What's the most important region in the world? Beginning from basic assumptions about terrain's impact on human societies, Halford Mackinder's 'Heartland Thesis' reasons out a theory of literally worldwide dimensions. This video attempts to sketch out the theory's reasoning, puts his thought into proper historical and political context, assesses the Thesis' recommendations, and addresses a few criticisms.
Now with 100% less references to 'yellow peril', 'struggle between German and Slav', and 'Asiatics'.
SCRIPT: https://strategosstuff.blogspot.com/2020/05/script-examining-mackinders-heartland.html
All errors are my own. I apologize for the bad sound quality.
▬ CHAPTERS ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
0:00 - Introduction
0:56 - The Impact of Geography & Technology
2:13 - Background to the Heartland Thesis
4:05 - The World-Island
6:13 - The Heartland
9:16 - Potential Rulers of the Heartland
10:45 - Countering the Heartland
13:01 - Assessment and Conclusion
▬ SOURCES ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
Mackinder H. 'Democratic Ideals and Reality'. NDU Press 1996.
Mackinder H. 'The Geographical Pivot of History'. The Geographical Journal 170:4 Dec 2004.
Mackinder H. 'The Round World and the Winning of the Peace', Foreign Affairs Jul 1943. https://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/world/1943-07-01/round-world-and-winning-peace
Dugan A. 'Mackinder and His Critics Reconsidered', The Journal of Politics 24:2 May 1962.
Gray C. 'In Defence of the Heartland', Comparative Strategy 23:1 2004.
Kaplan R. The Revenge of Geography. Random House 2012.
▬ ATTRIBUTIONS ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
Google Maps
Google (Borders, Belt & Road Initiative)
Wikipedia (Basic facts)
I do accept responsibility for winging the boundaries of the European colonial empires (sorry Port Arthur, Tsingtao and Port Edward; sorry for French Djibouti and French India etc etc etc.)
Made using Powerpoint 2013.