community of socialist countries, organization economic integration of the socialist countries - CMEA and the socialistgoods market led by the USSR, made the economy of the socialistcountries from the economy of the Soviet empire. The dramatic consequences of thisprocesses are especially noticeable at this stage - the stage of the return of former socialstatic countries to a market economy. Within the framework of the CMEA, up to 60% of the foreigntrade of the participating countries accounted for the USSR.
Africa was decolonized in the 1950s and 1960s. Got the floor first political independence Libya (1951), Morocco, Tunisia, Sudan (1956), Ghana(1957), Guinea (1958). Therefore, 1960 was named the "Year of Africa" when 17 African states gained independence at once, former colonies FFrance, Great Britain, Belgium such as Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Madagascar, Zaire and others.there are 15 more African colonies, most of them are the former possessions of Veli UK, such as: Sierra Leone, Uganda, Tanzania, Malawi, Kenya, mbiya, Lesotho, Swaziland, and others. Among the latter, the Portuguese colonies are seeking independence. In 1973, Guinea-Bissau became sovereign, and in 1975 the flag of independence was raised in the largest Portuguese companies. loniya - Angola and Mozambique. The fifteen-year armed struggle of the people of Zimbabwe for independence ended in victory in 1980. In 1990, Namibia, one of the largest African countries in terms of area, gained independence. The liquidation of the racist regime in the Republic of South Africa at the beginning 1994 completed the process of decolonization of Africa. Independence in 1991 of the Federated States of Micronesia and the Republic of Marshall islands marked the end of the process of decolonization in Oceania.
At the third stage almost simultaneously (late 80s - early 90s) two systems disappear from the political map of the world - the world nial and world socialist. Then the Soviet empire also disappears.
Between 1989 and 1991 democratic revolutions are taking place in the former socialist countries of Europe, in most cases without bloodshedlithium (velvet revolutions), which led to the dismantling of totalitarian com munist regimes, to the restoration of democracy and a return to market economy. Another important event that took place in October 1990 this is the disappearance from the political map of the world of the state artificially created after the Second World War - the German Democratic Republic, as a result of the unification of Germany.
Since December 1991 ceased to exist on 1/6 of the Earth USSR, on the site of which 12 sovereign states were formed (earlier, in 1990, three Baltic States declared their independence and left the USSR thian states - Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia). So in placeThe USSR formed 15 sovereign states. The former Yugoslavia was divided into 5 independent states (Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegowines, Macedonia and New Yugoslavia as part of Serbia and Montenegro). From January 1In 1993, Czechoslovakia split into two states - the Czech Republic and Slovakia.
At the beginning of 1994, there were 190 sovereign states on the political map of the world, of which more than 180 are members of the United Nations. It should be noted that in 1993 the Republic of Moldova became a member of the UN.
There are about 40 colonies on the political map of the world (Macau, PuertoRico, Virgin Islands, Gibraltar, etc.) and disputed territories (Malvinas(Falkland) Islands, Western Sahara, East Timor, etc.). Bolshinmost of them are small in territory and population and do not play important role in the world economy and in world politics.
Thus, in the early 1990s, the process of forming a modern political map of the world was practically completed.
The size and composition of the territory of states change over time as a result of historical events, relations between states (negotiation processes, military clashes), decisions of international organizations.
The political map of the world is characterized by high dynamism. It reflects the main political and geographical changes: mergers and divisions, the formation of new states, changes in territory, borders, capitals, names.
The process of forming the political map of the world has several millennia. States were formed, flourished and declined, empires arose and disappeared forever, occupying vast territories and holding numerous peoples in obedience. To navigate the events reflected on the political map, there are several stages of its formation: ancient, medieval, new and latest (Table 1.4).
