There Is No Such Thing as a Good War or a Bad Peace
Benjamin Franklin once said, “There is no such thing as a good war or a bad peace.” Franklin argues that no war can be justified due to the countless casualties resulting from each war, and no peace can be claimed as being “bad”. As seen in significant wars throughout history, wars may in fact have both positive and negative results. Specifically, the Korean War and the American Revolution had a telling impact on the world; the Korean War, which bore millions of unnecessary casualties, and the American Revolution, which laid a foundation or future rises of democracy, are two examples that qualify Franklin’s statement.
An instance in history that supports Franklin’s claim is the Korean War. The Korean War first began when North Korea invaded South Korea in 1950. The war prolonged for years, forcing the international community to get involved. The United Nation forces, mainly from the United States, Britain, and Turkey, drove the North Korean army, who had almost won the war, back to Yalu River. As the UN took South Korea’s side, China took North Korea’s side, causing the Korean War to become a war between the world’s hegemones. During this horrific period of time, over 4 million innocent lives were lost. However, the bloodshed became pointless when the only decision and compromise that was established was the cease fire set at the border of the 38th parallel. The Korean War was clearly a war with a pointless intent and a war that clearly supports Franklin’s quote.
Opposed to the wasted lives of the Korean War, the American Revolution illustrates a historical war where the result justified the lives lost during the process. The American Revolution began as the British began to treat the Americans unfairly. Through events such as the Boston massacre and the heavy taxes, the colonists established a firm belief that the British had no right to unjustly take riches away. Americans were determined to become independent from the British. Through the troubles that faced
An instance in history that supports Franklin’s claim is the Korean War. The Korean War first began when North Korea invaded South Korea in 1950. The war prolonged for years, forcing the international community to get involved. The United Nation forces, mainly from the United States, Britain, and Turkey, drove the North Korean army, who had almost won the war, back to Yalu River. As the UN took South Korea’s side, China took North Korea’s side, causing the Korean War to become a war between the world’s hegemones. During this horrific period of time, over 4 million innocent lives were lost. However, the bloodshed became pointless when the only decision and compromise that was established was the cease fire set at the border of the 38th parallel. The Korean War was clearly a war with a pointless intent and a war that clearly supports Franklin’s quote.
Opposed to the wasted lives of the Korean War, the American Revolution illustrates a historical war where the result justified the lives lost during the process. The American Revolution began as the British began to treat the Americans unfairly. Through events such as the Boston massacre and the heavy taxes, the colonists established a firm belief that the British had no right to unjustly take riches away. Americans were determined to become independent from the British. Through the troubles that faced