“We need to decide that we will not go to war, whatever reason is conjured up by the politicians or the media, because war in our time is always indiscriminate, a war against innocents, a war against children. War is terrorism, magnified a hundred times.” [1]
In this contemplative essay, I will be particularly reflecting on World War 2, concentrating on the allies (UK/USA particularly) and Germany and how their actions impacted lives across their homelands. I will synoptically assess the quote using the following subheadings:
• False promises
• Propaganda
• The war of the innocents
• What is a ‘just’ war?
• and subsequently the conclusion
False promises
We need to decide that we will not go to war
The American people took a similar resolve …show more content…
Eager to serve their leader and display their ‘maturity’, Hitler’s ‘purest creation’ were but innocent youths, robbed of their playful childhoods and expected to sacrifice their very lives to the state. Jost Hermand, once a Hitler youth, stated that the “constant drumbeat of militarism” led some boys to be enamoured with the “idea of death of the battlefield” [10].
However, in Britain, unlike the Kinder (children); Kriche (church); Küche (kitchen) policy that swept the Germany’s heart; women in British society were being forcibly conscripted as wartime production expectations were not being met. It took a secret report produced by Sir William Beveridge for the government to consider women being involved in the war at all. His emphasis that woman conscription was ‘unavoidable’ lead to the conscription of women between 18-60 year old and they were assigned into certain field and jobs. “Many women, however, were eventually to work - and die - under fire” [12]. These women become martyrs, unsung heroes who were mourned for or recognised for their sacrifices made for their country’s sake …show more content…
What is a ‘just’ war?
War is terrorism, magnified a hundred times
It is clear that Zinn whole-heartedly believed that war is an act of terrorism. A crime of the highest degree. Nevertheless, what is a ‘just’ war and when is it ever expectable?
Conditions for a Just War/The ethics of war theory was developed by Thomas Aquinas (1225-74) and Francisco de Vitoria (1483-1546) is still heavily in use by devout Christians till today. The theory differentiated the right to go to war and how to conduct one’s self during a war:
1. Just cause
2. Right
In this contemplative essay, I will be particularly reflecting on World War 2, concentrating on the allies (UK/USA particularly) and Germany and how their actions impacted lives across their homelands. I will synoptically assess the quote using the following subheadings:
• False promises
• Propaganda
• The war of the innocents
• What is a ‘just’ war?
• and subsequently the conclusion
False promises
We need to decide that we will not go to war
The American people took a similar resolve …show more content…
Eager to serve their leader and display their ‘maturity’, Hitler’s ‘purest creation’ were but innocent youths, robbed of their playful childhoods and expected to sacrifice their very lives to the state. Jost Hermand, once a Hitler youth, stated that the “constant drumbeat of militarism” led some boys to be enamoured with the “idea of death of the battlefield” [10].
However, in Britain, unlike the Kinder (children); Kriche (church); Küche (kitchen) policy that swept the Germany’s heart; women in British society were being forcibly conscripted as wartime production expectations were not being met. It took a secret report produced by Sir William Beveridge for the government to consider women being involved in the war at all. His emphasis that woman conscription was ‘unavoidable’ lead to the conscription of women between 18-60 year old and they were assigned into certain field and jobs. “Many women, however, were eventually to work - and die - under fire” [12]. These women become martyrs, unsung heroes who were mourned for or recognised for their sacrifices made for their country’s sake …show more content…
What is a ‘just’ war?
War is terrorism, magnified a hundred times
It is clear that Zinn whole-heartedly believed that war is an act of terrorism. A crime of the highest degree. Nevertheless, what is a ‘just’ war and when is it ever expectable?
Conditions for a Just War/The ethics of war theory was developed by Thomas Aquinas (1225-74) and Francisco de Vitoria (1483-1546) is still heavily in use by devout Christians till today. The theory differentiated the right to go to war and how to conduct one’s self during a war:
1. Just cause
2. Right