Essay: A War on War

There are many debates on the question of is history subjective or objective in nature. When wars happen in front of eyes, we experience the horror of its disaster. If there could be a heaven on earth, at the location, in which the war happens, can be described as hell on earth. However, when a certain war becomes a part of a history, it is objectified. Historians research the effect and the motive of the war. And some wars may be re-evaluated in the course of time based on different historians.

Could there be a war that broke out for the sake of justice? Some say that the Crusades was for the righteous cause to protect the land, where their savior took the cross for the sins of the world. However, the Crusades like other wars in the past turned into a cause for greed and wealth. So, is there a war that turned out to be beneficial? I think one example that could be considered to be necessary and righteous is the American Civil War. President Abraham Lincoln initiated the war in order to stop the secession of the southern states, who disagreed with the policies of their president. This was a war to stop secession. Although the war may be evaluated and observed in various aspects, it was a war to stop division. It was not a war to take a way something from one another, but it was to stop the division of a young nation. For some the Civil War was an effort to allow their freedom. This resulted the modern United States of America with the last words of its national anthem: Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave.

Now, regardless of the positive effect that a war can offer, I do not agree with the idea of war at this era. When war is used as a solution, it will always leave something negative. Peace must be achieved through persuasion by exaggerating the importance of having peace, just like Mr. Man Hee Lee's proposal and the efforts of HWPL. So, from some perspective starting a War on War would be politically incorrect, but this war that we are starting is a different type of war, which would change the meaning inside the word, "war".