Globalization has flourished twice and collapsed twice. The collapses led to two world wars. Is a third one imminent because of Trump?

When President Trump, who appears ignorant in every field, including history, announces tariffs even against friendly countries, and tries to take over territories around the world – he is copying one by one the periods of "de-globalization" that led to the world wars.

President Trump is dismantling globalization. Illustration: Avi Blizovsky via FLUX
President Trump is dismantling globalization. Illustration: Avi Blizovsky via FLUX

Globalization has collapsed twice due to protectionism – and both times ended in terrible world wars. They say that those who do not learn from history will end up repeating it, and in a big way. Twice it ended in deadly world wars. With the stroke of a pen, he changes world orders without understanding the consequences of the step.

When a president who appears ignorant in every field, including history, announces tariffs even against friendly countries, and tries to take over territories around the world - he is seeking to return to the times of "de-globalization."

In the second half of the 19th century, globalization reached its peak. The railway network, which made it possible to settle remote areas, "jumped" from 7,700 km to 700,000 km by 1900. Ships became larger and larger, the Suez Canal was dug, followed by the Panama Canal (1914), as well as two small but important canals – the Kiel Canal, which improved the connection from the North Sea to the Baltic Sea, and the Corinth Canal, which cut through Greece and was inaugurated in 1893. Shipping companies became a highly influential economic factor, whose influence is also evident in the economic and political relations between nations – reminiscent of today's technology companies, which are more powerful than any government.

In Britain, following the acceleration of the Industrial Revolution and the conquest of India, and then Egypt, it began to grow cotton itself and built a cheap textile industry that was sold all over the world. At that time, public companies and the stock exchange were created, which severed the direct connection between the factory and its shareholders. The stock exchange, on which these shares were traded, also began to increase its influence on the course of economic life. However, this is where the retreat began: the capitalists and banks, who represented the small savers, thought only about profits and sometimes invested their capital in dubious and inefficient enterprises, which led to frequent comprehensive economic crises.

The Great Collapse of Globalization

After a period of economic boom, there came a period of depression in which prices fell, production contracted, and unemployment rose. To reduce the depression, factory owners—and later the leaders of many countries—took to acquiring colonies or areas of economic influence, in order to increase the sales capacity of their products. On the other hand, these countries closed their domestic markets to competition by imposing tariffs on imports.

The principles of economic liberalism, which triumphed in England with the abolition of tariffs on grain imports in 1846, held sway for almost the entire second half of the 19th century. The advantage of globalization was especially important for Britain, where industry had a technological advantage. Other European countries sought to protect their markets from British goods and imposed high tariffs. Britain began to feel the pressure of industrial competition and concluded that it must impose tariffs and protect its industries, both in its home territory and in its many colonies. Thus began the race for colonialism, which swept along countries such as Spain, Portugal, the Netherlands, Germany, Italy, Japan, and even the United States. At its peak, in 1900, the British Empire controlled a quarter of the earth's surface. Through their empires, these countries ensured themselves protection from economic depression.

The two world wars and the acceleration of globalization processes

During the two world wars (1919–1939), globalization processes accelerated significantly, resulting in the expansion of economic, cultural, and technological ties between countries. The speed of technological developments – especially in the areas of transportation and communications – made the world more interconnected than ever before.

With the end of the war and the establishment of the Paris Peace Conference, a period of peace and prosperity followed between the two world wars, characterized by significant economic, technological, and industrial development. Advanced industries, such as the automotive, aviation, electronics, and communications industries, grew rapidly, and agricultural modernization, along with improvements in infrastructure such as roads and railways, led to an improvement in the standard of living. On the social level, there was progress in the status of women and in the promotion of racial equality. However, global crises such as the Great Depression caused economic hardship, unemployment, and political tension, contributing to the rise of extremist ideologies, the establishment of fascist movements in the West, the rise of the Nazis to power, and the outbreak of World War II.

Hollywood became a global center for film production, and its films were distributed worldwide, influencing culture and fashion in many countries. In addition, international civil aviation began - for example, Pan Am, founded in 1927, opened international air routes and facilitated the movement of goods and people between countries. In the field of communication, the establishment of the BBC allowed the dissemination of information and culture to many countries and increased global awareness.

These processes led to the creation of a "global village" and strengthened interdependence between countries, but at the same time posed new challenges - such as the need to regulate international trade and deal with external cultural influences.

The Great Depression and the Rise of Nationalism/Nationalism

In 1929, the Great Depression broke out – a global economic crisis that began in the United States and spread to many countries. The crisis caused bank failures, a sharp decline in industrial production, and a rise in unemployment. In response, many countries adopted protectionist policies, which restricted international trade by imposing tariffs and import restrictions. These measures undermined the process of globalization and led to a retreat in economic ties between countries.

The economic crisis has intensified nationalist sentiments in many countries. Nationalist and extremist movements, such as Nazism in Germany and Fascism in Italy, have come to power, emphasizing the supremacy of the nation and the need for economic independence. These countries have sought to reduce economic dependence on other countries, which has further undermined globalization.

The establishment of the League of Nations and attempts at international cooperation

After World War I, the League of Nations was established to maintain peace and promote international cooperation. However, the organization failed to prevent aggression by fascist states in the 30s, and the world began to slide toward World War II. The weakness of the League of Nations and its inability to enforce decisions contributed to deepening political and economic crises.

Trump is dismantling globalization again

When US President Donald Trump cancels the observance of International Holocaust Remembrance Day, he is demonstrating historical ignorance – precisely in a period comparable to the two periods of “de-globalization” that led to world wars. This raises questions about the future of globalization and may lead to the question: Are we approaching an era in which a third world war will arise?

Sources:

  • World War I – Wikipedia
  • Chronicles in the New Era, Volume 1958, Yavne Publishing, XNUMX

#Globalization, #WorldWar, #EconomicCrisis, #InternationalRelations, #GlobalConflict, #trump_deglobalisation

#deglobalization

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