Bismarck’s Diplomacy, Armed Peace, and the Rise of Colonial Imperialism
The Bismarckian System and the Armed Peace (1871–1914)
Bismarck’s Foreign Policy and the Alliance System
Following German unification, Bismarck’s policy focused on creating a series of international alliances, known as the Bismarckian System. This system aimed to isolate France, which posed a potential threat to the stability of the newly created German state, thereby affirming Germany’s hegemony in the world.
The three Bismarckian systems were built, repeatedly, through the union of three countries:
Read MoreGlossary of Agricultural, Livestock, and Land Use Terminology
Agricultural and Land Use Definitions
Extensive Agriculture Definition
Extensive agriculture is that which is practiced in regions with low population density. It requires low labor input, is minimally mechanized, and utilizes large spaces for growing various products.
Intensive Agriculture Characteristics
Intensive agriculture produces huge quantities of products continuously in reduced spaces. It is characterized because it increases productivity in a short time, using irrigation, fertilizers, and
Read MoreIndustrial Development and Sectoral Classification: Challenges and Construction
The Secondary Sector and Industry Classification
The Secondary Sector, primarily focused on industry, is the engine that gives rise to capitalism. In the capitalist system, industrial development can be distinguished into three major stages:
- The First Industrial Revolution: This transformation resulted in the mechanization of the system, consisting of the use of machinery and an energy model based on coal and the steam engine.
- The Second Industrial Revolution: Machinery deepened and expanded, introducing
Key Schools of Geographical Thought and Global Institutions
Key Schools of Geographical Thought
Quantitative Geography
Originating primarily from the Vienna Circle and the work of Walter Christaller, the main objective of Quantitative Geography is to formulate laws governing the location and distribution of geographic phenomena. It is based on general systems theory. To achieve this, practitioners must follow a scientific and rational method to pose and test hypotheses experimentally. To ensure objectivity, the language used must be precise and rigorous.
Geography
Read MoreGlobal Imperialism: Causes, Colonial Structures, and New Powers
The New Imperialist Powers
U.S. Imperialism
The economic causes of American expansionism stemmed from high economic growth and were a direct result of intense European protectionism. Imperialism was also based on a strong ideological foundation.
- Social Darwinism: This concept gained wide acceptance, promoting the idea that the U.S. must compete fiercely with other nations to survive internationally.
- Monroe Doctrine: The American continent was considered its natural sphere, allowing the U.S. to intervene
Key Concepts in Urban Geography and Primary Sector Economics
Urban Geography Terminology
Metropolitan Area
Definition: An urban area formed by a central city and adjoining communities, featuring a transport and communications system connecting the central city with its area of influence.
Historic Center
Features: Flat, irregular, compact urban fabric, low-altitude buildings, mixed land use, and a blending of diverse social groups.
Business District (CBD)
Definition: The part of the city concentrating superior urban functions, high specialization, directives of
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