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Unit 3: Conflict, Crime and

Punishment and Forgiveness

Fact File

War and Pacifism

Teacher’s notes included in the Notes page

Flash activity (these activities are not editable) Web addresses

Accompanying worksheet(s)

Extension activity

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Learning objectives

What we will learn in this presentation:

The different types of war

Reasons why people go to war

What the Just War Theory is

Different ideas concerning the conduct of wars

What pacifism is

Why people are pacifists

Arguments against pacifism

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War

The term war refers to an armed conflict between two or more countries or political bodies.

What famous wars can you think of? Who was the aggressor in each case?

The body that starts the war is called the aggressor. Their motives usually undergo heavy international scrutiny.

Wars are fought in many arenas including:

In the last century, there have been many wars.

air sea land

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A just war?

What do you consider a ‘properly constituted body’?

The Just War Theory argues that wars are only acceptable if they abide by set ethical criteria.

Despite this theory being Christian in origin, many people still use its principles to judge whether a war can be validated.

This theory states that a war is just if:

it is fought for a just cause

a ‘properly constituted body’ starts it

it has the right intention

it is the last resortno civilians are involvedonly proportional force is used

there is a reasonable chance of success.

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The Iraq War

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Is it ever right to go to war?