Table 1.4
Stages of formation of the political map of the world
|
Main events |
|
|
Medieval (V-XV centuries) |
Associated with the era of feudalism. The isolation of regions was overcome. Powerful empires were formed from many small feudal states, their borders were constantly changing. Influential states of that time: Holy Roman Empire, Frankish Empire, Kievan Rus, Byzantium, Golden Horde, England, Spain, France, China, India |
|
(XVI century - early XX century) |
The era of great geographical discoveries marked the beginning of colonial expansion, the birth and development of capitalist relations. The largest colonial powers were Spain and Portugal, later - England, France, the Netherlands, Germany and the USA. A colonial system was formed; powerful countries appeared on the political arena: Ottoman, Austro-Hungarian, Russian empires: new states arose in America; the world market is being formed and the division of the world between the capitalist countries is being completed |
|
Newest (since 1914) |
Redistribution of the world after the First and Second World Wars; the collapse of the colonial system and a sharp increase in the number of states. Formation of a socialist system. The collapse of the socialist system, the emergence of new independent states |
As part of newest stage There are several periods of formation of the political map of the world.
The first period is the time between the two world wars (1914-1945). The most important events: the collapse of four empires: Russian, German, Austro-Hungarian and Turkish. The appearance on the world map of the first socialist state (USSR). The formation of new states in place of Austria-Hungary: Austria, Hungary, Czechoslovakia, the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes (renamed Yugoslavia in 1929). Selection from the composition Russian Empire Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland. Changing the borders of Germany, Turkey, Romania, Italy. The loss of all German possessions. Expansion of the colonial possessions of Great Britain, France, Belgium, Japan.
The second period (from the end of World War II to the 90s of the XX century).
In the post-war period (1946-1989), significant changes took place on the political map of the world. The most important territorial changes in Europe are connected with the results of the Second World War: a significant reduction in the territory of Germany (by! 4 compared with 1938) due to the transfer of Pomerania and Poznan Silesia to Poland; Soviet Union - Kaliningrad region. The USSR transferred small territories to Poland, increasing its territory by annexing Transcarpathian Ukraine (under an agreement with Czechoslovakia) and the Pechenga region in the northwest (under an agreement with Finland). In the east, the Tuva Republic (as an autonomy) became part of the USSR, and after the capitulation of Japan, South Sakhalin and the Kuril Islands.
Two states were formed on the territory of Germany: within the boundaries of the occupation zones of the Western powers - the Federal Republic of Germany, and within the boundaries of the Soviet zone of occupation - the German Democratic Republic. Some territories of Italy went to Yugoslavia and Greece.
In 1948, the State of Israel was formed in accordance with a UN General Assembly resolution.
The confrontation between the capitalist and socialist systems, between the USA and the USSR during this period was called the Cold War.
Another important phenomenon was the collapse of the colonial system with the formation of a large number of independent states in Asia, Africa, Latin America, Oceania, reflected in Table. 1.5.
