Overview of 20th-Century Warfare
- At the end of the 19th century, many people believed that war could no longer be used as a tool of diplomacy, but the 20th century proved otherwise.
- The century saw two world wars, with World War I (1914–1918) and World War II (1939–1945) killing millions of people; World War II alone caused the deaths of more than 50 million.
- In addition to these global conflicts, numerous other wars occurred between and within nations, often with extremely high casualty rates.
- The changing nature of warfare blurred the distinction between soldiers and civilians; by the 1990s, more civilians were being killed in wars than combatants.
- Technological advances, including the development of nuclear weapons, meant that humanity faced the possibility of total destruction for the first time in history.
Importance of Studying War
- World War I swept away empires, destroyed the old order, and prepared the ground for new political and social developments in Europe.
- World War II resulted in the emergence of the United States and the Soviet Union as superpowers while accelerating the decline of European powers such as Britain and France.
- These changes led directly to the Cold War and the collapse of European colonial empires, shaping the global political landscape of the late 20th century.
Types of War
Interstate War
- An interstate war is a conflict between two or more states that use their national armed forces to fight.
- World War I and World War II are examples of large-scale interstate wars involving multiple nations on a global scale.
Civil War
- A civil war is a conflict between groups within the same country, usually over political control, ideology, or independence.
- The Spanish Civil War (1936–1939) was fought between the Republicans and the Nationalists, while the Chinese Civil War (1927–1949) was fought between the Nationalists and the Communists.
Guerrilla Warfare
- Guerrilla warfare is an unconventional form of warfare in which small groups of fighters use ambushes, hit-and-run attacks, and raids against larger, less mobile forces.
- This strategy is often used during struggles for independence or in difficult terrain, such as jungles or mountains.
- The Algerian War (1954–1962) and First Indochina War (1946-54) against French colonial rule are examples of wars in which guerrilla tactics played a major role.
Causes of War
Economic Causes
- Economic causes of war include disputes over resources, markets, or raw materials.
- For example, while not the sole cause, economic rivalries between nations contributed to the outbreak of World War I.
Territorial Causes
- Territorial causes involve disputes over land or borders, which may also be linked to resources or ethnic and religious tensions.
- For example, Japan's expansionist goals were a major territorial cause of World War II in the Pacific.
Political Causes
- Political causes involve conflicts between rival political groups or systems.
- The Spanish Civil War began as a clash between left-wing Republicans and right-wing Nationalists over control of Spain’s political future.
Ideological Causes
- Ideological causes involve fundamental disagreements over how society and government should be organised.
- The Chinese Civil War was driven by ideological conflict between the Nationalists and the Communists.
Effects of War
Economic Effects
- War can have severe economic consequences, including inflation, rationing, and economic collapse.
- After World War I, Germany’s economy was left in ruins, which helped to create political instability in the country.
Territorial Effects
- Wars can lead to changes in borders, loss of land, and shifts in population.
- After World War II in the Pacific, Japan lost large areas of its empire in Korea, Manchuria, and South-East Asia.
Social Effects
- Wars can transform the structure, traditions, and customs of societies.
- World War I led to significant social change in Europe, including a shift in the role of women, who entered the workforce in large numbers.
Political Effects
- Wars can change governments and political systems, sometimes creating entirely new states.
- After World War II in the Pacific, many countries in East and South-East Asia gained independence from colonial rule.
