Although the term 'military adventurism' has recently become very fashionable, especially as a critique of much of the foreign policy of the United States since 2001, the concept has been around for much longer. This concept centers on the idea of the world's imperial powers manufacturing conflicts in attempts to grab territory, resources and influence in certain parts of the world. These self-serving conflicts have been around for years though, and the USA is certainly not the first country to have indulged in this type of behavior.
Despite its close association with the USA, the term could be applied to a host of other nations, possibly dating back to ancient times. The US may have been involved in bloody wars in Iraq and Afghanistan recently, but similar conflicts were being manufactured by the world's imperial powers in the late 19th century. France, Italy, Germany, Great Britain and others could all, with some justification, be accused of military adventurism during this era.
One continent in particular suffered from the ravages of this kind of imperial adventuring by colonial powers, and that was Africa. Between the years 1881 and 1914, when the First World War began, the continent had been split between various European powers, with little regard or thought for the native peoples. This period of imperialist history is often referred to as the 'Scramble for Africa'.
France and Great Britain, of course, had long been colonial powers in Africa before this era, but Germany began to try and gain an overseas empire at this time too. When Bismarck, the great Prussian Chancellor, resigned in 1890, Kaiser Wilhelm II began to pursue an aggressive overseas policy. This was known as 'Weltpolitik', and was seen as a crucial part of German development into a genuine world power.
Another nation who tried to join the scramble for Africa in the 1890s was Italy, a new nation determined to establish its credentials as a world power. Embarrassingly, the Italian invasion of Ethiopia, which occurred in 1895 to 1896, ended in defeat for the Italians. This meant that Ethiopia was the only African state to retain its independence at this time.
The Italians were successful in other ventures in east Africa though, wresting control of Somaliland and Eritrea by 1890. They also fought a short war with the Turkish empire of the fading Ottomans, taking what is now called Libya from them. This established an Italian presence in northern and eastern Africa.
In central Africa, in the Congo Free State, a terrible crime against humanity occurred, with one European monarch, King Leopold of Belgium, ruling it as a private colony, separate from his country. His enslavement and brutalization of vast chunks of the population became infamous, and Belgium had taken control of the Congo by 1908.
Military adventurism is therefore not a new concept at all. It occurred on many occasions in the late 19th century, and in eras before that too, dating back a long time. Many would argue that global politics today is still shaped to a distressing extent by the concept.
Despite its close association with the USA, the term could be applied to a host of other nations, possibly dating back to ancient times. The US may have been involved in bloody wars in Iraq and Afghanistan recently, but similar conflicts were being manufactured by the world's imperial powers in the late 19th century. France, Italy, Germany, Great Britain and others could all, with some justification, be accused of military adventurism during this era.
One continent in particular suffered from the ravages of this kind of imperial adventuring by colonial powers, and that was Africa. Between the years 1881 and 1914, when the First World War began, the continent had been split between various European powers, with little regard or thought for the native peoples. This period of imperialist history is often referred to as the 'Scramble for Africa'.
France and Great Britain, of course, had long been colonial powers in Africa before this era, but Germany began to try and gain an overseas empire at this time too. When Bismarck, the great Prussian Chancellor, resigned in 1890, Kaiser Wilhelm II began to pursue an aggressive overseas policy. This was known as 'Weltpolitik', and was seen as a crucial part of German development into a genuine world power.
Another nation who tried to join the scramble for Africa in the 1890s was Italy, a new nation determined to establish its credentials as a world power. Embarrassingly, the Italian invasion of Ethiopia, which occurred in 1895 to 1896, ended in defeat for the Italians. This meant that Ethiopia was the only African state to retain its independence at this time.
The Italians were successful in other ventures in east Africa though, wresting control of Somaliland and Eritrea by 1890. They also fought a short war with the Turkish empire of the fading Ottomans, taking what is now called Libya from them. This established an Italian presence in northern and eastern Africa.
In central Africa, in the Congo Free State, a terrible crime against humanity occurred, with one European monarch, King Leopold of Belgium, ruling it as a private colony, separate from his country. His enslavement and brutalization of vast chunks of the population became infamous, and Belgium had taken control of the Congo by 1908.
Military adventurism is therefore not a new concept at all. It occurred on many occasions in the late 19th century, and in eras before that too, dating back a long time. Many would argue that global politics today is still shaped to a distressing extent by the concept.
About the Author:
You can visit the website www.optimisticanalyst.com for more helpful information about History Shows That Military Adventurism Recurs Time And Again