The Enduring Issue of Conflict: From Imperialism to WWI and WWII

Introduction

Conflict is a very significant enduring issue in history. Conflict is a serious disagreement or argument. There can be conflict between individuals, groups of people, and even nations, is significant because it affects a lot of people and has long-lasting effects. Some issues of conflict; war; competition; armed struggle; resistance; invasions; threats to balance of power; over land acquisition; disputes over resources; disputes over resource use. These issues perfectly fit imperialism, WWI, WWII. There are a lot of conflicts between Japan and the USA such as disputes over resources, over land Acquisition, threats to balance of power. Japanese industrialization and militarism led to the desire for more territory and resources which created several conflicts with the USA. WWI and WWII are the perfect examples for the enduring issue of conflict because there is not just one conflict. The results of WWI conflict created more conflicts which resulted in another world war. Second World War, the conflict involved every part of the world during the years 1939–45. The main fighters were the Axis powers—Germany, Italy, and Japan—and the Allies—France, Great Britain, the United States, the Soviet Union, and to a lesser extent, China. Conflict is an enduring issue because throughout history people and nations always face problems, the results may vary for each conflict. An enduring issue is a challenge or problem that a society has faced and debated or discussed across time.

From Imperialism to World Wars

Imperialism is a policy or practice by which a country increases its power by gaining control over other areas of the world through military force. A nation's desire to expand can create a lot of conflicts. Alfred Thayer Mahan was an advocate for sea power and Western imperialism. In 1890, he published The Influence of Sea Power Upon History in which he says “'Whoever rules the waves rules the world”. In Digital History, explanation of the United States global expansion in the 19th century,'The United States Becomes a World Power,' 2014 its states, “To become a major naval power, the United States began to replace its wooden sailing ships with steel vessels powered by coal or oil in 1883. But control of the seas would also require the acquisition of naval bases and coaling stations.” This shows how before WWI, the USA was expanding in the seas. The conflict over land acquisition and disputes over resources is shown here. The results of this will cause more conflict.

The four reasons for WWI were; militarism - European powers built up large armies and challenged each other, alliances - countries were forced to enter into war when their allies were attacked, imperialism - European countries competed for colonies around the world, nationalism - countries were so proud of their countries and wanted to display their power. All these causes can be considered as conflicts or can create conflicts. The Zimmermann Telegram was a secret diplomatic communication issued from the German Foreign Office in January 1917 that proposed a military alliance between Germany and Mexico. Zimmermann states “we shall endeavor in spite of this to keep the United States of America neutral. In the event of this not succeeding, we make Mexico a proposal or alliance on the following basis: make war together, make peace Together” This is also is debited to be propaganda by British to get the USA in war. However, there is not enough evidence if that is true. The US was neutral for the first two years of the war. However they were still giving resources to the british thus Germany had warned Americans not to travel on the boat, which also carried weapons for England. German submarines sank the Lusitania, a boat carrying many Americans. This made the US enter WWI. On a side note document 1 shows trench warfare, which was used WW2, just like it was in WW1. The difference is in WW1, both sides were rarely successful in their attacks. In WW2, offensives were often successful, which resulted in a reset of the front lines, and requiring more trenches to be built. This is also an example conflict because it shows the issue of conflict; competition, armed struggle; resistance, invasions. When WWI ended with allies as the winning side. The big four Woodrow Wilson of the United States, David Lloyd George of the United Kingdom, Vittorio Emanuele Orlando of Italy, and Georges Clemenceau of France were the allies. President Wilson tried to ensure peace in the future by putting forward his Fourteen Points, the goal of which was not to place any blame for the war, but rather to have all nations cooperate peacefully. Wilson’s plan was rejected both by European nations, who punished Germany heavily in their Treaty of Versailles, and the U.S. Congress, which rejected the League of Nations, because they thought it would drag them into a future war in Europe. America entered a period of isolation.

The fact that the USA entered the period of isolation at the end of ww1, it didn't stay like that for too long. The US entered world war once again after the attack on Pearl Harbor by the Japanese. Prior to the attack on Pearl Harbor on the day of dec 7,1941, European countries tried to prevent war by giving in to the demands of Adolf Hitler, the Nazi leader in Germany. This policy of giving in is called appeasement. This is a perfect example of conflict resulting in another conflict. Hitler took advantage of his opponents’ policy of appeasement and took over Czechoslovakia and Austria and Hungary. When he invaded Poland, appeasement ended and WWII began.The two sides of the war were the Allies; England, France, the Soviet Union and, later, the U.S. and the Axis Powers; Germany, Italy, and Japan. Going back to the attack of Pearl Harbor, the reason for the Japanese attacks was that, Japan lacks industrial resources/oil/coal/iron ore and was interested in expanding to mainland Asia and into the Pacific to obtain them and nationalism led to Japan's desire to extend its sphere of influence to mainland Asia as other imperialists had done. The attack on Pearl Harbor made a war between the US and the Japanese. As Franklin D. Roosevelt said “I ask that the Congress declare that since the unprovoked and dastardly attack by Japan on Sunday, December 7th, 1941, a state of war has existed between the United States and the Japanese empire.” This is another conflict that happened. The issue of conflict discussed here is war, armed struggle, threats to balance of power, and disputes over resources. To end the war with less US soldiers dying the USA decided to throw an atomic bomb in Japan. Saving the lives of the soldiers was not the only reason for the bomb, it was to show the Soviet Union not to mess with us. Dropping the atomic bomb on Nagasaki ended World War II and Japanese expansion in the Pacific.It was Harry Truman’s decision to drop the bomb, because the other choice was to invade Japan, which would have led to many more American deaths. However the aftermath of the bombs was terrifying. The bombs radiation is still active. On August 6, 1945, the United States dropped its first atomic bomb from a B-29 bomber plane called the Enola Gay over the city of Hiroshima. When the Japanese did not immediately surrender, the United States dropped a second atomic bomb three days later on the city of Nagasaki. Next bomb was probably Tokyo so Japan surrendered. Hiroshima; Pre-raid population - 255,000, Dead - 66,000, Injured - 69,000. Nagasaki; Pre-raid population - 195,000, Dead - 39,000, Injured - 25,000. Harsh medical consequences such as severe burns and fractures and other bodily injuries, happened has the effects of the bomb. The conflict of 1945 has created more conflicts that are still affecting us, one example is the radiation of the atomic bomb is still affecting. People are still dealing with the effects of it. To this point people are still suffering from radiation and burns, people have cancer because of the terrible results of the atomic bomb.

Conclusion

To conclude the basis of conflict may vary but, it is always a part of society. Basis of conflict may be personal, racial, class, caste, political and international. Conflict is a normal part of life and there are many issues that could cause conflicts to arise within community organizations. Conflict can occur between employees, committee members, ordinary members, volunteers, clients or the community. If not resolved, conflict can be highly destructive.