The Second World War was a turning point in the history of warfare, with the widespread killing of civilians on both sides. The war was characterized by the indiscriminate bombing of cities, the massacre of civilians, and the displacement of millions of people (Taskinen, 2023). The bombing campaigns resulted in significant loss of life and widespread destruction of cities, affecting both military and civilian populations (Carpenter & Montgomery, 2020). The killing of civilians during the war was justified by both sides on the grounds of military necessity and retaliation for the actions of the enemy (Carpenter & Montgomery, 2020). According to Carpenter and Montgomery (2020), the norms of civilian immunity played a significant role in shaping the U.S.’s attitude toward the laws of war. Despite these norms, the U.S. still engaged in bombing campaigns that resulted in the death of civilians (Carpenter & Montgomery, 2020). These events demonstrate the devastating impact of war on civilians and the need to protect their rights and well-being during armed conflicts.
In my opinion, the arguments used to justify the killing of civilians during the Second World War are highly questionable from a moral and ethical perspective. The indiscriminate bombing of cities and the massacre of civilians directly violated the principles of international humanitarian law, which clearly prohibit the targeting of civilians and civilian objects. The devastating impact of these actions on the civilian populations affected by the conflict highlights the tragedy and inhumanity of such practices. When it comes to the question of whether killing civilians to win a war is ever justified, I would argue that the answer is a resounding no. The targeting of civilians goes against basic human values and principles of morality, and can never be justified by military necessity or retaliation. The loss of innocent lives and the widespread suffering caused by these actions cannot be justified in any context.
In conclusion, the widespread killing of civilians during the Second World War was a defining moment in the history of warfare. The arguments used to justify the killing of civilians were not morally or ethically justifiable and violated the principles of international humanitarian law. The indiscriminate bombing of cities and the massacre of civilians was a tragic and devastating event that had a profound impact on the civilian populations affected by the conflict.
References
Carpenter, C., & Montgomery, A. H. (2020). The stopping power of norms: Saturation bombing, civilian immunity, and U.S. attitudes toward the laws of war. International Security, 45(2), 140–169. Web.
Taskinen, I. (2023). Construction of the Finnish army in World War II database. Historical Life Course Studies, 13, 44–60. Web.