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[[File:Ukrainian Nazis surrender.PNG|right|400px|thumb|Two U.S. taxpayer-supported [[Ukrainian]] soldiers, the one on the left wearing Nazi [[SS Galicia Division]] insignia, and on the right Nazi SS Totenkopfverbände insignia.]]

[[File:Ukrainian Nazis surrender.PNG|right|400px|thumb|Two U.S. taxpayer-supported [[Ukrainian]] soldiers, the one on the left wearing Nazi [[SS Galicia Division]] insignia, and on the right Nazi SS Totenkopfverbände insignia.]]

'''War''' is a prolonged state of violent conflict between two or more states.  War has been conducted for many purposes, such as the acquisition of goods, seizing enemy territory, to satisfy the honor of the [[sovereign]], eliminating a threat to the homeland, stamping out rival religious sects (see [[Religious war]]), or exporting political ideologies.  Warfare between factions within a single [[state]] is called [[civil war]].   

'''War''' is a prolonged state of violent conflict between two or more states.  War has been conducted for many purposes, such as the acquisition of goods, seizing enemy territory, satisfying the honor of the [[sovereign]], eliminating a threat to the homeland, stamping out rival religious sects (see [[Religious war]]), or exporting political ideologies.  Warfare between factions within a single [[state]] is called [[civil war]].   

Wars have often been periods of great technological innovation as each side finds itself faced with the necessity of creating new methods of offense and defense to ensure national survival. Modern warfare has to be adaptive to the practicalities of an ever-changing battlefield. Investing in complex expensive systems that take years to perfect can limit adaptability and flexibility and lead to defeat in war.

Wars have often been periods of great technological innovation as each side finds itself faced with the necessity of creating new methods of offense and defense to ensure national survival. Modern warfare has to be adaptive to the practicalities of an ever-changing battlefield. Investing in complex, expensive systems that take years to perfect can limit adaptability and flexibility and lead to defeat in war.

The [[American Civil War]], coming shortly after the [[Industrial revolution]] in the United States, introduced mechanized warfare to the world with accurate rifles, metal [[warship]]s, [[railway|railroad]] transportation of forces and material, and instant communication via the [[telegraph]].   

The [[American Civil War]], coming shortly after the [[Industrial revolution]] in the United States, introduced mechanized warfare to the world with accurate rifles, metal [[warship]]s, [[railway|railroad]] transportation of forces and material, and instant communication via the [[telegraph]].   

[[World War I]] (1914-1918) introduced air combat, chemical warfare, [[submarine]] and tank warfare, and the large scale deployment of the [[machine gun]].   

[[World War I]] (1914-1918) introduced air combat, chemical warfare, [[submarine]] and tank warfare, and the large-scale deployment of the [[machine gun]].   

[[World War II]] (1939-1945) refined tank tactics in the form of the [[Blitzkrieg]], and introduced large-scale strategic bombing of enemy cities. The [[aircraft carrier]] took mastery of the seas.  It ended with the first (and only) use of [[nuclear weapon]]s.

[[World War II]] (1939-1945) refined tank tactics in the form of the [[Blitzkrieg]], and introduced large-scale strategic bombing of enemy cities. The [[aircraft carrier]] took mastery of the seas.  It ended with the first (and only) use of [[nuclear weapon]]s.

   

   

When the [[Cold War]] began in 1947, there have been a few international wars and many civil wars with outside actors, such as the [[Vietnam War]] and the [[Korean War]].

Since the [[Cold War]] began in 1947, there have been a few international wars and many civil wars with outside actors, such as the [[Vietnam War]] and the [[Korean War]].

==Clausewitzian theory==

==Clausewitzian theory==

[[Carl von Clausewitz]] was [[Prussian]] military officer during the [[Napoleonic wars]]. Clausewitz' treatise ''On War'', published posthumously, remains a fundamental study on the Art and Theory of war.

[[Carl von Clausewitz]] was a [[Prussian]] military officer during the [[Napoleonic wars]]. Clausewitz' treatise ''On War'', published posthumously, remains a fundamental study on the Art and Theory of War.

Clausewitz defines war as an act of force to compel our enemy to do our will. The object is to disarm the enemy.

Clausewitz defines war as an act of force to compel our enemy to do our will. The object is to disarm the enemy.

There is historical evidence indicating that [[Darwinism]] was a causal factor for [[WWI]] and [[WWII]] (see: [[Irreligion/religion and war]] and [[World War I and Darwinism]]).

There is historical evidence indicating that [[Darwinism]] was a causal factor for [[WWI]] and [[WWII]] (see: [[Irreligion/religion and war]] and [[World War I and Darwinism]]).

== Academic studies consistently challenge link between religion and war ==

== Academic studies consistently challenge the link between religion and war ==

Academic studies and other research consistently challenge the link between religion and war.<ref>[http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2014/11/14/religions-war-cause-responsible-evidence_n_6156878.html Does Religion Really Cause War - And Do Atheists Have Something To Answer for?] by Louise Ridley, assistant news editor at the Huffington Post UK</ref> See: [[Irreligion/religion and war]]

Academic studies and other research consistently challenge the link between religion and war.<ref>[http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2014/11/14/religions-war-cause-responsible-evidence_n_6156878.html Does Religion Really Cause War - And Do Atheists Have Something To Answer for?] by Louise Ridley, assistant news editor at the Huffington Post UK</ref> See: [[Irreligion/religion and war]]

Louise Ridley in her article entitled ''Does Religion Really Cause War - And Do Atheists Have Something To Answer For?'':

Louise Ridley, in her article entitled ''Does Religion Really Cause War - And Do Atheists Have Something To Answer For?'':

{{Cquote|But academic studies consistently challenge the link between [[religion]] and war. [http://www.visionofhumanity.org/#/page/news/1085 Research published in October from the New York and Sydney-based Institute for Economics and Peace] looked at all of the wars that took place in 2013. It found no 'general causal relationship' between religion and conflict.

{{Cquote|But academic studies consistently challenge the link between [[religion]] and war. [http://www.visionofhumanity.org/#/page/news/1085 Research published in October from the New York and Sydney-based Institute for Economics and Peace] looked at all of the wars that took place in 2013. It found no 'general causal relationship' between religion and conflict.