FREE ESSAY ON WAR

WAR

The Frequency of Armed International Conflict In the 20th Century
In 1962 there was a conflict between three nations so grim their actions could have
affected the entire world. The Cuban missile crisis of 1962 was a very tense moment in
history; these nations were almost at the brink of nuclear warfare. This is one of many
armed international conflicts in the 20th century. Another name more commonly recognized
for these conflicts is war, which means disputes between two governments or more. What
causes nations to fight amongst each other threatening lives and risking their own as
well? 
The immediate causes behind armed international conflicts are land & need of natural
resources, religious beliefs, nationalism, and economics. History has taught us that many
battles have been fought over land and need for natural resources. It is the basis of
supply and demand, but the method used in order to meet equilibrium is more aggressive.
For example a nation is very overpopulated and the people are suffering because there is
a lack of resources. The neighboring nation has a low population and they have a large
surplus. The extreme measure is that they will be taken over by a country in need or they
will fight to defend themselves. Religious conflicts are very common and they range in
differences such as land or dispute in beliefs. Many fight over land they believe it is
sacred to their religion because it is a historical monument supporting their beliefs or
of great significance. People are very patriotic towards their homeland and believe that
it is superior towards opposing nations. Nationalistic behavior can range from a simple
citizen would pays taxes and support his country to a person who is willing to inflict
destruction in order to help his country prosper even die for them. Economics is very
large incentive in international conflicts because money is very important to every
nation. Many fight everyday just because of economic issues such as land that has a very
high value and much more.
The most significant of all the causes that steer towards international conflict are
religious beliefs, nationalism, and economics. Religious beliefs is of great importance
because is has been the cause of many conflicts in the past and it is in the present.
Religious beliefs during International conflicts have been the root to mass persecution
and acts of terrorism. A primary example of this is the continuous fight between the
people of Palestine who are mainly Muslim and Israel who are mainly Jews. Both nations
have been fighting with each other over lands that they both claim to be very sacred to
their own religion. They have both used military power to fight for this important area
and even the people of both nations have gone further to fight in the streets throwing
stones at soldiers armed with guns. They believe in what they are doing and are willing
to die for it. Nationalism is the promotion and emphasis of one country and culture. This
is not necessarily a bad thing but it can very easily get out of control to the point
where it is dangerous. In 1933 the Nazi Regime came to power in Germany lead by Adolph
Hitler. He believed that the Aryan race was superior and that other ethnic groups were
bridling the success of their nation. He believed that these people should be done away
with this term was called ethnic cleansing. At the time there was a dense population of
Jews in Europe. They remained in terror from about 1933 to 1944 while Hitler was in power
and he spread almost all cross Europe. Under his power millions of Jews were slaughtered
in both work and death camps. One of the most important of all causes of international
conflicts is economics. Many have fought over land that is of value because money matters
in life. In the beginning on the 20th century Britain concluded a war with the Orange
free States called the Boer War. Britain had settled colonies on the most southern tip of
Africa now Cape Cod and after sometime Britain stopped supporting them and left. Right
after the release of the colony large quantities of gold and diamonds were discovered.
Britain tried to just resume control of the colony but the people fought back. The War
lasted for 4 years until it ended leaving Britain the victor. During the war Britain made
loans to keep the war going, because they believed that if they win it would pay off in
the long run. The British would have never taken interested had not these materials been
discovered in those colonies. A more recent example was Operation Dessert Storm when Iraq
invaded Kuwait, a place that's economy is based on oil. Iraq, lead by Saddam Hussein
wanted to spread their power taking over other neighboring countries. Many nations formed
an alliance that fought in the defense of Kuwait stopping Iraq's advance. Some argue that
the intent of the alliance was to aid Kuwait and stop Iraq but some contend it was all
about oil. The region of the Middle East is well known for its excessi ve amount of oil,
which is one of the most important natural resource to us today. When Iraq invaded Kuwait
they financially endangered many nations who depend on oil within that area. 
The ultimate cause to the frequency of armed international conflict in the 20th century
is human nature. It is human nature for man to fight against man especially if he feels
threatened or if is the only way to survive. In human nature if a person is push beyond
logical reasoning such as talking about things he instead react in a way that is beyond
his control. When watching the news you can see people in Palestine throwing rocks at
soldiers who are armed with guns and they know they are no match. They are fighting and
killing over something that is of religious value to both of them. In all religion it
teaches you to love thy neighbor but that is not even recognized by the people fighting.
They are so determined to prevail that they are willing to kill or be killed in the
process.
Armed international conflicts in the 20th century are caused by need for land & natural
resources, religious beliefs, nationalism, and economics. But it is ultimately caused by
human nature within us.