So should we create a cause for the people to rally behind? They thought the World War 1 (Called the Great War in that time) was the "War to End All Wars" but not 20 years later and another World War was started. People seem to think another one is on it's way, but what would be the cause then?
No.
It's not that war should be encouraged or attempts made to ethicize it, but if it does come about, then just to fight for survival. Nobody should want to bring about war, but as history proves, some do. In which case, when they fire the first weapon, you're left with two options - do or die. It's not inherently necessary, but it can
become necessary.
They thought WW1 would the war to end all wars because it was seen as a "release"; a remedy to all the insurmountable tension that existed between countries/empires. Here in Britain, people thought they would be going on horseback to a battlefield to have a quick bust up and that would be that - peace restored. Nobody knew how bad and bloody things would end up. Everyone walked into it with their eyes shut.
Nobody could also anticipate the broken but brooding German pride, or that a cracked yet compelling Austrian orator would rally that pride into another world war. In the end though, WW2 became the war that the first one should've been, but not for the desirable reasons.
With the advent of the nuclear bombings, the whole world came to know what it could be. Hence why WW3 (Cold War) saw a lot of big talk, but not a single drop of blood shed. It was a forced wake up call for all.
