CAUSES OF WAR

Main Causes of War

War in the popular sense, a conflict between two or more groups or nations. War is not a new thing in International System. It starts from many years ago or we can say thousand years ago. Even in every religious book there is mention of war in any way. In ancient time there was only one type of war in which military directly come into fight with each other. But in today’s world there are other type of war also like cold war, proxy war etc. These war not even fought directly by rivalry states or groups. There are many causes of war like:

FOR WEALTH GAIN

In ancient time most of war was happen due to greed of wealth. Each nation wanted to gain wealth from another state and try to attack on them. Even in that time they attack on state and after exploit all wealth they give it back to same ruler. Their main aim in this war was to gain precious materials like gold, silver, cattle, horse etc. In modern times this wealth converts into resources like oil, minerals, raw material etc. To extract these resources powerful countries always try to dominate weak countries. In that situation most of the time war become their main tool. For example, British Rule on India or other nation, The Winter War etc.

 

TO EXPAND TERRITORY

Many countries try to gain more land for Agriculture, resources, or other purpose. So, they come into conflict with each other to gain more and more territory. In modern time most of the countries wants to gain territory especially for used as “buffer zones” between two rivalry countries to make military bases and for other use to make fear in enemy. For example, in Cold War era most of war was fought like this. USA and USSR both countries make many buffer zones to create fear in each other.

 

DOMINATION

Many countries try to dominate their revelry or enemy countries for wealth, status or other resources. They want to become powerful and, in this sense, they always try to dominate. Years ago, many countries accept this domination because there is lack of nationalism or some are so poor. But in modern time no country wants to become dominant so they came into conflict with that country and it turn into war.

 

RELIGION

There is nothing wrong with religion. It is very important to live good life. But sometimes extreme religion become problem. In this situation people doesn’t like other people who follow other religion. It creates hatred in them. Many countries in this international system have one religion in majority or whole so they try to conflict with other countries on the basis of religion. This creates war among these nations. Sometimes within religion have different sections like Protestant and Catholic or Sunni and Shiite etc. These sections also create conflict and want to become superior from other. ThirtyYears War (1618-1648) is the best example of this.

REVENGE

It is most important cause of any war. Many countries try to take revenge for history events. They always try to wait for accurate time and came into the war. And then after that defeated country again try to take revenge later.  This can be led to endless chain when they try to take revenge turn wise. Germany tries to take revenge for First World War and this gave birth to Second World War.

 

NATIONALISM

Nationalism is a very good concept to enhance any country. Through nationalism many countries became able to take freedom from foreign rule. But after some time, this nationalism converts into imperialism. In this situation every country where is nationalism take place, they want to become superior. They try to conquer other countries to attain honor. Racism is also linked with it. Particular community try to make superior themselves and make other feel like foreigner within their own country. This also create hatred in community and nation and this convert into war anytime. World War First is the main example of this type of war in which extreme nationalism and patriotism create emotion in nation to become superior then other.

 

INTERNAL DISTURBANCE

Sometimes internal disturbance also create war within country like civil war and revolutionary war. Disagreement for some issues create many separate groups in countries. This groups come into conflict with each other and turn into civil war. There are many examples of civil war like American Civil War, Russian Civil War, Spanish Civil war etc. Sometime a large section of population create revolt against authority. This is called revolutionary war. This can begin various reasons like injustice done by ruling group or any law passed by government which create some discrimination and sometime to destroy ruling group to get freedom like French Revolution, Industrial Revolution.

 

In modern world war become more dangerous because there are now nuclear weapon or other military technique which can destroy whole world into some seconds. So, it is important that there should be have mature leader in every country which can avoid this destructive war.