Causes of War

Economic Factors:

Trade restrictions: War can sometimes be caused by economic policies that restrict international trade. Examples include the trade embargoes that were placed on Japan by the US before the onset of World War II.
Economic depressions: Significant economic downturns or depressions can lead to wars. The Great Depression in the 1930s, for instance, resulted in high unemployment rates and poverty that fuelled political extremism and aggression, contributing to the outbreak of World War II.
Resource scarcity: This refers to the lack of necessary resources for a country to maintain its economy or standard of living. An example of this would be Japan’s need for oil, which was one of the causes of its aggressive expansion before World War II.

Nationalism: This refers to feelings of patriotism and loyalty to one’s own nation, often combined with feelings of hate for other nations. Nationalism was a major cause of World War I, with various countries in Europe aiming to assert their dominance and expand their territories.
Imperialism: This refers to the policy of extending a country’s power and influence through colonisation, use of military force, or other means. This was one of the key causes of World War I, as major world powers sought to extend their imperialist reach.
Arms races: An escalation in weapons and military technology can increase tensions and trigger conflicts, such as in the nuclear arms race during the Cold War.

Religious fanaticism: Wars can be motivated by deeply held religious beliefs, with parties believing they are morally or divinely mandated to fight. This was evident in the crusades and later in some conflicts in the Middle East.
Political ideologies and systems: Conflicting ideologies, such as fascism, communism, and democracy, have been key causes of war throughout the 20th century. For example, the ideological differences between capitalism and communism fuelled the Cold War.

Rivalries and alliances: These can create a conflict-prone international environment. For example, the complex system of alliances in Europe contributed to the start of World War I.
Unresolved territorial disputes: Issues over control of land can trigger wars. For example, the dispute over the Alsace-Lorraine region was a long-standing source of tension between France and Germany prior to World War I.