Post on 04-Jan-2016
Halford Mackinder
Early Life:
Born in Gainsborough Lincolnshire, England
Mackinder went to Epsom College, boarding school in Surrey, from 1874-1880
University of Oxford
He specialized in biology (received highest honors) 1883, then studied modern history
Shifted to Geography- divided into physical and human geography
Went to study law after Oxford at Middle Temple
Became barrister in 1886
1861-1947
Theory:
1904- Mackinder wrote a paper “The Geographical Pivot of History” known as Heartland Theory
○ Suggests that controlling Eastern Europe was important to control the world
■ Hypothesis
● “Who rules East Europe commands the Heartland; who rules the Heartland commands the World-Island; who rules the World-Island commands the world.” (1919)
● No more land to conquer: there will be a struggle for dominance, any winner would make a world empire
○ The world was divided into two parts: “world-island” Eurasia and Africa and everything else (Periphery)
○ Any power which controlled the World-Island would control well over 50% of the world's resources
■ Main point: whoever controlled Eastern Europe “Heartland” controls Asia, Europe, and Africa (world-island)
Theory:
Influences:
Foreign policies of world powers
Germany
German Karl Haushofer applied this theory during the Third Reich; to take control
United States
Theory was only designed for Eurasia
Ways to Prevent this:
Mackinder knew this theory would create war
He believed that this would lead to the dictatorship of Germany
Elaborated on the concept of “one world,” and the need for establishment of regional powers
During World War II, NATO was created to stop world power
Activity:Heartland
Inner Crescent
Outer Crescent
Bibliography:
Bradley, Niall. "Geopolitics of Empire: Mackinder's Heartland Theory and the Containment of Russia -- Sott.net." SOTT.net. Quantum Future, 2 Apr. 2014. Web. 20 Sept. 2015. <http://www.sott.net/article/276668-Geopolitics-of-Empire-Mackinders-Heartland-Theory-and-the-Containment-of-Russia>.
Crone, G. (n.d.). Sir Halford John Mackinder | British political geographer. Retrieved September 20, 2015, from http://www.britannica.com/biography/Halford-John-Mackinder
Fettweis, C. (2000, May 9). PARAMETERS, US Army War College Quarterly - Summer 2000. Retrieved September 20, 2015, from http://strategicstudiesinstitute.army.mil/pubs/parameters/Articles/00summer/fettweis.htm
Halford Mackinder. (2014, August 27). Retrieved September 20, 2015, from http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Halford_Mackinder
Hee, R. (2005, July 18). V24N3 - World Conquest : The Heartland Theory of Halford J. Mackinder. Retrieved September 20, 2015, from http://www.mindef.gov.sg/safti/pointer/back/journals/1998/Vol24_3/8.htm
Semps, F. (2000, February 1). Sempa | Mackinders World (I). Retrieved September 20, 2015, from �http://www.unc.edu/depts/diplomat/AD_Issues/amdipl_14/sempa_mac1.html
Rubenstein, James. "Chapter 8: Political Geography." The Cultural Landscape: An Introduction to Human Geography. Tenth ed. Upper Saddle River NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall, 2011. 238-271. Print.