What Are the General Reasons For War?
Posted: Monday, July 20, 2009
by David Tanguay
What are the general reasons for war?
Answer
War has been used for hundreds of thousands of years as a way of attaining a certain goal through the use of force.
Main reasons for war are:
Money and gold, kind of obvious reason, really.
Nationalism, asserting that my country is better than yours
Territorial gain, to give themselves more land to use
Resources, one of the biggest reasons is this one. Everyone wants to own valuable resources such as gold and oil, and if you don't have it, you will fight to obtain it.
Imperialism, for glory and for land
Racism, asserting that my race is better than yours (Nazi Germany V Russia is a good example; Hitler waged war on the Russians, who were perceived to be 'inferior' (Because they are Slavs. The word slave derives from Slav, who were the slaves of the Ottomans during the Middle Ages) to the Germans)
Revenge, taking back a loss
Future wars will probably be fought over drinkable water and forestry.
The above text taken from wikipedia encyclopedia
World War I photo
I served in Vietnam in the 60s during my training prior to going off to war we as marines were told we must fight to keep our freedom. We were told the North Vietnamese were the bad guys however; I was only 19 yeas of age at the time and you might say I was fighting blindly. Those doing all the fighting in combat are killing their fellow human beings for reasons dictated to them by their leaders.
Surely if we would let diplomacy work for us there would be no need for us or any nation to engage in war. Nevertheless, our politicians seem to lack in negotiating solutions they have no problem sending our troops into harms way.
Democracy is worth fighting for but we must not limit our way of life to ourselves alone if our way of life was taught to all nations the pros and cons would lead us on to a mutual understanding amongst ourselves.
To make your enemy your friend should be the goal of all nations. If we were to choose debates in forming our negotiations with all nations we may learn from our enemy and they may learn from us.
"There is nothing so likely to produce peace as to be well prepared to meet the enemy."
George Washington
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Top-level comments on this article: (9 total)All things being equal, there would be no war. And yet, all things will not be equal. Some nation will always have something some other nation wants, whether it's resources, industrial might, or a way of life. One of the ways to end war is with trade, of course, yet then again it's hard to imagine 'all things being equal' in that regard.One solution is to send those who wish to make war into the battlefield to see the horrors for themselves up close instead of sending some poor kid to do the deed.War, as with disease, is something we just might have to live with. We just don't have to like it very much.Nicely done.Please log in to respond to this comment.Thank you for commenting Mike, yes probably if our politicians would do the fighting then perhaps they would think twice before they engage in war.Please log in to respond to this comment.
Great article. Well done.War is an unfortunate inevitability to be avoided but not forgotten.Please log in to respond to this comment.Thank you for commenting Connor, yes I see no reason for war here in the 21st. century.Please log in to respond to this comment.
hi david,this is a great article, and of course, one close to my heart.for the next 8 years, 2 of my kids will be under the thumb of the military.their safety will be paramount in my mind.thanks for the article,my best,suePlease log in to respond to this comment.Yes Susan, you have two children serving in the military. I hope they are spared from going to war, thank you for commenting.Please log in to respond to this comment.
Fantastic article. Great points, and well written. I agree completely.
Please log in to respond to this comment.Thank you for commenting SydneyPlease log in to respond to this comment.
Excellent article. Main reasons make complete sense considering what wars are fought over.Please log in to respond to this comment.Yes, to me Sid, I don't see why we can't do away with war once and for all.Please log in to respond to this comment.
PRESIDENT BUSH WILL BE CONSIDERED THE BEST PRESIDENT EVER ONE DAY!Please log in to respond to this comment.I highly disagree with you Billy BobPlease log in to respond to this comment.
Blip.
Mmmm.
Yeah true.Please log in to respond to this comment.Thank you for commenting JoePlease log in to respond to this comment.
I look at War (In any Global Region) as "Bullying". Super-Power Countries that are on a school playground who see that another country has something they want (Oil, Minerals, Lucrative Commercial Resources) and they take it by any and sometimes every means possible.
War is never embraced with open arms. Wars that have been and gone have taken many innocent human lives, although some may say that "Nobody is innocent in war".
To many citizen's of the UK, a Soldier's Welcome has been downsized by the previous "Heroes Welcome", simply because of the above "Phrase" that has been bored into our countries system by those that are against war, or who's country it is that the war is being fought.
And, so that people believe that I have no experience on the subject, my Father fought in the Second World War, and I served three years in King's Own Border Regiment (K.O.B) British Army. I did not experience conflict but for Queen and Country I would have gone into battle. Not with open arms, but because it was that which I signed up to do, with the oath to serve my country against tyranny and terrorism.
Your article is very well researched and I really do like reading your work. Thank you for sharing with the Community.Please log in to respond to this comment.
Yes Marcus, I see no reason for war today's world. Thanks for commentingPlease log in to respond to this comment.
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