Black Sea in the Geopolitical Concept of Mackinder in 1919

Abstract

        Famous British Geopolitician Halford Mackinder in his book published in 1919, “"Democratic ideals and reality" unlike to his different famous works, detailed discusses strategic role of black sea. This issue important for our country is less studied in the scientific literature.

For Mackinder black sea is part of Heartland. In the historical context of the issue after discussing (the Roman Empireand the Ottoman Empire), Mackinder detailed discusses the reality existing for the beginning of the 20^th century.  For Russian Empire theBlack Sea, in case of owning Bosper andDardanellStrait, was a road to theMediterranean Sea, which was unacceptable for the leading European states, and forced them to unite againstRussia.Black Sea gained a great geopolitical importance forGermany, for whom it was road toMiddle East andCentral Asia.

In the First World War was observed Interest of Germany inCaucasusrecourses, toward which they were moving through different ways. During the collapse of the Russian Empire, the goal of the Germans was the support of the allocated countries fromRussia, includingGeorgia, and to receive the benefit from them, which was a step towards subversion of "Heartland".

Under the conditions of the post First World War reality, Mackinder most of all was concerned about possible German and Russian relationship for future. After comparing the Baltic andBlack Seahe concludes it is easier to control theBlack Seafor maritime countries, and in this way it will be possible to protect the states betweenGermanyandRussia.

The concern expressed in the work that in case of war first of all the Germans will attack to theEastern Europewhich would lead their dominance overRussiaand consequently on the reaches resources of “Heartland” was real and soon it came true.  Hitler's declared goal - "Vital Space in East", the Second World War turned into reality.  The first country to which Hitler stroke was the East European Poland, which in Fourier’s opinion would be the corridor to conquer toRussia, according to the Mackinder to conquer “Heartland”.

Today's situation is significantly different from the current or hypothetical reality described by Mackinder. Consequently, Mackinder’s analysis is important in the context of the historical review of the issue. However, theBlack Seageopolitics did not lose its actuality and should be given considerable attention to its study.