Why nations go to war?
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We are told that there are many reasons why nations go to war and history shows this. Nations go to war to gain access to new lands, economic resources, promote or defend religious beliefs and due to political conflict. Whether it is right or wrong is arguable, but wars have certainly shaped the world to what it is today. I see the reasons why nations go to war as including rivalry, power, greed, religion, racial differences and hatred. The Pravda writes "...regardless of the reasons for going to war, what the war costs in debt, inflation and loss of rights and freedoms and the sacrifices of blood go beyond any benefits perceived or real."
From Hermann Göring:
"Why, of course, the people don't want war. Why would some poor slob on a farm want to risk his life in a war when the best that he can get out of it is to come back to his farm in one piece? Naturally, the common people don't want war; neither in Russia nor in England nor in America, nor for that matter in Germany. That is understood. But, after all, it is the leaders of the country who determine the policy and it is always a simple matter to drag the people along, whether it is a democracy or a fascist dictatorship or a Parliament or a Communist dictatorship... the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same way in any country." |
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So the leaders and governments make the decision for war for whatever reason and then sell it to the people. In the past it was through such ways as appealing to loyalty and using peer pressure and fear. Today as we are finding out with a free press, the reasons sold to us for the decision to fight may not be entirely truthful.
Why Australia has gone to war?
The reason Australia has gone to war spans from the near destruction of the Aboriginals by Europeans to the wars of today. These wars throughout our short history have had an influence on shaping our society and national identity, including that of the Anzac spirit. The reasons Australia has gone to war has been influenced by our culture at the time and also our unique location.
Australia is a rich country due to its natural resources and due to its location difficult to invade. In fact only once in WWII was our nation directly threatened. So why have we participated in so many wars? The Financial Review writes "...to understand (why Australia has gone to war), we must begin by noting that its isolation does not necessarily make it secure. From wool exported to Britain in 1901 to iron ore exported to China today, trade is essential and given our location it must go by sea. Australia is not in a position by itself to guarantee the security of its sea lanes so has always allied itself with leading powers."
Early in our history this was Britain. As a part of the British Empire we participated when Britain went to war, even after we became an independent nation. Australian people reacted to the news of the two world wars with great enthusiasm. They had a natural, strong sense of patriotism and loyalty to the 'mother country.' Most Australians still thought themselves as British and wanted to assist Britain's cause. When Britain declared war on Germany at the start of WWI the Australian government rapidly followed suit, "...when the Empire is at war, so also is Australia." Prime Minister Andrew Fisher declared "....we will stand beside the mother country to help and defend her to our last man and our last shilling." At the outbreak of WWII Prime Minister Menzies announced "Fellow Australians, it is my melancholy duty to inform you officially that in consequence of a persistence by Germany in her invasion of Poland, Great Britain has declared war upon her and that, as a result, Australia is also at war."
Early in our history this was Britain. As a part of the British Empire we participated when Britain went to war, even after we became an independent nation. Australian people reacted to the news of the two world wars with great enthusiasm. They had a natural, strong sense of patriotism and loyalty to the 'mother country.' Most Australians still thought themselves as British and wanted to assist Britain's cause. When Britain declared war on Germany at the start of WWI the Australian government rapidly followed suit, "...when the Empire is at war, so also is Australia." Prime Minister Andrew Fisher declared "....we will stand beside the mother country to help and defend her to our last man and our last shilling." At the outbreak of WWII Prime Minister Menzies announced "Fellow Australians, it is my melancholy duty to inform you officially that in consequence of a persistence by Germany in her invasion of Poland, Great Britain has declared war upon her and that, as a result, Australia is also at war."
Your King and Country Want You
- Paul Rubens.
We've watched you playing cricket and every kind of game,
At football, golf and polo you men have made your name.
But now your country calls you to play your part in war.
And no matter what befalls you
We shall love you all the more.
So come and join the forces
As your fathers did before.
Oh, we don't want to lose you but we think you ought to go.
For your King and your country both need you so.
We shall want you and miss you
But with all our might and main
We shall cheer you, thank you, bless you
When you come home again.
- Paul Rubens.
We've watched you playing cricket and every kind of game,
At football, golf and polo you men have made your name.
But now your country calls you to play your part in war.
And no matter what befalls you
We shall love you all the more.
So come and join the forces
As your fathers did before.
Oh, we don't want to lose you but we think you ought to go.
For your King and your country both need you so.
We shall want you and miss you
But with all our might and main
We shall cheer you, thank you, bless you
When you come home again.
Since the Second World war our ally has been the United States. It is said the reason Australia participated with the US in recent wars comes from our need to repay them for helping us in WWII and to make them feel as though they now owe us. The Australian War Memorial states "...there were many reasons for Australia's involvement in Korea, such as concern for the security of the region, and a desire to strengthen its military relationship with the US with a commitment of troops. This relationship was to prove a far-reaching one, it not only led to the ANZUS treaty, but influenced Australia's later commitment of troops to the war in Vietnam." The RSL writes that "Australian support for South Vietnam in the early 1960s was in keeping with the policies of other nations to stem the spread of communism..." So we joined their treaties and followed them off to wars so that we would be in a position to secure future concessions and guarantees. This continues today.
The primary reason for going to war with the US against Iraq was to destroy weapons of mass destruction. This has since been proven false. The Iraq War was morally wrong, illegal, unjustified and had many damaging consequences for Western interests. In 2008 former US secretary of state Madeleine Albright said that the invasion of Iraq was ''the greatest disaster in American foreign policy, worse even than Vietnam in its unintended consequences." Yet Australia was there and took on a role in supporting the US when they asked.
During this year the majority of Australia's troops will come home from the Afghanistan war. It is the longest ever conflict Australia has been involved in but also our least publicly documented. Throughout this war Australia's role was to support the United States in attempting to reduce the terrorist threat originating in Afghanistan. This war will be dealt with in detail on another page on this website.
The future of Australia supporting the US seems to remain focused within the Middle East. The Australian newspaper earlier this year reported that US officials said they expected that Britain and Australia would be willing to join them in an air campaign against the Islamic State extremist group. It goes on to say that the Abbott government is actively seeking an extended role for our forces and in fact in recent days more troops have been sent to the International force building in Iraq. Again it seems we need to show the US that we are loyal but what will be the cost? This war seems to be very different to what we have ever experienced.
During this year the majority of Australia's troops will come home from the Afghanistan war. It is the longest ever conflict Australia has been involved in but also our least publicly documented. Throughout this war Australia's role was to support the United States in attempting to reduce the terrorist threat originating in Afghanistan. This war will be dealt with in detail on another page on this website.
The future of Australia supporting the US seems to remain focused within the Middle East. The Australian newspaper earlier this year reported that US officials said they expected that Britain and Australia would be willing to join them in an air campaign against the Islamic State extremist group. It goes on to say that the Abbott government is actively seeking an extended role for our forces and in fact in recent days more troops have been sent to the International force building in Iraq. Again it seems we need to show the US that we are loyal but what will be the cost? This war seems to be very different to what we have ever experienced.