HOW GOVERNMENTS INTERACTLesson 4

HOW GOVERNMENTS INTERACT Although governments are sovereign-- there

is no higher official authority within the area it controls-- within its own territory, they still must deal w/ other sovereign governments beyond its borders These other governments have either common

or conflicting goals. They might threaten the future existence of a

county, or offer the possibility of helping it prosper and grow.

HOW GOVERNMENTS INTERACT NO world governments exists to oversee

relationships between countries. Sovereign governments must rely on their

own resources and skill to survive in a dangerous and often hostile world.

DIPLOMACY AND NEGOTIATION During the Middle Ages, rulers sent envoys

to other kingdoms when they had a message to convey.

In Renaissance Italy, city-states began the practice of sending a permanent representative, known as an ambassador, to reside in a foreign city-state or kingdom. The ambassador watched out for his ruler’s

political and commercial interests. Other countries soon adopted this process.

DIPLOMACY AND NEGOTIATION Diplomacy is based on

the continuing process of sending representatives to other countries. When there is a problem,

these representatives discuss the issue in an attempt to find a solution.

In negotiations between governments there is a general give-and-take. Each side usually gives up

something to find a middle ground that is acceptable to all.

TREATIES A treaty is a signed

agreement between countries. Similar to contracts

between individuals. Each of the

participating countries promises to do certain things.

Sometimes countries sign a treaty of alliance, promising to defend each other if attacked.

Peace treaties are used to end wars. Example: The 30 Years

War in Germany ended when diplomats representing different countries met in Westphalia in 1648 and signed a peace treaty.

TREATIES- THE TREATY OF PARIS Treaty that officially ended the Revolutionary

War on September 3, 1783. It was signed in Paris by Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, and John Jay.

Under the terms of the treaty, Britain recognized the independent nation of the United States of America. Britain agreed to remove all of its troops from the new nation.

The treaty also set new borders for the United States, including all land from the Great Lakes on the north to Florida on the south, and from the Atlantic Ocean to the Mississippi River. The United States agreed to allow British troops still in America to leave and also agreed to pay all existing debts owed to Great Britain.

The United States also agreed not to persecute loyalists still in America and allow those that left America to return.

Ended the French and Indian War

INTERNATIONAL MEETINGS AND ORGANIZATIONS Governments also

interact through meetings and by participating in international organizations (i.e. UN or United Nations).

Before signing the peace treaty in 1648, diplomats representing France, Spain, and other countries help long meetings in Westphalia. Today, the EU or

European Union, is an organization of European governments that was formed to promote trade and unity, while the UN tries to promote international peace.

MILITARY CONFLICTS Sometimes sovereign governments cannot

agree on issues dividing them, even after negotiations or conferences. They may decide to pursue their interests

through war. Military conflicts usually break out when

one or both governments think they can win the conflict, and when they cannot see any other way of resolving their difficulty Examples????

MILITARY CONFLICTS Sometimes countries engage in war simply to

conquer other countries and take their resources (i.e. gold, salt, diamonds, oil, etc.) Rome attacked its neighbors to add to its

empire. The Aztecs and Incas created large empires by

waging wars of conquest on their neighbors. Both empires later fell when Spain attacked them to

seize their wealth.

MILITARY CONFLICTS- THE ROMAN EMPIRE

MILITARY CONFLICTS- AZTECS, INCAS, AND MAYAN EMPIRES

MILITARY CONFLICTS Governments may

also engage in war for religious motives. Arab rulers waged

war to expand Islam in the Middle East (i.e. Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Iran, etc.) Christians and

Muslims later fought one another during the Crusades.