War, Battles and Sieges: Causes of War
War is a staple of any fantasy or historical book. War is often at centre of plot. So in these set of posts, we will be discussing the different areas and aspects of writing war and battles. (If there are any other areas I do not cover, feel free to send a suggestion to the ask box.)
Wars in any genre must have a starting point and reasons leading up to the initial conflicts. These can be numerous. In this post we’ll discuss the eight accepted reasons for a war. These are as follows:
Economic Gain
Territorial Gain
Religion
Nationalism
Revenge
Civil War
Revolutionary War
Defensive War
1. Economic Gain
Some wars are often fought for money and assets. Really if we would break every war down to basics, money is always a factor. Countries, kingdoms and factions have been battling over gold, cattle and other things that equal wealth for centuries. Even today, wars for wealth and economic gain can be summed up in a single reason: oil.
Examples
First Anglo Dutch War (1652): The English states wanted a greater control their trading routes and their growing colonies. The Dutch wanted to keep control of their ports in and Portugal, allowing them to hold onto their emerging commercial power.
Anglo-Indian Wars (1766-1849) – These wars were were fought between the British East India Company, a trade conglomerate, and different Indian states. These wars were fought to bring India under English rule, to gain the vast wealth of India.
First Opium War (1839-1842) - The British Empire had issue with trade with China as they wanted to import more exotic items such as silk, porcelain and tea which had become more and more on demand and China preferred to keep foreign trade to a minimum. After the East India Company sold off a large amount of Opium to other trade partners, China shut down trade with British Empire including seizing assets and arresting merchants.
Finnish-Soviet War or “The Winter War” (1939-1940) – The Soviets wanted to mine Nickel in Finland, which would turn a profit. However the Finnish refused the offer leading the Soviet Union to declare war.
2. Territorial Gain
Dreams of Empire have long been the aim of many combatants in war. Invasions and Acquisitions are always numbered as the most popular causes of war and conflict.
Examples
Campaign of Gaul (58-50BC): This was the wars fought by Caesar as he invaded Gaul. This war was seen as an “illegal” war as the Senate did not approve of it. The main aim of the war was the acquisition and maintaining of Roman rule in Gaul.
Arab-Israeli War or “Six Day War” (1967-1988) – Israeli invaded the territories of the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, taking them from Jordan which led to the lengthy war.
Mexican-American War (1846-1848) – This war began shortly after annexation of Texas, where Mexico was forced to release the state of Texas to American hands. Mexico fought for the return of Texas but were defeated.
World War II (1939-1945): This war might have begun for a number of reasons but the inciting point was Hitler’s invasion of Poland and other surrounding nations.
Serbo-Bulgarian War (1885-1886) – After an act of nature, the river which marked the border between the countries of Bulgaria and Serbia was moved. After this, the two nations went to war over a disputed border town.
3. Religion
Wars have always been fought over who has the “real” god/s and who is in the right when it comes of values and customs. Wars of such have been fought for as long as men first found differences between different religions and believed themselves “righteous”.
Examples
The Crusades (1095-1291) – These wars were sanctioned by the Catholic Church in the middle ages. Popes and Kings alike all dreamed of retaking the Holy Land of Jerusalem. They wished to spread Christianity, destroy Islam and Judaism and win the land they believed theirs. The effects of these brutal wars can be felt today
The Troubles (1968-1998): The Troubles were a series of attacks and skirmishes between Protestants and Catholics in the North of Ireland. The two sides battled bloodily in streets and in attacks, claiming thousands of lives including the innocents.
Lebanese Civil War (1975-1990) – The Lebanese Civil War was fought between the Sunni Muslim, Shiite Muslim and Christian Lebanese populations.
Second Sudanese Civil War (1983-2005) – This war was caused by the predominantly Muslim government imposing sharia law on all residents including those who were non-muslim.
4. Nationalism
Nationalism can be addressed as attempting to prove that your country is the greatest by invasion or harsh subjugation. The war is often a declaration of power, a “look at us, look how strong we are.” Look at the British Empire. Ancient Rome. America.
5. Revenge
This reason often walks hand in hand with Nationalism. Revenge is a common reason for war even if it doesn’t always take the top rung on the ladder of reasons.
