What are some examples of social change that has been brought about by force?

1. 69

   Emanate Presenceposted 11 years ago

   What are some examples of social change that has been brought about by force?
   
   In your mind, was the use of force justified?

   replyreport
2. 67

   CriticalMessageposted 11 years ago

   The United States Civil War was pretty forceful, and bloody... As for it being justified?... That battle of civil liberties, and human freedoms are still be contested today... Passion in differing ideologies will always be combative... Comfortably self justified on either side...

   replyreport
   1. 69

      Emanate Presenceposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Good points. When will humanity look to the underlying causes of social distress? I am interested to know what you and others feel are the underlying causes.

      replyreport
3. 89

   Doc Snowposted 11 years ago

   The pre-eminent example for me would be the end of slavery in the United States, which was brought to an effective end by the American Civil War.  Of course, force was not wholly responsible:  decades of anti-slavery agitation played their part.
   
   Other examples would be the birth(s) of democratic government in modern Europe, which involved multiple armed conflicts in Britain and on the European continent, from the English civil war of 1642-9 to the French revolution, to the rebellions of 1848.
   
   Then there is the Russian Revolution; one can certainly criticize the Soviet regime which followed, but there's no question that it transformed Russian society very greatly.
   
   The most appalling modern example is the Nazi holocaust, which shifted the demographic map of Europe (and Palestine, indirectly) as a result of the genocide against European Jews, not to mention all its very extensive and diverse political ramifications, which continue to affect today's headlines.
   
   The old saw is that 'violence doesn't solve anything.'  Maybe not, but it can sure transform existing problems into different ones.

   replyreport
   1. 69

      Emanate Presenceposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      This is very helpful and expands my understanding of history as I have not studied it. I like the way you put it, 'transform existing problems into different ones.' If social issues are to be addressed, it only makes sense to go to the roots.

      replyreport
4. 90

   Justin Muirposted 11 years ago

   The Civil War, The Protestant Reformation*,  and WWII caused immense social change that still ripples its way into the present.  Imagine how in the aftermath of WWII, genocidal tragedy provided that final impetus for creation of an entire nation....Israel.  If that's not social change I don't know what is.  Not to mention that war and conflict is one of the ways that culture changing ideas spread throughout the world before the advent of technology, increased trade, etc.
   
   *Multiple conflicts

   replyreport
   1. 69

      Emanate Presenceposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      As I currently live in Germany, my wife's homeland, I see the effects. The synagogue here was destroyed. Is it worthwhile to look for another way than war and conflict to spread culture-changing ideas?

      replyreport