Why War Happens

War: Why wars occur Most wars result from a combination of causes. Three of the most common causes are conflicts over resources, clashing ideologies, and struggles over power. Conflicts over resources are the most basic and enduring causes of war. Resources include land, minerals, energy sources, and important geographical features. The world's first wars probably were fought over resources. Location and geography can provide great benefits to one community and not to another. Examples of …

…of a situation. War often results when one country seeks to expand its power at the expense of others. In some cases, a decline in the strength of a powerful nation may prompt a war of opportunity, in which rival nations try to take advantage of the once powerful nation's weakened state. In other cases, one or more nations may act together to stop the increasing power of a rival country that they consider threatening.