In times of war, maintaining public support is often the most difficult battle.

In times of war, maintaining public support is often the most difficult battle.

Throughout human history, civilizations have risen and fallen. Each of these societies have experienced times when society flourished and celebrated its accomplishment and dark eras where the society has suffered to some extent. A society generally flourishes when the government is abiding by its duties to serve the people righteously in their favor but when the government fails to do so, turmoil and pandemonium break out resulting in war. However, in certain scenarios war is necessary solution to a problem and other times it is not. The government is faced with a challenge of support, but when is it appropriate for citizens to support the government and when is it not to?

First, consider when it is a difficult battle to find support for a war effort. In the aftermath of the horrific events of 9-11 in New York City and Washington DC, the Bush Administration took drastic and often precocious decisions in response to the act of terrorism. President Bush declared a war on terrorism in 2003 and has been an ongoing battle ever since. As Commander in Chief he has deployed numerous troops to the battlegrounds of Iraq, Afghanistan and even Pakistan. However, some citizens feel his actions are a bit too drastic and find it controversial. The main reasons for this disapproval is that the war effort has been draining trillions of dollars in tax-payer money leading to the brink of losing morale. Despite the recent closure of military bases in Afghanistan and Iraq, ordered by President Obama, many citizens still disapprove the fact that the War on Terrorism has been the longest war fought, approximately 8 years. This war has substantially increased the United States deficit from recent memory leading to economic setbacks such as loss of jobs and the current recession citizens are facing. As a result, in times of war it may be difficult to find support.

On the other hand, in some cases it is fairly easy to find support in a war effort when everyone is working towards a common goal. A prime example, is during the aftermath of World War I, Germany had surrendered to the Allied Powers and were forced to pay reparations in return to their defeat. After Germany agreed to pay this hefty fine, it turned Germany into pandemonium and chaos everywhere. German citizens were low in morale and had given hope on getting back their homeland on its feet again. During these times of uncertainty, rose an influential figure, young Adolf Hitler. Hitler, a Polish-German, had immigrated to Frankfurt to study art but when he saw how desolate Germany had become, Hitler took action. Hitler started out with small speeches in community halls and common meeting areas by bringing together the masses and making them confident that Germany would come out of the darkness. Eventually over a couple of years, Hitler had gained common support and popularity because he emphasized support and supremacy of the Aryan race over the inferior Jews who supposedly were responsible for Germany’s decline. With his articulate speeches, he became the next Chancellor of Germany in 1939 and established the Nazi Party. Under Hitler’s rule, widespread support by Aryans grew because they had a similar vision as Hitler to wage war on Jews in hopes to improve the economic situation.

As a result it is evident, that it depends on the circumstances in which the government will or will not get support in times of war. If the common man does not share a common goal with the government then it is very hard to find support, as in the case of the War on Terrorism. In contrast, if the common man has shared vision and purpose with the government in fighting a war then support is imminent.