War is as old as human existence. Some of the main factors that cause war include intolerance and greed for resources. Notably, wars have both psychological and physical effects on people. Furthermore, human society is severely affected by war as social amenities and public infrastructure destroyed. Also residential places, the basis of human existence brought down. Wars cause terrible misery in terms of socio-economic and political instability (“Historical Context: The Global Effect of World War I | Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History,” 2019). In other words, human lives and livelihoods threatened. War displaces people from one place to another as they keep on moving to look for a secure location. Majority of people become scared and tormented emotionally and psychologically.

War causes death for people who are either involved in the war or victims who are caught up by war, and also many get injured and get handicapped for the entirety of their lives. Vulnerable groups such as women and children suffer most because they cannot escape jaws of war like their men counterpart. Also, men can defend themselves or flee when battle intensifies. According to   60 million European soldiers took part in World War I, and about 8 million died, 7 million handicapped and 15 million got serious injuries (Barnaby, 1995). Wars do not only kill humans but also cause pollution to the natural resources thus diminishing the quality of life. Schools become deserted, patients leave hospitals for safety, and residential places become deserted too. Those involved in war prioritize war investing in weapons and war armaments as compared to the basics of life such as food, health, education, etc. For example, countries that participated in World War I neglected socio-economics needs and growth of state and concentrated in the purchase of heavy armaments.  Weapons of mass destruction (WMD) such as nuclear weapons are used in war. For example, the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki resulted in the killing of about two hundred thousand people and caused severe destruction of the natural environment. The effects of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombing are felt to date as the harmful radioactive rays emitted causes genetically transmitted diseases.

Generally, wars cause far-reaching ramifications to the common man as people become displaced and go into seeking safety in harsh and uncomfortable conditions such as in forests. Children get deprived off an opportunity to receive education thus wholly ruining their lives many years to come.  Again war disturbs sources of livelihood and becomes hard for people to continue with their healthy lives. Wars create a big mess on a human being on earth; it makes a living hell.

Wars cause trauma for both victim and perpetrator. For instance, the veterans involved in combat become vulnerable, fragile and volatile as they struggle to manage responses and impulses of the horrific incidences they encounter. Many soldiers engaged in war suffer from post-stress trauma disorder (PSTD). Therefore, war becomes a nightmare even for the perpetrators.

In conclusion, war is a tool for most dictatorial regimes and leaders, as they use intimidation and threats of war to the perceived weak parties for loyalty and cooperation. War has adverse effects on humanity and should be avoided by diplomacy.

References

Historical Context: The Global Effect of World War I | Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History. (2019). Retrieved from https://www.gilderlehrman.org/content/historical-context-global-effect-world-war-i

Barnaby, F. (1995). The effects of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Medicine And War, 11(3), 1-9. doi: 10.1080/07488009508409217