Justification of War Essay Example

behavior must be. From the point of view of the English, it was an entirely justifiable decision. At this point you might think the answer to the question is yes, war can be justified. However, if one considers the point of view of the Germans, who started the war, this war was in no way right. None of their decisions can be justified; they left the British with no choice but to wage war, by invading Poland. The Nazis were waging war for power, killing millions of people just for a small personal gain. This action cannot be justified, but the decision to declare war on Germany was justified. So WW2 was justified. That means that some wars need to be fought.

In order to protect certain human values wars will always be fought. There will always be reasons for going into war, that at the time most people agree with. Take the Iraq wars fought by America and various terrorist organisations within Iraq. At the time America declared war, it was right after 9/11, the entire country was hurt, shocked, and angry that someone could do this. There was almost no choice but to retaliate at the time, and everyone supported the decision. However, now, in hindsight, many people view it as a mistake, as a war that ruined America’s economy, and led to the loss of tens of thousands of lives. This is the thing that is so complicated about war. Many could argue that the war was justified and necessary. However many others still could argue that if we had just acted as the bigger men many lives could have been

spared on both sides. The problem with this is what is to stop the terrorists from attacking again? Eventually the violence would reach a point where war is inevitable.

Freedom is something most people would die for. Many would say life isn’t worth living if one isn’t free. A common cause of war is the rising up against a dictator or oppressive party, in order to gain independence. These wars are very often justifiable, as people willing to sacrifice themselves in the hope that perhaps in the future things will improve. In Libya the people rose up against dictator Gaddafi in a bloody conflict for their freedom. Many died in just a few months, but all those who fought we ready to die for hope. In the end, Gaddafi was killed, and a democracy formed. I’m sure that if those who died could see the outcome they would be pleased with their sacrifice. Now the world is a better place due to the heroic actions of a group of people. That is an example of a war that is truly justified and necessary.

To say that war is justified also brings about the problem of whether the ends justify the means. I think that in some cases they do. If the result is that the world is a better place than what is was before, most people would be willing to sacrifice their lives. This is why so many people enlist in the army; they know that they can do something to actually make a difference. This is an opportunity many of us will never have in our lifetimes, and soldiers are willing

to die for the greater good. That is the whole idea of war. That even though it should always be a last resort, and avoided at all costs, sometimes it is necessary, and can bring about change for the good.

In conclusion, war can be justified. If humans didn’t think war was justifiable we wouldn’t have been fighting them for as long as we have existed. Perhaps one day a war will bring about our extinction, and it is certain that that war will not be justifiable. However many wars have brought about great change such as the abolishment of slavery, the ending of tyranny, the prevention of Genocide, and the gaining of freedom. War is bloody, horrific and terrible. But it is necessary. We have always fought wars and we always will, for it is in our nature to hope for a better world, and when all other means of trying to get these fail, War is inevitable. It is the last resort, but so often it is the only thing that brings about real change.