Justify Using Military Force

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Can a nation justify using military force? Winston Churchill, a truly respected English leader, once told the people of England that, “We shall defend our island, whatever the cost may be, we shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender.” Over the course of history nations have waged war for the sake of land and resources. However, some nations fought to save lives, to defend citizens against tyrants and dictators, and to protect liberty. A nation can justify using military force in self-defense, to police atrocious evil acts, and when a foreign entity forcibly rules an alien country against its will. A country can validate war when attacked and “The most vital interests of that same country are threatened and where there are no promising alternatives to using force” (Haas, “When is War Justifiable?”) …show more content…

In 1993 the Catholic Church defined just military action as, “force that may be used only to correct a grave, public evil, i.e., aggression or massive violation of the basic rights of whole populations” (National Conference of Catholic Bishops, “The Challenge of Peace,”). For instance, when Hitler killed six million Jews, the nations could righteously declare war because Hitler planned to exterminate the Jewish race. In addition, in American history the South tortured and mistreated black slaves for centuries. Southern states treated blacks as if they were not human by buying and selling them like animals. Therefore, the North could justify a war to relieve the persecution. Another example includes how NATO prevented the Serbians from their attempt to exterminate the Bosnians. Every race holds value and deserves preservation. To prevent horrific atrocities, a nation should intervene to protect