Countries create alliances to protect their sovereignty and national security, as well as safeguard their social and economic interests. While alliances can be beneficial, they can also have negative consequences if no benefits are gained. Each alliance has its own purpose and importance. Over time, countries have formed alliances to effectively carry out plans together, showing the advantages obtained through collaboration. However, disadvantages are unavoidable in these partnerships.
Although not all members may desire to be part of the alliance, if it ensures the protection of their sovereignty, they would be willing to do whatever it takes to do so. Countries establish alliances with other nations for various reasons and interests, aiming to improve their strategic position. An alliance can offer more than just national security; it can also propel one’s country forward. One of the primary objectives of forming alliances is to execute plans, which may vary in terms of interests among participating countries.
Some countries form temporary alliances to safeguard their own interests and avoid threats from one another. They may have shared interests and collaborate on common tasks to assist each other. The Cuban Missile Crisis is an illustrative case of such an alliance. Both Cuba and the Soviet Union were communist nations with similar interests. The Soviet Union forged an alliance with Cuba and strategically positioned missiles within Cuban territory to defend itself against the United States of America.
Countries that have multiple alliances may seem stronger, but the importance of these alliances reduces if there are indications of a strategic change. Nations look for support from others who share similar interests or when they have worries about their own country. They search for countries that can provide military and economic assistance. For example, Hitler formed an alliance with Italy and Japan to divert the focus of the United States in the Pacific while he maintained a favorable position in Europe.
Hitler established an alliance with Japan and Italy not out of genuine interest in those nations, but as a strategy to execute his plans. In doing so, he jeopardized their independence and safety along with his own. This serves as a reminder that alliances entail risks rather than assured protection. Some countries may be exposed to potential threats and consequently require alliances for pursuing their goals and safeguarding their interests. The creation of alliances can differ based on specific circumstances.
Alliances can be formed with the purpose of intimidating other countries or alliances. In the World Wars, alliances varied depending on the war situation. For instance, Germany and its allies created an offensive alliance by instigating the conflict, whereas Great Britain and its allies established a defensive alliance against Germany. Offensive alliances are built when countries desire military strength and strive to thrive by asserting dominance over others. On the contrary, a defensive alliance is developed to counteract an offensive alliance.
The Triple Alliance sought global dissemination of its ideologies, leading to the creation of the Triple Entente for achieving worldwide peace. This rationale justified the persistence of alliances in Europe post World War I and during the Cold War. Currently, offensive and defensive alliances continue to be established, as exemplified by the Soviet Union’s formation of alliances with developing nations that ultimately led to the creation of the Eastern Bloc.
Throughout the Cold War, alliances were created to combat the military endeavors of the Soviet Union and avert potential conflicts. NATO, which is a defensive alliance, was specifically established for pre-existing allies in the western hemisphere with the aim of minimizing the possibility of betrayal or unforeseen assaults within this alliance.
While the main purpose of an alliance is to protect a nation, it can sometimes result in compromising the sovereignty of one member if their former enemy becomes an ally. Each country strives for advantages when forming alliances, but these partnerships can unexpectedly have negative consequences for both parties involved. Although there are numerous benefits to forging alliances with other nations, it is crucial to recognize that drawbacks also exist. The ultimate aim of an alliance is mutual protection; nevertheless, this outcome is not always guaranteed.
The alliance can take a different direction, resulting in your alliance member becoming a potential adversary, as seen in the Nazi – Soviet Pact between Russia and Germany. Stalin and Hitler formed an alliance to divide Poland between them, with Stalin assuming he would have sufficient time to mobilize while Hitler turned westward. However, Hitler had already devised plans to betray Stalin, thus turning this alliance into a hostile relationship. This serves as an example of an alliance where one member becomes the enemy and deceives others. Each country holds its own set of beliefs and perspectives towards other nations.
Governmental interest fosters alliances, though one member may sometimes face disadvantages when issues arise. A possible challenge within an alliance is the divergence of perspectives among military personnel, including high-ranking officers. These varying opinions can lead to conflicts and potentially endanger the alliance, particularly within positions of authority. An illustrative instance of cooperation during World War 2 featured General Patton, an American General, and General Montgomery, a British General, who had to collaborate.
