The Problem of War and Peace (Essay Sample)

THE PROBLEM OF WAR AND PEACE
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The Problem of War and Peace
The history of war is an integral part of human history. Armed conflict is a problem older than recorded history may provide. However, a study into specific time periods and regions gives insight into the problem of war and peace. The history of warfare is associated with the development of diplomacy, institutional management, culture and administration, as well as the development of weapons by man. Modern warfare trends can be traced to western civilization. It emerged as a means of resolving challenges associated with human existence and was replicated in various parts of the world including Europe. Warfare tactics and weapons have also continued to evolve with time. This has been necessitated by changes in technology and other dynamics in societies. Modern military revolutions can be associated with events that took place during and after the industrial revolution. Modern warfare tactics and weapons emerged after the adoption of research as a driver of the economy. Although the history of war dates back to the era before civilization, more important aspects of warfare are associated with western civilization.
Thesis statement
Evolution of modern war can be traced to the development of western civilization and revolutions. Warfare, like other skills gained by man over time, evolved as an effort of confronting challenges faced by man in complex societies.
Emergence of Modern Warfare
Industrial revolution was associated with numerous changes in Europe and beyond. The means of production were no longer controlled by individual families but by wealthy factory owners. Reserch and innovation became the core drivers of the economy. Consequently, there was the discovery of new tools and weapons for war and other combat activities. Prior to the industrial revolution, military advancement had stagnated and European countries made use of tactics introduced in the 16th century by the Dutch. These tactics included the volley technique which had been developed by Count Maurice and others. Three aspects of the industrial revolution induced changes in the military. These were greed for more, necessity to combat enemy and curiosity. Some of the changes in military fronts included development of warships and improvement of existing weapons.
The first revolutionary change in the military was the improvement of the Bayonet during the industrial revolution. The Bayonet proved to be an effective weapon which replaced the pikes. This revolutionary change caused the French and the British to abadone pikes in 1703 and 1704 respectively. It also introduced new forms of offensive and defensive warfare. The second revolutionary change was the improvement of the Masket. European militants made use of Maskets and Bayonets for some time before the mass production of guns and gunpowder . Although Maskets and Bayonets pre-industrial revolution weapons, industrial revolution led to their improvement.
The development of guns and gunpowder marked another milestone in European warfare. Gunpowder was useful in a number of armed conflicts that included the great northern war, the seven year’s war, Napoleonic war, the French revolt, Danish, Prussian war, Austro-Prussian war, and the Franco-Prussian war. These wars involved supremacy battles and the desire to control resources. Militants were uniformed and used sophisticated weapons, which were being improved on a regular basis.
Impacts of Warfare on European Societies
Warfare has negative and positive implications in societies. European wars changed the economic, political and social landscapes of Europe. Loosing parties were required to compensate the winning party. Consequently, the losing party was left economically weak. Compensation was made in various ways, including the division of territories. HYPERLINK "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alsace-Lorraine" \o "Alsace-Lorraine"Alsace-Lorraine, for example, was traded several times between Germany and France. Each time it was traded, one party was left economically weak owing to its economic benefits. Wars were also responsible for the creation of political alliances between various parties in Europe. The Napoleonic Wars and the French Revolution, for example, caused six European coalitions to emerge. These coalitions led to the development of economic ideologies of unity, which characterize the modern day Europe. Wars also caused cultural changes by influencing literature and other pieces of work. Writers all over the world captured European wars and invasions in their pieces of work. African writers such as Chinua Achebe vehemently covered the theme of warfare in their writing.
The fear of Military invasion in Europe caused social and structural changes among European societies. Fear of Napoleon invasion in 1803, for instance, was responsible for Britain identity as a unified state. It is this fear that forced the public to rally behind the military creating a policy of unification among Britons. Wars also influenced culture and fashions. In Britain, military operations flooded the market with Briton Army fashion that has been carried over time to characterize modern day trends. Wars also provided employment for various local citizens who were enlisted to participate in the military.
Warfare also caused poverty among European locals. The fear of invasion reduced affected economic activities such as trade and agricultur...