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Wars that Changed History

The First and Second World War was not the only war that had a lasting impact on the world. There have been many other wars throughout history that have shaped the political, social, and cultural landscape of different regions and civilizations. Here are some of them:

The Battle of Muye (1046 BC)

was a decisive victory for the Zhou tribe over the Shang Dynasty in ancient China. The Zhou tribe, led by King Wu, overcame a huge numerical disadvantage and exploited the discontent of the Shang subjects, who defected to their side. The battle ended the Shang Dynasty and ushered in the Zhou Dynasty, which lasted for more than 800 years and is considered the golden age of Chinese culture.

The Battle of Marathon (490 BC)

was a landmark victory for the ancient Greeks over the invading Persian army. The Greeks, led by Miltiades, used their superior tactics and terrain to defeat a much larger Persian force, led by Datis and Artaphernes. The battle boosted the morale and confidence of the Greeks, who went on to repel further Persian invasions and preserve their independence and democracy.

Strategic Map of the Battle of Marathon

The Battle of Thermopylae (480 BC)

was a heroic stand by a small Greek force against a massive Persian army. The Greeks, led by King Leonidas of Sparta, held off the Persians for three days at a narrow mountain pass, before being betrayed by a local traitor who revealed a secret path to the Persians. The battle inspired the Greeks to unite and eventually defeat the Persians at the battles of Salamis and Plataea, ending the Persian threat to Greece.

An Illustration of The Battle of Thermopylae

The Crusades (1095 - 1291)

were a series of religious wars launched by Christian Europe against the Muslim Middle East. The Crusaders aimed to capture and crush the Holy Land from the Muslims. The Crusades had mixed results, with some temporary gains and losses for both sides, but also had lasting consequences, such as increased trade, cultural exchange, and political fragmentation in both regions. Salahaddin Al-Ayyubi or "Saladin" is one of the most mentioned names in this period of war after his success in retaking and spreading peace in the Holy Land (Al-Quds or Jerusalem) after wars between both sides in 1187.

The Crusaders and Their Timeline
An Illustration of Salahaddin or "Saladin" Entering the Al-Quds or The Holy Land

The French Revolution (1789 - 1799)

was a period of radical social and political upheaval in France. The revolutionaries overthrew the monarchy and established a republic based on the principles of liberty, equality, and fraternity. The revolution also involved violent conflicts with other European powers, as well as internal factions such as the Jacobins and the Girondins. The revolution ended with the rise of Napoleon Bonaparte, who became emperor of France and dominated Europe for over a decade.

An Illustration of The French Revolution

The Mexican-American War (1846 - 1848)

was a war between the United States and Mexico over the disputed territory of Texas. The war was triggered by the annexation of Texas by the US in 1845, which Mexico considered part of its territory. The war resulted in a decisive American victory and the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, which ceded more than half of Mexico's territory to the US, including California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, and parts of Wyoming.

Territories taken from Mexico after the war

World War I (1914 - 1918)

was a global war that involved more than 30 countries and 65 million soldiers. It was sparked by the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary in Sarajevo by a Serbian nationalist. The war pitted the Allies (France, Britain, Russia, Italy, Japan, and later the US) against the Central Powers (Germany, Austria-Hungary, Ottoman Empire, and Bulgaria). The war was characterized by trench warfare, new technologies such as tanks and aeroplanes, and unprecedented casualties. The war ended with the Treaty of Versailles, which imposed harsh terms on Germany and contributed to the rise of Nazism.

The First World War, one of the deadliest war in history

World War II (1939 - 1945)

was a global war that involved more than 50 countries and 100 million soldiers. It was caused by the aggression of Nazi Germany, Fascist Italy, and Imperial Japan, who formed the Axis powers. They fought against the Allies (Britain, France, Soviet Union, China, US, and others), who opposed their expansionism and totalitarianism. The war was marked by mass atrocities such as the Holocaust, atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and firebombings of Tokyo and Dresden. The war ended with the defeat of the Axis powers and the emergence of two superpowers: the US and the Soviet Union.

The Second World War, a war that the world involved

 

These are just some of the other wars that changed history and influenced our world today. War is not the only way and the last way to change the history of the world. War is not better than murder. Our world is more valuable without any war. Peace for everyone...

 

Sources:
 
: https://www.brainscape.com/academy/influential-wars-in-history-change-course/
: https://interestingengineering.com/culture/15-epic-battles-that-changed-the-course-of-history
: https://www.bloomsbury.com/us/wars-that-changed-history-9798216163596/
: https://books.google.com/books/about/Wars_That_Changed_History_50_of_the_Worl.html?id=xhGFCgAAQBAJ

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