Table 1.5
Countries - former colonies that gained independence after World War II
|
The country |
Part Sveta |
Metropolitan country |
|
|
2. Vietnam |
|||
|
3. Indonesia |
Netherlands |
||
|
4. Jordan |
Great Britain |
||
|
7. Philippines |
|||
|
Great Britain |
|||
|
9. Pakistan |
Great Britain |
||
|
10. Myanmar |
Great Britain |
||
|
11. Israel |
Great Britain |
||
|
12. Sri Lanka |
Great Britain |
||
|
15. Cambodia |
|||
|
16. Morocco |
Spain, France |
||
|
UK, Egypt |
|||
|
Great Britain |
|
The country |
Part Sveta |
Year of Independence |
Metropolitan country |
|
20. Malaysia |
Great Britain |
||
|
21. Guinea |
|||
|
23. Ivory Coast |
|||
|
24. Burkina Faso |
|||
|
27. Cameroon |
Great Britain, |
||
|
28. Democratic Republic of the Congo |
|||
|
29. Republic of the Congo |
|||
|
30. Mauritania |
|||
|
32. Madagascar |
|||
|
34. Nigeria |
Great Britain |
||
|
35. Senegal |
|||
|
36. Somalia |
Italy, UK |
||
|
Great Britain |
|||
|
40. Kuwait |
Great Britain |
||
|
41. Sierra Leone |
Great Britain |
||
|
42. Tanzania |
Great Britain |
||
|
43. Yemen Arab Republic |
Great Britain |
||
|
45. Burundi |
|||
|
46. Rwanda |
|||
|
47. Uganda |
Great Britain |
||
|
48. Trinidad and Tobago |
Great Britain |
||
|
Great Britain |
|||
|
Great Britain |
|||
|
52. Zambia |
Great Britain |
||
|
53. Malawi |
Great Britain |
||
|
54. Malta |
Great Britain |
||
|
55. Republic of Maldives |
Great Britain |
|
The country |
Part Sveta |
Year of Independence |
Metropolitan country |
|
56. Singapore |
Great Britain |
||
|
57. Gambia |
Great Britain |
||
|
58. Guyana |
Great Britain |
||
|
59. Botswana |
Great Britain |
||
|
60. Lesotho |
Great Britain |
||
|
61. Barbados |
Great Britain |
||
|
62. People's Democratic Republic of Yemen |
Great Britain |
||
|
63. Mauritius |
Great Britain |
||
|
UK, New Zealand, Australia |
|||
|
65. Swaziland |
Great Britain |
||
|
66. Equatorial Guinea |
|||
|
Great Britain |
|||
|
Great Britain |
|||
|
69. Bahrain |
Great Britain |
||
|
Great Britain |
|||
|
Great Britain |
|||
|
72. Bangladesh |
Great Britain |
||
|
73. Bahamas |
Great Britain |
||
|
74. Guinea-Bissau |
Portugal |
||
|
75. Grenada |
Great Britain |
||
|
76. Mozambique |
Portugal |
||
|
77. Cape Verde |
Portugal |
||
|
78. Sao Tome and Principe |
Portugal |
||
|
79. Comoros |
|||
|
80. Papua New Guinea |
Australia |
||
|
81. Angola |
Portugal |
||
|
82. Suriname |
Netherlands |
||
|
83. Seychelles |
Great Britain |
||
|
84. Djibouti |
|||
|
85. Solomon Islands |
Great Britain |
||
|
86. Tuvalu |
Great Britain |
||
|
87. Dominica |
Great Britain |
||
|
Great Britain |
|||
|
89. Kiribati |
Great Britain |
||
|
Great Britain |
|
The country |
Part Sveta |
Year of Independence |
Metropolitan country |
|
91. Zimbabwe |
Great Britain |
||
|
92. Vanuatu |
Great Britain, |
||
|
Great Britain |
|||
|
94. Antigua and Barbuda |
Great Britain |
||
|
Great Britain |
|||
|
96. Brunei |
Great Britain |
||
|
97. Federated States of Micronesia |
|||
|
98. Marshall Islands |
|||
|
99. Namibia |
|||
The colonial past had a great influence on many features of the current state of the countries - former colonies: language, religion, population migration, directions of external economic and political relations, and other aspects of life.
The beginning of the third modern period (since 1990) of the formation of the political map of the world was marked by two events that radically changed the world: the unification of Germany in 1990 and the collapse Soviet Union in 1991. These events provoked a chain reaction on the political map of the world: the socialist system collapsed. In 1993, Czechoslovakia split into the Czech Republic and Slovakia; The Federal Federal Republic of Yugoslavia - to Serbia, Montenegro, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Macedonia. No less significant events took place in other regions: in Asia in 1990, North and South Yemen united into a single Yemeni Republic. At the same time, a new sovereign state appeared on the political map of Africa - Namibia, and in 1993 - Eritrea. In 1997, the British colony of Hong Kong (Xianggang) and in 1999 the Portuguese colony of Macau (Aomen) became special administrative regions of China.