Examples
World War II (1939-1945) – The rise of the Nazis and the Germanic invasions of Europe all culminated because of the Treaty of Versailles, which was written in such a way to prevent Germany ever reaching full power which crippled growth and led to a poverty stricken state.
War on Terror (2001- Present) – After the devastating attack on the World Trade Center, President George W. Bush declared war Iraq. These wars, which some argue as pointless, still are being fought.
The Third Punic War (149 BC – 146 BC): The third of these wars was enacted as revenge for the waste that the famous general Hannibal inflicted on Rome during the Second Punic war in retaliation for the First war. The Third however led to the utter destruction of the city of Carthage, ending the cycle of revenge.
Troy vs Greece (Unknown date/undecided reality): Though the famous war between the Trojans and the Greeks is well known, no historian can confirm it happened. The inciting event of this war was the elopement of the Spartan Queen Helen and the Trojan Prince Paris. The Greeks followed them, leading to a 10 year war and the annihilation of Troy.
6. Civil War
Civil wars are fought between two powers of the same land for control over the country. These wars are always the most devastating for the people of the land and often end by planting the seeds for the next conflict.
Examples
American Civil War (1861-1865) - The American Civil War divided America North and South over the issue of slavery. The war was the most bloody in American history, the total of deaths outweighing even the portion of American soldiers that died during WWII.
Russian Civil War (1917-1923) – This war was caused by the successful Russian Revolution. It was fought by the Red Army and the White Army who were battling over the future of Russia and its people.
English Civil War (1642-1651): This war was fought between Parliament and the Crown. The war eventually brought down the Monarchy, lost Charles I his head and left the Purtian Dickhead Oliver Cromwell in charge. (More on this CUNT person later)
Spanish Civil War (1936-1939) – The Spanish Civil War was fought by Republicans loyal to the left-leaning Second Spanish Republic, and the Nationalists led by Franco.
Wars of the Roses (1455-1485): After Henry IV lost is mind, Richard of York decided that he would be king. This begun a chain of battles between York and Lancaster which culminated in a victory headed by a rank outsider.
7. Revolutionary War
When a faction rebels against the control of another, we get a revolution. Glorious or not, all revolutions end in in blood and spark major wars. Revolutions are popular in fictional wars and can be set off for many reasons such as tyranny or an excessively harsh ruling class or colonialism.
Examples
Russian Revolution (1917-1918)- After suffering through the harsh WWI and the reign of the well meaning yet incompetent and woefully unprepared Tsar, the people rose and overthrew Tsarist Russia. This revolution claimed the lives of thousands including all of the Tsar’s children, himself and his wife.
Portuguese Restoration War (1640-1668) – The Portuguese revolution ended the 60-year rule of Portugal by Spain.
American Revolution (1775-1783) – The American Revolution was incited by sugar taxes laud on by England. The American colonies fought for independence from the British Empire.
French Revolution (1789-1799) – The French Revolution occurred because of another incompetent monarch and a large and lavish aristocracy. The starving underclasses rose up and began slaughtering the rich and the noble and set about building a new France.
Haitian Revolution (1791-1804) – This revolution saw slaves rising up against their ruling class and masters and setting the groundwork for the foundations of the first free black republic the world has ever known.
Ireland (1169-Present?): Ireland was invaded by Henry II of England (a douche tho I stan his wife and mom), on invitation from an idiot king. Since then Ireland has been under English rule. Ireland has fought rebellion after rebellion, revolution upon revolution to save the land and her people the invaders who forbade our traditions and killed our language and literally starved half the population to death and forcing us to leave our homes, which we have never recovered from. Some say our rebellions are done, perhaps they are. But the spirit is always there. I think this line sums it up best. For 800 years, we fought you without fear and we’ll fight you for 800 more.
8. Defensive War
A defensive war is a war fought before one can be started by the enemy. Or to put it simple terms: Imma punch that guy sitting over there before he can punch me. This may seem a strange concept. It is.
Examples
Cold War (1947-1991) – This war, if it can be called a war, was fought between Soviet Russia and America over nuclear weapons and where they ought to be placed. The American invasion of Cuba can be classed as a defensive war strategy.