Despite having differing perspectives on each other, these two individuals had a healthy rivalry and were in a race to be the first to reach Berlin. Although observers may have mistakenly believed that they held animosity towards one another, it was clear that the Allies were determined to defeat Hitler. This situation serves as a reminder that countries can have contrasting views of each other, which can prove disadvantageous in certain cases. Whether during times of peace or in the aftermath of a war, countries often seek specific alliances – such as an economic alliance.
Throughout history, military alliances have been the dominant form of alliances. Nevertheless, alliances can also be established without the intention or expectation of war. Less developed nations often request backing from more influential countries to hasten their progress and promote their ideals. These nations rely on assistance from other countries due to the difficulties they encounter in achieving advancement. In the era of Cold War, developing nations largely embraced communism, which became popular following World War 2.
Since the rise of Communism, smaller developing nations have seen an increase in the influence of communist parties. Consequently, these nations have opted to align with the Soviet Union rather than the United States for assistance in their development. These alliances primarily revolve around trade but may also involve potential military cooperation. The Soviet Union frequently exerts its dominance over these developing nations, leading the United States to back other countries that resist communist alliances like South Vietnam.
Despite the war, the United States made the exclusive decision to assist South Vietnam, even with their significant losses. This military partnership did not provide any tangible benefits, but through collaboration, the United States managed to achieve their objective and support South Vietnam in its conflict against North Vietnam. Developing nations do not always need to rely solely on weapons and finances for success; sometimes smaller countries must create alliances with energy superpowers—countries that have considerable control over global energy resources.
When countries form alliances, they often do so in order to assist another country with their energy problem. However, there is a risk for the receiving country as these alliances can be terminated abruptly. During the Cold War, communist nations sought alliances for various reasons. The decision to form an alliance involves considering multiple factors and determining the necessary requirements. Countries believe that making allies will safeguard their sovereignty and security, but this choice carries the potential danger of losing everything.
Security can encompass various aspects, such as addressing vulnerabilities in another nation or ensuring it does not become incapable of progress or contributing to an alliance. One primary reason for countries seeking alliances is internationalism, a political movement advocating for economic and political cooperation between nations, believed to be beneficial for all. This ideology stands in contrast to ultra nationalism, as seen in the Soviet Union. Internationalism fosters a shared alliance among countries, ensuring the preservation of their security and sovereignty, while ultra nationalism operates differently.
Both the Soviet Union and the Allies formed alliances after World War II for strategic purposes, but their motives were influenced by different factors. The Soviet Union established the Eastern Bloc to reconstruct their country and form partnerships with emerging communist nations. However, these alliances were mainly driven by strategic considerations rather than shared interests, leading to a lack of mutual ultra nationalism. Similarly, the Allies joined forces to safeguard their security and independence post-war. Nonetheless, due to divergent post-war perspectives and a lack of shared interests, a significant level of distrust emerged within their alliance which ultimately caused its downfall.
These countries believed they could safeguard their sovereignty, which they successfully did. However, the Soviet Union suffered the most by hoping to join the alliance. Alliances should be regarded as a secure means of protection, and considering otherwise without understanding one’s allies is foolish. Although alliances are viewed as protective measures, countries sometimes overlook other factors crucial to their success. Therefore, when making alliances, countries should consider all potential situations and decide whether they wish to participate in that alliance or not.
When considering the formation of an alliance, a country’s motives, interests, and plans play a crucial role. The country strategically evaluates potential allies to determine if they align with its goals. An alliance should go beyond just protecting sovereignty; it should be a mutual arrangement that supports each participant’s objectives without causing harm. It is important for countries to understand that being in an alliance does not automatically guarantee the preservation of their sovereignty; this can change if they are unaware of their allies’ intentions.
Word Count: 1880
Hamza Ullah
History
Should countries perceive that alliances protect their sovereignty?
May 29, 2012
Miss Washburn
