Pedro Odubayo Thompson
4 min readMar 8, 2022

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A World Thirsty for Blood: Why Wars Must End

Just when I thought I had seen the worst of wars, the Russian-Ukraine conflict erupted, proving me wrong. This world seems insatiable in its thirst for blood through war.

I once believed I had seen the epitome of horror during the Syrian war, which I rashly labeled “Hell on Earth.” But I was mistaken. Reflecting on the First and Second World Wars and Hitler’s atrocities against the Jews, I can’t help but feel a deep shame for belonging to a world so driven by bloodshed.

All wars, whether regional, civil, or international, must end.

Via PIXABAY Photos.
Via PIXABAY Photos.

When considering the calamities that have plagued humanity, it’s hard not to attribute them to human nature. Despite the lessons of history, we continue to follow the same destructive paths as those who came before us. I have compelling reasons to claim that humans are inherently warlike. If you’re skeptical, consider this brief timeline of wars that illustrates my point.

European Wars One of the most notorious conflicts in European history began when revolutionaries overthrew the monarchy in 1791. This sparked the French invasion of Austria in 1792, eventually leading to the rise of Napoleon Bonaparte (r. 1804–1814). The Napoleonic Wars followed in 1803, spreading conflict across the globe.

Wars in the United States the United States has engaged in numerous wars, both domestically and abroad, driven by the desire for independence and territorial expansion. Below is a concise timeline of significant wars involving American soldiers since the country gained independence:

  • The Revolutionary War (1775–1783): Americans fought for independence from British colonial rule.
  • The War of 1812 (1812–1815): The United States declared war on Britain in 1812.
  • The Mexican American War (1846–1848): Conflict erupted after Mexico refused to recognize the annexation of Texas. Mexico attacked U.S. troops in 1846, prompting Congress to declare war.
  • The American Civil War (1861–1865): The Confederate and Union states fought after Southern states seceded following President Abraham Lincoln’s opposition to the expansion of slavery. The Civil War remains the deadliest conflict in U.S. history, ending in 1865 with the Union’s victory and the abolition of slavery.
  • The Spanish-American War (1898): The United States clashed with Spain.
  • World War I (1914–1918): The U.S. joined the global conflict.
  • World War II (1939–1945): American forces played a crucial role in the Allied victory.
  • The Korean War (1950–1953): The U.S. intervened in Korea to combat communist expansion.
  • The Vietnam War (1959–1975): The U.S. engaged in a prolonged conflict in Southeast Asia.
  • The Gulf War (1990–1991): The U.S. led a coalition to liberate Kuwait from Iraqi occupation.
  • The Afghanistan War (2001–2021): The U.S. responded to the 9/11 attacks by invading Afghanistan.
  • The Iraq War (2003–2011): The U.S. launched an invasion of Iraq, leading to a prolonged conflict.

African Wars

  • The Ethiopian Civil War (1974–1991): Ethiopia experienced a long and brutal civil war.
  • The Nigerian Civil War (1967–1970): Nigeria’s civil war resulted in significant loss and suffering.
  • The First Liberian Civil War (1989–1996): Liberia endured years of conflict and instability.
  • The Ugandan Civil War (1980–1986): Uganda faced internal strife and violence.
  • The Sierra Leone Civil War (1991–2002): Sierra Leone was torn apart by civil war.
UX-Gum Photos.
UX-Gum Photos.

Latin and South American Wars

· The Chilean War of Independence (1810–1826)

· The Chilean Civil War (1829–1830)

· The War of the Confederation between the Peru-Bolivian Confederation and Chile (1836–1839)

· The Chilean Revolution (1851)

· The occupation of Araucanía (1861–1883)

· The Chicha Islands War between Spain and former colonies Peru and Chile occurs (1864–1866),

· Bolivia and Peru fought Chile in the War of the Pacific (1879–1884)

· The Chilean II Civil War (1891)

Civil wars and revolutions have shaped Latin American history, with Cuba, Mexico, and Colombia standing out. The Inca Civil War between Huascar and Atahualpa, the Mexican American War, Colombia’s “Thousand Days’ War,” the Mexican Revolution, and the Cuban Revolution all highlight humanity’s propensity for conflict. These events remind us of the urgent need for change, especially in light of the ongoing Russian-Ukrainian war.

If President Putin truly believes that Russians and Ukrainians are one people, as he claims, he should demonstrate it. He must seek common ground for peace, keeping in mind the suffering of the most vulnerable — women, children, the elderly, the disabled, and the voiceless — who endure this conflict in silence.

There must be a global call to action to end all wars, taking a decisive step toward lasting peace.

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Pedro Odubayo Thompson
Pedro Odubayo Thompson

Written by Pedro Odubayo Thompson

Pedro is a man of few days who strives to encourage critical thinking, promotes social justice, and endeavors to leave a lasting legacy behind.

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