Difference between revisions of "Sphere of influence"
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The term "sphere of influence" first appeared in the division of [[Africa]] at the Berlin Conference of 1884 – 1885, which apportioned dominance of the continent between [[Britain]], [[Belgium]], [[France]], [[Germany]], [[Italy]], [[Portugal]], and [[Spain]]. In 1885, a [[bilateral]] agreement between [[Great Britain]] and [[Germany]] divided control of the Gulf of Guinea between them. Each undertook not to interfere in the interests of the other in its designated sphere. In 1890, the two concluded a similar division of spheres of influence in East Africa. | The term "sphere of influence" first appeared in the division of [[Africa]] at the Berlin Conference of 1884 – 1885, which apportioned dominance of the continent between [[Britain]], [[Belgium]], [[France]], [[Germany]], [[Italy]], [[Portugal]], and [[Spain]]. In 1885, a [[bilateral]] agreement between [[Great Britain]] and [[Germany]] divided control of the Gulf of Guinea between them. Each undertook not to interfere in the interests of the other in its designated sphere. In 1890, the two concluded a similar division of spheres of influence in East Africa. | ||
| − | == | + | ==Post-World War II== |
The concept of spheres of influence inspired the organization of the [[United Nations Security Council]], whose permanent members each brought with them dominance of distinct groups of other countries. The [[General Assembly]], by contrast, enshrines the principle of the sovereign equality of states. | The concept of spheres of influence inspired the organization of the [[United Nations Security Council]], whose permanent members each brought with them dominance of distinct groups of other countries. The [[General Assembly]], by contrast, enshrines the principle of the sovereign equality of states. | ||
Revision as of 02:47, June 13, 2026
A sphere of influence by a country is a foreign geographic region ("sphere") in which that country has trading or investment rights, or more broadly, political or cultural influence.
For example, Britain enjoyed spheres of influence in many regions of the world during the 19th centuries.
Origins
The term "sphere of influence" first appeared in the division of Africa at the Berlin Conference of 1884 – 1885, which apportioned dominance of the continent between Britain, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Portugal, and Spain. In 1885, a bilateral agreement between Great Britain and Germany divided control of the Gulf of Guinea between them. Each undertook not to interfere in the interests of the other in its designated sphere. In 1890, the two concluded a similar division of spheres of influence in East Africa.
Post-World War II
The concept of spheres of influence inspired the organization of the United Nations Security Council, whose permanent members each brought with them dominance of distinct groups of other countries. The General Assembly, by contrast, enshrines the principle of the sovereign equality of states.
In 1942 US President Franklin Roosevelt envisaged a post-World War II world order managed by what he called “the four policemen”, each of which would be responsible for maintaining peace in its sphere of influence. In his conception, Britain would be in charge in its empire and Western Europe, the Soviet Union in eastern Europe and the central Eurasian landmass, China in East Asia and the western Pacific, and the United States in the Western Hemisphere. At the insistence of British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, France was later added and recognized as responsible for the affairs of its empire.