As many say, “Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much”. This statement is compatible to not only people and jobs, but to countries. If countries never came together and kept themselves isolated in their own world, those places never get the opportunity to learn and strive for greatness, as well as see all the different views and sides from other leaders in their countries. Also, the leaders of the countries will be able to become allies, which is always a bonus when events in the world take a turn.
Therefore, as all countries from around the world interact with one another, countries will begin to come together, form allies, and strengthen their home. Proven from numerous events in history, such as the World Wars, there are many countries who despised one another and keep themselves isolated. Although the leaders of those isolated countries may have thought putting a wall up between the country and everyone else was only for protecting the land, in reality, the torn away country was only being damaged.
From Source A, “Map of African partition during European imperialism in the late 1800s”, there is a picture of a map of Africa being controlled by the French and the British. At this time in the 1800s, ninety-five percent of Africa was being imperialized by Europe, leaving Africa with many problems. One of the complications that Africa had faced was the loss of money. Also, since there were so many countries in Africa that had been divided from one another, many problems outbroke. This similar situation can be shown in Source B, an excerpt taken from Gandhi’s letter during his time prison.
Gandhi explained how India has become “so that poor that she has little power of resisting famines” (Source B). When the British took control of India, the two were supposed to both find their advantages of the ruling. However, the only group that found benefits were the British. With the British overpowering, India began to suffer, and alike Africa’s case, India became extremely poor. Also, Gandhi even said that the mess the British made will be “carried on for the exploitation of the masses… ” (Source B).
If the British had never came to India and Africa (also including the French for Africa), the countries would most likely not be as poor and damaged as presumed to be today. Instead, if the British and French had formed together with the two countries properly, giving both an equal amount of benefits and not isolating from the rest of the life in the world, all four of the countries would serve more effectively and positively with interaction. In many conflicts with countries, it is important to have allies so when there are outbreaks of battle and war, there are countries who will work together to win the fight.
Also, without friendship and peace between countries, the world will never been completely settled. In Source C the Egyptian President Anwar Sadat, United States President Jimmy Carter and Isreali Prime Minister Menachem Begin are all together in the United States to negotiate the treaty, The Camp David Accords. This treaty would be the peaceful way to settle the disputes between Israel and one of the Arab neighbors. The United States was present to help by allowing this treaty to be done is a top secret place known as Camp David.
In the picture, all three leaders are smiling, which represents that since the leaders are comfortable and friendly with one another, the countries will be the same way. This form of allies will only benefit the interactions and give leverage to all three countries, since if a time of war is called, any of the countries will know who is reliable when help if needed. Furthermore, the strength of allies is demonstrated in Source D. This document from Marco Polo demonstrates the importance of the unification of countries through the structure of The Palace of Kublai Khan.
Polo describes all of the walls in the palace and how each wall is able hold each other up, as well as representations in the palace like knights and birds. These representations can be used to portray the people within the country. Then, Polo writes, “This roof is made too with such strength and solidity that is fit to last forever. ” (Source D). This quote written by Marco Polo symbolizes that if countries were to come together as allies the strength and power between those countries would continue to be sturdy and last forever.
Both documents are able to signify with a form of alliance between countries, their will be more positive interaction with one another, as well as benefits. If countries choose to dislike each other and not want to be associated with one another, then in the future it will only lead to chaos and a disperse of negative factors when ultimately, the interactions should be positive. One of the massive factors that a country looks to do is become stronger; no country wants to become weak.
Often, when trying to make a country stronger, there will be a desperate need of help from others. This form of attempt in strengthening can be seen in Source E when the United States craves help from Japan. To begin, President Millard Fillmore does state that the two countries do have a strong bond, which presents that the countries are allies. However, the United States is only looking to find benefits in strengthening their country, which is what may make Japan turn a shoulder. Some of these benefits include coal and trading, which is all about the production of money.
All countries are in search to get as much money for the country because with money brings wealth, and without wealth, a country is most likely not going to be successful. America clearly was looking out for themselves and striving to make the country stronger and superior, but if America had looked out for Japan’s attempt of uprising, the U. S. could have gotten what they wished for. Interaction is key; it cannot be viewed as a negative factor because then the only interacting that will be done between countries is shooting and trying to deteriorate the opponent.
In connection to Source B, when the British took over India, the English were only attempting to make their homeland country more wealthy and powerful. By doing this, it led to India suffering for a lifetime, according the Gandhi. While the British were only trying to become stronger, the country’s attempts and rulings only created an enemy. If the British would have given India some freedom and advancements, the British as a whole would have achieved so much and become very powerful, and would probably have the ability to continue to control India if the country was ruling well.
Although, since the opposite was occurring, the countries from both documents (The United States and British), which were the ones who only wanted more strength, lost their chance and had to find other valid options. Or, the two had to find an equality between the goal and the help. If countries were to be equal with one another, positive interactions would always be made, which then would allow the world to unite as one. Through each document, all countries around the world will interact the most efficiently when not being isolated, countries create bonds, and offer or attempt to get help when trying to improve their home land.
When it comes to reality, the world is made up of all different types of countries; some that are wealthy, some that are poor, or are culturally and religiously different. However, if countries were to put their differences aside and learn how to positively interact, every country would be able to grow as years come and make a tremendous amount of progress. Not everything can be done on its own; especially when it comes to the continuation of building a country. When the day comes that all countries can uniformly interact and be positive towards one another, will be the day when the best and most massive changes are created.
