Causes of Global Conflict: The Big Picture
Looking at the big picture helps us understand why massive conflicts happened throughout the 20th century.
The acquisition and control of markets and resources drove many conflicts. After the Industrial Revolution, Western governments, the US, Russia, and Japan all competed to control trade and territory in Asia and Africa. They needed markets to sell consumer goods and access to raw materials. This competition contributed to the Opium Wars, the Sino-Japanese Wars, the Crimean Wars, and aspects of both World Wars.
Fascism and extreme nationalism were major factors in both World Wars, especially World War II. The idea that your country is superior to others and deserves more territory led to aggressive expansionist policies. Meanwhile, complex alliance systems meant that conflicts quickly escalated - when one country was attacked, its allies joined the fight as if they had been attacked themselves.
Think Critically: Notice how economic competition and extreme nationalism continue to create tensions between countries today. What current conflicts show these same patterns?
These causes help explain why the 20th century saw such devastating global conflicts. Understanding these patterns helps us recognize similar dangers in today's world and possibly prevent future catastrophes. The lessons of history show us that economic cooperation, respect for human rights, and peaceful resolution of conflicts are essential for avoiding the horrors of the past.