What were some of the causes and effects of the peloponnesian war?

Answer 1

After the defeat of the Persian invasion in 480-479 BCE, Sparta wanted to repatriate all Greeks in Asia to mainland Greece to end the problem with Persia (this actually happened in 1923 CE, after World War 1 - foresight indeed!). Athens proposed an aggressive alliance against Persia, which as the dominant maritime power it had to lead.

Sparta had no interest in overseas adventurism, and readily ceded that leadership to Athens, which apportioned contributions to the alliance cities. Some met this in ships, most paid their way out of this, though some reneged and Athens collected the contributions by force. With only the islands Samos, Lesbos and Chios contributing ships, Athens had an overwhelming superiority in amphibious power, and the money to pay for it. This anti-Persian league then progressively became effectively an Empire of Athens.

A definite transition took place when the league defeated Persia in two sea and land battle at the Eurymedon River and Cyprus, resulting in a peace of 449 BCE which restricted Persian vessels from moving into Greek-controlled waters or interfering in Greek cities; the real reason for the league ceased to exist. For 'security' the treasury was moved from neutral Delos to Athens, and under Pericles' guiding hand this was squandered on beautification of Athens, keeping half of its citizens in public employment, and 100 ships in service enforcing collection of league (empire) membership dues. In addition Athens went to lengths to establish sympathetic radical democracies in league cities. As a side ethnic issue, the core of the Spartan alliance (Peloponnesian League) were Dorian Greeks of the Peloponnese peninsula; the Athenian empire comprised mainly the Ionian Greeks of Asia Minor and the Islands.

This polarisation of the reclusive Spartans and the adventurous Athenians spilt over when their respective allies clashed with each other - notably the Corcyra and Potidaia disputes with Corinth, and then Athens' trading ban on the Peloponnesian city of Megara. The series of clashes put allied pressure on Sparta to act, and after much foot dragging and with much trepidation it issued an ultimatum to Athens, which rejected it.

Athens was confident that the combination of its walls and amphibious power was more than a match for the largely land-bound Spartan alliance, and it rejected negotiation, preferring to maintain its naval dominance, and challenge Spartan league land dominance.

Neither side foresaw 27 years of warfare which devastated so much of the Greek world from Sicily to Asia, and coincidentally led to Persian influence in Greek affairs, and eventually Macedonian dominance.
Why did the Peloponnesians what? Ask a sensible question.

why did the pelopinnesain war start?the Athens were trying to take over all of Greece and Spartans didnt let them.

Answer 2

Athens and Sparta were two very strong, very different city-states that clashed almost inevitably in the Peloponnesian War. Disagreements over trade grew, and war broke out in 431 B.C. Athens' control of the Delian League was destined to inspire resentment in Sparta, who probably felt that they had not received just respect for their role in the victory over Persia. The actions taken by Athens caused further problems-the use of Delian money to strengthen Athens, and the enforcement of Athenian practices on other states ensured that Sparta would not have a hard time finding allies if it attacked Athens. The war quickly became one of land power versus sea experience-the Spartans were able to beat Athenians on land, but the ships of Athens made sure that the people were able to get food while holding their ground behind the walls of the city. Both sides fought on for many years, but disease, and Sparta's ability to strike key alliances eventually defeated Athens. However, the war took a toll on Greece as a whole. Political instability stunted Greece as it fought a series of small wars between city-states.

Answer 3

The Greek city-states, with ongoing confrontations, became polarised by Athens' use of the anti-Persian Delian League to further its own interests, prosperity and dominance. Its push for influence brought on formation of the Peloponnesian League led by Sparta to oppose it.

The result of this confrontation was the Peloponnesian War. Athens over-reached itself, and with Persian assistance the Peloponnesian League defeated Athens and stripped it of the empire it had created.

The city-states continued on with their habitual warfare under different pretexts and alignments. Sparta's temporary ascendancy after leading the Peloponnesian victory was ended by the ascendancy of Thebes, and Persia had to impose the King's Peace to stop the fighting spilling over into its enpire.

In this vacuum Macedonia siezed the opportunity to establish dominance, impose some peace in the Greek world, and harness its energies to take over the Persian Empire.

Answer 4

Athens had converted the anti-Persian league into an empire after peace had been arranged with Persia, by continuing to collect the financial levies and applying it for its own purposes - beautifying Athens and keeping half its citizens on the public payroll from the proceeds, and maintaining a dominant navy.

It also meddled in the affairs of the Greek cities which were not within its sway, using the navy to gather the taxes from the cities in its own empire. These cities not in its empire formed their own Peloponnesian League led by Sparta to oppose Athens, and the result was a call on Athens to desist over several disputes - among them Potidaia, Corcyra and Megara.

The Megara problem was its being banned from trading within the Athenian empire, which would ruin it. The Peloponnesian League demanded its repeal, Athens refused, and war broke out.

The war spread throughout the Greek world from Sicily to Asia Minor, lasting 27 years, and caused great destruction and loss of life. Athens lost and lost its empire, however this did not bring peace and prosperity - the Greek world was weakened but continued spradic wars. Sparta was temporarily dominant until defeated by Thebes.

To prevent it spilling over into its empire, Persia imposed the King's Peace to mimise the damage. Macedon used this weakness and division to impose its dominance over Greece.

Answer 5

Athens' unbridled urge for primacy in confrontation with the Peloponnesian League set up to limit it.

Answer 6

Dissatisfaction with Athen's growing empire: Apex

Answer 7

the cause