Modern Warfare Flashcards
(43 cards)
What causes war?
• Wars are caused by expanding populations and scarce natural resources;
• War is caused by economic growth and the pursuit of new areas of economic control, for example, seeking oil or gold;
• Religious belief can sometimes contribute to conflicts.
What are the effects of war?
- Wars in 20th century took the lives of a billion soldiers and civilian people;
- Hundreds of millions of injuries are sustained during war and many people die long after the war has finished – Hiroshima and Nagasaki in Japan;
- Civilians suffer greatly in modern warfare – over half the casualties of the Second World War were civilians;
- Damage to the economy is brought about by the loss of workers (killed or injured) and the destruction of infrastructure (roads, railways and industry);
Christian beliefs on war? (Quotes)
- Disciples of Jesus should be peacemakers. ‘Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God’ (Matthew 5:9);
- Human life is in God’s hands and is something no other human being should take. ‘In (God’s) hand is the life of every living creature and the breath of all mankind’ (Job 12:10);
What is a just war?
A mainly christian theory in which it beliefs that taking human life is wrong but also believes countries have a duty to protect and defend their citizens.
Who suggested the criteria fro a just war?
ST Thomas Aquinas
What is the criteria for a Just War?
- Must be the last resort
- Must be lawfully declared
- Must be a proper intention such as peace keeping or defending the innocent.
- Must be a reasonable chance of success
- Innocent civilians should not be killed and peace must be restored at the end.
What are Problems with the Just War Theory?
- Difficult to be sure that war is necessary and there are no other alternatives;
- How can people be sure that victory is possible?
- The aim of a war is to win – proportionality means following rules which may be ignored by the other side;
- Who is a legitimate target? While armed forces may be, what about those who work in the factories or feed the soldiers or those who heal soldiers so they can fight again?
Catholic Churches’ opinion on just war is?
Force may be used only to correct a ‘grave public evil’ like the holocaust.
Bible quotes on supporting war?
Numbers 21:3
‘The Lord heard them and helped them to conquer the Canaanites.
Numbers 32:20-21
‘All your fighting men are to cross the Jordan and under the command of the Lord, they are to attack our enemies…’
What are biological weapons
Contain viruses or bacteria that can cause disease capable of causing sickness or death in humans and animals and can destroy crops or contaminate water supplies.
e.g. Anthrax use after 9/11, letters laced with Anthrax began appearing in the U.S. mail.
What are chemical weapons?
Dev. In WW1. Some cause little harm, others cause death.
e.g., Nerve gases, mustard gas, tear gas.
What are WMD’s?
Nuclear Weapons: Most dangerous of WMDs
Bombs and missiles =explosive power - Can damage huge areas.
Produce radiation = intense heat = fires, severe burns to humans and animals and Radiation poisoning in humans and animals = sickness, organ damage, death.
Damage can last weeks, months, years, decades.
When was the first atomic bomb dropped?
- In August 1945, the USA dropped atomic (nuclear) bombs on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
What is Nuclear Deterrence?
This is a military doctrine that an enemy will be deterred (put of) from using nuclear weapons if they could be destroyed consequently. The aim of nuclear deterrence is to prevent war.
What is MAD and how did it help in the cold war?
The idea is that if a country has nuclear weapons, then they are unlikely to be attacked for fear of retaliation OR Mutually Assured Destruction or MAD.
What is disarmament?
Many Christians and non-Christians have called for disarmament and want to end the spread of nuclear weapons.
When did the UK become a nuclear power?
The UK became a nuclear power in 1952.
Explain Multilateral Nuclear Disarmament?
- This is when ALL countries get rid of their nuclear weapons together by agreement
Explain Unilateral Nuclear Disarmament?
- This is when ONE country takes a lead, disarms and hopes that it will shame others into doing the same.
What is nuclear proliferation?
When WMD’s spread to other countries and become more numerous.
Church opinions on nuclear weapons?
They are all absolutist in their dislike of it
Arguments for nuclear weapons?
They are a deterrent. The possession of nuclear weapons has kept the major world powers from coming to war since 1955.
This is due to fear of what might happen- that is ‘mutually assured destruction.’
It is immoral for a country to not protect their people however possible if they can afford it.
There has been no use of nuclear weapons since 1945
Arguments against nuclear weapons?
Their destructive power is immense and long lasting. Even countries that have nothing t do with the war will be badly affected.
Some people estimate that a small nuclear war could wipe out human life on earth.
No guarantee it will stop any invasions - The Falkland’s
Costs a lot to maintain which could be spent elsewhere like healthcare
What are the four main human costs of war?
Military, Civilians, Child soldiers and asylum seekers/refugees
