Evolution Of Warfare : A Controversial Topic

Instinctivist theories on human aggressiveness often promote the notion that warfare is in the nature of humankind and therefore cannot be prevented. However Margaret Mead eloquently refuted this idea in her renowned essay Warfare: an Invention – Not a Biological Necessity. Mead states, “War is inevitable unless we change our social system and outlaw classes, the struggle for power, and possessions; and in the event of our success warfare would disappear, as a symptom vanishes when the disease is cured.” Through this statement Mead makes it clear that because aggression and subsequently warfare is a learned invention, it can be avoided. For the purposes of this essay, aggression will be defined as “a response that delivers noxious stimuli to another organism.” This essay will outline how and why aggression, and thus warfare, is not biological and is rather a behaviour that is learned as a reaction to social stimuli. Furthermore, it will be explained that violence is used by societies as a political weapon to achieve ostensible objectives.

The Civil War had a tremendous death toll. In fact, it had more deaths than any of the previous wars combined. At the time, it was thought that the soldiers in battle died from the wounds or amputations they received. The true cause of death came from disease. These harsh conditions were contributed by unqualified doctors and non-sterile equipment. During the Civil War, the true issue was not only the wounds received in battle but the infectious diseases that ultimately led to the soldier’s death. When this was discovered, doctors knew some action needed to take place. Hospitals and sanitation standards were improved. The Civil War contributed to an evolution of medicine and how to combat victims plagued with disease.

John Burford, a Brigadier General, had received a bullet to the knee during the Second Battle of Manassas. Luckily Buford’s bullet wound wasn’t too serious. If the wound had been serious, it would have been treated with amputations and since there were no anesthetics back then, the person getting amputated on would feel all the pain. Surgeries during the Civil War were performed unsanitary. Surgeons would not wash their hands before operating and would wear blood splattered clothing. The instruments used for operating were never disinfected properly. Instead, they would dip their instruments in cold water, often bloody from the prior operation. Buford had died in December 1863 of

During the Civil War, they had to have many medicines, operations, and surgeries done to themselves or others in order to survive (Jenny Goellnitz, Paragraph 1). Some of these medicines we still use today. Medical technology and scientific knowledge have changed dramatically since the Civil War, but the basic principles of military health care remain the same. The deadliest thing that faced the Civil War soldier was disease. For every soldier who died in battle, two died from disease.

During the Civil War the only major problem second to getting shot in the face, was a shot to the chest. At the time doctors did not really understand how to treat a wound of that type, and usually the major issue was the negative pressure exerted outwards, leading to the collapse of the lungs and soon after, suffocation. Contributing to this problem, the doctors observed that during their war, the french had an 8 percent survival rate from major damage to the chest, leading to many medical practitioners to simply refuse treating chest wounds. Early into the war, however, soldiers would be blessed with the miracle of knowledge, knowledge of how to close chest wounds. Benjamin Howard, a young assistant surgeon, otherwise known as a cub surgeon,

The Civil War began because of uncompromising differences between free and slave states over the power of government, in April 12, 1861. Most people died in the Civil War because of deadly diseases. The Battle of Gettysburg is considered the most important event in the Civil War. Soldiers fought from July first to July third 1863. Do soldiers really know how to treat an injury during a war? In the book The Killer Angels by Michael Shaara’s published in 1974, we are exposed to historical figures that could have treated their injuries and made them minor if they had modern medicine. With the medical training we have today the figures could have saved their limbs and known how to take better care of themselves in such uncomfortable situations.

Let’s go way back, all the way to 1861, the beginning of the Civil War. The Civil War was a battle between the Confederacy (south) and the Union (north). This was a battle to end slavery in the south. There were about 1,264,000 soldiers that died, and about 644,000 people were injured. As you may know, our medical field has drastically improved over the years since then. But back at that time, there wasn’t a lot that was yet to be known. As the Civil War progressed in its dreadful ways and occurrence of common wounds, that would be the main topic that will be addressed. Now sit back and relax, as we take a trip back to the past of battlefield medicine during the Civil War.

Today, our medical field has never failed to advance in treating wounds painlessly, you’d be taken aback by how wounds were treated during the Civil War. No one can lie that the war all started due to slavery. The South, the confederates, and the North, the union, were both against one another. The confederate states, the south, Wanted to continue having slavery. While the North, they wanted equal rights for everyone. This controversy started the Civil War. The Union had more soldiers and more firearms, compared to the South that only had way less supplies. With the battle between the Union and the Confederates, there is no doubt about the many injuries that occurred.

Most casualties and deaths in the Civil War were the result of non-combat-related disease. For every three soldiers killed in battle, five more died of disease. The primitive nature of Civil War medicine, both in its intellectual underpinnings and in its practice in the armies, meant that many wounds and illnesses were unnecessarily fatal.

-the springfield rifle was one of the most popular rifles in the civil war on both the North and the South

The American Civil War was a gruesome war. Brother against brother fighting with one another. Over five hundred men lost their lives fighting in one of the nations biggest, bloodiest battles. Obviously, the leading factor in deaths during the Civil War was wounded soldiers. Limbs were being shattered and wounds were becoming infected and spreading through out the body. Even though the Civil War was a gruesome battle, many lifesaving procedures were born. Because of the high medical need during the American Civil War, necessary advances such as medical inventions, lifesaving procedures; and reconstructive surgery established the foundation for our current medical methods

War should not be used just as an excuse to settle arguments. My claims are, firstly, war involves mass killings and is unethical. Secondly, war destroys economies. Thirdly, war has a negative impact and ruins the lives of children. Lastly, war can only be justified when it can be proven to be a necessity.

War has undoubtedly changed the vast majority of lives on this planet. Even the technology I am using to communicate this message is a product of war. Alan Turing developed the first computer, which was instrumental in the subsequent decryption of the Enigma code in World War II. The first jet aircraft was manufactured by the Luftwaffe to aid them in the same war, leading to today's primary mode of international travel. Countless medical breakthroughs and techniques are the direct product of war such as MRI, various drugs, and especially the laser. The United States even has a separate department, DARPA, whose contributions to the civilian lifestyle continue to innovate and impress. Many of these innovations, although funded for military reasons, have been invaluable to the human race, and we take them for granted day-to-day. From rockets, GPS, and Penicillin, to synthetic rubber, physics, and national defense, war may be hell, but it is certainly beneficial. The benefits of war are not restricted solely to technology; war is an effective catalyst for a nation's economy.

Nothing can impact society like war. War can be viewed as noble and just, or cruel and inhuman, as well as everything in between. War affects everyone in society whether they are fighting in a foreign country or waiting at home for a loved one to return. War is an indispensable part of civilization; found at every chapter of human history. It is the culmination of the basic survival instinct when provoked. As has the technique of battle; society's view on war has changed as well. Today the act of war has become almost shameful, whereas in earlier eras war was glorified and heroic. American society's view on war has changed also. Our history, even as a young country has seen a great deal

Talking about war tends to make people feel emotional, feel a sort of adrenaline rush, mad, and even proud. These emotions can at times, in my opinion, bring groups together and separate others because of disagreements on views and beliefs. While it is not easy to talk to anyone about delicate topics such as this one, it is important to acknowledge how war can influence societal behavior and culture. Many can argue that war unites people, particularly speaking of the United States; a country is known for its patriotism and pride when it comes down to its military forces and achievements across nations.