World War II was one of the most devastating wars in the history of the world that almost completely changed the world. The world was not only made to suffer from the view of loss of lives and devastation but also to learn some lessons about war, power and peace. Although it has been many years since the war ended, there are still a lot of consequences of this global tragedy which can be learned from. Nevertheless, despite all the warnings that history gives us, conflicts are still ongoing in different parts of the world, which tells us that the struggle for peace is still ongoing.
One of the most important lessons of World War II is the threat of authoritarian governments and the effectiveness of propaganda. In Nazi Germany, Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party seized on fear, nationalism, and militarism to justify their aggression and suppress civil rights. The regime advocated for race, ethnicity, and superordination – demagoguery and totalitarianism that intimidated through fear. These atrocities were possible because of misinformation and propaganda, which shows how dangerous power is when it is not checked. This is a very dark chapter in human history, and everyone needs to be wary of questioning everything that is being said or written, especially if it is spreading hatred, discrimination or against human rights.
The end of the Second World War also showed that the world needed cooperation. The United Nations (UN) was supposed to be a step forward in developing diplomacy and addressing many issues, including war, through the collective efforts of the member states. It had become apparent to everyone that no country could deal with threats from abroad and incoming threats, whether in the form of an army, economy, or people. In the current world, there are challenges like climate change, pandemics, and regionally rooted conflicts and war; collaboration is more significant than ever. However, the effectiveness of institutions such as the UN has been debated. The ongoing crises, including the Russian-Ukrainian war and the Palestinian crisis, reveal the limitations of international organisations in mediating and enforcing peace. The failure of diplomacy in the contemporary world indicates that although institutions have been put in place to avoid a recurrence of history, their ability to act as desired is still an issue to be determined.
Another point is the cost of war in terms of economy and people. The Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings in 1945 demonstrated the potential of nuclear weapons and the devastation that comes with them. The effects of the attack were quite dire, but the effects of the attack were much more severe; generations of people suffered from diseases caused by radiation and environmental issues. Nevertheless, despite the horrors of such events, the world continues to live in fear of nuclear weapons, which are still possessed by several countries and can cause devastation. These weapons’ existence indicates that the world has not fully encapsulated previous experiences.
The Second World War showed the importance of diplomacy, the effects of mass destruction, and the necessity of critical thinking during propaganda. It has given the world a clear understanding of what happens when you engage in war, and it should be a lesson to avoid it. Nevertheless, as conflicts continue to arise, it can be questioned whether we have learned from history. The lessons of World War II are not only about the history but also about the implications of these lessons in the contemporary and future world. As has been proven throughout history, war has no reward for the suffering it brings. For the world to advance to a better future, it must learn from these lessons and ensure they are adhered to.
Marharyta Andreieva